One of the basic test of  a city if it is successful is that it has become a global player.  Which means that more foreign investors must come in to invest in the area.  Look at Cagayan de Oro, look at Cebu and look at Davao, there you will see many investors coming from South Korea, Japan and the United States.  And their presence in these cities have contributed much to the foreign exchange and exportations in those cities.

This is what Iligan lacks and this is what Iligan needs-foreign investors.  But question is what can Iligan offer?  What will attract them to come to Iligan and invest?

Iligan might be barking at the wrong tree for many years, but it seems that we are training our sights on Taiwan, Red China and the U.S.  For me the best investors to invite to Iligan are the OIC nations.  Why the OIC nations?

Well for one the presence of the OIC here will be a deterrent to all Muslim extremist who wish to destroy our peace and order.

Second, the OIC nations are the wealthiest nation in the world.  They have abundant supply of oil which we can trade with our never ending water supply.

Third, the OIC nations are the least affected in the present global crisis.

Fourth the Bible clearly shows that the Abrahamic blessings belong to the tribe of Ishmael.

And fifth, because our twin city-Marawi- is the only Islamic city in this part of the world.  If there is any city that the OIC would like to invest in our country it might as well be the Islamic City of  Marawi.

When God declared to Abraham that Abraham’s children will be a blessing to the nations, God included in that covenant the tribe of Ishmael.

Do not therefore wonder why the Arabs are so rich.  Their wealth is part of their God-given covenant from Jehovah Himself.

The Bible also clearly shows the pattern-wealth comes from the camels of Ishmael.  Actually in the Bible camels are a symbol of wealth.  And camels are only generic to the Arab countries and not to Israel (God’s other covenant people).

The name Ishma-el and Isra-el have the suffix El after them.  El here is a contraction of Elohim-God’s Name.  Ishmael and Israel therefore are God’s covenant people.  Ishmael means “heard of God” while Israel means “to struggle with God”.

In Isaiah 60 we see a very beautiful picture of the tribe of Ishmael bringing their unending wealth to God’s people.  The only requirement for Ishmael to do this is when they see the Glory of God rising upon a nation or a people.  The Philippines is a a nation well qualified to recieved all of Ishmael’s wealth. Why?

For one it is a nation Biblically named after Philip the Evangelist and the Apostle.

Second, it is a nation that has blest Ishmael and Israel in many ways-not only in the past but even in the present.  We have blest the children of  Abraham and God will blest us because that is His Word.  He will blest those who bless the children of Abraham and will curse those who curse the children of Abraham.

Thirdly, the last verse of Isaiah 60 mentions a small nation becoming a mighty nation.  Well the Philippines is one small nation indeed, not only in size but even as a reputation as a nation.  Remember the time when a Hongkong reporter called us a nation of servants?  Well he has forgotten the Biblical admonition when the Lord Himself said, “he who wants to be great among you must be the servant of all”.  And since we are a servant nation  as declared by the world, from God’s perspective we will be great among the nations.  We are well qualified to be that small nation gentlemen.

And fourth, we are a nation who loves God.  We love “Bro” Himself.  Nobody can compare to the Pinoys when it comes to our passion for God.  Where can you see a nation where people are willing to be crucified for their sins to be forgiven?  Where can you see a nation where people converge by the millions just to join a procession?  Where can you see a nation where food is offered for free even to strangers just to celebrate the occassion?  We are after all the “Fiesta Islands” of the world.  And God is a God who wants to be remembered in our “eating of the bread and the drinking of wine”  He is a God who wants His people to enjoy the fellowship of His people.

Where can you find a nation in the world where Christmas is the longest?  It is only in the Philippines gentlemen.

Fellow Rotarians we are not a religious group that is true,but when the Bible says so, we as Rotarians know that it is God’s Word.  Let us therefore pray that the twin cities- Iligan and Marawi- will be able to invite the tribe of Ishmael over to our cities.  Real wealth comes from them.  Let us pray that the wealth of the nations in Isaiah 60 becomes a reality to our beloved city.  If there is any major investor that we need, that investor might as well be the OIC nations.

God bless to all and as the Ishamelites would say “Assalma Alaikum” to all !!

President Aji Garbanzos