Headquarters Letter Issued by the National President August, 2007

Indo-Pacific Conference in Manila on November 2-5, 2007

The next Indo-Pacific Federation conference will be held in Manila on Nov. 2-5, 2007 at the SEAMEO Innotech Center at Commonwealth Avenue (near University of the Philippines). Expected to come are countries from the 13 member countries. The Steering Committee to manage the preparation is headed by Dr. Roselmo Doval-Santos.

SEAMEO Innotech

Registration to the conference may be made through email, fax or phone. For foreign registrants, they may access the webpage at www.theosophy.ph/ipf.html. Information on the program, sightseeing suggestions, and other matters may also be found there.

Theosophical Encyclopedia Released

After more than 15 years of preparation, the Theosophical Encyclopedia has finally been released for distribution by Theosophical Publishing House, Manila. The book is more than 700 pages, with an extensive index, and with articles written by more than 110 contributors from all over the world. The retail price is US$48.00 (P2,400) plus shipping charges. For international distribution, the books are being shipped from Singapore through a commercial forwarder. Ordering information may be obtained at the webpage www.theosophy.ph/encyclo.html.Updated members of the TS are entitled to 10% discount.

Luzon Federation Formed; Next Meet in Legazpi City

The Luzon Federation of the Theosophical Society in the Philippines was formed last May 26-27, 2007, attended by various lodges and study groups in Luzon. The next Federation conference will be hosted by Katoninongan Study Group in Legazpi City, headed by Ping Peralta. It is tentatively set in February, 2008.

The conference held a planning workshop where the representatives brainstormed on their plans. The Federation elected the following officers for the next one year: Tony Valenciano (Coordinator); Alma Martin (Secretary), Ping Peralta (Treasurer), Jess Alto and Claire Villanueva.

Visayas Federation Held in Palompon; Next is in Bukidnon

The Visayas Federation held its regional conference in Palompon, Leyte, last May 18-20, 2007, hosted by the Palompon Study Group headed by Arnold Arapoc. A public lecture by Vic Hao Chin, Jr., was held at a school one day prior to the conference. The group scheduled training programs and seminars to be conducted by speakers in the region. The next conference will held next summer 2008 at Malaybalay, Bukidnon, in Mindanao, about an hour south of Cagayan de Oro.

Lectures and Seminars in Mindanao

Bebot Rodil of Godea Lodge continues with her busy schedule in conducting seminars and lectures in Mindanao. She held trainings and seminars for the military commanders and soldiers (particularly the 1st Infantry Division) engaged in the conflicts in the south last June 4-6 (Davao), June 22 (Camp Ranao, Lanao del Sur), July 23 (Tubod, Lanao del Norte), August 15 (Cagayan de Oro). She was also a facilitator for "VSO Peace Mindanao" last June 21, and conducted a Self-Transformation Seminar for community-based peacebuilders in Mindanao last August 20-22 in Cagayan de Oro.

Ompong Rodil (center in white t-shirt) and Bebot Rodil (center in blue shirt) conducted a Peace Building Seminar
with military officers of the 6th Infantry Division in Camp Lucero, Carmen, Cotabato in Mindanao

Bebot Rodil during one of the seminars in Mindanao with local groups

On September 12-13, 2007, the TSP National President will be going to Malaybalay, Bukidnon, to give a lecture and a whole-day seminar to the faculty members and students of Bukidnon State University. It will coincide also with the start of a study group in Malaybalay to be headed by Luz Garcia. A lecture will also be conducted by him in Cagayan de Oro on Sept. 11 to be hosted by the NGO Balay Mindanaw.

Foreign Lectures and Seminars

The National President, Vic Hao Chin, Jr., conducted seminars and lectures in Mexico, Brazil and United States from July 4 to August 3, 2007, at the invitation of the Theosophical Societies in these countries. For details and photos, please the section on "President's Travels" below.

Last January 5-10, 2007, he was also the guest speaker of the National Convention of the TS in New Zealand, held hear Lake Tauhara. After the convention, he also conducted a two-day training session for facilitators of the Self-Transformation Seminar.

Vic will also be going to Perth, Australia, from Dec. 1 to 8, 2007, to conduct another Self-Transformation Seminar in the School of Theosophy hosted by the Perth Lodge of the Theosophical Society in Australia. There will also be a public lecture at Perth Lodge.

Last July, I was invited to conduct seminars and lectures in Mexico, Brazil and United States which took one month, from July 4 to August 3, 2007.

Mexico

Brazil

The Brazilian section of the Theosophical Society hosted a one-week Self-Transformation Seminar at their Instituto Teosofica at the outskirts of Brasilia, the capital city. The Institute is a vast property of about 1,000 hectares (that's double the size of San Juan City!). The photos below show the Mandala hall, where the seminar was conducted, flanked by two 2-story dormitories that are run almost like commercial hotels.

The Institute property has more than 20 springs, waterfalls and natural pools. Where in the theosophical world can you find another place like that? The photo below at the right shows the Temple where meditation and selected sessions are held.

During the week-long seminar, we had to suspend one morning session because a 2-day bush fire was getting near the dormitories and main hall. Thus all of us went out to help put out the fire, using various things like water hoses, branches, grass cutter, etc. (Photo below left.) The government firemen did not arrive until late in the afternoon when the fire was practically put out.

Two TV interviews were held in Brasilia. Below left is an interview in Brasilia TV in the program "Tudos Para Mulheres" (Everything for Women). The gentlemen in the middle is Mr. Ricardo Lindemann, President of the TS in Brazil, who had been translating all the talks and seminars during my stay. The right photo is the second interview in the TV studio for Uniao Planetaria (United Planet) hosted by Ulisses Resende, former TS Brazil President and whose television programs are now broadcast in 62 channels all over Brazil. This is the biggest theosophical TV project ever launched in the world.

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton is the location of the national headquarters of the TS in America. There were two conferences that I attended: their Summer National Gathering, and the 2nd International TOS Conference. Below is the group photo of the TOS gathering with representatives coming from UK, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Philippines, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the US. There were two of us from the Philippines, the other is Bimboy Peñaranda (back row, 1st person on the left).

The TOS conference brainstormed on mission, vision and projects that individuals would do when they get back home to their respective countries. On the second row with white hair and blue dress is Joy Mills, who is still going strong at about 87 years old. She is now writing a book of commentaries to the Mahatma Letters. Diana Dunningham Chapotin, the TOS International Secretary, is the lady at the extreme right in green. She was the one who organized the whole conference, hosted by the American Section head by Betty Bland, its President, who is at the back row center (the lady with black hair in apple green shirt).