Gideons National Convention in Iloilo City Feb. 7-10, 2008
Dr. Christopher Rey De Guzman
The 31st National Convention of Gideons International Philippines will be held in Iloilo City on February 7-10, 2008 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. About 1,000 Gideons officers, members and auxiliaries from the different cities and provinces of the Philippines are expected to attend the national convention which for over a decade has not been conducted in this progressive city of Western Visayas. Gideons are men of the book, men of faith, men of prayer, men of compassionate heart, men of separated walk, men who witness and men who give. One of the main thrusts of Gideons organizations in 181 countries in the world over is to distribute the Bible free to hospitals, clinics, hotels, motels, schools, jails, government offices, army and police camps, shipping companies, etc. Auxiliaries (wives of the Gideons) are active in distributing white New Testament Bibles during nurses capping ceremonies in many nursing schools in Iloilo.
As of May 2006, there were 8,647 Gideon International Camps all over the world. The latest country to join Gideon International is Qatar in the United Arab Emirates. Over 1 billion Holy Bibles were given free of charge in 181 countries. All over the world, there are 166,771 Gideon members and 91,207 auxiliaries.
In the Philippines, there are 2,416 Gideons and 1,529 auxiliaries covering 166 Gideon camps and 125 auxiliary organizations. Since the first inception of Gideon Camp in the Philippines in 1953, more than 42,190,110 Holy Scriptures were given free translated into six languages English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilonggo, Ilocano and Samareño. Every now and then, Gideons and Auxiliaries are distributing Bibles for free to nursing schools, elementary, high school and college students and faculty members.
Dr. Annabelle P. De Guzman
Incumbent officers of Gideon International Iloilo City Camp are Dr. Christopher Rey de Guzman, President; Jun Ki Du, Vice President; Enrique Altis, Secretary; Al Joevil Mirasol, Assistant Secretary; Tim Arandela, Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer Emiliano Amolar; Rodolfo P. Gumabong, Public Relations Officer and Ed Gobuyan, Bible Secretary. Auxiliary Camp Officers are Dr. Annabelle P. De Guzman, President; Nelly Obligacion, Vice President; Romea Gobuyan, Secretary; Rizalina Gabay, Treasurer; Digna Gonzales, Bible Secretary and Evangelica Padernilla, Chaplain.
The resounding success of the 31st Gideon National Convention rests on the chairmen: Dr. Christopher Rey de Guzman, Local Host Convention Chairman; Bro. Enrique Altis, Church Assignment Ministry Committee Chairman; Bro. Ed Gobuyan, Transportation/Welcome/Reception Committee Chairman; Bro. Joseph Alba, Registration/Secretariat Committee Chairman; Bro. Sam Guillergan, Physical Arrangement and Reservation Committee Chairman; Bro. Lemuel Caipang, Accommodations and Reservations Committee Chairman; Bro. Jun Paredes, Open Air Committee chairman; Dr. Ruel Malata, Medical Committee Chairman; Bro. Dan Castronuevo, Prayer Committee Chairman and Dr. Annabelle P. De Guzman, Local Host Auxiliary Convention Chairperson.
A number of Gideon International Officials of the United States of America and Gideon International Philippines Officials are expected to grace the four days National Convention in Iloilo City on February 7-10, 2008.