TAYTAYAN

February 2015
"Bringing Christ into the Marketplace
and Winning the Marketplace for Christ"

Brotherhood of
Christian
Businessmen and
Professionals

M actan Chapter

WE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN. THAT IS WHAT THE SANTO NIO TELLS US.
HE REMINDS US OF OUR DEEPEST IDENTITY. I COMMEND YOU TO HIM, TO
JESUS WHO CAME
AMONG US AS A CHILD.
MAY HE ENABLE ALL THE
BELOVED PEOPLE OF
THIS COUNTRY TO WORK
TOGETHER,
PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER,
BEGINNING WITH
YOUR FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES,
IN BUILDING A WORLD
OF JUSTICE,
INTEGRITY AND PEACE.
MAY THE
SANTO NIO CONTINUE
TO BLESS
THE PHILIPPINES AND
MAY HE SUSTAIN
THE CHRISTIANS OF THIS
GREAT NATION IN
THEIR VOCATION TO BE
MISSIONARIES OF THE JOY

What's Inside:
Mactan Chapter Reorganization

Bogo Outreach
Leaders Installation,
Recommitment &
Regrouping

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

WITNESSES AND
OF THE GOSPEL.

2015 Recommitment, Chapter Plans & Programs

4
AGL / AAGL
Training & Workshop
for Mactan & Bogo
Free to Follow the
Lord Weekend
Retreat

PATIENTS and
PATIENCE

Let us Go on
Dreaming

On Humble
Purchases

Intercessory Ministry
Invokes Our Lady of
Lourdes

The chapter members being blessed by Fr Martin Okafor-Ilozue CSSp, himself a graduate of Mactan BCLP 19,
as they recommit to live the BCBP way of life

As expected, a very sizable

number of our brothers and sisters in
BCBP Mactan came to attend the first
ever chapter activity of the year
2015 ... to once again recommit
themselves to the brotherhood.
The event, held last January 9
started with a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Fr Martin Ilozue. During the
offertory, the members also offered

themselves to actively live up the life

and culture of the brotherhood as
espoused in the commitment card, either as joyful servant leaders or to
actively participate in the community
events and undertakings. Newly installed chapter head Orly Manuel led
the oath-taking together with wife
Sarah.
Towards the end of continued on page 2

When we look back & wonder how we ever made it thru the years, we realize its not because
weve been clever, but because God has been wise. Not because weve been strong, but God has
been mighty. Not because weve been consistent, but because God has been good & faithful.

Page 2 of 8

Taytayan

2015 Recommitment ... (continued from page 1)

CH Orly & Sarah Manuel leading the chapter recommitment

Fr Martin also recommits to the Brotherhood way of life

the Holy Mass, members celebrating their bithdays

and/or anniversaries for the month of January were
also prayed over and blessed.
After the Holy Mass and recommitment, CH Orly
ignited further the assembly's zeal for active participation and service in the community by giving a teaching
on "Making and Keeping Commitments".
Afterwards the three directors; Eton Apao for Mission, Jhun Pardico for Formation and Gel Sanchez for
Programs and services each took turns to present their
chapter plans and programs for 2015 for their respective directorates. The Governance team also presented
Mactan's roadmap for this year and 2016.
Pray-over & blessing of the January birthday & anniversary celebrants

Mactan Chapter Re-organization

As the new Mactan Governance Team, from the chapter head down to the Directors and Unit Leaders, as well
as the Action Group Leaders and Ministry Heads assumed their new servant-leadership roles, the chapter
membersip also underwent a re-organization among the Units and Action Groups. Below is the grouping for the
BCLP 21 graduates (associate members) and on the opposite page is the gouping for the old members.

Never give up when everything shatters into pieces. Never even lose hope when everybody turns their
back on you. Remember, that life is not about being fair, its about surpassing the unfair reality.

February 2015

Page 3 of 8

We all have our own share of blessings. Some get them fast, some wait for a long time. What is important
is it comes at a time when we need it most. God knows best and He will give the best in His own time.

