ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our sincere appreciation and

thanks to all who have given their unconditional support for
the last fifteen years in making the Filipino Ministry – DSB
what it is today.

We are looking forward to working together to meet the many

challenges that may come our way as we continue our
ministry work in the Diocese of San Bernardino.

MISSION STATEMENT
We, the Filipino Faithful of the Diocese of San
Bernardino, sharing equal dignity with the larger
Church community and called to be one body,
unite with our Bishops in a worshiping, serving
and evangelizing Filipino Ministry. As proactive
members of our parish communities, we pledge to
use our gifts and talents for the pursuit of justice,
peace, integrity of creation, and Christian Unity.

The Board of Directors,

The Executive Committee and
The Standing Committees
 The Filipino Ministry Prayer
Before You, Oh Lord our God, we pray with deep faith
that as we journey towards the realization of your dream
and fulfill our mission, may we realize
the diocesan vision and thrust.

We pray that we, the Filipino Faithful of the diocese of San

Bernardino, through the guidance of our Blessed Mother Mary,
may share equal dignity with the larger Church community
and called to be one body, unite with our bishops Gerald and
Rutillo, as well as our priests in the worshipping, evangelizing and
serving Filipino Ministry.

Fill our hearts with hope that we may become a community

of disciples and stewards of Jesus Christ from whom we have
the mission of making His gospel alive
in our diocese and in the world.

We pray that by promoting His gospel values of maka-Diyos (pro

God), makatao (pro people), makabayan (patriotic), makabuhay
(pro-life), at makalikasan (for integrity of creation), we may help to
shape a society with greater respect for human life, economic
and environmental justice, cultural diversity, and
global solidarity and build a Church where
the Kingdom of God reigns.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

 Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of
the Filipino Community Filipino Ministry –
Diocese of San Bernardino
We, the Church of San Bernardino, are a community of believers in Jesus
Christ, called to impact family, neighborhood and society with the Gospel
so that people’s lives are filled with hope. (Mission Statement - Diocese of
San Bernardino)
In 1985 Pope John Paul II, in his address on World Migrant’s Day, insisted
that “the immigrant members of the Church, while freely exercising their
rights and duties and being in full ecclesial communion in the particular
churches, feel themselves Christians and brothers towards all, must be
able to remain completely themselves as far as language, culture, liturgy
and spirituality, and particular traditions are concerned.”
In the late 1980’s Filipinos
in the Diocese of San
Bernardino (DSB) were able
to express their Filipino faith,
religiosity and culture through
various movements and
devotional groups (i.e., Filipino
Cursillo, Rosary, Santo Niño,Emil Gamalida Louie and Annie David

Lord of Pardon, Our Lady of

Fatima, etc.) by gathering in
homes. As more Filipinos took residence in the area they began to form
Filipino Choirs, one of which became popularly known as the Ontario
Vicariate Choir led by Emilio Gamalinda together with Sr. Joy Aranda,
Louie and Annie David, and others whose names have been written on the
palm of His hands.
In April 1991 Most Rev. Phillip Straling, Bishop of the Diocese of San
Bernardino, and Msgr. Peter Luque, Vicar of Ethnic Affairs, began the
outreach to the Filipino community together with Filipino Fr. Sofronio
Aranda and lay leaders Santiago “Santi” and Virgie
Gorospe, who were parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle –
Chino Hills.
In January 1992 Msgr. Luque was succeeded by Auxiliary
Bishop Gerald R. Barnes. With the arrival of Fr. ArturoVirgie & Santi Gorospe
J. Monzon-Balagat in November 1992 and, thereafter,
the Missionaries of the La Salette Fr. Maurice Cardinal
and Fr. Romeo Seleccion, outreach to the Filipino
community continued to flourish. Filipinos came together
for the celebrations of diocesan Simbang-Gabi Novenas.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry

On April 7, 1993, a group of Filipino leaders gathered for a consultation,

headed by Bishop Barnes, at Sacred Heart in Etiwanda, now Rancho
Cucamonga. The consultation was designed to solicit input for the
planning and setting of the goals for a diocesan Filipino Ministry. During
the consultation process Bishop Barnes recognized and commented on
the gifts that Filipinos were bringing - our faith, our service and our rich
religious culture and practices – to the diocese. He asked the following
questions for reflection:

1. What are the issues and needs facing the Filipino Catholic
community in the Diocese of San
Bernardino?
2. What are the gifts and talents the Filipino Catholic community
possess to address these
needs?
3. What are the obstacles present within the Filipino Catholic
community that interferes with
addressing these needs?
4. What are the hopes and expectations of the Filipino community
from the Diocese of San
Bernardino?
An Ad Hoc Committee was formed with Fr. Balagat as the convenor and
Mr. Gorospe as the lay contact person. The ensuing dialogues, including
vicariate meetings in the West End, Riverside, San Bernardino and
Victorville, gave birth to the Filipino Ministry – Diocese of San Bernardino
(Filmin-DSB). The result of the grassroots consultation was compiled by
Fr. Seleccion and was later presented to Bishop Barnes and to the General
Assembly for ratification on January 15, 1994, at St. Anne Church in San
Bernardino.
On October 13, 1994, Bishop Barnes signed the Constitution and By-Laws
of the Filipino Ministry – DSB, with its Mission Statement, Purpose, Goals
and Objectives and an organizational set-up consisting of the:
A. General Assembly, the highest consultative body of the Filipino
Ministry, responsible for reviewing,
deliberating and amending the Constitution and By-Laws subject to the
approval of the Board of
Directors.
B. The Board of Directors, the highest policymaking body of the Filipino
Ministry, deliberating on
policies, actions, or issues pertaining to the Filipino Ministry, acting on
 Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
On November 7, 1994, the Constitution and By-Laws was adopted. Fr.
Balagat was the first Director appointed by Bishop Barnes and Jessie
Cristobal was elected as the first Chairperson. The Advisory Board
consisted of the following officers and members:

Fr. Art Balagat, First Director Jessie Cristobal, First Chairperson Members of the 1994 Advisory Board Of the
of the Filipino Ministry - DSB of the Filipino Ministry - DSB Filipino Ministry - DSB

Ex-Officio Members (4)

Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar of Ethnic Affairs
Fr. Arturo J. Monzon-Balagat, Director of Filipino Ministry
Fr. Romeo N. Seleccion, MS, Priest Liaison
Santiago B. Gorospe, Lay Coordinator
Filipino Representatives (8)
Jessie Cristobal, Chairperson of the Board and Youth Committee
Aurora Heminger, Vice-Chairperson of the Board and Education
Committee
Zuming Hermosura, Secretary
Mar Tigno, Treasurer
Romeo Villar, Chairperson of Christian Service Committee
Romeo de Guzman, Chairperson of Worship and Prayer Committee
Godofreda B. Sumalangcay, MD, Chairperson of Stewardship (Finance)
Committee
Lydia Samaniego, Member of Worship and Prayer Committee
Non-Filipino Representatives (3)
Fr. Tim Keppel, Pastor of Resurrection Church, Fontana
Sr. Teresa Gomez, Director of Hispanic Ministry
Thomas R. Lenert, Chairperson of Family Life Committee
Ms. Cristobal chaired the Filipino Ministry – DSB until 1997. From 1997 –
1998 the position of Chairperson was vacant.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
Among the activities from 1994 – 1998 were:
• December 1994, First Diocesan Fund Raising Campaign; first prize: Jeep
Cherokee; over
$100,000.00 were raised of which 40% was shared with participating
parishes and a donation
was made to purchase the landmark at the Pastoral Center.

Displaying the Cherokee Jeep and Winners of the Cherokee Raffles awarded during the Simbang Gabi Kickoff held at
St. Joseph Church, Fontana on December 15, 1994.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• May 28, 1995, Santacruzan ’95, A Filipino Faith- Life Cultural
Celebration; officer in-charge: Dr.
Freda B. Sumalangcay, Stewardhip (Finance) Committee Chairperson;
venue: International Pavilion,
National Orange Show, San Bernardino.

Filipino Ministry Contingent to the Flores De Mayo Festival in Orange Show, San Bernardino

• June 1995, Filipino Ministry – DSB Youth Summer Basketball

Competition; a diocesan
competition amongst various members of the Parish Filipino Ministries;
sponsored by the Youth
Committee.
• September 30, 1995, First Pastoral Conference in honor of St. Lorenzo
Ruiz, the first Filipino
Saint; coordinators: Mon and Len Robrigado, Ontario Vicariate; emcee:
Salvador N. Calumno, Jr.,
Ontario Vicariate Representative; venue: St. George – Ontario.
• December 15, 1995, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off Celebration; main
celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald R.
Barnes; venue: St. Anne – San Bernardino.

