Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
VOL. 1 NO. 2
THE NEWSLETTER OF BCBP NAVAL (BILIRAN) OUTREACH
BCBP Naval Outreach: a God-given Community BY: BRO. BOBOY MONTEJO Out of love, commitment and service to God, BCBP Naval Outreach came into existence. A member of Tacloban Chapter, the late Bro. Noling Cordeta who is a native of Cabucgayan, Biliran recommended to establish an Outreach in Naval, the capital town of his home province. With eagerness and passion, the Governance Team of Tacloban Chapter led by Bro. Willy Varona, Chapter Head; Bro. Art Pangilinan, Mission Director; and Bro. Manny Calero, Formation Director did not hesitate to conduct the first Breakfast as the entry point to the BCBP. Bro. Mar Regis who was the Outreach Coordinator, requested some BCBP brothers and sisters in the community to invite businessmen and professionals in Naval to join the breakfast. With the permission of the Bishop of the Diocese of Naval, Msgr. Filomeno Bactol, the first breakfast fellowship was held on July 26, 2001 at See God-given community, p. 7
Bro. Jun and Sis. Nancy Catan were among the couple sharers during the earlier Breakfast fellowships held in 2001 at Country Inn, Naval, Biliran
FEBRUARY 2011
ManCom elevates Naval Outreach to a Chapter BY: BRO. NOEL PLA The BCBP Management Commit- taking the lead as the new Chapter tee approves the elevation of BCBP Head. Naval Outreach into a full-pledge Another highlight of the occasion is Chapter effective February 19, 2011. the Candle Light and Re-commitment On this date, a simple but solemn ceremony participated by all members ceremony was prepared to formalize of BCBP Naval. the elevation. This will be held at the See ManCom elevates, p.2 Naval Gymnasium at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon. No less than the BCBP President Larry Veloso will administer the installation together with Bro. Mayong Rodriguez, AMD for Visayas, and Bro.Vit Lacaba, RCD for North Eastern Leyte and Samar. Along with the installation, the new governance team of the chapter will be instituted with BCMR No. 3. The participants and service team with the kids Bro. Boboy Montejo after the closing activities of the BCMR no. 3 at Ormoc City.
BCMR No. 3, a truly fulfilling experience BY: BRO. ROMY AND SIS. SOL VICERA Last November 26-29, 2010 was a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience to the 9 couples who attended the Brotherhood Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR) No. 3 held at the Divine Mercy Retreat Center, Ormoc City. The BCMR activities started on Friday night and continued until Sunday noon with Bro. Licio and Sis. Dolor as the course director. The couples who attended include: Bro. Meljohn and Sis. Nova Jorge, Bro. Lito and Sis. Abbie Curso, Bro. Aldrin and Sis. Joy Caing, Bro. Anthony and Sis. Florsielie Cairo, Bro. Alex and Sis. Claring Salas, Bro. Seno and Sis. Shirly Jadulco, Bro. Jun and Sis. Lerma Balce, Bro. Bebie
and Sis. Mila Juson, as well as Bro. Titing and Sis. Maling Duallo. The venue was cool and quiet, and the couples really had the opportunity to rest and enjoyed the company of each other free from any worries and anxiety. The participants were treated like royalty by an ever supportive Service team, so they have See BCMR No.3... , p.2
Food for the Soul “RISE UP IN SPLENDOR! YOUR LIGHT HAS COME, THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS UPON YOU.” (Isaiah 60:1)
2
NEWSBITS
LAMDAG
FEBRUARY 2011
BCBP Naval to conduct 3 Breakfasts every month Meeting with RCD Vit Lacaba Bro. Vit Lacaba, RCD for NE Leyte and Samar meets with the AGLs of BCBP Naval on October 29, 2010, 7:00PM at NSU Hostel to assess its status and the different activities conducted during the year. Issues and concerns such as inactive action groups and members were lengthily discussed and given actions.
Regional Council Meeting in Naval Chapter heads and members of the governance team from the different chapters and outreaches belonging to the NorthEastern Leyte and Samar area gathered at NSU Hostel, Naval, Biliran on October 30, 2010 for the Regional Council Meeting. The group discussed among others the selection of a new Chapter Head should Naval be formally installed as a Chapter. The meeting was facilitated by RCD Bro. Vit Lacaba, with the presence of Bro. Mayong Rodriguez, AMD for Visayas.