Page 4 of 8

February 2015

Bogo Outreach Leaders Installation, Recommitment & Regrouping

Bogo Outreach leaders led by Outreach Head Rene & Elvie Co are prayed
over by members & Mactan leaders as they commit as servant-leaders

Not to be outdone in bringing Christ to the

marketplace and winning the marketplace for Christ,
Bogo outreach also held their leaders installation,
recommitment and regrouping this January 2015.
Led by Rene & Elvi Co as the new Outreach Head,
Bogo aims to become a full-pledged BCBP chapter in the
very near future.
They will not be alone in this great and noble task.
Their past senior leaders, as well as the entire Mactan
chapter membership, spearheaded by the current Mission
directorate and Outreach team; Eton Apao & Alex
Bondoc respectively, are fully behind them in support and
in prayers.
With great faith in the Harvest Master, Bogo and its
neighboring towns will surely soon become a rich field of
businessmen and profesionals all giving glory and honor
to God.

Bogo Outreach members recommitting to active participation & service to the

brotherhood during the Holy Mass

the new Bogo Outreach Action Groups

AGL / AAGL Training & Workshop for Mactan & Bogo

The Lord equips whom He chooses
to be His disciples. And this became
very true when last January 24,
BCBP Mactan conducted a training
and workshop for Action Group and
Assistant Action Group Leaders for
those from the chapter as well as
those from Bogo Outreach.
The overnight activity spearheaded
by Formation Director Jhun Pardico
was held at Betania Retreat House
with Mactan's own power-packed
speakers; Nelson Dauz, Jun and Nery
Gula, Mon Figueroa and Yol
Buctuanon.
The AGLs and AAGLs truly felt
emboldened and empowered to lead
their respective Action Groups in
serving and caring for each other.

the AGL/AAGL participants intently listening to the

various topics

practicum on conducting the One-on-One

It is not material things that gives us a good life but real affection, respect,
genuine love and friendship of people around us while walking with God.

Taytayan

Page 5 of 8

Free to Follow the Lord Weekend Retreat

In an effort to keep
the fire burning in their
hearts, without much delay the Formation Directorate
immediately
conducted the Free to
Follow the Lord Weekend Retreat for the
new BCLP 21 graduates.
The retreat was the
first among four retreats
the associate member
will undergo before becoming a full member of
the Brotherhood.
And indeed the zeal
and enthusiasm of the
participants to have a
more intimate relation-

ship with the Lord was

manifested when almost
everybody
attended,
26 out of 29, plus 7
participants coming all
the way from Bogo Oureach accompanied and
supported by the senior
leaders from Bogo.

the
participants
listening
intently to the
various topics
delivered by
the speakers

the combined Mactan &

Bogo participants of the
Free to Follow the Lord
Weekend Retreat pose w/
their repective action group
and assistant action group
leaders, together with the
speakers and the rest of the
servants

PATIENTS and PATIENCE

Fr Martin Okafor-Ilozue CSSp - BCBP Mactan BCLP 19

Have you ever wondered about the

relationship between these two words?
Why are inmates in a hospital, called
patients?
Once you enter a hospital with a complaint, you are
directed to the OPD or ER, you get your registration
card/folder, and you are called a PATIENT. Hospital
business demands a lot of PATIENCE. First of all the nurse
or doctor asks you your name and why you came to the
hospital, how long the discomfort has lasted, and your
general feeling. You are expected to PATIENTLY answer
the questions posed to you. He may see these as mere
symptoms of a greater (inner) malaise. There are no
short-cuts. He/she may be young or old, well dressed or
poorly clad, handsome/beautiful or ugly, tall or short,
white or black, it does not matter now. You have to
PATIENTLY believe in his ability to help you.
He sends you for some laboratory tests. Or he may
recommend you right away for admission. You are either
an OPD (OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT) patient or; either
way, you must be patient. It takes time for the results of
your laboratory tests to be ready.
If you are admitted for more examination, monitoring,
infusion or advanced/further laboratory tests, or even for
surgery, you need to be patient. Remind yourself over and
over again, I AM A PATIENT, I WILL HAVE PATIENCE.
It certainly takes time for the drugs to work. Sometimes

the medicines are not readily available. Sometimes a

doctor may humbly look for a second opinion from a
fellow doctor or physician. And through all these you may
be experiencing acute and lingering pain. There are
patients who are always complaining of almost everything
in the hospital; it is either that the medicines are too many
or the laboratory tests are delayed or one pain or the
other, or that the food is tasteless.
Our Catholic faith teaches us through our Savior Jesus
Christ to endure patiently. The word PATIENT occurs 17
times, and PATIENTLY 9 times in the Bible. It is generally
associated with endurance, hope, and even pain and
suffering!
The GOOD NEWS about this period of time (as
patients) is that it can also be an opportunity for Grace,
which should not be lost or wasted; for during this time,
Ang Dios nagsulay kanila nga gisakit, ingon sa bulawan
diha sa usa ka hasohasoan, ug hikaplagan sila nga angay
sa pakig-uban Kaniya. And that is not all. Finally,
Gidawat Niya sila maingon sa iyang pagdawat sa mga
sakripisyo nga sunogon didto sa altar sa mga nagsimba
Kaniya.
Truly, through pain, sickness or suffering, patiently
endured, we are purified from our sins and punishment,
our sins are mitigated or even completely taken away.
May the Lord grant us the Grace of PATIENCE
especially as PATIENTS!

Every moment has a lesson, and when we learn it, the moment has served its wonderful purpose.
May the lessons learned strengthen and resolve to do better. Be inspired to lead a purpose driven life.

Page 6 of 8

February 2015

Chapter Head's Message: Let Us Go on Dreaming!

Orly Manuel - Chapter Head - BCBP Mactan BCLP 1

The journey toward

keeping a commitment is a continuing
process, making it always challenging. It
is long and hard, and
it takes much time and effort but
that is what brings life and love in
our community relationships; a conversion God is drawing us into.
When we were new in the community, we had lots of expectations,
and many came out well while some
turned out to be frustrating. Now,
on our 21st year with the BCBP we
still long for many things in the community and for our members in the
brotherhood. We never stopped

dreaming.
Pope Francis, in one of his many
profound messages during his visit
to the country, encourages us to never stop dreaming; otherwise, we
lose the capacity to love.
Although, the message was addressed to the Filipino families; I
guess, even in the community setting,
we should never stop dreaming for
a vibrant and loving BCBP community too.
And we just have to be mindful of
the things we can do and contribute
toward that direction. It may take
a lot of self sacrifice and unselfishness from every individual but we
can start in the simple and basic

On Humble Purchases
Nery Gula - BCBP Mactan BCLP 1

Its been three

weeks since Pope
Francis touched Philippine soil. Although I
saw him only on the TV screens but
his impact on me is as though I had
seen him up close. I tried to live out
his simplicity.
Lately I went with friends to S&R
for the first time. I was mesmerized
with the things I saw inside. So fascinated was I that I made a few
purchases forgetting one of Pope
Franciss resolutions that is: Make
humble purchases. This time I failed
in my resolve to follow the Holy Fathers teaching.
Early this year I overcame the
temptation to buy a new pair of
Fitflop sandals and a new cell phone. Each has a justification that
weighed much. However as I postponed buying them, their appeal
diminished as I realized I could do
without them.

But not with the chocolate coated

raisins, blueberry muffins and sweet
buns that my children love so much.
Making my love ones happy compensated for the not so humble
purchase I made. Justifying? You be
the judge.

things that we have committed to

do. We just need some devotion in
coming up to the task, and it is as
simple as coming to our 4 basic activities in a month; a teaching night,
a praise & worship assembly, and
two other meetings with our co-action group members who are looking forward to see us, hear from
us, and fellowship with us.
And may be, coming to our
breakfast fellowships, with a guest,
every once in a while.
Yes, a meaningful community life
is worth dreaming too because we
need to love, and all the more because we need to be loved!