Simbang Gabi Kickoff held at St. Ann Church, San Bernardino on December 15, 1995.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry

• May 30, 1997, Papuri at Pasasalamat (Praise and Thanksgiving) – A

Showcase of Philippine
Sacred Music for Sacraments & Other Celebrations; sponsored by the
Filipino Ministry of the
West End
Vicariate in collaboration
with the Jesuit
Music Ministry and
Bukas Palad
Choir; venue: Our Lady
of the Desert –
Apple Valley.

Bukas Palad Choir performed on May 30, 1997 at the

Sturges Center for Performing Arts in San Bernardino

Willie Bugaoan, Second

Filmin-DSB Chairperson

In 1998, Willie Bugaoan was elected as the second Chairperson.

Fr. Balagat remained as the Director until 2003, when Msgr.
Cesar “Ching” Encinares succeeded him. In May 2004, Ms.
Bugaoan stepped down as Chairperson. During this period Fr.
Antonio G. Abuan was also appointed by Auxiliary Bishop
Dennis O’Neil as the Chaplain to the
Filipino Cursillo in Christianity Movement.
Among the activities were:
• September 27, 1998, Feast of San Lorenzo
Msgr. Cesar Encinares,
Ruiz Celebration; main Second Filmin-DSB
celebrant: Most Rev. Director Gerald R. Barnes;
venue: St. George –
Ontario.
• November 15, 1998, a task force was formed
to look into the Banal na
Pag-aaral (BNP); the task force, which comprised
of priests and parish
leaders whose parishes were close to the BNP
headquarter and a
lawyer, met regularly with Fr. Balagat; as a
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• May 8 - 9, 1999, Philippines Boys Choir Concert, a fundraising of the
Ministry of Sisters of
Social Services in the Philippines for the educational fund of the choir
members was supported by
the Filipino Ministry – DSB; very poor but musically gifted members of
the choirs were 8- 15 year
old young men from the farms of Bukidnon, Mindanao Island, the
Philippines.

The Philippine Boys Choir

• August 29, 1999 to February 2000, Theology Formation Program for the
Filipino Ministry
leaders, a program of the Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP) for
the Filipino Catholics
offered by the Ministry Formation Institute (MFI) to develop and assist
leaders of the diocesan
and parish Filipino Ministries, prayer/devotional groups and movements.
• October 29, 1999, First Simbang-Gabi Workshop in collaboration with the
Office of Worship;
presenters: Les Rangel Santos, Liturgy and Music director from
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and
Kathleen Estrella, Music Director – DSB; venue: Pastoral Center – DSB.
• September 25, 1999, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration; main
celebrant: Rev. Romeo N.
Seleccion, MS, Parochial Vicar of St. Christopher – Moreno Valley and
Director of the Asian-
Pacific Islander Ministry – DSB; venue: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish -
Montclair.
• December 11, 1999, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off Mass; main celebrant: Rev.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
End Vicariate; respondent – Reflection on the Many Faces in God’s House
– Encuentro 2000:
Elizabeth Manangan, Ethnic Coordinator, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton –
Ontario; respondents –
Reflection on the Jubilee 2000: Ligaya Butts, Member, Diocesan Jubilee
Committee and Josie
Dumdum, Renew 2000 Coordinator, St. Paul the Apostle – Chino Hills;
presenter – Filipino Culture
and Religiosity: Irma Isip, Consultant, Asian and Pacific Islander
Perspectives, Archdiocese of Los
Angeles; presenter – Hispanic Culture and Religiosity: Sr. Cecilia Calva,
Hispanic Affairs and
Encuentro Coordinator, DSB; presenter – Native American Culture and
Religiosity: Dean Frank
Alaniz; presenter – Vietnamese Culture and Religiosity: Sr. Theresa Phan,
LHC, Director, Asian-
Pacific Islander Ministry – DSB; Presenter – Korean Culture and Religiosity:
Peter Chung, Korean
Community Diocesan Liaison; presenter – Tongan Culture and Religiosity:
Sr. Clare Tavo, OSH,
Tongan Community Diocesan Liaison; presenter – African-American
Culture and Religiosity: Rev.
Richard McGee, CR, Vicar for African-American Community; and
Participants to the Encuentro 2000 held at the San Bernardino Diocese Pastoral Center
presenter- Synthesis: Rev. Romy Seleccion, MS, Pastor of Our Lady of the
Desert – Apple Valley; venue: St. Margaret Mary – Chino.

