In preparation for the opening of classes for the 2022-2023 school year, the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) Education Department held a Principals' Orientation and Training at the Adventist Academy of Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission (AANS) in Dauin, Negros Oriental, on July 27–28, 2022.
Nearly 100 Adventist school leaders from the seven conferences and missions in the Central Philippines attended the meeting with the theme "Called to Lead; I Will Go."
Dr. Bienvenido Mergal, Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) Education director, Dr. Bryan Sumendap, SSD Associate Education director, Lemuel Banday, CPUC Education director, Liza Facon, CPUC Associate Education director, Dr. Isaias Guisando, Central Visayan Conference Education director, Even Villar, Central Philippine Adventist College-Elementary School principal, and Memosa Sarong, AANS vice principal, all served as resource speakers.
The seminar included lectures on Adventist leadership, the “I Will Go” strategic focus, the ABCs of leading a small school, enrollment boosters and the best practices of growing a church school, paperless assessment, a principal as a disciple-maker and change agent, a fundraiser's faith, and surviving day one and beyond as principal.
According to Dr. Mergal, the seminar aimed to orient and train the principals to become spiritual leaders in their role as disciple-makers and agents of change in contributing to and implementing the “I Will Go” strategic focus of the church.
"Principalship is a challenging calling, and principals must commit to developing spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and healthy emotions. Further, they must develop a Christlike character to lead successfully. They can only take this wisdom growth from Jesus, the center of true education," Mergal emphasized.
Meanwhile, Pastor Eliezer "Joer" Barlizo, Jr., CPUC president, showed his support for the Education Department through his presence. In his talk, he underscored God's calling and their commitment to go. He also offered a special prayer for all the school leaders.
"For many are called, but few are chosen. Thank you so much for accepting God's call. Always remember, the greater the responsibility you have, the higher the opportunity to serve," he stressed.
The orientation culminated with a university tour and other outdoor activities.