Community ... (continued from page 7)

friend. Similar apparitions of the
"Lady" were reported on seventeen
occasions that year, until the climax
revelation of Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception took place.
Bernadette Soubirous was later
canonized as a Saint. Roman
Catholics and some Protestants
believe her apparitions have been
validated by the overwhelming
popularity and testament of
healings claimed to have taken
place at the Lourdes water spring.
Today millions of people visit
Lourdes to pray and to drink the
miraculous water, obtaining from
the Lord healing of the body and of
the spirit. May we too reap His
healing and become worthy
intercessors.

Making resolutions is like cleansing ritual of self assessment and repentance

that demands personal honesty and ultimately, reinforces humility.

Page 7 of 8

February 2015

February 2015 Calendar of Activities, Birthday & Anniversary Celebrants

Birthdays
Chapter
Anniversaries
Please inform the chapter secretariat of missed names or corrections

Formation

Mission

Programs & Services

Holidays

Intercessory Ministry Invokes Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes

Feast Day: February 11

Our Lady of Lourdes is invoked this month of February by our Intercessory

Ministry to bring to our Mother various personal concerns of some members in the
Brotherhood, the universal concerns of our church, country and nation, and in
particular the concerns of the entire BCBP community. The intercessors are of one
mind that Our Lady of Lourdes will pray with and greatly intercede for us, as
February is her feast month.
Our Lady of Lourdes is a venerated title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invoked
by Roman Catholics in honor of the Marian apparitions said to have occurred on
numerous occasions
in 1858 in Lourdes,
France. The first of
these
is
the
apparition of 11
February
1858,
when Bernadette
Soubirous, a 14year-old peasant
the Intercessory Ministry
girl, admitted to
her mother that a "lady" spoke to her in the cave of Massabielle (a mile from the
town) while she was gathering firewood with her sister and a
continued on page 6

As we look back to the past, we can remember the tears we cried, the jokes we laugh at, the
things we mised and lost, but there is one thing we should never forget, it is the life in your years.

Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals

Mactan Chapter
BRINGING CHRIST INTO THE MARKETPLACE AND WINNING THE MARKETPLACE FOR CHRIST

The BCBP is a community of like-minded Christian businessmen and professionals who have
consciously decided to band together to bring about the transformation of the marketplace.
BREAKFAST
Venue: Crown Regency Suites - Mactan
Weekly Schedule: Saturday 7:30 - 10:00 AM

1st week: Men's 2nd week: Joint (Men's & Ladies)

3rd week: Men's 4th week: Simul (Men's & Ladies)
Contact Person: Willy Lozano - Breakfast Head
Mobile: +63.917.3114367

https://www.facebook.com/BCBPMactan

January 2015 Breakfast Sharers

Orly & Sarah Manuel (January 10)
BCBP Mactan
"we prayed the profession of faith more with our lips than we do with our hearts ...
kayod nang kayod on our own as if everything depended on us alone, forgetting that
God has His plans for our lives"
"We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who
have faith and will possess life." -- Hebrews 10:30
Dr Ruel Macaraig (January 17)
BCBP Consolacion
"we are still a work in progress, we fall by the wayside, succumbing to human
weaknessess, but we just have to continue to fight we are not perfect but God sees
something in us by His mysterious grace & love"
"You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that
are in heaven." -- Colossians 3:1
Paul & Isabel Lerio (January 24)
BCBP Mandaue
"whatever we have is not for us to keep and enjoy for ourselves but for a greater and
deeper purpose, we could not have experienced this state of grace without His
blessing and trust."
"Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust
destroy, and robbers break in and steal." -- Matthew 6:19
Eton & Veron Apao (January 31)
BCBP Mactan
"while trying to mend our tangled nets with our own human efforts we fail to see God
when relationships are strained, health fails & hard times, betrayal & humiliation
come, God is there for us the most, embracing us, binding up our wounds -- making us
whole again"
"We ourselves were once disobedient and mislead. We were slaves of our desires.
But God our savior revealed His eminent goodness and saves us." -- Titus 3:3
Never consume ourselves with the question WHY? But ponder more on WHERE? Because God is leading us
to something beautiful with whatever it is that is happening in our lives. Once we get to where God
wants us to be, then we will know why.