• June 24, 2000, Commissioning of the Board Officers

and Members; Chairperson Willie Bugaoan; Youth
Coordinator Jose Crespo, Evangelization/Education/
Formation Coordinator Naida Castro; Christian Service
Coordinator Bernadette “Chabs” Aranez; Stewardship
and Finance Coordinator Etchell Alfonso; Family Life
Flyer For the Family Campout
Coordinators Jose and Cely Rafols; and Worship and
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• October 20-22, 2000, First Family Campout of the Filipino Ministry of the
Diocese of San
Bernardino at Yucaipa Regional Park in sponsoredship with Family Life
and Christian Service
Committees to bring families together.
• December 9, 2000, Most Rev. Gerald Richard Barnes’ Silver Jubilee of
Priesthood Mass;
a commemorative book of the Bishop’s 25 years of priesthood was
presented by Willie
Bugaoan, Chairperson of the Commemorative Book, and Tess Faicol,
one of the lead writers of the
book.
• December 15, 2000, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off Celebration; main celebrant:
Most Rev. Gerald R.
Barnes; venue: St. Adelaide – Highland.
• January 2001, Rev. Arturo J. Monzon-Balagat was appointed chairperson
of the United States
Filipino Catholic Ministries Council (USFCMC), an organization of Filipino
Ministries nationwide; Fr.
Balagat succeeded Fr. Joe Arong.
• February 18, 2001, A Study Day on the Church in Asia, with a Special
Focus on the Philippine
Church; presenter: Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle, Diocese of Imus, Cavite,
Philippines; venue: Pastoral
Center – San Bernardino.
• April 7, 2001, First Diocesan Lenten Day of Prayer; an all-day retreat
attended by 200
participants; retreat director: Fr. Ramon Cortez; music provided by the
El Shaddai Music Ministry of
St. George – Fontana; Valimer Jansen interpreted part of Genesis in a
song; Passion play by St.
Elizabeth Ann Seton - Ontario parishioners; venue: Sacred Heart –
Rancho Cucamonga.
• June 3, 2001, Asian-Pacific Encuentro sponsored by the Asian-Pacific
Islander Ministry; Keynote
Speaker and Eucharistic Celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes; Music
and Liturgical Dance by El
Shaddai Ministry of St. George – Fontana; three other parishes provided
cultural dance numbers;
Venue: St. Margaret Mary – Chino.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• December 23, 2001, Simbang-Gabi Closing Liturgy; main celebrant: Fr.
Ramon P. Cortez; venue:
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Rancho Cucamonga.
• February 14, 2002, St. Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance; objective: to
raise funds for World
Youth Day 2002 participants; special guests: Most Rev. Dennis P. O’Neil
and Msgr. Gerald M.
Lopez; venue: St. George – Ontario.
• March 6 - 7, 2002, Youth Symposium; a two-day symposium centered
on the ministry to and with
youth; attended by Youth Committee Chairperson Jose Crespo; venue:
Pastoral Center.
• April 27, 2002, Link an Evening with the San Bernardino Youth – Dinner/
Dance; objective: to
raise funds for 22 scholars of XVII World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada;
venue: St. George –
Ontario.
• May 26, 2002, Marian Choir Concert,; Objective: to raise funds to build
a retirement home for
priests in the Philippines was supported by the Filipino Ministry – DSB;
musically gifted members
of the choirs are from the Diocese of Imus, Cavite, Philippines.

