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From 22 to 26 May 2006, I was invited to attend the Sixth Asia Lausanne Conference on Evangelism in Laguna, Philippines. This conference was attended by 150 leaders of the Church in Asia, consisting of academicians, pastors, and parachurch leaders.
The conference was held in Caliraya Recreation Center in Lumban, Laguna. It is located about three hours' drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
Preparing for the 3-hour flight from Changi International Airport in Singapore.
A hostess who was stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to receive my fellow travellers and me. She had a bunch of beautiful garlands in her hands, and put one around each of our necks.
This is the jetty. We had to take a 30-second boatride across the lake to get to Caliraya Recreation Center.
A dumb-looking tourist in the boat taking a ride across the lake, looking absolutely pleased with the pretty garland adorning his black t-shirt. In the background is Revd Makito Masaki of Kobe Lutheran Theological Seminary.
This is the most popular mode of public transport in the Philippines. It's called the jeepney. It's usually very fancifully decorated.
The Caliraya Recreation Center from afar.
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have made...
That's err...me. O what a scene!
Some statues that look like religious figures. Such sightings must seem strange in the Philippines, because it is by and large the most "Christian" country in Asia (corruption notwithstanding!)
An open view of the lake. This is the lake we needed to cross in order to get to the Caliraya Recreation Center.
Peering through those trees, we saw what looked like a workers' quarters. It must be quite fun to be residing in that kind of an environment. But it also makes you food for the mosquitoes.
That's a nice little gazebo. Very romantic atmosphere. But it's not so romantic when you sit there with your pastor to discuss church issues, haha. Still, a very pleasant place to hang out though.
Those are probably some chalets which I never got close to. See if you can spot a nice horse in the distance.
This is the boat that we took to get over to the Caliraya Recreation Center. It's also that boat that we took for our hour-long ride around the big lake.
Six of us taking an hour-long boatride around the lake.
During our boat ride, we saw an interesting floating restaurant along the big lake. We didn't go in to eat though... it wasn't part of the package.
The other side of the floating restaurant. Can't taste the food, so just enjoy the sight.
Okay, there's nothing very Philippino about this, but any little kid with a puppy in his arms is an irresistible candidate for a photo shot! And since this was what I met in the Philippines, I guess it comes under this category then!
This picture was taken on the cultural night, duringwhich an item was presented by each country represented at the ALCOE VI. This is a traditional Philippino dance that uses two bamboo sticks, whilst the beautiful lady shuffles her feet around these sticks. Intriguing.
This distinguished looking man is indeed a distinguished Asian scholar. He has developed an intriguing construction of environmental responsibility as a part of the mission of the people of God. Over our conversations, I have come to respect him deeply as an Asian thinker; an accomplished one indeed. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr Ken Gnanakan.
This is the Philippino version of our Malaysian ais kacang. It's called halo halo. The taste is magnificent. We had loads of it for supper each night at the snack bar. This is something from the Philippines that I'll miss.
