I.

INTRODUCTION
A. The SFO in the Philippines June 14, 1577 the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) arrived in the Philippines Soon lay people started to cooperate with them in their apostolic ministry the Friars Minor shared with these lay people the Franciscan charisma The lay people eventually joined the Venerable Orden Tercera serving as interpreters and catechists.

at the end of the 16th century New members were required to undergo a kind of novitiate and were given a Franciscan cord The entrance into the Archicofradia del Cordon signified their admission into the Order

VOT officially established through the permission granted by Fr. Marcos de Limbua, OFM to Fr. Jose de Sta. Maria, OFM in the year 1609 and 1611.

VOT center in Dilao, Paco moved to Sampaloc in 1783 Two recognized VOT centers in Manila: Intramuros for Spaniards and mestizos Sampaloc for Filipinos

Sampaloc was the center of the VOT (Venerable Orden Tercera, also called the Third Order of St. Francis) where all other fraternities had to be affiliated before. It was also the residence of the Commissary of the VOT or the friar-in-charge of the Third Order. With the new Rule and the establishment of more local fraternities, the Order was decentralized and became the Secular Franciscan Order. No more Commissary, instead, a National Council was created with the National Spiritual Assistant forming part of it to help provide animation and guidance to the National Fraternity.

B. SFO Regions until 1988 there were only 3 SFO regions Manila Region Cavite Region Bulacan Region

March 5, 1989 Mindanao Region was established April 3, 1989 PaBaZa Region was established December 21, 1989 Cavite was divided into 2 regions: Lowland Cavite Region Upland Cavite Region

April 7, 1990 Manila was divided into two regions:

North Manila Region South Manila Region

the 3rd SFO National Congress held on May 25-27, 1990 at the Our Lady of the Angels Seminary (OLAS) in Novaliches, Quezon City showed the following data as of May 27, 1990: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Region of Mindanao PaBaZa Region Lowland Cavite Region Upland Cavite Region North Manila Region South Manila Region Bulacan Region 7 17 II. SFO BULACAN REGION June 12, 1977 National Minister Manuel Murillo and Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM established the SFO Bulacan Region. Regional Council Minister Secretary Treasurer Formator -Francisco Rubio (Meyc) -Zorima Bustamante (Meyc) -Gabina Eustaquio (Cal) -Narcisa Ortega (Meyc) Total 74 fraternities 5 8 8 12 13 4 fraternities

fraternities without region

As of May 27, 1990 Bulacan Region is composed of the following fraternities: 1. Baliuag 2. Calumpit 3. Malhacan (San Isidro Labrador) 4. Malolos (1-7-89) 5. Meycauayan 6. Pulilan 7. San Jose del Monte Regional Ministers through the years 1987-1990 1990-1993 1993-1996 Narcisa Ortega (Meyc) Narcisa Ortgea ( Meyc) Narcisa Ortega (Meyc)

Regional Ministers through the years

1987-1990 1990-1993 1993-1996 1996-1999 1999-2002 2002-2005 2005-2008 2005-2008 2011-2014

Narcisa Ortega (Meyc) Narcisa Ortgea ( Meyc) Narcisa Ortega (Meyc) Narcisa Ortega (Meyc) Narcisa Ortega (Meyc) Norma Gamos (Malolos) Estrella Villaflor (Meyc) Ronan Mendoza (Sta.Maria) Gerardo Roxas (Baliuag)

January 1, 1997 the list of fraternities issued by the National Council showed only 6 fraternities in Bulacan. Malolos was considered inactive and was not included. May 1, 2001 the Malolos fraternity was on the list again December 31, 2005 showed the eight fraternities in Bulacan with Sta. Maria added in the list. 1. Baliuag Fraternity Comisaria de la Orden Tercera de San Francisco de Asis Center of Sta. Barbara 1935 Cirila Mayo of Sto. Cristo made her profession October 4, 1957 profession of: Rufina Villaseor Brigida Ocampo

Leoncia Alvarez Dorotea Trinidad Certificate in Spanish issued by Msgr. Ruperto J. Rosario, Parish priest of Baliuag

Ministers through the years 1977-1986 1986-1988 1988-1996 1996-2002 2002-2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 Macaria dela Cruz Rosa de Joya Adelaida Garcia Rosendo Diokno Gerardo Roxas Rosendo Diokno Placido Marcelo

2. Calumpit Fraternity in existence since Spanish time, became an official fraternity of the Order in 1970

 June 4, 1972 Fr. Francisco Reyes, OFM Commissary of the VOT in Sampaloc, Manila authorized the use of the official roster of the TOSF for St. John the Baptist Fraternity Calumpit, Bulacan (cf. Official Roster of Calumpit Fraternity) August 23, 1970 investiture of six persons recorded as the first entry in the official roster. Those invested took on a religious name: Elena Regalado Gabina Eustaquio Mercedes Torres Anita Wico Vicenta Vicente Maria Villena January 16, 1991 the old fraternity of Calumpit was officially dissolved due to internal disputes -Margaret of Cortona -Clare of Assisi -Catherine of Bologna -Rose of Viterbo -Mary Frances

January 23, 1991 a new and tentative committee was formed with Fr. Gaudencio V. Lopez, Jr., spiritual director of the Calumpit Fraternity as acting minister prefect Ministers through the years 1974 1977 1985 1988 1993-1996 1996-2005 2005-2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 3. Malhacan Fraternity October 4, 1979 Malhacan was separated from Meycauayan fraternity since a number of members of Meycauayan fraternity were residing in Malhacan, San Isidro Labrador parish October 1940 Beatriz Martin made her profession Records show 16 professions with a total of 24 professed members from 1940 to August 2, 1985 Professions recorded October 1940 October 1949 =1 =1 October 1965 1967 January 16, 1977 December 3, 1983 =2 =3 =1 =1 Cresencia Belizario Lucia Baltazar Ma. Patria Macrohon Lucia Baltazar Nestor Regalado Cecilia Banag Gabina Eustaquio Cecilia Banag Ma. Myrna dela Cruz

June 28, 1952 = 1 June 28, 1953 = 1 October 1955 =1

August 2, 1985 = 2

October 1956 1958 October 1960 1961 October 1962 October 1963 1964

=1 =1 =1 =2 =2 =2 =1

Ministers through the years 1979-1981 1981-1987 1987-1991 1991-1999 1999-2005 2005-2008 2008 -2011 4. Malolos Fraternity June 12, 1986 Seven persons were accepted as inquirers after the orientation given by Teresita Maclang, SFO on April 1986 at the Santissima Trinidad chapel the inquirers were placed under the Calumpit fraternity (cf. official Roster of Calumpit fraternity p.8) September 19, 1986 the inquirers were admitted as candidates during the regional retreat held September 18-20, 1986 Anacleta Ramirez Valentina San Roque Victorina Aguilar Silveria Dulalia Ma. Carmita Bordador Silveria Dulalia no election; fraternity inactive

February 25, 1988 Six persons, including Fr. Boyet Concepcion, were professed by Fr. Agapito Diez, OFM at the Emmaus House of Apostolate January 7, 1989 the Malolos fraternity was canonically established at the Santissima Trinidad chapel by Fr. Agapito Diez, OFM Some of the professed members went abroad. On January 1, 1997 the list of fraternities issued by the National Council showed that Malolos was inactive. February 22, 1997 Eleven observers were accepted with Teresita Maclang serving as formator/animator for the emerging group. Meycauayan fraternity served as its mother fraternityto assist in terms of formation and admission to candidacy. Professions were held on September 18, 1998 and September 17, 1999. With the eight newly professed, Malolos fraternity came to life once again. The newly professed became actively involved in various activities at the Emmaus House of Apostolate for the lolos and lolas; for the prisoners at the Bulacan Provincial Jail; for the sick at the Bulacan Provincial Hospital and for the squatters at the Home Along the Riles. Professions held February 25, 1988 - 6 professed

September 18, 1998 September 17, 1999 September 8, 2005 August 15, 2011 -2

-1 -7 -5

Ministers through the years 1988 1990 1997-1998 (shadow council) 1998-1999 (shadow council) 1999-2002 2002-2005 2005 -2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 - Benita Galang - Rolando Maclang - Joseph Ronald Camia - Narciso Crisostomo - Norma E. Gamos - Candida E. Manahan - Norma E. Gamos - Norma E. Gamos - Norma E. Gamos

5. Meycauayan Fraternity History of the Town

Meycauayan is one of the oldest towns in Bulacan and in the entire Philippines. Franciscans established the town in 1578, a few years after the founding of the city of Manila. According to historical notes, the first missionaries to come to this town were Fathers Juan de Placencia and Diego de Oropesa. The poblacion was first established in Malhacan . Because of an earthquake wherein the church and the big houses collapsed, the town proper was transferred to Lagulo. But Lagulo did not last long as the towns poblacion,

Aetas oftentimes visited the place, hence, the church was transferred to a place full of bamboos (makawayan). From this place the towns name derived. The transfer was made by Fr. Pedro Bautista. (2001 Socio-Economic Profile, Province of Bulacan) Profession recorded as early as 1871 with Paula Crespo of Bancal as professed 1881 profession of Nieves Diaz Paula Sarmiento all of Bancal, Meycauayan March 30, 1963 council Francisco M. Rubio Benita Sales Lutgarda T. Lepea Andrea R. Sta. Cruz - Minister Prefect - Vice-Minister - Secretary - Treasurer Caytana Parias Victoria Pulumbarit

YouFra started in 1988

Ministers through the years: 1979-1981 1981-1984 1984-1987 1987-1990 1990-1993 1993-1996 1996-1999 1999-2002 2002-2005 2005-2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 6. Pulilan Fraternity Comisaria de la Orden Tercera de San Francisco de Asis Center of Pulilan Francisco Rubio Benita Sales Emilia Yiguez Paciencia Dumigpe Cresencio Cadiz Antonia Endrinal Flordeliza Faustino Purificacion Caruncho Narcisa Ortega Narcisa Ortega Antonia Endrinal Antonia Endrinal

March 20, 1936 profession of Teodoro Arceo June 1977 council: Faustino San Victores Teodoro Arceo Rosario Wisco Castillo Regina Sulit/Leoncia Calderon Teodoro Arceo/Primitiva Tayao Teodoro Arceo Balbina Cruz Professions recorded January 15, 1935 = 1 March 20, 1936 = 1 October 9, 1955 = 11 November 23, 1958 = 1 September 20, 1959= 2 Ministers through the years 1977-1981 1981-1987 Faustino San Victores Regina Sulit January 10, 1960 November 1982 November 19, 1989 May 4, 1998 December 14, 2001 = 10 =1 =2 =1 = 10 - Minister Prefect - Vice-Minister - Secretary - Treasurer -Maestro de Novicio -Infirmarian (Male) -Infirmarian (Female)

1987-1990 1990-1999 1999-2002 2002-2005 2005-2008 2008-2011 7. San Jose del Monte Fraternity

Julia Bondoc Purificacion Tamayo Juliana Navarro Purificacion Rodriguez Emiliana Garcia no election, fraternity inactive

Canonically established on October 4, 1950 Council Eliseo Policarpio Pedro Cases Felisa Robes Antonio Policarpio Lorenzo San Diego - Minister Prefect - Vice-Minister - Mistress of Novices - Secretary - Treasurer

January 20, 1968 fraternal visit reported 18 male and 18 female members Ministers through the years 1961 -1980 1981-1986 1986-1994 1995-1999 1999-2002 2002-2005 2005-2008 2008-2011 2011-2014 8. Sta. Maria Fraternity Canonically established on November 12, 2005 by Fr. Albert Marfil, OFM August 15, 2004 profession of first twelve members Council elected on October 12, 2005 for the term 2005-2008 Ronan Mendoza Rolando Halili Samuel Rivera Ma. Chona Mendoza Asuncion Glorioso - Minister - Vice-Minister - Formator - Secretary - Treasurer Eliseo Policarpio Estelita Policarpio Hermenigildo San Diego Lourdes Contreras Virginia Avancena Lourdes Contreras Atanacia Avendano Atanacia Avendano Atanacia Avendano

Pablo Glorioso Maria Brigino Ministers through the years 2008 2011 2011-2014

- Councilor 1 - Councilor 2

Rolando Halili Pablo Glorioso

BULACAN REGION As of May 2011 (6 fraternities data) Total Professed = 179 Active = 113

Ag L e evels
35 below =1 36-50 =13 51-65 =51 66 up =46 no answer =2

GEND ER

Educational A ttainm ent

FEMAL E =93
Elem entary = 25 High School = 24

MALE =University =61 20 No Answer =3

C S ivil tatus
Single = 29 Marrie d =54 Widow =30

HE
Low =5 Middle =108

E conom S ic tatus

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER BULACAN REGION A GLIMPSE OF HISTORY

In celebration of the 35th year anniversary of the establishment of the SFO Bulacan Region June 12, 1977 June 12, 2012