May 26, 2002 Marian Choir Concert held at St. George Church, Ontario
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• October 12, 2002, Multicultural Family Day –
Unity in Diversity; an all day event sponsored by
the Hispanic Affairs, Asian Pacific Islander
Ministry, Assembly for Catholics of African
Descent, Native American Ministry, Office of
Social Concerns and Office of Worship; the
Filipino community contributed in the liturgy
and entertainment, lunch and cultural exhibitions;
venue: Aquinas High School.
• October 25, 2002, Simbang-Gabi 2002 Sending Off Mass for World Youth Day 2002 Participants to
Canada held at St. George Church, Ontario
Formation Workshop; the workshop challenged
participants to prepare liturgies that are authentically Filipino and
liturgies that provide
opportunities to bring other cultural groups together with the Filipinos
in this celebration;
presenter: Kathleen Estrella, a musician from the Diocese of San
Bernardino; venue: St. Thomas
the Apostle – Riverside.
• September 21, 2002, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration; main
celebrant: Most Rev. Dennis
O’Neil; venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria – Temecula.
• December 15, 2002, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off, main celebrant: Most Rev.
Dennis O’Neil; venue: St.
Catherine of Siena - Rialto.
• February 14, 2003, St. Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance;
objective: to raise funds for WYD 2005 participants; venue:
St. George – Ontario.
• April 2, 2003, focus group discussion of the Women’s
Commission, a commission on status of women in church
and in society attended by Willie Bugaoan, Naida Castro
and Merci Littaua; venue: Pastoral Center – DSB.
• May 31, 2003, Asian-Pacific Presence: Harmony in
Faith; in collaboration with the Ministry Formation
Institute, Asian-Pacific Islander Ministry and the Office
of Worship; presenter: Cecile Motus, Coordinator of
February 14, 2003 Valentines Day
Ethnic Affairs, Office of Pastoral Care of Migrants and Dinner Dance
Refugees, USCCB; venue: Pastoral Center – DSB.
•September 2003, Atty. Francis Papica, representing
Southern California in the Philippines, received the
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• September 28, 2003, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz; main celebrant: Rev.
Arturo J. Monzon-
Balagat: venue: St. George- Ontario.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration at St. George, Ontario

• December 14, 2003, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off; theme: Filling Lives with

Hope; main celebrant: Msgr.
Gerardo Lopez, STL, Vicar General, and homilist Fr. Benjamin E.
Alforque, MSC; venue: St.
George – Fontana.
• December 23, 2003, Simbang-Gabi Closing Liturgy; main celebrant: Fr.
Arturo J. Monzon-
Balagat; followed by the Filipino Priests in Concert; venue: St. George –
Ontario.

Filipino Clergy Concerts

Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
Filipino Ministry – DSB’s Constitution and By-Laws. During this period the
Evangelization and Worship Committees had the following evangelization
and liturgical activities:
• March 12, 2004, Lenten Reflection - Reclaiming the Passion, Death &
Resurrection of Jesus In
Our Times: A Reflection of our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection
According to St. Matthew,
St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John; presenter: Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque,
MSC, SSL; venue: St.
George – Ontario.
• May 1, 2004, Conversing and Connecting from the Heart Part I, a
discussion and study of Filipino-
American youth between the ages of 14 and 19 years old; attended by
75 parents and 60 Filipino-
American teen-agers; purpose: to conduct an in depth look on the
Filipino American family dynamics
and psychologies to help better understand the cultural and value
conflicts encountered by Filipino
immigrants and our American born children at home, school and church
settings; facilitators: Jocelyn
Pacleb, Ph.D. a lecturer of Asian American Studies and Filipina/o
American Studies from CSU,
Fullerton and project leaders Theresa Palang, MBA and Grace
Lacsamana, MA from St.
Christopher Church, Moreno Valley; a survey questionnaire with a focus
on parent and youth
background information, Filipino cultural values and practices,
communication and issues and concerns
of Filipino-American families specially designed for the study by Dr.
Pacleb was used; venue: St.
Christopher – Moreno Valley.
• June 19, 2004, Conversing and Connecting from the Heart Part II;
keynote speakers: Dr. Patricia
Heras, a clinical and consulting psychologist who has done extensive
research studies on Filipino-
American youths in San Diego and Texas and Fr. Arturo J. Monzon-
Balagat, the President of the
United States Filipino Catholic Ministries Council (USFCMC) and Pastor of
St. George, Ontario;
venue: St. George –Ontario.
• July 2004 – The quantitative study summary of the Filipino-American
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
Educator of Philosophy and Theology Tom Lenert; sponsored by the
United States Filipino
Catholic Ministries (USFCMC) and the Filipino Ministry – DSB in
collaboration with the Office of
the Asian-Pacific Islander Ministry and the Office of Social Concerns,
Diocese of San Bernardino.
• November 2004, Simbang-Gabi Workshop; presenters/facilitators: Fr.
Dennis Legaspi and
Kathleen Estrella; venue: St. Edward – Corona.
• December 11, 2004, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off; theme: Celebrating the
Eucharist - Harmony in Faith,
Unity in Diversity; main celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes; plaques
of appreciation were given
to Fr. Arturo J. Monzon-Balagat and Willie Bugaoan for their leadership
in the Filipino Ministry –
DSB; venue: Resurrection – Fontana.
• December 23, 2004, Simbang-Gabi Closing; main celebrant: Msgr. Tom
Wallace, Episcopal Vicar,
Riverside Region; venue: St. Christopher – Moreno Valley.
Bing Johnson
• 2004 St. Bernardine Award presented
2004 St. Bernardine Awardee by Most
Rev. Gerald R. Barnes
to Bing Johnson, parishioner of St. Adelaide
– Highland; venue: Our
Lady of the Rosary Cathedaral – San
Bernardino.
• 2004 Outstanding Catholic School Principal
Award presented by
Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes to Madelaine
Thomas, parishioner of
Resurrection – Fontana.
In the latter part of 2004, in the absence of
an active Advisory Board and an active Executive
Committee, Msgr. Encinares organized a Care Taker Committee
(CTC) and delegated the responsibility for the Filipino Ministry – DSB to
the CTC. Members of the CTC included: Fr. Arturo Monzon-Balagat; Fr.
Antonio G. Abuan,
MS; Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; Romy Enriquez; Merci Littaua; and
Naida C. Castro. From February 2005 through May 2006, the CTC
reviewed and revised the Constitution and By-laws, as well as continued
to assess and discuss preliminary plans on how to direct, organize and
 Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• June 6, 2005, General Meeting of Filipino Ministry
Parish Leaders; Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, MS,
presented the draft of the proposed Constitution and
By-Laws; venue: St. George – Ontario.
• June 11, 2005, a Day of Reflection - Meeting God in
Our Transition Times; presenter: Fr. Dennis
Legaspi; venue: St. George – Ontario.
• June 26, 2005, a Memorial Tribute to His
EminenceJaime Cardinal Sin; main celebrant Fr.
Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; venue: St. George –
Ontario.

