          TO OUR NINANG, DR. LAGRIMAS REYES 
                    BY: PASTOR RUDY ALMONTE 

The year was 1970 when I went to Philippine Union College in Baesa, 
Caloocan City.  There I became a Seventh-day Adventist, from a devout 
family of Roman Catholic faith. 

Newly baptized, new in faith, I had family problems for embracing the 
Seventh-day Adventist faith.  But I am thankful to the Lord and so grateful 
to the family of Pastor & Mrs. Herman Reyes, together with daughters 
Lorie, Janie & Pearl.  They took me to their home, and their home became 
my second home, and they welcomed me as family. 

Dr. Lagrimas Reyes, our Ninang, became a second mother to me.  She is a 
very godly and caring mother, kind, thoughtful, generous, and loving. 

Ninang, we will miss you for now... Goodnight.  See you in the resurrection 
morning.  For Jesus has promised in John 11:25-- "I am the resurrection and 
the life, he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live again".

DR. HERMAN REYES, OUR NINONG 
By: Pastor Rudy & Glo Almonte 
              That afternoon of Oct. 9, 2017, we were around Dr. Reyes bed, we sang several of his favorite hymns & prayed for him. I saw him take his last deep breath. He died peacefully. 
              Dr. Reyes is not only my mentor but a father to me & Mrs. Reyes, a mother to me. They welcomed me to their home and treated me like their son. Dr. Reyes continued to communicate with us while they were here in the U.S. & we were in the Philippines. 
             During our first visit to the U.S. in 1977 to attend Health Seminars at LLUMC, Ninong & Ninang took us to different places here in Southern CA & just enjoyed being with them. 
             After the G.C. Session in Toronto, Canada of May 2000, Glo & I stopped by Loma Linda before going home to the Phil. I was requested by Ninong to take his part as Speaker for the Hour of Worship for the Tagalog Group here in Loma Linda. 
            Permit me to read a potion of Loma LindaTagalog Church history written by our pioneer Church clerk, sister Emy Martinez:  "In Aug. 2000, Dr. Herman Reyes introduced Pastor Rudy Almonte to our Group. Because of Pastor Almonte's experience in pastoring & leading churches in the Phil., the group felt that he will be a great help. Sure enough Pastor Almonte is a real blessing. The board & diff. committees were formed & diff. Church activities took place." In 2007 Loma Linda Tagalog Church became an organized church of Southeastern CA Conference. 
           Here lies the body of Dr. Herman Reyes, a faithful soldier of the Cross, a caring, thoughtful, loving and godly father and together with his family has had a great impact in my life. I can say that what I am today is because of one like Dr. Herman Reyes and a family who cared and supported me. 
           GLO:  We will miss you Ninong for now, and we know that together with Ninang, we will see you on that Resurrection morning!                     

