Biblia Fiesta Caps NBW 07 Celebration

PBS General Secretary Nora Lucero (center), Honorary Translation Consultant Bishop Daniel Arichea, Jr., and an official of the United Methodist Church (UMC) congratulate a winner of the UMC National Bible Quiz.

Close to a thousand Bible-believers from various churches gathered at the Bulwagan ng Panginoon (Folk Arts Theater) at the CCP Complex in Pasay City to celebrate Biblia Fiesta, the culminating activity of the recently concluded National Bible Week 2007.
Spearheaded by the Philippine Bible Society (PBS), the daylong celebration was formally opened by PBS General Secretary Nora Lucero.
“It is fitting that we cap the commemoration of the Bible Week with a grand fiesta where Bible-believers from all over can gather as one body with one purpose – to give God and his Word all the Glory,” Mrs. Lucero said.

She also reminded Bible readers of their duty to tell fellow Filipinos how a just and righteous Philippines can be realized and where the answers and standards can be found – in God’s Word.  With this year’s NBW theme centering on the Bible as the standard of justice and right living, Mrs. Lucero encouraged everyone to “read, study, and live the Bible,” which she called “our true guide for just and right living.”
The festivities included a Bible Quiz, an art workshop, a livelihood seminar, storytelling sessions, and a health forum.  A Bible clinic was also conducted where scholars discussed issues and questions related to the Scriptures.  The fiesta was capped with the “Rock The Word” concert, which featured artists like Paolo Santos and Pido Lalimarmo, along with other Christian bands.

Members of the Quezon City Christian Organization of Employees (QC CORE) participate in the opening ceremonies of the Quezon City Bible Week celebration.

The apparent success of the 2007 National Bible Week commemoration proved that people are becoming aware of the importance of God’s Word in their personal and national life.  Mrs. Lucero revealed that the number of churches and localities that celebrate NBW is growing every year.

The entire community of the Divine Word College of Vigan in Ilocos Sur came out in full force to take part in a parade of Biblical characters around the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan. It was the culmination of of their weeklong celebration of the Word of God.

Local governments all over the country partnered with Churches and religious groups in holding various programs to honor God’s Word, including Bible readings during their respective flag raising ceremonies, staging of motorcades, symposia, and exhibits.  Churches, both Catholic and evangelical, held Bible quizzes, talent contests, and other fun activities all designed to give reverence to the Holy Scriptures.  For more updates and details on the nationwide NBW ’07 events, check out the National Bible Week 2007 Log at: www.bible.org.ph.

Former PBS General Secretary Dr. Medarlo Rivera presents a copy of the Bible to Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno during a courtesy call by the Bible Society. Joining Dr. Rivera are (from left) Board Member Atty. Robinson Landicho, Board Member Dante Lanorio, Associate General Secretary Vilma Salvio, Judicial and Bar Council member Justice Raoul Victorino, Board Member Atty. Editha Santos, and Communications and Development Manager Juliet Jimeno.

Still in line with the celebration, the Bible Society released a Biblical tract entitled, Sino ang Dapat Iboto sa Halalan 2007.  This selection, which enumerates ten Bible-based qualities of a righteous leader, is deemed an invaluable guide for the Filipino electorate as the May elections draw nearer.  Mrs. Lucero stressed that the PBS’s sole objective in coming out with the selection is to help voters responsibly choose their leaders.  “It is part of our commitment to help educate our people,” she said.

Bible-believers from Ozamis City and other nearby towns in Misamis Occidental in Mindanao gathered to celebrate the Word of God spearheaded by Fr. Illuminado Rojo of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish.

This year’s NBW celebration was made possible through the partnership of PBS with the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), the Philippine for Jesus Movement (PJM), the Philippine Forum of Bible Agencies (PFOBA), the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, Inc., and other ministry partners.
Meanwhile, PBS’ partnership with Day by Day Christian Ministries, Perfect Rhythm, WM Communications, 702 DZAS, and Carica Herbal Products made the Biblia Fiesta possible.