THE TOFA MISSION AND VISION
By Nonoy Mendoza
October 16, 2006
THE VISIONS
One might be wondering why one gets the same visions day or night. Awake or asleep. Is it a dream or a
pigment of imagination? The same thing has been happening to me. I am sure it does to many countless
others. For years, I casually talked to relatives, legion of friends and associates, newly met individuals in our
travels around interesting tourism spots. Making sure the conversation is casual and avoiding being too
inquisitive or nosey; and to impress others, I make sure that they are the “guru” and that I am an innocent
listener needing to be informed ....etc. I searched and still check around. I want to be with those who are
“visionaries” and vocal in sharing their visions. Thus, for countless years, my wife, Aida and I have been
attending small and big seminars, supermega size conventions and prayer meetings more specially
Catholic religion’s evangelical gatherings. I avoid the ecumenical ones more specially headed or founded
by a non-Catholic group simply because in the Catholic schools I attended and the countless Catholic
training including graduating from EPS (Education for Parish Service) at Trinity College, a 2 1/2 + years of
formal and serious studies in parish services at the time, all the teachings point to the same
evangelization goal. To evangelize one at any cost inorder to win and influence a soul or souls and saved
by inevitably converting one to the initiator’s belief. Exposing to one such non-Catholic group is inviting
problem -- like having Dracula be in charged of the blood bank.
The vision or visions as Father Rafael of the globally known Garabandal’s Blessed Virgin Mary’s visions
require that it should be spread like wild fire. Share the visions with others in speeches, casual
conversations and in writing. Father Rafael and other globally travelling “evangelists” chorused time and
again spreading their own visions. Call it dreams or pigment of one’s imagination.
It was made crystal clear by the Lord today, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, while sharing breakfast with the globally
famous Sister Josie (Josephine Dichoso) of St. Martin de Porres Ministry, founder of the ministry and
still very active going around the world healing the sick and spreading the Word of the Lord for more than
27 years now. I asked Sister Josie if I am just imagining things and is self- inducing the pigments of my
imagination. I badly needed Sister Josie’s affirmation before commencing and involving countless others
to share “my” vision and thus, led others to wild goose’s chases.
The story of the “Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans (TOFA)” as I have time and again mentioned is
by Divine’s interventions, and not my own doing but the Lord’s. For how can one explains that for 13
annual events (and still going strong) in the last 15 years, 95% and most of the time 100%, all twenty
honorees from around the Continent attend the annual event at their own expense. Unless the Lord,
Himself, consistently intercedes. In the process, we now have 260 Filipino centers-of-influence and
community-accepted outstanding high achievers. For the first time in the annals of Filipino-Americans’
history no such group exist composing of various talents, professions and achievers of endeavors
belonging to the same “Circle of Leaders” as the awardees call themselves.
For several years, the “Circle of Leaders” chorused the same sentiment of not having one single
identifiable and acceptable project where the awardees can unitedly harness their talents and resources.
Everyone has his or her own honorable agenda, and everyone has his or her own game plans. But who
ever he or she is, they all share the same unified sentiment and purpose. They believe that the Philippines
need help. That the poor need upliftment --not exactly financial dole-out but continuing assistance for them
to gain self-respect and self-reliance.
My vision has been very strong and clear for the last 35 years; until I reached the age of 65 in 2000. I told my
wife Aida that it was time for me to completely retire. But in spite of my “retirement,” I still managed to
continue the TOFA project; but searching around for someone or some group to take over and continue
highlighting positive Filipino image. There were instances when I had the impression of finally finding the
takeover person or group. But somehow, things did not seem to materialize for one reason or another and
of the “I” attitude slowly manifesting itself ... and thus, the end of the search story.
The last 4 years, the vision started getting stronger and stranger. Three episodes occurred in my life and
they were all life threatening. The first one happened in San Francisco when I was rushed by “911” to a
hospital where it took 17 days before I was released to go back to Washington, D.C. The second time was
again in San Francisco at the Fishermen’s Wharf where I was again 911ed and after 14 days at the
ICU (intensive care unit) sent back home. The third, and I pray the last one, when I was helicoptered to
Washington Hospital Center -- not by ambulance but by helicopter -- past midnight of Oct. 1, 2006, exactly
one week after the successful 2006 TOFA event. I was unconscious for 3 nights and hospitalized for a total
6 nights before being permitted to go home to recuperate. But I am now in front of the computer banging
away in a day this piece with the help of the Lord. Ordinarily, this 3-page type of article requires at least a
week but in 6 hours, this piece was ready for its writing and rewriting, proof reading and the usual check and
rechecking.
In all the episodes, my vision grew stronger and again stranger. I reasoned out to the Lord that I am old,
and His assignments are intackleable and difficult to fulfill singlehandedly. The Lord retorted with a smile
and said: “True, but you will enjoy it as you have been enjoying my TOFA project (the Lord’s).” The Lord
further stated: “You will get all the glory and accolades with countless rewards in the process of following my
instructions. The condition is the same as in the TOFA project : remind all that it is not your project but the
Lord’s. That they should not thank you personally but thank the Lord. I will provide you the necessary
tools and countless children of God who will assist you. I have already provided you two. I will provide the
third one today, Oct. 15th.”