A TRIBUTE TO DR. LAGRIMAS L. REYES
              By: Nitz Sulapas Ombao
In early part of 1969, I started to ride with Dr. Lagrimas (Laly) Legaspi- Reyes in her VW from Baesa to Pasay in the morning and back to Baesa in the afternoon. She was then the Head of the Dental Department & I was working in the Laboratory of then Mla. Sanitarium & Hospital (MSH) now Adventist Medical Center, Manila (AMCM). There usually would be 3 or 4 of us ladies riding with her.
Back then there were only few lady drivers.  I admired her braveness & courage driving thru' bad traffic of Balintawak - Blumentrit- Pasay. She was not intimidated by rough, sometimes discourteous jeepney drivers. I once commented to Pastor Ombao, "marahil pinagbibigyan lang ang Ninang ng mga drivers kasi maganda sya". Aside from being pretty, she was also kind, thoughtful and motherly. So, it was no wonder that we got both them, husband and wife as among our Principal Sponsors in our wedding-- our Ninong and Ninang and Dr. Herman Reyes our officiating minister...Now we are part of their extended family.
There were days when it was only me and Ninang who were in the car and I treasure those moments because those were the times when I would ask her about her experiences as a Pastor's wife and  she would give me pieces of advice/pointers as regards to my role as one. You see, pastors go thru' long years of training to be an effective pastor but pastors' wives don't have that kind of training, it's OJT or learning from seasoned, experienced pastors' wives.
I learned a lot from her during those "free sessions" but because of time constraints, I will only relate 3 points that have made an impact to me as a Pastor's wife and mother:
1.) I expressed to her my fear and anxiety as to how I can help fully in my husband’s ministry as I don't have the talent of playing the piano or giving special music in large congregation nor speaking in public. This is what she told me," Nitz, just be who you are -- whatever God has endowed you, however humble it may be, consecrate it to God, and He will bless you. God is more interested in your availability than in your ability. Always bear in mind that you're behind your husband to give support and encouragement, and not to steal the show." 
2.) "The church members will always look up to you and your family as role models/examples. Be aware that the ladies/wives in the church will observe you in how you dress, and how you carry yourself and behave."  I found this to be true in 2 occasions: A.) Once, one of our Ninang told her daughter to tell me that I should not wear red dress to church, because I am a Pastor's wife...extreme observation/advice!  B.) Recently when we were missionaries  to Thailand, during their farewell party for us, some ladies confessed that they were always watching what I was wearing to church and also my attire during week days... they said they observed that I wore a new dress on most Sabbaths.  This was because some of the single ladies would ask me to go shopping with them when they buy Sabbath dress, to see if what they'll choose would be appropriate for church or not, and I end up buying a dress also. 
3.) One of her important advice to me was, "it is our great responsibility as parents, to give our children good education, so that they will have a good future.  We don't send them to school so they can support us in our old age... so you should save, as parents, for your future."  "We must not let them feel that it is their obligation to support and care for us, rather let them support & care for us out of Love." You see, during the early days, parents would say that they invest in their children's good education, so that when they, the parents, are old, the children will be able to support them. I was able to share this advice from Ninang to some of my friends who said their children are obliged to support and care for them, because they gave them a good education. 
These are only a few of the many good advice that I gleaned from Ninang Laly's experience, and I thank her for all of it. 
Before I end, let me tell you how thoughtful Ninang Laly was. Last year during the FAMANA, she was concerned that Pastor Ombao & I would have no place to get lunch, she insisted that we go home with them and have lunch. I assured her that San Diego Fil-Am had planned a potluck under the Orange Groves. She further said that we are welcome to stay the night with them. 
What a thoughtful Ninang!!! Willie and I will surely miss you our dear Ninang & Ninong, but we'll see you in the Resurrection morning!                        

A TRIBUTE TO DR. HERMAN L. REYES 
           By: Pastor William G. Ombao
           October 9, 2017

I came to know Dr. Herman L. Reyes as a major professor in the Department of Theology, Philippine Union College, Baesa Campus, Caloocan City.  I took several subjects under him and learned many practical aspects of the ministry.  He conscientiously and seriously followed up the progress of each ministerial student.  One of the many counsels he gave us was “before you graduate and go out into the field be sure to have a fiancée or a life partner for your ministerial stability and emotional maturity.” 
My respect and admiration for him grew deeper as the years went by so much so that when my girlfriend then, now my wife, and I decided to get married we requested him to be our officiating minister and also got him and his wife as among our principal sponsors (Ninong and Ninang).  He was also my wife’s Bible and Pilipino teacher in high school at Pasay City Academy.  Thus continued our close relationship with them and their children.  
While we were missionaries in Ekamai, Bangkok, Thailand, he took time to visit us together with Dr. Alfonso P. Roda.  Both of them encouraged us to be faithful in the ministry.  
When we first came to the U.S. in 1989, he and Ninang brought us to several spots in California including the Forest Lawn and showed us interesting antiques on display.  We lost track of the time and did not notice that the gate was already closed for the day and we were all locked inside.  We panicked but Ninong was cool and relaxed, as always.  Eventually a door keeper came and opened the gate for us.  From then on we were in constant communication with Ninong & Ninang.  We invited him several times to speak at the Pilipino Divine Worship Service in San Diego Fil-Am Church.  When they were residing in Dana Point we visited them often as well as when they moved to the Loma Linda Area with their children, Jan, Nestor, Pearl & Jerry.  On some of our visits we brought them their favorite pasalubong, Thai fried rice and Laing. 
When we visited him on October 8, 2017, we did not realize that it was going to be our last visit, for the following day he died in the Lord with the full assurance of the Eternal life. 
To our dear "Kinakapatid", Lorie & Elmer, Jan & Nestor, Pearl & Jerry and families... we will miss Ninong & Ninang, your Dad & Mom, but we will see them again in the Resurrection morning!