BCBP members visit Bishop Bactol The members of BCBP Naval Outreach led by the Outreach Head
Bro. John and Sis. Timi Pastor made a traditional New Year visit with Msgr. Filomeno Bactol, Bishop of Naval in the afternoon of January 5, 2011 at the Bishop’s residence. The group briefed the Bishop on the various activities of the Outreach. The Bishop extends his blessings to the group.
First First Friday Assembly for 2011 The First Friday Assembly for January 2011 (January 7) was held at NSU Hostel. A Holy Mass was celebrated at 6:00pm by Rev. Fr. Fidel Dandan, the BCBP’s Spiritual Director, followed by a Talk on the topic: Unity by Bro. Noel Pla. The topic was timely especially that BCBP Naval is moving towards chapterhood.
AGLs attend Leadership Training Around 17 participants, all new Action Group Leaders, ministry heads and members of the new governance team attended a One-Day Leadership Training Seminar held on February 5, 2011 at Pongos Hotel, Ormoc City. The training intends to capacitate the new leaders of BCBP Naval and prepare them for their new task.
BCBP Naval will now have 3 Breakfast Fellowships every month starting January 2011. Men’s Breakfast is scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Sunday, while the Joint Breakfast will be on the 3rd Sunday of the month. This is to comply with the suggestion of Bro. Mayong Rodriguez, AMD Visayas, to have 2 Men’s Breakfast monthly. All Breakfasts are held at Marvin’s Seaside Inn, Atipolo, Naval, Biliran from 7:30-9:30am. The Breakfast Fellowship is the entry point to BCBP and features personal testimony of a fellow businessman or professional who shares about how he has been able to bring Christ and Christian values into the marketplace, and the victories that have resulted from his personal relationship with Jesus. BCBP Naval Outreach has so far held 186 Breakfast Fellowships in Naval since its first Breakfast in July 25, 2001, and has changed the lives of so many businessmen and professionals in the area. The new Breakfast manager is Bro. Carding/ Sis. Doris Victoria.
ManCom elevates… from p.1
BCMR No. 3, a truly fulfilling experience,
The late afternoon activity will start with a Eucharistic Celebration to be celebrated by Fr. Benjie Pantas and other clergy from the Diocese of Naval. After the formal rites, a dinner fellowship will follow and there will be a showcase of talents from among the members of the new chapter. It was BCBP Tacloban Chapter who sow the BCBP seed in Naval, Biliran in the mid-2001, and carefully nurture the Naval outreach to become a full-fledged chapter that it is now. The theme chosen for this installation activity is taken from Isaiah 60:1, “Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord is upon you.” This once in a lifetime activity of BCBP Naval will be witnessed by leaders and members coming from the different BCBP Chapters and Outreaches throughout Eastern Visayas.
time to listen to the talks, study, meditate, and discover more intimately God’s plan for them. During the 3-day activity, there were mixed emotions among the couple participants– joy, guilt feelings, acceptance and forgiveness, sighs of relief, and plenty of love. Bro. Meljohn and Sis. Nova Jorge were very thankful that they were able to join the retreat. “Honestly, we had a second thought of attending the BCMR because we will be away from home, leaving our children for 3 days. Besides my wife Nova who is 5 months pregnant has stomach upset which made her weak, but we decided to go anyway,” says Bro. Meljohn. “We have no regret because we learned a lot of things from the different talks on how our relationship will go deeper and stronger,” he added.
from p.1
Bro. Anthony and Sis. Florsielie, on their part expressed that the P2,000 they paid for the registration was very minimal compared to the knowledge they learned and the surprises they experienced during the retreat. “It’s all worth it. Now, we appreciate more the importance of our role as husband and wife,” they said. Bro. Aldrin and Sis. Joy Caing experienced inner healing and forgiveness. “We were able to cleanse our heart from heartaches, hatred and sins during the topic ‘Healing our Marriage’ and the activity that followed,” Sis. Joy said. All the participants expressed satisfaction and gratitude for having attended the BCMR. But most importantly, the BCMR taught them to make Christ as the center of their lives and families.
FEBRUARY 2011
LAMDAG
TESTIMONIES
3
GOD RETURNED OUR TITHES A HUNDREDFOLD BY: BRO. GONIE POTOT In May 2009. my wife Ester was diagnosed of Cerebral Aneurysm at Chong Hua Hospital, Cebu City. The doctors said that the percentage of recovery was very slim. As a matter of fact, it is only about 10%, and the other consequence could have been paralysis or death. Ester was scheduled for an immediate operation. We were told to produce P500,000.00 for the operation. God knows we could not source out that big amount on our own. In fact, our pocket money was only P27,000.00. We were left without a choice but to pray for God’s mercy and submit everything to Him. Truly God could not be outdone in His generosity. The following day, pledges from our BCBP brothers and sisters, Lingkod ng Panginoon, a Catholic charismatic community which my son is a member, relatives, and friends kept pouring in. In one day
operation was finally performed. God really works in mysterious ways and steadfast in his mercy to those who are faithful to Him. I realized that what we have offered to God regularly in form of tithes, giving alms or helping our neighbors was returned to us during the time of our need, perfectly channeled through our friends, relatives and other generous individuals. It is like withdrawing from God’s bank of blessings the deposits we have earlier channeled to others. Bro. Gonie with wife Ester and son Vic John. This experience is a testimony P76,000.00 was accumulated and that “a generous man will himself be immediately deposited at Chong blessed [a hundredfold] for he shares Hua’s Treasury as an initial payment. his blessings with the poor” (Proverbs And to top it all, a person whom we 22:9). Thanks to our BCBP community do not even know, helped us in availing of financial assistance from the for teaching us Financial Stewardship, PCSO. Lo and behold, the guaranty and for impressing upon us members letter and board resolution from the value of sharing and generosity at PCSO arrived a day after, and the all times.
THE POWER OF PRAYER BY BRO JOHN AND SIS TIMI PASTOR Prayer has always been a part of our life, for good health and peace among family members, relatives, neighbors, friends, and for all people. A habit we encouraged our sons to practice. When our youngest son took his bar examination, we always remind him to pray more, while we pray for him continuously, visit churches and houses of worship in different places. We requested the Intercessory Prayer Groups of different BCBP Chapters and Outreaches to include in their prayers our petition for the success of our son. The examination is a four Sunday schedule during the month of September each year. After each examination week we would ask him how he was faring the exam, and often he would respond positively. However, on the 4th Sunday, the last day of their examination, he informed us that he
found difficulty in the last subject of Mercantile Law. He felt very bad and discouraged telling us that there is a possibility that he might fail. We told him to continue praying and keep his trust in the Lord and to accept His will, while we continue to pray for his success unceasingly. In the evening of their last day of examination, as I was watching a TV news program, it was flashed in the
program that there was a leakage that occurred on the subject of Mercantile Law. The incident made the bar examiners decide to cancel the examination on Mercantile Law. It was the very subject that my son has found difficulty. Why it happened that way, we could not comprehend. Others consider it a coincidence, but we believe it could happen only with God’s intervention. In Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18 , says, “ Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus “. God in his goodness could not be outdone in His generosity. God will find a way. No problem can outlast God’s mercy. When the bar examination results was released a few months after, he was one of those who passed. He is now a lawyer practicing his profession in Cebu City.
4
REFLECTIONS
Insights from the
Outreach Head BRO. JOHN PASTOR
Let Us Use Our Talents for the Lord We have just celebrated Christmas and another year is here – 2011. For the BCBP Naval Outreach there is no better gift for this season and new year, that of our being recognized as a Chapter. Let us be thankful for all who help to nourish and make our community grow to finally become a chapter. Let us rejoice and celebrate together for the love and goodness of GOD. As we approach for another year ahead, after having been an Outreach longer than usual, let us look back into our strengths and weaknesses as followers of Christ and our availability of our service to the Lord as Christian Businessman and Professional. Towards this journey some of us may have been half-hearted and not totally committed. However, the majority have come to love and adopt the BCBP way of life, giving their time, talent, and treasure; thru the active participation in the BCBP activities like Breakfast Fellowship, First Friday Assembly, Teaching Nights, Music Ministry, Intercessory Prayer Groups, the Brotherhood of Christian Marriage Retreat, the Brotherhood of Christian Business Retreat, and in various church related activities, particularly on the people who are busy, the businessmen and professional. As per BCBP rules, all positions in the BCBP, are for a period of three years, then somebody else takes over. Our challenge is to strive to use each other’s talents and make changes from within ourselves. Let us show our capability and develop ourselves as able Ministry Heads, Service Directors, Unit Leaders, and Action Group Leaders and continue to do so until the time when all of us given the authority to lead will be capable of being Chapter Heads. Let us not hide our talents and capabilities, but show it and GOD will reward us, as in Romans 12:6, “Having the gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them “. Let us be responsible for the talents that God has given us, nurture it and maximize for His glory. It is a mistake to bury our gifts. Let us be happy to take more responsibilities.
LAMDAG
FEBRUARY 2011
The Road Ahead... BY: BRO. BOBOY & SIS. SOL MONTEJO
Imagine St. Peter when he was told by Jesus Christ “YOU ARE ROCK, AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE JAWS OF DEATH SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. . . .”(Matthew 16:18). Was he happy? Excited? Sad? Afraid or hesitant? Did he regret his following of Jesus? Or was he dumbfounded, confused and lost? Happiness is etched in each face and heart of the members of BCBP Naval Outreach when, after nine years, MANCOM decides to elevate Naval Outreach into a full CHAPTERHOOD come February 19, 2011. But one cannot hide the feeling of fear, apprehension and confusion of some members upon realizing the awesome task ahead. Some simply go with the flow, some get lost, and there are those who boldly come forward and accept the challenge. The task at hand is not a walk in the park. It is both a great privilege and an opportunity because NAVAL CHAPTER IS NOW ON HER OWN. A great privilege in a sense that God allows it to grow as a Chapter and an opportunity or a challenge, because it calls to serve God and His people through evangelization, especially those within its reach- the other 7 municipalities in the Province of Biliran. To the GOVERNANCE TEAM lies the responsibility of charting the direction of the Chapter. This further calls that the people behind the team must be inspired to serve as role models to the community. And they shall live-out the vision of BCBP of “Bringing Christ into the marketplace and winning the marketplace for Christ”. The programs and activities shall be done to make each member grow in his/her spiritual journey so that in the end, BCBP Naval Chapter becomes a light to others. In other words, the growth and strong commitment of the community greatly depends on the governance team. The ACTION GROUP being the heart and soul of the community with the dedication of the ACTION GROUP LEADER shall ensure unity and spiritual support among members. Being called to be the pastor of the group, he shall see to it that each prayer meeting is a powerhouse of prayer that would lead to personal conversion and
commitment to the Lord. And as much as he can, he shall serve as a teacher, counselor, friend, father, brother, son, rolled into one like a good shepherd who tends his flock through thick and thin. Other support groups of the BCBP are the different BCBP Ministries (Breakfast, Secretariat, Family and Life, Be Honest Advocacy, Social Action, Intercessory, Music, Teaching, Assembly, Liturgical) that will somehow support the members in their spiritual maturity. These ministries also served as avenues for active service in the community. It is the role of the Ministry Heads to ensure that the activities of the Ministry are implemented, in line with the BCBP culture, on a regular schedule. Each BCBP member therefore MUST LIVE his/her Covenant to the Lord as stipulated in the Commitment Card. That at the end of the day, he/she can truly say: “I am a follower of Christ… I made myself available to the Lord for service… I am a Christian Businessman and Professional… I’ve been honest with my customers, my workers, my colleagues, the authorities, my neighbors, my friends, my wife, my family and, with myself.” After all, the road ahead, is envisioned to be an on-going process of personal conversion and a genuine discipleship to Jesus; a community with commitment to professional excellence, trying to build our nation, practicing justice and integrity, responsible for everything that is entrusted to us as catalysts of change in the marketplace.
LAMDAG EDITORIAL TEAM Bro. John & Sis. Timi Pastor Bro. Boboy & Sis. Sol Montejo Bro. Goni & Sis. Ester Potot Bro. Inoy & Sis. Leting Ralar Bro. Romy & Sis. Sol Vicera Bro. Pete & Sis. Willic Ecalla Bro. Beboy & Sis. Susan Castro Bro. Licio & Dolor Salas Bro. Pat Ymas Sis. Diana Bernardes-Chawdhury Bro. Aldrin & Joy Caing Bro. Noel & Nanette Pla
FEBRUARY 2011
LAMDAG
FOOD RAID BY: SIS. DIANA BERNARDES CHAWDHURY I woke up this morning with the anticipation of having my usual breakfast of coffee, slices of bread, left-over “pansit” from the previous night’s partying and left-over fish “sinugba” which I would have cooked with malunggay, camote tops and coconut milk. We were all disappointed when not a single crumb was left in the refrigerator. All seven of us, me, my son, my three “scholars” and my helpers had to contend with the ever present “budo” or dried fish and freshly cooked rice to get over our breakfast. For a little more than a month now, I have been living and immersing in a community that I thought would have been the perfect setting for a socioeconomic laboratory where all concepts that I learned about sharing, cooperation, food banking, and developing a resource based-economy would be ideal. Inheriting a small piece of land from my grandmother located at a depressed barangay was, I believe, the doorway towards being able to implement plans to mold a community into a model of self sufficiency and progress. My learnings at the School of Agriculture in Silliman University would also be flexed in this basically Agriculture setting. This morning’s disappointment was another big challenge that made me reflect on the herculean task that I intend to partake. You see, I heard of stories that such things happen. Stocks of food merely