The vision requires two major LOGISTICS and HURDLES. First is the financing of such gigantic
undertakings; and secondly, an army of manpower needed. The first obstacle is NOW visibly beginning
to bear fruits. Although very limited in computer savvy and zero in internet, I now head an internet business
venture in the computer/internet business harnessing Filipinos globally. Slowly but surely, I am getting
unexplainable positive results. The financial rewards will be beyond my imaginations or unbelievable, but
very “workable” and “doable.” The second hurdle which is the need of an army of manpower, the Lord
provided two of his loving, caring, faithful and honest children, PRO BONO. The Lord provided me a
computer “guru” par excellence . A wizard. One that knows the machines, or knows someone
somewhere who can do any given tasks. The Lord also provided me an honest-to- goodness, “can do”
lawyer to legally assist the project. The third and the last person I need to join to complete the Lord’s
heedings or missions, is directly Heaven’s sent. My past predicaments have been whom to trust when it
comes to the Philippines. I needed someone with a clout and acceptable beyond questions when
integrity and honesty are involved. Unfortunately I had not ran across one until last night, Friday, October
13th.. This lady since 1982 has been a devout follower of St. Martin de Porres and a faithful devout follower
since childhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is currently the city mayor for almost 6 years, and the wife
of the Governor of Sorsogon -- and, refutedly the one to takeover being a governor when the present one is
mandatorily required to step down next year. Sorsogon City was awarded recently as a “Dream City” by
various global organizations --- through the leadership of Mayor Sally Ante Lee of Sorsogon City who is
refutedly clean as a whistle, an honest-to-goodness politician who exemplifies honesty and whose
integrity is beyond question. Very visibly simple. Sincere.and highly knowledgeable, and definitely a CAN
DO individual. The Lord personally introduced me to her when Sally came as a special personal guest of
Sister Josie who came to pray for my recovery last Friday. Sally attended the “Tahanan ng Panginoon’s”
cell group which I belong since I first joineda charismatic prayer group in 1987. My cell group attentively
listened to the Mayor after opting to stay with our cell to praise and gloriy the Lord. When asked to share,
Sally conceded without hesitation. Sally’s sharing was heart -piercing to me because it was as if I was
talking about myself. My dream and vision. My sincere desire and covenant with God to follow His will.
The following Saturday during breakfast, I casually asked Sister Josie who immediately stated without my
explaination and way ahead of me even though Sister Josie slept at the guest’s room that Friday night
while the Mayor joined our cell. Sister Josie stated that Sally and I share the same sentiments. Exactly the
same goal from the same Messenger. It was an affirmation that I can execute the Lord’s mission as
daily seen in my visions without worrying and anticipating that I will be wrongly dragging my friends, the 260
Filipinos centers-of-influence. The fact that for almost twenty years the Filipino achievers across the
Continent strongly believe in me and without stain in my name (if ever there had been, two sides of the
story clears away any doubt), I don’t want anything to happen that will break their trusts and confidence in
my leadership or decisions.
THE MISSION OF THE VISION
For years, the same visions or messages appear, more specially after recovering from illnesses which
are all life-threatening The Lord handed me three tasks as a mission, all involving the Philippines.
Simply stated they are: (1) Build classrooms or schools for the children of the poorest of the poor. (2)
Build housing shelter for the the poorest of the poor families. (3) Send Catholic priests to pursue further
studies in Graduate Schools more preferably to complete a Doctorate in Common Law. Closely
observed, the tasks are plain and simple but yet encompass many facets. My wife and I have started
building classrooms for several years now. We had slowly and successfully built them in the schools in
very remote and very poor places with our own funds.We have been financially contributing monthly for food
and education for the children of the poorest of the poor. We started toying with the idea for the last 10
years of finding several nonprofit groups who are assisting in building housing shelter for the poor; but
somehow reluctant after hearing negative feed backs. As far as priests, nuns and other religious orders,
we have been heavy financial contributors locally and internationally for countless years.
Definitely the needs are there, and so are the logistics. The solution said the Lord is focus. Single target.
Aiming straight at the bull’s eye. Thus, target: Sorsogon. Aim: rebuilding. For Sorsogon after years of
being declared a “Dream City” and a “Magnet of Hope” by global groups, including the World Bank and
the UN-Habitat suffered in Sept 27, 2006. In a matter of only 5 hours, Sorsogon was set back by at least
5 years. The typhoon called “Milenyo” left in its wake damages to property which is estimated in
Philippine pesos at 2.21 billion pesos. Damage to agriculture is estimated at 208 million pesos affecting
10,400 farmers and 1,250 fisherfolk. Hardest hit is the coconut industry which will take at least two years to
recover. Damage to city’s infrastructure is estimated at 208 million pesos. Affected school children is
estimated at 27,000 and damage to housing is estimated at 1.27 billion pesos affecting 27,101 families.
Damage to business and other establishments is estimated at 500 million pesos, etc.
I have no knowledge of Sorsogon until today. I have not met Sally; much more know Filipinos from
Sorsogon until she mentioned two prominent Filipino leaders whom I know personally. Before Friday night,
I have zero knowledge but probably have been rubbing elbows with some. Zero about the City nor the
Province. But the vision keeps coming daily for more than 20 years now -- at the ripe age of 50. Now I am
71. But the Lord is consistent and insistent. He wants me to do the job of a 50 year old. But as an obedient
child, I will follow the Lord. I accept the tasks with open heart and with sincere obedience. I know that
majority of the 260 TOFA Circle of Leaders whom the Lord personally and individually called, will be
answering His beacon call, too. The tasks need an army of people. I am calling NOW the “Circle of
Leaders” to come forward and be counted in a unison effort of helping the Philippines in time of dire needs.
I promise you that we will all have fun doing the Lord’s mission ... this, I am 100% sure!
For those willing to help immediately, more specially the TOFA awardees from Sorsogon and their
personal contacts such as business and professional firms, any amount of financial support will be
personally and individually acknowledged by Sorsogon City Mayor Sally Ante Lee. Please mail directly or
locally deposit to your own bank:
LAND BANK TRUST FUND
ACCT. # 0782-1047-48
C/O MAYOR SALLY ANTE LEE
CITY GOVERNMENT OF SORSOGON
SORSOGON CITY, PHILIPPINES 4700
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