PPH unveils Wall of Gratitude, reunites former and current officers

The Philippine Publishing House (PPH) unveiled its Wall of Gratitude on October 15 at the prayer garden of its Silang campus, commemorating individuals and institutions who supported the publishing house’s successful relocation in 2022.

The wall, composed of blue, gray, and white hexagonal acrylic plates illuminated by LED lights, symbolizes the collective effort and faith that made the move possible despite financial challenges.

Former and current PPH officers, representatives from Adventist publishing houses, leaders from various levels of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and guests from nearby educational institutions attended the unveiling ceremony, held against a backdrop of clear sunset skies.

The event served as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the generosity of those who acted as channels of His blessings to advance the ministry of publishing in the Southern Asia-Pacific region.

Former leaders’ recollection

Pastor Florante P. Ty, PPH president from 2006 to January 2022, recounted the struggles the management team had to overcome in spearheading the transfer from Baesa, Caloocan City, an aspiration since the 1990s.

He recalled how PPH bounced back from PHP120 million in operational losses only to face another enormous task: finding a suitable location away from the city and sufficient funds to purchase land and build a new House.

Guests and leaders attend the Wall of Gratitude unveiling ceremony at the Philippine Publishing House Former Philippine Publishing House President Pastor Florante Ty (in coat) joins guests and leaders from various Adventist institutions during the Wall of Gratitude unveiling program at the PPH prayer garden in Silang, Cavite, on October 15, 2024. The event celebrated God’s providence and honored individuals and organizations who supported the publishing house’s relocation and ministry.

“With God, nothing is impossible!” Pastor Ty reiterated, followed by a chorus of amens from the audience.

Other PPH officers who also shared their testimonies of God’s leading included: Atemio Z. Jimenez, former vice president for Finance; Lucile B. Tañalas, former VP for Editorial Affairs; Rameses M. Rivamonte, former VP for Adventist Book Centre(ABC)/Home Health Education Services(HHES) Operations; Jose Bruel, longest-serving VP for Production, and Engr. Rey Balboa, former Human Resources director.

Former and current PPH officers later joined hands in installing a commemorative metal plate at the garden’s altar.

Global and local partners

Witnessing the historic event were guests from overseas: Measapugo Wilson, president of the Oriental Watchman Publishing House in India; Pastor Agustine Daniel, Southern Asia Division Publishing Ministries director; Pastor Jayson Pardede, Indonesia Publishing House president, and his wife, Naomi; and Pastor Lalfakmawia, editor of the Kinsaung Publishing House in Myanmar.

Their presence underscored the collaboration and shared mission of Adventist publishing houses across Asia and beyond.

Representatives from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) include Pastor Mamerto Guingguing II, associate secretary/human resource, who also served as PPH vice president for Editorial; Pastor Heshbon Buscato, Youth Ministries director and former PPH editorial assistant, with his wife, Apple; Pastor Edgar Bryan Tolentino, Spirit of Prophecy director.

Also attending were Pastor Ferdinand Esico, Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) Publishing Ministries director; Joel C Morales, CPUC associate treasurer; Pastor Fernando Narciso, CPUC Nurture Discipleship Retention (NDR)-Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle (IEL) director, and Pastor Israel Bacdayan, Cavite Mission president.

Many other guests could not make it as the event also coincided with the General Conference Annual Council in Maryland, USA.

Representing other Adventist institutions in Silang were Dr. Hope Aperocho, Adventist Development and Relief Agency Philippines country director; Pastor Robert Benjamin, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies VP for Student Services; and Oemer Rey Daquila, Adventist University of the Philippines University Advancement director.

Designers and builders

PPH also recognized the team of architects who helped bring the vision of the new publishing house complex to life — Architect Ariel Austria and his wife, Agnes; Architect Arielle Austria; Architects Niegele Lansangan; Architect Naomi Abarico; and Engineer Melvin Perez.

Tokens of divine favor

Expressing his own amazement at how God transformed a barren lot into a beautiful PPH campus, Pr. Guingguing urged everyone to “remember the past, repeat the practice, and renew the passion.”

After many gloomy days and an overcast morning, God parted the skies that afternoon, making the inscriptions on the Wall of Gratitude easily readable: “Everything that stands on the compound—natural or manmade—is a testimony that God provides.”

To learn more about the ministry of the Philippine Publishing House. Visit their website.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.