disappearing because a neighbor’s son and his gang would raid one’s kitchen of food intended for the next meal. That these things still proliferate with no one getting punished is a mystery to me. Would this be part of the mission I need to do which is to change the modalities of the people around so that I could successfully push the agenda of advocating for a better life for them? Which would come first? Paving the way towards self sufficiency or providing them their basic needs just to get over their hunger and need at the moment. But this is what politicians do. They bring 3 kg. bags of rice and some over the counter medicines as aid to these people. Ok for a day’s meal and cure but not good for the next 364 days. It is like giving fish and not providing them the skill to catch some to sustain them for the rest of the days. On a personal level, I can easily throw up the towel and say to myself what the heck, I better live to myself and
be content and be secure with my own family. After all, once my house become structurally secure, raiders like those could no longer enter and the attraction and compulsion to “help themselves” will then be deterred. Easy to say and do as it also seemed easy to dream of being able to effect the changes needed to nurture this particular community and send the message that progress and people empowerment is indeed possible. However, reflecting into the reasons why I had that dream in the first place cannot be answered with complacency. Bring this scenario to the bigger context of society where we see many of our fellowmen helping themselves to properties and wealth of the people will surely redound to the general poverty and enslavement of the multitude. Thus a Food Raid like what happened to my household is most likely repeated over and over again. Their justification is: if people in the higher echelons of society and government get over being caught at offenses of leeching out the tax payer’s money for their own personal gain, the little food that they steal from someone’s kitchen is small fry. Indeed it is. So why would I go after those boys stealing my food when I know very well the root cause of their mischief? The answer would be to do something about it head on and that is to continue my dreams and intentions no matter how difficult it would seem. At present, my advocacy has already taken a little root. When I drive around my neighborhood, I see my neighbors being busy planting and beautifying the surroundings. This is a direct effect of the localized version of the now defunct Clean and Green contest that I initiated. I believe that by creating a wholesome environment even when it is merely a superficial move can create a mindset of beauty and order. The values of cooperation, orderliness and cleanliness would already have taken root. Soon, the other concepts of empowerment shall no longer be difficult to instill as a result of an initial undertaking which they themselves achieved. When I go around the community, I see hope in the children who look up to me with happy faces, I see progress in the people whose “TIKLOS” system may be taken to a higher level of empowering them, I see mothers and daughters getting excited about possibilities of a hard earned income not from the chances of
See FOOD RAID, p.6
FEATURE/ REFLECTIONS
Faith ‘n
5
ction
BRO. NOEL & SIS. NANETTE PLA
Are we on the right track? Listening to the news regarding corruption issues in the AFP and of the different agencies in the government, we can say that our society is in quandary. Corruption has rooted deeply into our system and became a norm from the lowest to the highest member of the society of leaders in this country. This is ironic since we are a Christian country, and our belief taught us the value of generosity and honesty. All of us know that greed and selfishness are the root causes of corruption. Greed leads us to wanting more than we can have, while selfishness leads us to serving only our own interests rather than that of our brothers. Man’s greed towards money seemed to be increasing day by day. Everyone wants to make oneself rich. They associated “happiness” with money. This greed for money persuades all classes of society towards corruption. Nowadays, it seems that life became empty without the luxuries of having purchased the latest appliances, cellphones, laptops, new model car, and even of having a rebonded hair. We tend to double our time and effort just to earn, to the point of giving in our values, our principles, and most importantly, our being God-fearing individuals, just to be “happy” in life. How does this situation affect us as BCBP members? As a professional, are services, more important than extra pay or even worst, bribery? As a businessman, are customers’ satisfactions more valuable than profit or “monkey business”? Are we on the right track? In our situation today, we are called, as Filipino Christians, to be consistent with the Gospel values and to practice it whether we are at home, in our office or in the marketplace. We are challenged to be firm with our slogan: “Be Honest even if others are not, Be Honest even if others cannot, and Be Honest even if others will not.” We also need to pray unceasingly, because, no matter how founded is our faith in God, temptation is just around the corner, quick to distort one’s values anytime.
