By Sis. Jennifer Gacutan
As it gets nearer to its silver anniversary as a BCBP Breakfast, the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Lucena City chapter has installed a new set of leaders when it hosted a Regional Online Breakfast last January 9, 2021.
Bro. Alvin Garcia has been installed as the sixth Chapter Head of Lucena, taking the helm from Bro. Egay Laguador. He is joined Bro. Jose Gerard Aranilla as Mission Director; Bro. Florencio Tredente as Formation Director; Bro. Henry Igloria as Family and Life Director; Bro. Ponciano Motil as Programs and Services Director; Sis. Marcela Caroline Javinar as Treasurer; and Bro. Robinson Samson and Bro. Valentino Dahilig as Unit Leaders.
The installation followed a Regional Grand Breakfast attended by BCBP members not only from Lucena but from other BCBP chapters in Batangas.
It was on October 24, 1996 when the first Men’s Breakfast was held at the Cherry Blossoms Restaurant in Lucena City. It was through the efforts of the BCBP Rizal Chapter under Bro. Pete Medina. From 16 men attendees, the Breakfast soon grew to include the ladies. Then on February 1997, Lucena witnessed its first Brotherhood of Christian Life Program (BCLP), producing 17 committed core members.
Two years after that, Lucena experienced the Brotherhood of Christians Marriage Retreat (BCMR) at the Caleruega Retreat House in Nasubu, Batangas. It was also at this time when the Music Ministry was organized and trained by Bro. Emil dela Paz and Bro. Popeye Cruz.
In January 2002, the then BCBP Lucena Outreach was elevated into Chapter-in-Training status by then BCBP National President. Louie Morales who installed Bro. Florante Pamfilo as the Chapter-in-training Head.
Then 2004 came as the the “year of harvest” for the Chapter-in-training, with an unprecedented record of 83 first timers when it hosted the 3rd Regional Grand Breakfast held at Queen Margarette Hotel with 408 attendees coming from Southern Tagalog Region, Rizal and Alabang.
Finally, on July 29, 2006, the BCBP Lucena was proclaimed a full-pledged Chapter with Bro. Florante Pamfilo as the first Chapter Head.
Bro. Alvin Garcia, upon formally accepting the new headship of Lucena Chapter, vowed to serve as the shepherd of the flock.
“I will act as the overall pastoral leader of BCBP Lucena Chapter. I promise to manage the day-to-day activities of the Chapter in accordance with the vision and mission of the BCBP. I will lead the Governance Team and promise to respect their opinions by consulting them first before coming up with the final decision. I will improve the Chapter’s tithing and ensure transparency by observance of regular reporting of the Chapter’s financial status,” Bro. Alvin said, with his wife Sis. Yza beside him.
BCBP Lucena now has 98 active members from the city and nearby towns, vibrantly serving our Lord Jesus Christ. It has a current BCBP Mission in Lucban, Quezon.
Bro. Jun Latay, Regional Council Director for Southern Tagalog Region 2-A, praised the Lucena Chapter for its successful installation of new leaders as well as its hosting of the online Regional Breakfast attended by BCBP members from Lucena, Lipa Chapter, Lipa West Chapter, Tanauan City Chapter, and Rosario-Padre Garcia Chapter.
“With renewed inspiration and positivity in 2021, let us continue our mission. Let’s M.O.V.E –Mobilize Ourselves for Vigorous Evangelization,” he said.
BCBP Area Managing Director Bro. Al Mamonong and wife Sis. Weng Mamonong were the guest Couple Sharers at the Regional Breakfast.