A WAY OF HELPING MARGINAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY 
                                      By: Dr. HERMAN L. REYES 
    
          Christmas of 2015, the youngest grand daughter of mine, Janelle Nicole (daughter of Janie), gave me a gift of a book.  When I opened it, I found the pages to be blank.  On the inside cover of the empty book were this note from Nicole. 

          "Lolo, I want to know you & Lola deeply.  Please write me more about you and your life."
 
          I was glad to hear that.  Because of distance and because they had a Nanny of their employ, my wife & I were not able to do our apostolic duty to Nicole & her brother Kristoffer. 

          When you ride Nicole's car, you will always find brown bags, each filled with simple goodies that the marginal members of the community need-- a peanut butter sandwich, a fruit (banana or apple), bag of baby  carrots, celery sticks, a bottle of water, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb & deodorant.  Instead of giving money, she gives this bags.  She takes a different route going to and from her work, so she can help different people. 

          Matthew 25-- the parable of the sheep and the goats, is one of her favorite Scriptures.  "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me". v.40.  

As I go through Dad's pile of papers... I find treasures like this and many more... Dad has a way of expressing himself through his pen.     --Janie

                         
                     DEFACED BUT NOT TOTALLY ERASED 
                                 By: DR. HERMAN L. REYES 

         Because I could not breathe well, my children Janie & Nestor rushed me to the ER of Loma Linda Univ. Medical Center.  Winter had began and there were so many patients. I was at the E.R. from 8 A.M. (Sabbath) to 3 A.M. (Sunday) before a bed could be prepared for me in the main hospital. 
         I found my bed in the middle of a 3-bedroom room. The beds separated by curtains. The TV of the patient on my left (let us call him John) was still on. John had an ailment that kept him going to the bathroom every 20 minutes. John carried an animated conversation with the patient on my right (let us call him Peter).  Their subject was the weed, Marijuana. John told Peter that he found a place where the weed can be bought the cheapest. 
         I was tired and it was almost morning. I wanted to sleep. But how could I with the things going on in my room. Early that day, my nurse gave me a sponge bath. She discovered that my feet were swollen. "We need pillows to raise your feet up. I will try to locate pillows for you." 
         John was passing by and surely heard what my nurse just said. He leaned down, took two pillows from his bed and handed them to the nurse. "I think Herman needs them more than I do," as he helped raise my feet so the nurse could place the pillows under my feet. 
         Age, disease, drugs and a wrong life style have done their work. They left God's image defaced. But John's act of random kindness that morning made me realize that traces of God's image in John, still remained. I planned to build on this fact. Unfortunately I was transferred to another room, 5 doors away. Days later, when my therapist took me for a walk, I peeped in his room. John was not there anymore. 

Written Dec. 2016. One of the last few articles Dad/Lolo wrote. Be blessed.     

TO MY LOLO & LOLA  (DR. HERMAN & DR. LAGRIMAS LEGASPI REYES) 

I LOVE YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU MEANT TO ME. 
I LOVE YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DID FOR ME. 
I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU MADE OF ME. 
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF ME, LOLO & LOLA. 
FOREVER GRATEFUL & FOREVER IN MY MEMORY. 

