by Bernardo “Bernie” Mendoza (Batch With No Name ’74)

I used to be and will always be a member of the UP Varrons Ltd., an organization within the portals of UPLB, which I considered to be elite and exclusive. I can still recall how I became one of its members by virtue of my being invited to join its roster. And the reason I joined it was because of my attraction to its ideals . . . to what it stands for.

Bernie On His Way to Outreach

Bernie (in blue shirt) on his way to a ministry outreach.

As a neophyte member then, together with other intellectuals with a bent towards socio-civic endeavors and with the will to help change the world, my venture to a thousand miles with the organization started with the fundamentals–learning and imbibing its core belief as enshrined in its preamble, which was simply stated as primacy of humane life.

From that humble beginning, I sallied forth into deeper involvement with what the organization was crusading for, until I found myself seriously trying to make real, perhaps making sense, of what I have gotten myself into. Indeed, I began a healthy regimen of taking care of my physical body through being active in marathon, volleyball, and other stamina-building pursuits. Under the socio-civic side, I made myself available, as far as practicable, in joining rallies with the thought of effecting change for the better. Together with my Brods and Sisses, we “stormed the Bastilles” by shouting for reforms, howling against unjustified tuition fee increases, and many other related motherhood statements. Obviously, those were the days of yore, when young blood oozes with fervor and the so-called “idealism” was given enough leeway for expression.

Somehow, as months rolled into years inside the campus, flaring tempers began to mellow and the pursuit for an alternative thrill slowly crept within. By this time, I felt a crawling emptiness deep within, which my Brods and Sisses could not simply fill. Side by side with this gnawing vacuum was my “ill-timed” relationship crisis. The Beatles said it well with respect to my situation: “There goes my baby, with someone new; she looks so happy, I feel so blue. . . .”

Being at odds, I resolved to get even through an insidious assault against the other guy. However, it was never carried out; someone shared with me the gospel at the UP College of Forestry back in 1977, which eventually shifted my focus and provided me with a new paradigm. Finally, I lost interest with the idea of hurting the other guy and instead began to actively pursue my desire of growing in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Hence, in Him, with Him, and through Him, I began to realize that on top of putting premium to a humane life – physically, mentally, and socially – the need to cultivate and harness the spiritual dimension of one’s being should be given prime importance too.

I began to see man’s needs as God sees it. I also began to understand that the holistic approach to developing man, which was our grandiose aspiration within the Varrons, is to realize and capture the model set forth in Luke 2:52, which states, “And Jesus grew in wisdom (mentally) and stature (physically), and in favor with God (spiritually) and man (socially).” Furthermore, I began to realize that without believing and receiving the saving grace of what Christ had done on the cross, man is lost.

Since I met and received Christ in my life 30 summers ago, I have tried to look for creative ways and opportunities to share Him to countless others. Through this manner, I was blessed to see miracles happen in the lives of many people, who once were lost but now are found, who once were hooked but now are freed, who once were hopeless and helpless but now are hopeful and helpful.

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin