By Nestle G. Taala

Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on is the first Filipino contributor to the Global Edition of Our Daily Bread.

Rev. Francis Neil Gico Jalando-on, Director of CPU Office of Communications is the first Filipino to have his work published in Our Daily Bread (ODB) Global Edition according to Mr. Jess Curabo, ODB Philippines Director. The devotional appeared on the ODB website on September 8, 2021, and also in the July to September 2021 printed edition. This will be available also in the 2022 ODB Philippine edition.

The devotional which features the story of Eric Lund, a Swedish missionary, and Braulio Manikan, the first Filipino Baptist, went through a tedious editing process for almost two years because of the pandemic. There were four editors in the areas of Biblical, theological, historical, and grammatical.

As the first Filipino author to contribute to ODB, Rev. Jalando-on never dreamed of being a writer whose work will be published internationally. “Dr. Nestor D. Bunda told me to just write whatever comes to your mind. Do not worry about the grammar. Just focus on the ideas,” he shared. He originally submitted four articles when invited by Mr. Curabo to write for ODB. Now, one was already published and still waiting for the timetable of the other three.

Rev. Jalando-on is the author of the well-known Seeds of Faith. He is grateful to CPU for having these works printed into six volumes. He hopes and prays that more volumes will be published as the years go by.

Inspired by Paul whose life involved a writing ministry while in prison, Rev. Jalando-on starts with a theological principle when writing — “that God is the creator of everything, so God can use anything around us to talk to us.” Furthermore, “constant reading of the Bible is very important because you either start or end there.” He also added that “the first line should not be always perfect. Just write. You may edit anytime.”

He would like to encourage aspiring writers to make use of the many writing platforms this generation is now blest with. “The best time to write is any time. Be intentional with it.”

Aside from being an author, Rev. Jalando-on is also the coach of CPU Golden Lions College Table Tennis Varsity Teams. On weekends, he serves Bacolod Bethany Church as its Pastoral Director, and La Carlota Evangelical Church as the Pulpit Pastor.

The article can be read online at: https://odb.org/PH/2021/09/08/send-me