LOVE, 
JONATHAN "JEB" BANGLOY

                                            Life Sketch of Lola, Lagrimas Legaspi Reyes
                                          
Lola was born on March 29 1926 to Nicolas & Segunda Legaspi at Mla. San. & Hosp. Lola is the 4th. of 9 siblings.  Lola grew up in Baesa Cal. City, Phil.  Attended Phil. Union College 1936-1946 when she graduated from Academy.

Lolo & Lola met in 1946 when they were seniors in Academy.  Lolo took notice of Lola right away.  He said Lola had Brains & Beauty.  Lolo & Lola were classmates in 2 classes Filipino & Algebra.  Lola beat Lolo in Algebra. Classmates started teasing them when Lolo wrote a Fil. poem to Lola,  here's a gist of that poem. "Ang diwatang ito, kapag ikaw natitigan, 3 araw ka man nakaburol, pilit ka pa rin mabubuhay!"  After High School graduation on July 4 1946, Lolo & Lola became sweethearts. Remember this date, July 4th.  Significant date for Lolo & Lola. 

Lola's dream was to be a Dentist.  Lola was blessed to have an uncle, Dr. Aldecoa, who owned College of Oral Medicine, the first private Dental school in the Phil. Lola graduated in 1951, Doctor of Medical Dentistry.   

Remember July 4th.?  After Lola & Lolo graduated from college, they got married July 4 1951 at Severens Chapel in PUC.  This is the beginning of The H. L. Reyes Clan!  

Lolo & Lola were Evangelists in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, & Cabiao.  They experienced God's leading, protection & miracles during their Evangelism in 1951-1959.  Lolo with other ministers of God, experienced baptizing numerous souls in this provinces!  God was their Leader & Comfort.  Lolo was called in 1959 to pastor Pasay English Church & teach @ Pasay City Academy.  Lola was employed in the Dental Dept. of MSH & appointed Head in 1960. Lola led the Dental dept. for 20 years! Lola loved working in God's Institutions. 

Lola is a Christ centered woman very kind, always thinks of others, lovable, Beautiful inside & out. WE'LL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN, LOLA!  LOVE KRIS & NICOLE                 


                                                           BLURBS... I COULD HAVE BEEN A MONK

          Dr. Herman Reyes has been an outstanding leader & teacher at various levels and institutions of the Adventist Church. His influence is very broad  & strong. His personal friendship has been something I have treasured & enjoyed since I have known him for many years!  Dr. Ottis Edwards, President, Far Eastern Division of Seventh Day Adventists. 
          Dr. Herman Reyes & I were colleagues at Phil. Union College. He was at the time Head of the Religion Dept. & Pastor of the college church, while I was a college prof. & principal of PUC Academy. I remember our college president, Dr. A. P. Roda telling not only his faculty but ministerial students especially to take notice of the illustrations that Dr. Reyes would use in his sermons in a Week of Prayer for PUC. His illustrations either made my eyes brim with tears or made me laugh. I begged him to write his full biography. I am glad he honored my request.  Prof. Ban Alsaybar, Educational Director, North Phil. Union of SDA. 
          The author of this book, Dr. Herman Reyes, has put his readers on his debt by baring his soul in narrating these personal episodes from his experiences. A native of Bataan, he is a red-blooded soldier of the Cross, a veteran of a hundred spiritual battles for God, a fighter who is not afraid to do and dare for the extension of God's kingdom on earth.  Dr. Gil Fernandez, History Prof.,  Adventist Int'l. Institute of Advanced Studies.  
          At one time, Dr. Herman Reyes was the only seminary prof. of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Asia with a Missiology degree. We needed his expertise, and we did not need to invite him - he invited himself. He was a worker who did not know the meaning of retirement when it came to sharing his knowledge to students. I am glad he wrote the history of his life.  Dr. Moises De Ocampo, Dean, AUP School of Theology. 
         
     

Japan had invaded, and Herman committed himself to the was effort by joining a labor battalion, tasked with building an airfield in Bataan. he nearly lost his life on that airfield,k on the day that the Japanese bombers did not pass overhead on their way to Manila, but instead attacked his camp.

