PBS, Partners Celebrate Bible Week nationwide
February 27, 2015
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Runners from Guimaras
From January 19 to 25, 2015, the Philippine Bible Society partnered with local Catholic and Evangelical churches, local governments, and organizations to celebrate National Bible Week in more than 30 locations all over the country.
According to PBS General Secretary Dr. Nora Lucero, the highlights of the celebration included the iProclaim, a public reading of God’s Word; the historic Handwritten Unity Bible (HUB), where participants become modern-day scribes; and, the 4th annual May They Be One (MTBO) Fun Run for the Bible Cause.
i-Proclaim in Parañaque
Originally intended to kick-off the NBW celebrations, the iProclaim was scheduled to be held on January 19 during the flag ceremonies of partner local governments in the following locations: Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Jordan, Guimaras; Bugasong, Antique; Aborlan Palawan; Real Quezon; Naic, Cavite; Imus City, Cavite; Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; Bustos, Bulacan; Malolos City, Bulacan; Guiguinto, Bulacan; Sta. Maria, Bulacan; Balagtas, Bulacan; Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; Santiago City, Isabela; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; and, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
“We praise God for the significant number of local governments that participated in the iProclaim all over the Philippines. We laud local officials for giving recognizing the value of God’s Word in their public service and in the lives of their constituents, and its power to transform them for the better,” Dr. Lucero said.
She added that initial reports from partners indicated that the iProclaim was also held on January 12 in Mandaluyong City; January 20 in Manila and Malabon City; January 21 in Lipa City, Batangas; January 26 in Taguig City, Pasig City, and, Cabuyao City; on February 1 in Parañaque City; and, on all Mondays of January in San Juan City.
HUB writers from Silang, Cavite
The same report also said that HUB writing centers were set up in the Church on the Way, Caloocan City; Redeemed United Methodist Church in Lipa City, Batangas; Plaza Natividad in San Mateo, Rizal; Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City; Jesus Is Lord Church in Pasig City; UNIDA Center in Silang, Cavite; Sacred Heart Parish, Malabon City; Quezon City Hall; Balagtas, Bulacan; Sta. Maria, Bulacan; Malolos, Bulacan; Knox UMC; Central UMC; Taguig City Hall; San Roque Cathedral; Navotas City; Santiago, Isabela; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Palawan; Bataan; and in the Land Bank of the Philippines in Manila, among others.
Runners from Quezon City
Meanwhile, the final singlet count revealed that a total of 4522 registered runners participated in the annual Bible Fun Run in the following locations: Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental; San Juan City; Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; Malolos City, Bulacan; San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan; Sta. Maria, Bulacan; Norzagaray, Bulacan, Balagtas, Bulacan; Guiguinto, Bulacan; Bustos, Bulacan; Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; Trece Martires City, Cavite; Caloocan City; Mariveles City, Bataan; Jordan, Guimaras; Santiago City, Isabela; Real, Quezon; Bugasong, Antique; Silang, Cavite; Quezon City; Navotas City; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Tuguegarao City; Cagayan; Aborlan, Palawan; Mandaluyong City; Paranaque City; Marikina City; and, Daet, Camarines Norte.
However, PBS said that more runners participated in the 30 run sites despite the lack of singlets and race bibs. Hence, the total number of runners can potentially reach up to 5000 individuals.
“The HUB and the Bible Run, apart from allowing participants to experience the Bible in unique ways, also support the MTBO Bible Campaign. Part of the race fee and the donations made for every verse written goes to subsidizing the production and distribution of MTBO Bibles,” Dr. Lucero explained.
To date, more than 1.4 million Bibles have been distributed under the campaign. MTBO plans to provide an additional 3.6 million copies to poor Filipino families all over the country.
Meanwhile, the Roving Bible Museum was also set up in three locations during the weeklong celebration: in Sta. Cruz Parish in Manila, at the Land Bank of the Philippines, and at Harris Memorial College in Taytay, Rizal.
Roving Bible Museum set-up at Sta. Cruz Parish
“Aside from the banner activities spearheaded by the Bible Society, our partners also organized other forms of celebration such as congregational prayer, Bible distributions, Bible parades, motorcades, Bible exhortations, quizzes, poster-making contests, slogan-making contests, and, Bible float parade, among others,” Dr. Lucero said.
The weeklong celebration culminated with the celebration of National Bible Sunday, highlighted by messages/preaching/sermons/homilies centering on this year’s theme: “Sharing God’s Word, Empowering the Poor, Transforming the Land,” which is based on Psalm 41:1 and Luke 6:20.
Students and Police Officers joined the National Bible Week in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija