'Self-Reliance Is the Beginning of Progress'

Self-Reliance

“Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 6.1.1).

President Sumagpao

President Thomas S. Monson has counseled, “[Self-reliance] is an essential element in our spiritual as well as our temporal well-being.” (“Guiding Principles of Personal and Family Welfare,” Ensign, Sept. 1986, 3)

With the above context, President Elmer Epifanio Sudario Sumagpao of Bacolod Philippines Mission in his message to the 27 Self-Reliance 3-month Workshop and Seminar completers pointed out that self-reliant is not only for temporal aspect of the completers but also for their spiritual self-reliance. He further said that they have to work hard to sustain their family.

"Self-reliance is the best thing.  It's the beginning to avail of progress in their lives. And sacrifice is a requirement to have a better result. Thus, to follow the God's commandments is to become self-reliant," concluded President Sumagpao.

Sister Sumagpao

God's Goal Is Unstoppable

Sister Leanell Pascua Melad Sumagpao relayed to the successful completers that behind the recognition that they may be receiving by and by, they may be using their skills to overcome fear. God wants them to grow, to be self-reliant and in return God bless them.

God's goal is unstoppable for God wants them to assist His children.

'No Surrender. Don't Say No'

Brother Erwin J. Boiser, Church Welfare Coordinator stressed the principle of "no surrender" and "Don't Say No" by citing the practical examples of the turtle and the rabbit and the three frogs in his message respectively.

President Ilanga

While President Rino Salvador Ilanga, second counselor of La Carlota Philippines District opened up the simple graduation rites with his message focused on the blessings which may received from being a self-reliant. He mentioned that learning the self-reliant principles the learners are apt to receiving more blessings especially in participating the Lord's work.

And President Mario A. Malacaman of La Carlota Philippines District gave his closing remarks by appreciating the all-out support of the respective Branch Presidents of San Enrique, Ayungon, Masville, Manggapsang, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, La Carlota First and La Carlota Second. He also acknowledged the efforts of self-reliance Church coordinators like Sister Cristina Millado, Sister Cerrie Joame and Brother Arlen G. Malacaman.

The Graduates

Twenty Seven members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, La Carlota City Philippines District have successfully completed their 3-month training on course of Making People Self-Reliant.

They are the best prospective to put up their SGMB, Starting, growing Mind-business in the near future.

Mormon Battalion

These completers are grouped into three. The first group is Mormon Battalion which is composed of 8 members such as Archie Casimero, La Carlota 1st Branch, Nonito Desales, Masville Branch, Milagros Egonam La Carlota 1st, Regina Estoconing, La Carlota 1st, Mary Jane Galila, Moises Padilla, Merlina dela Serna, La Castellana, Felipe Tating, Manggapsang, and Almon Tolones, La Carlota 1st.

Valliant - Hunter

The second group is Valliant - Hunter which is composed of 12 members such as Emmanuel Abelarde, La Carlota 2nd, Pacifico Billones, La Carlota 1st, Romela Ilanga, Mangapsang, Analyn Malagquit, Ayungon, Karen Merwal, La Castellana, Rowena Nanagad, San Enrique,  Angelito Paderes, La Castellana, Ramil Pescador, La Carlota 1st, Veronica Pio, Manggapsang,  Jose Mari Semillano, Moises Padilla, Elena Silvano, La Castellana, and Monena Trojillo, San Enrique.

Alma The Younger

The third group is Alma The Younger which is composed of 7 members such as Nenita Alpar, Manggapsang, Stanley Camandag, La Carlota 1st, Annabelle dela Cruz, Ayungon, Luz Daylosan, Ayungon, Lorna Dollosa, Ayungon, Rogelio Mesobre, Jr., Manggapsang, and Rosamia Sanchez, San Enrique.