After escaping the inferno of a type 94 50 kg bomb, he made a covenant with God, stating "Lord, if you keep me and I live through this war, I will take the ministry."

He would make good on that promise, returning to PUC in 1943,which had temporarily opened its doors in spite of the war. 

It was that year that he first saw the love of his life, Lagrimas Legaspi, at a school function. However, he could on admire her from afar, as the school closed again due to Japanese occupation. It was not until the war's final conclusion in 1945 that Herman resumed both his studies and his courtship of his future wife. They would go on to marry in on July 4, 1951 at Jackson-Severens Hall, in Baesa, Caloocan Cit, shortly after they both graduated, Herman from PUC and Lagrimas from the College of Oral and Dental Surgery.

With his wife always by his side, he would go on to serve God and His Word, first in the ministry of Central Luzon Mission, then  later establishing churches in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. 

In those years, he was an evangelistic trailblazer for the Adventist cause, at times preaching to 20,000 people and gathering thousand of enrollments in three-days  time.

Today, we come together to remember Dr. Herminio "Herman" Reyes. Pastor Reyes will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of those here today and the many lives he touched over the span of his life.

That life began, ever so humbly, on Mar. 8, 1925, in a simple nipa hut by the banks of  Balsik River, in the Philippine village of Dinalupihan, Bataan. Born to Rafael Reyes and Maxima Luzano, who were provincial folks, Herman Reyes was the second to the youngest of nine children. 

He would only know three of them personally; his eldest brother Pedro, is older brother Marcial and his younger sister Luningning. He would never know of his five older siblings, not even their names, as they were taken away before their time by childhood disease.

His earliest years were not as auspicious as one might believe, given the accomplishments he would one day achieve.

When he began at Dinalupihan Elem. School in 1932, he nearly failed the second grade. However, by the next year, he had forged his way to the head of his class, finishing second in his exams out of a class of 150 peers. As the son of a farmer, he was fated to endure the constant struggle between the needs of his family and his desire for knowledge.

In  1939, that desire would be fulfilled in the form of a recruiter from Philippine Union College, who would offer him the opportunity to enroll for the sum of give pesos a month, a sum that was out of reach for his sharecropper parents. Yet, through sheer will and determination, Herminio seized this opportunity and went to PUC, paying his way with calloused hands and the sweat of his brow, as he worked multiple jobs at the college.

He was a janitor, a carpenter, a cook and even a security guard. He studied and labored practically every waking moment and was well on his way to becoming a college graduate.

That dream was interrupted in 1941, the year that war tore the Philippine countryside apart.. Japan had invaded, and Herman committed himself to the war effor

Dad, Dr. Herman L. Reyes
    By: Nestor M. Caballero 

I've known Dad for over 10 years. He loved his family so much and missed Mom a great deal after she passed. In a letter Dad wrote... last night I could not sleep again. I rang the bell, Janie came in her sweet way, she put her arms around me and we wept together. Janie woke no less than 4 to 5 times in the evening, to weep with me, clean me and make me comfortable. I asked her how much weight she had lost and shyly she said, 20 lbs. It would kill me if I lost her...This is the big hearted Dad, I know.

When we attend church, go to AWESNA or FAMANA Conventions, or when Dad is admitted to LLUMC, I hear several former students of his say... "Pastor/Sir, I wouldn't have graduated if you didn't help me with my final school bill. I am very grateful to you sir." Dad smiles when they hug him... later we would ask him if he remembers... "No, I don't". This is the big hearted Dad, I know.

All the proceeds from books he wrote, I Could Have Been A Monk (his autobiography) and  Dr. Man, the Man (on Dr. Ruben Manalaysay), went to build the Volunteers Duplex at AUP, for volunteer professors and Alumni of PUC/AUP, and the South Central Luzon Conference Convention Center. That's the big hearted Dad I know.

I am proud to be called "Son" by this big hearted, generous, loving Dad, Dr. Herman Luzano Reyes. 

