Apo Padi: an autobiography

Apo Padi is the true story of Clifford Nobes and his adventures as an Episcopal priest and missionary to the Igorot people of the Philippines. It begins with his recruitment in 1931 by an American priest from the Philippines who visits Clifford while he is in his final year at General Theological Seminary and captivates his audience with tales of exotic and distant places. The priest convinces Clifford that he can best serve God and his fellow man by bringing the Christian faith to the pagan tribespeople of northern Luzon. It then tells of Clifford’s journey halfway around the world, his warm reception by the gentle Igorots, and his ensuing struggle to establish a seminary to prepare them to minister to their own people. Apo Padi, which means “Reverend Father” in the Igorot language, is a story of Christian dedication, the great love which exists between a priest and the people he serves, adventure, and romance. It is also the warm and inspiring story of a primitive people’s struggle to enter the bewildering world of the twentieth century, and their ultimate success, accelerated by the unforseen stimulus of a great war. (As this book goes to press, word has been received from the author that he and his wife Florence are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in November 1988.)