6
TESTIMONY/ FEATURE
LAMDAG
THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH BY: BRO. ALEX AND SIS. CLARING SALAS
W
e were participants of the Brotherhood Christian Marriage Retreat (BCMR) held on November 26 to 28, 2010 at the Divine Mercy Retreat House, Brgy. Dolores, Ormoc City, conducted by our BCBP Outreach. There were 12 invited couples but only 9 came to register. Perhaps it was not yet their time because “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses” (Ecc. 3:1). The retreat was divided into seven topics, namely; Serving God through Christian Marriage, Effective Communication, Role of Christian Husband, Role of Christian Wife, Sex in Marriage, Healing our Marriage and Building Home for God. We had an array of speakers who were laudably knowledgeable and effective in the discourses of their respective topics including our very own discussants Bro. John and Sis. Timi Pastor, who presented to us a photo video of their family gathered as one on many occasions which were pleasant to see. Bro. Noel and Sis. Nanette Pla on the other hand, shared their way of communicating as a couple like, sharing their vision/mission and have a couple dialogue or a heart-to-heart talk in order to end doubts and conflict which resulted to a strong partnership and a happy relationship. Interestingly, Sex in Marriage drew a lot of reactions and actions because the speakers were frank and deliberate. Sis Rose, a nurse by profession, with husband Bro. Alder Medalla of BCBP Tacloban gave us some practical and religious tips about sex. The topic Healing our Marriage was a hit because the speaker himself, Kuya Minnie assisted by his wife Ate Myrna Dilao of BCBP Ormoc spiced his lecture with humorous stories that always brought the house down. The rest of the topics were equally instructive, relevant and spirit-filled. Definitely, the 3-day retreat afforded us to be closer to each other and to God. As a consequence, we feel guilty and ashamed for not being a regular churchgoer and an irregular BCBP member. Before the retreat, we were thinking that we are already a fulfilled couple because of our age and in our second time marriage, but we realized that there are still a lot of things that we need to learn in our role as a married couple. There are barriers in communication for us to settle and adhere to. Likewise, our roles as Christian husband and Christian wife have to
FEBRUARY 2011
Baptism: The First Step to Christianity BY: BRO. PAT YMAS
be responsibly portrayed in order not to invite conflict that might lead to unwanted misunderstanding. At our age, we are not supposed to plant enmity to ourselves but only love that God give us. We have to focus instead of “enjoying on people and forget accumulating material things” that might cause trouble to our heirs when we are gone. Agreeably, it is not too late for us to create a home God has ideally want us to have. On this, we have now a clear plan of our home to be God’s home as well. For “O Lord, you have always been our home”. (Ps. 90:1) Lastly, we have so many of you to thank for, although thank you is not enough, for inviting us to the retreat. We recognized your efforts in bringing us to the Lord again. What you have done has greatly influenced us to be a truly Christian couple now. We were quite impressed of the preparations you made for the retreat. Everything was in place from the moment we arrived up to the journey back home. The scheduled activities were precise especially of the retreat proper where the speakers were on time. The atmosphere was solemn, with so much attention and care you extended to us allowing no distractions whatsoever. The music ministry was fantastic providing endless songs of hymns and praises to the Lord that we all loved to hear. Most admirably, we cherished our seclusion so much where we have absolute privacy because even the couch failed to creak as we slept at night. Surely, this is what the Lord wants us to be “…brothers who get along with each other, neighbors who are friends, and married couples who are happy together” (Sir. 25:1). Finally, if we have to rate the conduct of the retreat from range of one to ten, we would give ten. However, since serving God demands no number, we would instead say, it was a PERFECT RETREAT!
Our Catholic belief teaches that the journey of Christian life will commence during baptism. It is the first step of the seven sacraments of the Catholic doctrine, and it is believed that once the child is baptized, the forces of Satan can not stay near to him/her because an angel is sent by God to guide and protect him/her. As a Program Service Director of the Social Action Ministry, it is my duty to inform the organization on my observations and recommendations in line with the ministry’s advocacy of spreading Christianity especially in the depressed areas of the province. One of my observations was many children grow up without being baptized because their parents could not afford to pay the baptismal fee. Because of this, I consulted the Governance Team and recommended to sponsor a mass baptism. With prayer and support of the community, the mass baptism was realized on July 28, 2008 at Brgy. Atipolo, 1 km. away from Naval town proper. It was a very memorable experience as Fr. Marvyn Maceda, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Naval baptized the 22 children at the barangay chapel, exactly 10:00 o’clock in the morning. The parents were so thankful for the “Gift of Christianity” to the BCBP Naval Outreach as they welcome their children to the Christian community. A simple gift it may be to the little children, yet it delights us to shed Jesus’ light to others.