Let's pray... Gracious Lord & heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings for this special person, Dad Herman Reyes, whom we all remember so fondly, but who is now at rest in your loving embrace. Thank you for Dad's life and the many happy memories that we all share and forever be remembered. I pray that You will be a special comfort, to uplift and care for those that will feel the greatest loss. For though separated for a time, we will all rejoice one day, when we stand together in your presence on that Glorious morning, when we will be reunited in the Hope that is set before us. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Page 2 Blurbs
         As you travel along the highway of life you may encounter some thistles that may lead you to say enough is enough. Dr. Herman Reyes a devoted preacher and a good shepherd of the flock will lead you up to the realm of the Great Beyond. I commend to you his book, "I Could Have Been A Monk".  Dr. Ben Jimenez  Medical Director, Lipa Doctors Hospital. 
         I have known Dr. Herman Reyes to be a devoted worker of God. His coming to AUP several times to serve as a Volunteer professor, had done a lot of good to the University, both to its students and faculty.  He needed not speak. His presence in our midst was Inspiration enough.  Dr. Robin Saban President, The Adventist University of the Philippines. 
         Dr. Herman Reyes, a gifted writer, pastor & missiologist, was one of the persons who influenced me to be a Gospel minister. His book is a must for every Adventist believer. His life stories are faith-building.  Dr. Dem Robles Sr. Pastor, Glendale Filipino Church. 
         Dr. Herman Reyes is a serious Bible student, a dedicated Bible teacher, a productive Evangelist & Faithful Minister of the Gospel. He has a heart that responds quickly to help sponsor projects for the benefit of God's work. In these efforts, he is greatly supported by his better half, Lagrimas Legaspi-Reyes.  Dr. Reuben G. Manalaysay President, Philippine Union College. 
         This book reveals how God had wonderfully led the author to work as a Prof. of Missiology rather than be a monk at the SDA Theological Seminary in Baesa campus where he was my teacher in Hermeneutics & other subjects in Theology. I was inspired by his humility, patience, and enthusiasm as a teacher. It is noteworthy that God has spared his life from physical jeopardy many times so that he could continue witnessing in the classroom as well as in the field of evangelism. He was gifted in poetry & a lover of music. Ulysses M. Carbajal, M.D., F.A.C.S.,M.Th.

It was mid-70's and I was an undergrad student at Philippine Union College in Baesa, Caloocan City, Metro Manila. Early in the morning, one day, I was jogging on the main road of the campus. As I came to the curve by the college auditorium, I noticed a gentleman hitting a tennis ball with the tennis racquet. The ball was tied to, what appeared to be, a rather long bungee cord. That was the first and the last time I saw doctor Reyes do any form of exercise! Later on, I learned that doctor Reyes had just returned from the Fuller Theological Seminary after earning a doctorate degree. Since I was a pre-med student, I did not have anything to do with the theology department. As such, except for occasional verbal greetings, I did not have contact with doctor Reyes.  

Years later studying at Far Eastern University, I longed to worship with the saints in a country setting. The seminary had just moved to the Silang campus. Saints like doctors Fernandez and Reyes taught there and lead out in the worship services. And I got to knowing them more. These two gentlemen were like the two brothers of PBS, Click and Clack. Just like the the two brothers, doctors Reyes and Fernandez often would be at each other's throat. One sabbath morning, doctor Fernandez greeting the worshippers, said, "We welcome you all to the worship, the ones of you who are from the seminary and the cemetery referring to the visitors who had come to worship from the Baesa campus which was soon to be a cemetery! 

Four years after starting at Far Eastern University, I was going to graduate and felt it was time to get married. My would-be wife, Amelita Petilla Militante came from a staunch catholic family. I asked her if she would study with doctor Reyes who also had a similar background. She agreed and what a beautiful study she had with this giant in faith. He shared much of his own family story and drove home principles of eternal value. Amel decided to be baptized and pastor Ombao baptized her in the murky waters of slang river. Two weeks later, doctors Hedrick Edwards and Reyes performed a garden wedding for us behind Don and Barb Van Ornam's home.

