The newly formed Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (NLPUM) and Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (SLPUM) held their inaugural constituency meetings on November 20 and 21, respectively. These meetings followed the approval of the dissolution of the ecclesiastical function of the North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC). However, the corporate legal entity of NPUC – the North Philippine Union Conference Corporation continues to exist with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
During the meetings, the operating policies for both union missions were approved. Departmental directors were also appointed to serve until the end of 2025, when the regular constituency session is scheduled.
In the Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission, the following individuals were appointed as departmental directors:
Jules Bermudez, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries
Josie Felda Calera, Children / Adventist Possibility Ministries
Abraham del Rosario, Publishing / Spirit of Prophecy
Ardie Diaz, Family and Women’s Ministries
Marvin Diaz, VP NDR-IEL / Ministerial Secretary
Sherman Fiedacan, Communication / PGTS
Lani Malabad, Health / Ministerial Spouses Association
Marlon Ramirez, Youth / Stewardship
Mary Jane Zabat, Education
In the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission, the appointed departmental directors are as follows:
Joshua Baldera, Stewardship / Youth
Diovelyn Cajobe, Children / Ministerial Spouses Association
Delba de Chavez, Family / Women’s Ministries
Adriel Gavenia, Ministerial Secretary
Jadaza Hintay, Health / Adventist Possibility Ministries
Armando Ogmar, Publishing / SOP
Jose Orbe, Jr., Communication / Planned Giving and Trust Services (PGTS) / PARL
Agnes Ravalo, Education
Relino Urbi, VP NDR-IEL / Sabbath School
The reorganization and transitions also prompted new leadership appointments in various mission fields under SLPUM. In Mindoro Island Mission (MIM), Pastor David Morado, the outgoing Youth Director of NPUC, was appointed President. Meanwhile, in Palawan Mission (PM), Pastor Eliezer Barrientos, formerly the Executive Secretary of the mission, was elected as President while Pastor Ramil Rey stepped in as the new Executive Secretary. In Cavite Mission, Leah Fabon, who is currently serving as an accountant for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), was appointed Treasurer.
David Morado, President of Mindoro Island Mission
Eliezer Barrientos, President of Palawan Mission
Ramil Rey, Executive Secretary of Palawan Mission
Leah Fabon, Treasurer of Cavite Mission
The newly appointed leaders expressed both gratitude and a sense of responsibility. Pastor Jules Bermudez, the new Sabbath School Director for NLPUM, shared, “I feel deeply humbled and honored. This is a new responsibility, and I am prayerfully seeking God’s guidance to be able to serve faithfully. I am willing to allow Him to use me wherever He sees best.”
Pastor Daniel Malabad, the first president of NLPUM acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized God’s providence: “There will be significant challenges in the coming years, but we firmly believe that we are not alone. The Lord is with us—His guidance, His promises—so that His plans for NLPUM may be accomplished. To the newly elected directors, I believe that they have been chosen by the Lord to be part of our team, to fulfill the mission entrusted to us.”
For Pastor Gerardo Cajobe, the transition brought mixed emotions. He shared, “As the last President of NPUC, I am glad that the proposal to divide the Union into two has been realized. I am happy that it has come to pass, and with the Lord’s leading, the work across Luzon will continue to flourish.” With a hint of nostalgia, he added, “I will miss NPUC.”
These leadership appointments signal a new start for the Adventist church in Luzon. While the former NPUC has been divided into two separate union missions, their shared purpose remains unchanged. United in faith and mission, the two fields continue to work together to fulfill the church’s calling.
Two fields, one mission.
North Philippine Union Conference