Food Raid...
from p.5
winning at the Bingo table but as income from the baking or the sewing or whatever activities we may delve into. Therefore, complacency and selfishness must have no place in our society. There would be no use listening to our priest’s weekly sermon if even our leftover food is not shared by our less privileged brothers and sisters or our time not shared by keeping our knowledge and leaving them at a loss on what to do with their own and their children’s future. I believe that as Christians, we all have responsibility in effecting God’s Kingdom here on earth by sharing whatever little we have. This way, our future security will be ensured not just in the temporal realities of this life but in the spiritual realm as well.
FEBRUARY 2011
LAMDAG
FEATURE
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God-given community… from p. 1 the then Naval Institute of Technology (now Naval State University) Hostel. There were 18 breakfasters, mostly businessmen who heeded the invitation. Their main contact person was Bro. Charles Chong. Several breakfast fellowships followed not minding the distance from Tacloban to Naval, making the second Saturday of the month a regular schedule for the said activity. This went on until the first BCLP (Brotherhood Christian Life Program) was conducted at the same venue with Bro. Rene Galapon as the course leader. Seventeen graduates were committed fully to the BCBP community on Dec.6, 2002 which eventually created the two pioneer action groups (AG) under 1 Unit handled by the Outreach Head. Bro. John Pastor, a pioneer member of BCBP in Naval, was designated as the Outreach Head. The following year, another Christian Life Program was conducted. BCLP #2 was memorable as this was the time Bro. Noling was diagnosed to have a malignant disease. Despite the odds, Bro. Noling and his wife Sis. Deling steered CLP #2 with the support of BCBP Tacloban Chapter. As fruits of their labor, 24 graduates were added to the Brotherhood who committed themselves to the community during the mass officiated by no less than Bishop Bactol on Nov. 23, 2003. Three action groups under the existing Unit were formed. This time also, the schedule of the breakfast fellowship was changed to every second Sunday of the month as requested by majority of the members. During the third BCLP, Naval Outreach slowly stood on its own as it was able to conduct a CLP with Bro. John as the course leader. After the BCLP on Dec.19, 2004, the full complement of the first Governance Team was formed. The members of the team were the following: Outreach Head - Bro. John/ Sis. Timi Pastor, Mission Director/ Breakfast Head - Bro. Licio/ Sis. Dolor Salas, Programs & Services Director - Bro. Pat Ymas, Formation Director/ Unit Head - Bro. Boboy/ Sis. Sol Montejo, Treasurer - Sis. Violy Balondo and, Secretary - Sis. Joy Caing. Trying to strengthen the outreach of Naval, the first Brotherhood of Christian Marriage Retreat was held at San Damiano Retreat House, Palo, Leyte, on Sept. 2005, with Bro. John and Sis.
Timi as the Head Couple. Thirteen couples had successfully participated the marriage retreat who eventually became the core of the community. Over the years, BCBP Naval Outreach has conducted 6 BCLP’s, 3 BCMR’s, 1 MEP, and 1 BCBR. As part of its campaign, the outreach was able to install 8 “Be Honest” billboards in strategic places throughout the province, and conducted a Be Honest Oratorical Contest among high school students in 2007. The outreach also held regular breakfast fellowship every 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at Marvin’s Seaside Inn, inviting new prospect members to the community. As a growing community, it continues to send leaders to Leadership/ Servanthood trainings, to develop its own pool of speakers and worship leaders, and to encourage its members to attend every gathering and national anniversaries without neglecting its duties of remitting contributions to the National Office Fund (NOF). Every new year, the community pays a traditional visit to the Bishop. In other occasion, it also sponsored mass baptisms, distributed bundles of joy to poor families and visited inmates at the provincial jail. Being active in the parish as well as in the community, BCBP Naval Outreach, organized a Music Ministry that sings every 2nd Sunday of the month and in some special occasions/ church celebrations. This is complemented with an Intercessory Ministry that prays every Saturday for the community and the nation in general. While the outreach is vigilant to its Be Honest campaign, some BCBP members of Naval are active in the Biliran Advocates for Good Governance and Transparency (BAGGAT), a local anticorruption group. And finally, the awaited time has come. On February 19, 2011, after 9 years of being an Outreach, and having satisfied the requirements, the National ManCOM will elevate BCBP Naval into a Chapter, with its new governance team. With God’s help and wisdom, the BCBP Naval Chapter Governance Team together with the members, is commissioned to go and spread the good news in the entire province of Biliran and be like a seed sown on rich soil that bears fruit and yields a hundredfold.