We lost contact for years but our association rekindled at our home in Redlands on a monthly basis. On sabbath afternoons, many of the Adventist filipino stalwarts would congregate at our home over a sumptous potluck. Doctors Reyes and Fernandeze along with their spouses would share the hair-raising stories of their ministry in the early years of their ministry in the boondocks of the Philippines. 

Doctor Reyes would tell folk that I was his son he never had. I would quickly quip, "That would be great except that I could not be the brother of Jan!!"

Yes, good memories. sweet memories. And as we age, memories tend to become our best friends. 

This life would have been a most frightening experience had it not been for the Blessed Hope that someday, perhaps sooner than we think, we will be reunited with our friends who have fallen asleep. Until then, sleep, our friends, doctors Reyes, sleep.

Greetings from Nashville, Tennessee where autumn is very evident. The leaves have turned from green to brown, yellow, orange, red and even purple. And many of them are starting to fall. It brings to mind that this is just a season and in a few months another season will bring life to the barren trees. Just as it is in life, there are different seasons. Unfortunately, the sad season is when we lose loved ones. My heart hurts for you,  dear girls, because of the recent loss of your parents. I know how you feel because my siblings and I went through the same experience of losing both of our parents in the same year. Our Nanay Tulio passed away in June, 2000 at 91 years old and our Tatay Tulio passed away in October 2000 at 88 years old. It has been 17 years since they went to rest but I can still feel the loss. My sister, Ate Linda and I visited their graves last September2017 when we were in San Diego. We could not help but shed tears because we missed them. We did our best to take care of them when they were in the last years of their lives. Together, the three of us met their needs and spent as much time as we could with them. We were blessed with resources and family unity so that we were able to honor our parents. They deserved to be honored not only because they were our parents but also because they were faithful servants of God and spent more than 50 years doing their best to bring people close to Jesus.

I know that you, too, have done your best to take care of your parents in the last season of their lives. They, too, deserve the honor that you gave them. They were faithful servants of the Lord. I praise God that our family and yours have a connection. Your Dad or my Kuya Miniong, told me and my siblings of the help that our parents extended to him so that he could complete his education. He said he was encouraged and practically pushed to go to PUC, especially by Nanay Tulio. My earlier memories include seeing Kuya Miniong on our visits to Dinalupihan, Bataan. I also remember that Kuya Miniong did his ministerial internship with Tatay Tulio while he was assigned to the Manila-Rizal District. Our family occupied an upstairs apartment while newly-married Kuya Miniong and Ate Lagring stayed at the downstairs apartment below ours. Tatay Tulio and Kuya Miniong had their training sessions. Even then, we admired the leadership and pastoral abilities of Kuya Miniong. We have always considered him as our older brother. And, my siblings and I just love Ate Lagring. She is one of the sweetest persons that we know. There are more memories for me to remember and appreciate the respect and honor that Kuya Miniong and Ate Lagring showed my parents. Our lives are intertwined because the connection was kept strong by your parents. God has put our families together to spread the gospel of Jesus especially in helping the needy and the poor, as Jesus commanded. Prom and I truly appreciate our leadership in AUP alumni activities because we believe that helping AUP is one way of advancing God's kingdom.

I am so happy that you have grown into beautiful and strong women. You have inherited your mother's beauty and sweetness as well as your father's strength of character. You will always be familyto me. I hope that we can spend time together again. Prom and I are taking a short rest from MOH.Farm at AUP. We will go back there in January 2018. God is good and keeps us healthy and strong even though we are now closer to 80's and 70's (Prom is 79 years old and I am 78)

Please know that my family and I love you and share your loss. Let us look forward to seeing your parents in that blessed resurrection morning. It will be a grand reunion with all our parents. Take care of yourselves and your pogi husbands. God continue to bless you and your families

Love,
Ate Norma

The adventist University of the Philippines mourns the passing away of a distinguished alumnus, pastor-evangilist, teacher, mentor, supporter, and friend. 

