Thousands of viewers from around the world tuned in for a week-long evangelistic series hosted and streamed live by Cebu City Seventh-Day Adventist Church in San Nicolas, Cebu City.
Pastor Heshbon Buscato, the newly elected youth director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, conducted the event. Each night, his topics revolved around the theme “When Life Gives You Tangerines.”
The series, overseen by Pastor Jomar Compuesto, took place from July 27 to August 2 as part of a broader evangelism initiative by the Central Visayan Conference.
Compuesto, the CVC field secretary for Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle, which focuses on nurturing, discipleship, and reclaiming, facilitated these evangelism initiatives.
The first six nights of the series were held at the Cebu City church, concluding with a large-scale finale on Sabbath at the Adventist Academy Cebu gymnasium for the 3rd Quarter Care Group Harvest Celebration.
This event was also a part of a larger, one-year intensive evangelism initiative called “Harvest 2025,” launched by the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
The finale was a packed event, attracting attendees from across Metro Cebu. According to Pastor Lelord Arranguez, CVC communication director, some families even flew in from abroad to be a part of the celebration.
During the divine service, Buscato concluded his series by exploring the story of Joseph and its connection to the theme of tangerines. He likened Joseph’s journey—from a favored son to an enslaved person and eventually a governor who forgave his family—to life’s tangerines.
“Tangerines, just like life, aren’t always sweet,” he said. “Some are bland, others even sour.”
Through life’s tangerines, people achieve their goals, accomplish great things, and see their dreams fulfilled. Just like Joseph, who experienced both favor and rejection, his life ultimately had a great purpose.
Buscato then closed his message with a reminder by saying, “When life gives you tangerines, look at how far you have come.”
The event’s success culminated in the baptism of 79 individuals from various churches across Metro Cebu, an act that celebrated the effective evangelism initiatives in the area.
Another highlight was the return of the Panimbaya sa Kabuntagon World (PSKW) team from Cagayan de Oro City, which had also served at the first-quarter celebration in March. Their presence drew a large crowd, and many attendees expressed their appreciation.
The PSKW team, known for their popular music medley series on Hope Channel South Philippines, also held a concert after the baptism ceremony.
The performance featured video presentations of conversion and deliverance stories and included a special collaboration with the ACC Ensemble, an academy orchestra composed of student musicians.
“Their music is uplifting—the kind of songs that speak directly to the heart,” Nestro Pilapil, a hemodialysis nurse at Adventist Hospital in Cebu, shared. “I’m so happy they’re here again. Their music is something most people can relate to.
Pilapil also mentioned that these songs have won the hearts of many Christians and are commonly repeated in churches, homes, and even in places like malls.
One attendee, who wished to remain anonymous, praised the team’s humility, saying, “Despite their fame, they are so kind, friendly, and approachable. Most of them even remembered me from last time.”
The team reached a significant milestone last year by gaining over one million viewers on social media, a testament to an effective digital ministry.
This evangelism series carried an emotional tone as it marked Buscato’s final program as SSD’s communication director. After this event, he will begin his new role as the youth director.