Bishop Filomeno Bactol celebrated the Holy Mass during the graduation of BCLP No. 1.
BCBP members during the installation of the “Be Honest” billboard in Biliran, Biliran.
BCBP Nat’l Past President Bro. Tatang Morales is one of the Breakfast sharer held at Marvin’s.
Teaching Night with Bro. Mayong Rodriguez, AMD Visayas, as speaker held at NSU Hostel
Taken during the Commitment Day of BCLP No. 4 held at Naval Country Inn.
BCBP NAVAL CHAPTER INSTALLATION PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES BCBP NAVAL OUTREACH
FEBRUARY 2011
COVENANT OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMEN & PROFESSIONALS I _____________ commit myself to be a regular member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, and with the help of the Lord, I dedicate myself to the following: I WILL LIVE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST I will pray every day for at least 15 minutes and intercede daily for the BCBP I will read Scripture everyday for at least 15 min I will participate regularly in the worship life of my church I will avoid serious sin and wrong doing I will put good order into my private and family life and in all my relationships. I WILL MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO THE LORD FOR SERVICE I will regularly attend the BCBP Breakfast I will faithfully attend our action group meetings and share with my action group members what the Lord is doing in my life and I commit to love and support the members of my action group I will faithfully and punctually attend and participate actively in all BCBP activities, in general assemblies, in the chapter, in the unit and action group I belong I will dedicate myself to bring other businessmen and professionals to Christ through the BCBP Breakfast and the BCBP Christian Life Program As a member of the BCBP, I will follow the directives of those who have responsibility over my service I will support the life and mission of the BCBP with the talents and resources that God has given me As a husband (wife), I will wholeheartedly support my wife (husband) in her (his) covenant to the BCBP I WILL BE A CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMAN & PROFESSIONAL I will be righteous and just in all my business dealings I will give my employers what is due them in terms of the time and the effort I put into my work I will be fair and not misrepresent our products/services to our customers I will relate to my peers / subordinates / employees with justice and respect I will respect company assets and properties and use them solely for the company’s business operations I will take Christian responsibility for fair labor practices, just wages and human working conditions within the company, as far as my authority will allow me I will take Christian responsibility for my financial obligations to the government May our Lord Jesus Christ help me to live the Covenant of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals more fully everyday for His greater honor and glory
PART I REGISTRATION AND MASS 2:00–4:00pm Registration (per Chapter) 4:00pm Eucharistic Celebration PART II INSTALLATION PROPER 5:30pm Doxology Music Ministry Philippine Nat’l Anthem Welcome Talk HON. SUSAN V. PARILLA Municipal Mayor of Naval
Inspirational Message BRO. LARRY VELOSO ManCom President
Reading of ManCom Letters: Letter 1. ManCom Approves Elevation of BCBP Naval from Outreach to Chapter - BRO. LARRY VELOSO, ManCom President Letter 2. Appointment of New Chapter Head - BRO. MAYONG RODRIGUEZ, AMD Visayas Hand-over of Letters and Chapter Banner Acceptance Speech by the New Chapter Head - BRO. BOBOY MONTEJO Presentation and Appointment of the New Governance Team, Ministry Heads and AGLs - BRO. VIT LACABA, RCD NE Leyte & Samar Service Commitment Pledge Officiated by: BRO. VIT LACABA Blessing/ Pray Over of New Governance Team Ministry Heads and Action Group Leaders - REV. FR. BENJIE PANTAS Candle Light Ceremony Re-Commitment Ceremony - BRO. BOBOY / SIS. SOL MONTEJO Closing Remarks BRO. ACIS MILITANTE Chapter Head, BCBP-Tacloban
Closing Prayer Closing Song
BRO. EMILIO RALAR Music Ministry
PART III DINNER AND FELLOWSHIP 7:00pm Blessing of Food/ Dinner Surprise Presentation # 1 Message and Reading of ManCom Letter of Thanksgiving to the Outgoing Outreach Head - BRO. VIT LACABA Message from Outgoing OH - BRO. JOHN PASTOR Surprise Presentation # 2 Message from Incoming CH - BRO. BOBOY MONTEJO Socials Master of Ceremonies: Bro. Aldrin & Sis. Joy Caing