The pcg Philippines office, along with Imperial Academy and a staff residence, started its relocation to a small housing estate on April 26.

The location of the new estate is only a short distance away from the older, smaller subdivision in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Preaching Elders John Macdonald and Kirk Macdonald signed a rental agreement for one house of the estate on January 16, with an understanding that they would obtain the other three homes in April after the current tenants moved out.

When longtime pcg employee Laarni Cara heard the office was moving, she felt mixed emotions. “[I] felt a little bit sad because we are leaving the old office in which we stayed for almost 12 years. But on the other hand, moving means change and growth also,” she said. “The Work needs a much wider place to fulfill its needs and at the same time step up to a higher standard and better environment.”

The rental agreement for the other three homes was signed on April 15 during pyc Philippines. This part of the property includes a swimming pool, large automatic security gate, grass lot and small garden. A koi pond was also moved from the Macdonald home to the new estate.

“Whenever I look at the beauty of the new campus/estate, I think that it’s God’s gift to His children in IA,” assistant principal Reniel Padua said.

Many members from the local congregation came with buckets, brooms and rags in hand to assist with the cleaning on April 26, allowing the work to be completed by 2 p.m.

The new estate provides a more secure and private environment, more classroom space and modern facilities. Another bonus is the higher Internet speed capabilities at a lower cost.

“The new facility will allow the Work to be done in an accelerated rate due to the Internet speeds available at the area,” Padua said. “It will be 25 times faster than our previous connection.”

The small swimming pool and an open grassy lot will be used for Imperial Academy recess and P.E. class, as well as future congregational activities. The built-in air conditioning at the new facility will also provide a sanctuary for Imperial Academy students during the upcoming summer.

Imperial Academy has already moved into the new building, with classes beginning May 4. High school students helped with moving, unpacking and organizing books, supplies and furniture the week of April 27–May 1. Regional office employee Gilda Onato returned the keys for the previous IA building on April 30.

In the previous building, students had to keep relatively quiet. But because of the privacy the new building affords, music classes, taught by volunteer teacher Michael Marquez, have been able to resume. Students have also been making use of the new facilities with flag football and soccer.

The pcg regional office will relocate in the coming weeks, as Internet, security networks, servers and backup generators are dismantled and reinstalled.

Staff member Sandra Santos said, “It’s just awesome to think that the buildings have been there waiting for the Church to grow to a certain point. If we continue to step up and grow as a Church, imagine how many more doors there are waiting for us.”