Synergy is two or more elements or entities working TOGETHER to produce a total result GREATER than the sum of result of each element or entity working INDIVIDUALLY.
That is how CrossRoads Nueva Ecija began and saw breakthrough amidst a province that is predominantly a Roman Catholic area. In partnership with Agape Rural Program (ARP), Cabanatuan Christian Church, DepEd Nueva Ecija and the mayor’s and governor’s office, the CrossRoads Strategy is now used in several municipalities and in the capital city, Cabanatuan, and in several schools across the province. The CrossRoads Team in Nueva Ecija is led by Dr. Dolly Prado and Dr. Paolo Prado, and Ma’am Kelly Prado of DepEd Nueva Ecija – mother, son and daughter, and Ma’am Malu Gamino, Project Officer of DepEd Nueva Ecija.
Their story began in 2015 when Dr. Dolly attended a Level 1 Teachers’ Training at Baler, Aurora which was a joint effort of Crossroads and ARP. She became a Crossroads Trainer in 2017 and then a Lead Trainer in 2021 during the pandemic. Dr. Paolo got involved with CrossRoads in 2018 when he was still a medical student. Later in 2021, Dr. Paolo became a trainer and then in 2024, a Lead Trainer.
Since becoming a trainer in 2015, Dr. Dollie has been sharing to us her prayers that CrossRoads will take root and grow in Nueva Ecija. The year 2021 was an answer to her prayers. Though the time of pandemic was challenging, it was an amazing time to see the CrossRoads ministry continue to thrive amidst the pandemic using online platforms so that we continued to raise up CrossRoads volunteers, trainers and lead trainers. It was also during that year of 2021 that Ma’am Malu and Ma’am Kelly became part of CrossRoads through the 1st online CrossRoads Teachers’ Training. Later in 2024, they both became trainers and then Lead Trainers soon after that. A breakthrough indeed for the team. God was finally answering Dr. Dollie’s prayer!
These are the highlights and breakthroughs of how God has used the Crossroads team from Nueva Ecija:
In 2022, the team conducted a blended (online and face-to-face) 8-Session CrossRoads Leadership Training for all student officers of San Isidro Integrated School in PARTNERSHIP with Cabanatuan Christian Church.
In 2023, they were able to conduct the 1st face-to-face Teachers’ Training attended by Values Education teachers of different public schools of Talugtug Municipality in PARTNERSHIP with the Mayor’s Office.
They held a Level 1 Teachers’ Training and Level 2 Training of Trainers in 2023 and 2024, respectively, of over 70 principals and DepEd supervisors from different areas of Nueva Ecija in PARTNERSHIP with the Provincial DepEd and the Governor’s Office. This is the first of its kind in CrossRoads Philippines where principals and DepEd officials were certified to be CrossRoads teachers and then trainers.
In 2025, Crossroads Nueva Ecija received a Plaque of Recognition for its selfless assistance and exemplary contribution as DepEd Nueva Ecija education partner to improve the quality of basic education.
Through the efforts of Ma’am Malu, CrossRoads became part of the B.E.R.T. (Batang Empowered to Act, Resilient to Lead) Program being led by her, co-sponsored by the provincial DepEd, Mayor’s Office and the Governor’s Office and in PARTNERSHIP with various NGO’s. The most recent one was held last October 1-3, 2026. Another batch will be trained this Oct. 8-10, 2026. The B.E.R.T. Program is used in 766 schools in the province impacting about 300,000 students.
The growing problem of STI’s like HIV infection, teen-age pregnancy, mental health challenges and recently violence, has made the CrossRoads Team at Nueva Ecija become even more convinced that shaping the values and developing life skills among the youth is highly needed and is critical more than ever so they can make right and positive choices.
When Dr. Dollie began praying in 2015, the answers took a while and breakthrough did not happen until 6 years after in 2021. Little did she know and imagine how God would answer those prayers; how much favor and doors God will open for her and the CrossRoads team in Nueva Ecija. All glory to our Sovereign God!
B.E.R.T Camp
CrossRoads Nueva Ecija Team
Back: Leftmost - Dr. Paolo; center - Dr. Dollie
Front center: Ma’am Kelly beside Terry our Cru missionary with CrossRoads
Article written by: Rey Ibasco
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