“Go as Bible Apostles!”: Archbishop Alarcon sends forth 335 at Caceres Bible Congress

From The COMBIBLIA Staff

NAGA CITY — In a gathering of faith and fellowship, the Archdiocese of Caceres, through its Commission on Biblical Apostolate (Caceres COMBIBLIA), held a Bible Congress on January 31. The event brought together 335 Bible animators called “Bible Apostles” –parish coordinators, religious sisters and lay leaders –at the Legaspi Hall within the Peñafrancia Basilica Compound.

Guided by the theme “The Word of God Gives Life in a Church where Everyone Belongs,” the Congress marked a dual milestone: the 40^th anniversary of Caceres COMBIBLIA and the 75^th Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese. The day was meant as an encounter with the Word through prayer, testimony and a shared vision for the future of the Apostolate.

Following the solemn Bible Enthronement, Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D. delivered a stirring keynote address -defining the true identity of a Bible Apostle. “The Bible Apostle is a disciple of the Word, an apostle of the Word, and a community builder,” he declared. He emphasized three essential dispositions for every Bible Apostle: the openness to listen, the readiness to be sent and the commitment to work together.

A highlight of the morning was a panel discussion featuring the current and former directors of COMBIBLIA. Fr. Danilo Imperial, the pioneer Director, recalled humble beginnings: “Though I was not a Biblical scholar, I was entrusted to start the Apostolate —no fund, no office, no staff; but we built the necessary foundation.” Msgr. Rodel Cajot, who served for 15 years, detailed the growth of Biblical programs and printed guides like “Enot na Pag-adal kan Biblia” and “Maghinanyog an Puso”. Fr. Philip Bersabe shared personal insights on deep scriptural study, while current Director, Fr. Erwin Blasa, expressed gratitude: “I am grateful that after 40 years, we are now harvesting the fruits of the labors of our former Directors.”

The gathering was further energized by the Basilica Cantores de Peñafrancia and the remarkable Bible reading and preaching of an 8-year-old child, Ethan Alfonso. The afternoon featured moving testimonies from Fr. Jene Lois Sarmiento; Sr. Monina V. Baybay, FSP; Ronald Greg and Jocelyn Aguila and their children; Mark Emman Huit, a youth; and Bing and Ethan Alfonso, mother and son, who candidly shared their struggles and joys in encountering the Scriptures.

Looking ahead, Fr. Blasa presented the Vision-Mission-Goals and facilitated its ratification by the Assembly, along with the COMBIBLIA Roadmap for 2026-2027. He announced the launch of “Baklay Biblia,” a caravan set to visit the Bay, Central, Partido, and Rinconada districts throughout the year. 

There was also a time of personal prayer, reflection, and sharing through a Spiritual Conversation geared towards concrete plans of action in respective communities.

The Congress culminated with a Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Alarcon. Drawing inspiration from St. Peter Baptist, the principal patron of Caceres, the Archbishop reminded the assembly, “St. Peter Baptist, like us, Bible Apostles, was a disciple, an apostle and a community builder.”

He sent the participants forth to their respective parishes and communities, through a moving commissioning ceremony -charging them with the sacred duty to keep the Word of God alive and vibrant in Caceres.