BAGUIO CITY — The City Government of Baguio through the Baguio Character Council launched this year’s National Bible Month celebration.
City officials led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Congressman Mark Go unveiled a tarpaulin banner to kick off this year’s National Bible Month celebration during the first Monday flag ceremony of the year at the City Hall grounds.
According to the Philippine Bible Society (PBS), the spotlight of the 2019 National Bible Month may be on the youth, but everyone plays a major role.
With the theme “The Bible: Real Talk”, a time of honesty, empowerment and discernment will be ushered in for all – for both the younger and older generations.
“May it pave the way for deeper and more meaningful conversations on how to achieve positive change. And may it also bridge the gap between the young and the old in order for the Filipino people to stand on common ground,” the PBS added.
Councilor Leah Farinas, in her message, stressed that the Bible is the most important book in the world simply because it is God’s message. “It makes a promise, a promise of eternal life,” she said.
“The Holy Bible is regarded as a powerful book containing timeless principles that when heeded and obeyed, can change a nation for the better. It is a living book that speaks in every people’s hearts. It is full of strength and life. It shows what is right and good, leads to our Lord Jesus Christ and how can we be saved and receive eternal life,” Farinas added.
Meanwhile, Domogan said that the Holy Bible is the granary of the teachings of Jesus Christ that ‘give lamp on our feet and give light throughout our life in this world.’
“It is very important and we must give seriousness to continue to study our Bible and importantly implement what we learn from the Holy Scripture because this is the best foundation of development in our own life as His people on this earth which is in line with the message of His love in December, during Christmas or the birth of our savior,” Domogan stressed.
The Baguio Character Council set several activities in celebration of the National Bible Month including a kapihan media forum on January 17, and Bible Quiz Bee competitions for elementary and high schools in the city on the third week of January.
The celebration will culminate with the parade of various sectors from Upper Session Road to the Malcolm Square on January 25 followed, by the program proper and the reading of the bible by the various stakeholders.
The Christian Music Festival would follow in the afternoon of January 25 with musicians and performers coming from the various religious sectors and denominations and the Baguio Character Council.
In recognition of the essential significance of the Holy Bible, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 124 in 2017 to recognize the religious nature of the Filipino people and declaring the whole month of January of every year as National Bible Month and declaring the last week of January as the National Bible Week.
In the city of Baguio, the city council passed Resolution No. 173 s. 2008 stating that the Baguio Character Council, in coordination with the faith community and the Philippine Bible Society, shall lead and formulate the necessary activities of the National Bible Month celebration. **JDP/RMC- PIA CAR
