Bicol clergy convene in Naga for UBC 2026: Highlights synodality, brotherhood, and Diamond Jubilee grace
By Jonnah Abellano
Drawing an unprecedented assembly of shepherds from across the region, the Union of Bicol Clergy (UBC) 2026 is currently underway, running from September 15 to 17, 2026, kicking off yesterday with a powerful display of episcopal unity.
The landmark gathering brings together 299 registered priests representing all ecclesiastical territories in the Bicol Region and beyond. Led by Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon of the Archdiocese of Caceres, Bishop Herman G. Abcede of the Diocese of Daet; Bishop Jose R. Rojas Jr. of the Diocese of Libmanan; Bishop Joel Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi; Bishop Luisito A. Occiano of the Diocese of Virac and Bishop Jose Alan V. Dialogo of the Diocese of Sorsogon, all the region's bishops and the archbishop are present to walk side-by-side with their clergy.
Opening liturgy and community pilgrimage highlights
The event officially commenced yesterday with an opening liturgy at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary Chapel, setting a deeply contemplative tone for the ongoing assembly. Following the ceremony, a parade of clergy marched toward the Sundaze Events Hall, blending the festive spirit of the ongoing Peñafrancia celebrations with deep-seated priestly camaraderie as "sons of Ina (Our Lady of Peñafrancia)." Upon arrival at the venue, Naga City Mayor Hon. Leni G. Robredo graced the gathering, delivering a warm and inspiring opening message that welcomed the clergy to the city and acknowledged their vital role in fostering community resilience and spiritual growth.
Highlights of the BRPC General Assembly and ongoing spiritual conversations
A moving highlight of the assembly was the Spiritual Conversation session, where priests shared localized best practices. Notable models of grassroots ministry emerged across various jurisdictions, beginning with the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, where Rector Fr. Francis Tordilla emphasized stakeholders’ synodality through monthly parent assemblies, weekly Basic Ecclesial Community (SKK) gatherings, consultative planning, and robust support for 23 alumni scholars.
While Holy Family Parish in Daet championed grassroots Eucharistic communion through rotating family purok Masses and intentional pastoral proximity. In Masbate, priests addressed the realities of a far-flung seven-barangay mission setting through back-to-basics family ministries, home-to-home visitations with the Block Rosary, and radical community integration.
On one perspective, Virac highlighted dedicated sacramental reach, including regular river crossings to ensure the Eucharist consistently reaches an eight-barangay mission zone. And on another view, Deacon Justin of the Minor Seminary in Libmanan focused on home evangelization, SKK engagement, and cultivating a listening church that walks attentively with the faithful.
Across nearly all jurisdictions presented, the most prominent and common shared practice is grassroots community engagement and direct home visitation through SKK integration and family-centered outreach, demonstrating a unified commitment to a listening church that meets the faithful directly on the ground.
A new paradigm for regional fellowship
The gathering of the Bicol Clergy indeed serves as living proof of what a synodal church is all about. In an interview, Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi acknowledged the concerted effort exerted to make this year's occasion more substantial and participative. "There is something more when we sit down and listen to each other," Bishop Baylon reflected.
The UBC took a significantly different approach to this event by focusing on regional presbyterium concerns, moving away from the traditional flow that had remained unchanged since its inception more than five decades ago. Bishop Baylon noted that in the past, some priests would shy away because not all of them were inclined toward sports.
When asked what he wanted the People of God to know about the clergy, he shared that just like everyday devotees, priests also hold personal devotions that play a vital role in shaping and sustaining their vocations. A regular participant of the highly anticipated gathering even during his days as a seminarian back in 1970, Bishop Baylon emphasized that this coming together of the Bicol clergy during the Peñafrancia fiesta remains a profound recognition of diversity under the mantle of Ina.
Adding a unique generational and regional perspective to the fellowship, Bishop Jose Alan V. Dialogo of Sorsogon reflected on his lifelong involvement with the UBC—dating back to witnessing it during his high school and seminary days when he would host classmates at home during the fiesta, and even playing as a guest badminton participant during his time in Manila.
Bishop Dialogo underscored that the core essence of the gathering is rooted in "fraternity and brotherhood," bound together by their common mother, Ina—a unique regional bond not found elsewhere. He noted how the UBC has gracefully evolved from being purely centered on games like basketball and volleyball into a substantive forum featuring general assemblies, lectures, and institutional frameworks like the BPSS.
Bishop Dialogo also shared his joy in seeing how local priests, including those from Sorsogon who study theology regionally, build lifelong connections with classmates, concluding that the UBC serves as an invaluable space where bishops and priests alike share best practices and grow together through mutual learning.
Celebrating 75 years as a Metropolitan Province
Reflecting on the wider significance of the ongoing event, Bishop Louie Occiano of Virac shared insights in an exclusive interview following yesterday's opening sessions:
"Primarily, I hope the people will know that the priests of the entire Bicol Region are united, and we are one as sons of Ina... This is an opportune time for us to renew our bonding through sports, unwinding, and our pilgrimage to the home of Ina," Bishop Occiano stated.
Addressing the convergence of the UBC with the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Caceres—marking 75 years since its elevation as a metropolitan see in 1951—Bishop Occiano noted that the milestone honors decades of shared grace, structural growth, and resilience. "It’s our way of celebrating our faith, and of course, our solidarity as a clergy... We are challenged to be more synodal, to be more participative, to go into mission. So, kailangan tayong mag-grow talaga in the real sense of the word."
As UBC 2026 continues its sessions through September 17 amid the Penafrancia fiesta, Bicol's clergy remain engaged in dialogue, prayer, and strengthening their commitment to a growing, listening, and participatory Church.
Business meeting and the Bicol Priests Security System (BPSS)
Part of the opening convention was a business meeting, where the clergy evaluated two years of ongoing dialogue, positioning the UBC as a concrete manifestation of regional synodality and discussed the strengthening of regional commissions and the pursuit of community building. Taking center stage as a major fruit of past priest congresses is the Bicol Priests Security System (BPSS), formerly chaired by Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi and now by Bishop Allan Dialogo of Sorsogon.
Critical updates regarding institutional welfare and social security programs were presented while key developments including governance by an elected episcopal chairman, a multidisciplinary Board of Trustees, and clergy-lay administrative teams were advanced. Further, a plan of unveiling of a platform designed to seamlessly record services, track individual contributions, manage records, and expedite benefit applications was laid. A special recognition was given to Fr. Domingo Florida as the first Executive Secretary of the BPSS also known as Fr. Gregorio Cabalquinto Foundation.
Photos by Caceres Media
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