As a college student in the Silang campus in the early 80's, I had the chance to know Dr. Herminio Reyes. At that time he was already a professor in the Theological Seminary and frequently preached at Philippine International Church. I still remember some of his sermons and stories, which we then, college students would spend hours talking about. They were stories taken from his boyhood days and also of his life as a working student, stories that were actually metaphors of life. I still use some of his stories in my sermons. Later on, when I took graduate studies in the Seminary, I sat in his class. I learned that he had taught at almost every level of Adventist educational system. He mentored aspiring youth in Pasay City Academy, he produced pastors at Philippine Union College, and taught ministers and theologians on the masters and doctoral levels of the Theological Seminary.

What I cherish the most, more than learning from his expertise in Missions, was the inspiration and challenge we received when Dr. Reyes opened to us his heart. He had a heart for the churches and for evangelizing the World. His desire that the Church examine its strategy for evangelism and for missions to the cities, radiated strongly in his teaching. His personal convictions of church life and ministry, founded on God's word, were built from a desire to be faithful to our mission. His teaching did not come simply from books but from a wealth of experience spent in caring for rural and urban churches, and from the burden of his heart.

Dr. Reyes continued to support his alma mater even after he left the campus. Students still use the books he wrote and also those he donated to the library. Visiting professors still stay in the guest house he raised funds for. More than these, Sir, as I fondly call him, still has an influence in the University because of the stories and insights I heard from him in the several times we visited after I was elected. His prayers for me and for AUP left a lasting impact in my leadership. Even now I often share with faculty and staff his stories of how the Lord guided the decision to move out of Baesa and His providential leading in the choice of the Silang campus. He would remind in his indirect yet powerful way about the mission of PUC/AUP. My visits with him, few as they were, were always a transforming experience. 

Sir has rested from his labors. Yet, we who are left behind to carry on the work he loved so much, aim to carry on the burden of the task that Dr. Reyes has so magnificently prodded us to share, and by God's grace, with the same commitment and perseverance. Like him, we want to see a world ready to meet Jesus when He returns. I firmly believe, one of Sir's last prayers was, Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.

Francisco D. Gayoba
President, Adventist University of the Philippines

I really miss you Dad and Mom. You have been my rock and my counselor. Whenever I had problems I would come to 
        you and you have been there for me through thick and thin, accepting me always, faults and all.
               I thank God for having given me the most wonderful parents possible in this sinful world. You have been my inspiration
        and example of what Christians are. You accept everyone for what they are. You have a forgiving spirit. You have taught me
        to read my Bible and know God by your example in our daily worship with you Dad and Mom, and I miss worshiping with you.
        You taught me the meaning of the Lord's Prayer because you always ended with it. I thought of the words of the Lord's 
         Prayer and meditated on it.
                I'm able to smile and go on in this life because of the Blessed Hope, Christ coming back, and we will be together again 
         forevermore, never to be separated again, if I remain faithful to God and do His will.
                Thank you Dad and Mom for teaching me the good news of salvation.

                                                                                                                               Your very sweet, youngest, loving daughter,
                                                                                                                                                    Pearl Grace

Back in the late 50's, Pastor Reyes was the district pastor of lower Bulacan province, that includes our church in Meycauayan.  I was slated to be baptized, but he was not an ordained minister yet.  He had Pastor Fausto Reyes do the baptism.

I did not know he was married then.  He looked so young and on occasions would sleep in our house. My father loved to hear him preach.


Dr. Herman L. Reyes 
   By: Dr. Hedrick Edwards 

I embrace the opportunity to publicly commiserate with the Reyes family 

over the passing of this outstanding patriarch of their clan, and our friend. 

I do so with the assurance that no death is  forever, except the death of 

the wicked, no loss without eternal gain. He was my professional 

colleague, affable neighbor, trusted brother, and enduring friend. Through 

his years of service as pastor, evangelist, college and seminary professor, 

and prolific author, he impacted many thousands of lives for good. He 

was a quiet and gentle giant. Such men are the true salt of the earth.



OBITUARY

Herman L. Reyes

March 8, 1925 – October 9, 2017

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Service