• August 10 – 24, 2005, World Youth Day; Fr. Arturo

J. Monzon-Balagat, Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC, Alex
and Naida Castro, and Jose and Cely Rafols accompanied
a group of youth and young adults (36 participants); venue:
Dioceses of Limburg and Cologne in Germany. April 30, 2005 First Invitational Choral Song
Festival. St. George, Ontario

2005 World Youth Day, Cologne, Germany

 Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• September 1, 2005, Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC was appointed Vicar
Forane by Bishop Gerald
Barnes.
• September 16, 2005, First Coordinator of Ministries Formation Program
(CMFP) Graduation;
seven Filipino leaders, including the first Filipino deacon of this diocese,
Deacon Donnie Geaga, and
his wife, Charet, completed the CMFP; main celebrant: Most
Rev. Gerald R. Barnes; venue: Holy Rosary Cathedral – San
Bernardino.
• September 24, 2005, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz; main
celebrant: Most
Rev. Rutilio del
Riego; venue: St.
Thomas the
Apostle –
Riverside. Deacon Donie Geaga,
First Filipino Deacon
• October 8, 2005, Diocese of San Bernardino
Thanksgiving
Mass; main
celebrant Very
Rev. Robert
L. Miller; homilist: Fr. Benjamin
E. Alforque, MSC; venue:
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton –
Ontario. San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration at
St. Thomas the Apostle, September 2005
• November 5, 2005, first
session of the Simbang-
Gabi Workshop; presenters/
facilitators: Fr. Benjamin
E. Alforque, MSC, Sr. Angie
Bacleon, and Naida Castro;
diocesan Simbang- Gabi
coordinator:Merci Littaua; venue:
St. Martha –
Murrieta.
• November 11, 2005, second session of the Simbang-Gabi Workshop;
presenters/facilitators: Naida
Castro and Sr. Angie Bacleon, MSM, assisted by Fr. Fred Costales, MS;
diocesan Simbang-Gabi
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry

• December 10, 2005, Simbang-Gabi Kick-Off; diocesan theme: The

Eucharist: Celebrating Many
Faces in God’s House; main celebrant: Msgr. Tom Wallace, Episcopal
Vicar, Riverside Region; venue:
St. Martha – Murrieta.
• December 23, 2005, Simbang-Gabi Closing Liturgy; main celebrant: Very
Rev. Robert L. Miller;
venue: Our Lady of the Desert - Apple Valley.
• 2005 Quarterly Vicariate Meetings; Parish and Vicariate Meetings with
various Parish Filipino
Ministries were held at Mt. Carmel – Rancho Cucamonga, Sacred Heart –
Rancho Cucamonga, St.
Adelaide – Highland, and St. Christopher – Moreno Valley.
• 2005 Guadalupe Award presented by Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes to
Naida Castro, parishioner of
St. George – Fontana; venue:
Holy Rosary Cathedral –
San Bernardino.
• 2005 Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
Cross presented by
Most Rev. Gerald
R. Barnes to Fr.
2005 Guadalupe Awardee Romeo N. Seleccion,
Naida C. Castro
MS; Pastor of St.
Christopher – Moreno
Valley; venue: Holy et Pontifice
2005 Pro Ecclesia
Cross
Rosary Cathedral Presentation
–
San Bernardino.
• January 15, 2006,
First Choral Festival
of the Cavite Clergy
in Concert; co-
sponsored by the National Asian and Pacific Catholic Organization
of Southern California (NAPCO So. Cal); funds raised benefited
the Diocese of Imus and NAPCO So Cal (30%); venue: St. George
– Ontario.
• February 16, 2006, Second Choral Festival of the Cavite Clergy in
Concert; cosponsored by the
NAPCO So. Cal; funds raised benefited the Diocese of Imus and NAPCO
 Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• March 2006, Amor Es Entregarse Award presented by Most Rev. Gerald
R. Barnes to Willie
Bugaoan, parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – Ontario.
Upon approval of the Vice-Chancellor and Director of Pastoral and
Ethnic Affairs Maria Echeverria and the Director of the Asian and
Pacific Islander Ministry Sr. Theresa Phan, the CTC called for a
General Assembly at St. George – Ontario on May 20, 2006. With
Ms. Echeverria and Sr. Theresa present, the proposed amendments
to the Constitution and By- Laws were presented and ratified.

Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, MS became the third Director and Fr. Dennis
Legaspi, the Spiritual Director; other officers of the Executive
Committee were respectively elected as follows: Naida 2006C. Castro
Amor Es Entregarse
and Nini Dyogi as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively;
Awardee, Merci
Willie Bugaoan

Littaua as Secretary; and Vicki dela Cruz as Treasurer. Fr. Benjamin E.

Alforque, MSC and Romy Enriquez were selected and approved by the
Board as Members-at-Large of the Executive Committee.
The following Vicariate Representatives and Alternates were nominated
and approved to represent the
vicariates to the Board: Ralph Millare and Wil Vita – Representative and
Alternate Representative, Hemet Vicariate; Fred Capinpin and Jose Rafols
– Representative and Alternate Representative,
Riverside Vicariate; Rudy Soliman and Lou de Jesus – Representative and
Alternate Representative, High Desert Vicariate; Beth Manangan –
Representative, San Bernardino Vicariate.
The following were nominated and
approved as Coordinators of
the Standing Committees: Jose and
Cely Rafols – Famiy Life,
Edwin and Rowena Gabriel – Youth
and Young Adult, Helen
Seno – Worship, Sr.Niña Achacoso
and Minda Ramos –
Rev. Antonio G. Abuan, MS Evangelization, Frank Lansang –
SocialThird
Concerns and Owette
Director, Filmin-DSB
Cabildo – Temporalities (Finance).
The first Executive Committee
meeting was on July 24,
2006, at St. Catherine of Alexandria –
Riverside; amongthe
subject matters discussed at the
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• How can we reach out to those who have not yet heard of our ministry?
• How can we nurture those who are already involved in our ministry?
• How can we bring back those who have left our ministry and parish
community?
In carrying out the vision, mission, purpose, goals and objectives of the
Filipino Ministry – DSB, the officers and members of the Board and the
Executive and Standing Committees moved forward with the following
activities prior to the first Board Meeting:
• June 21 - June 30, 2006, the Filipino Ministry – DSB sponsored a youth
and young adult exposure

San Luis Lumad Community High School, Agusan Del Sur.

Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
program, Discovering and Rediscovering the Filipino Roots - A Journey
to the Philippines, to promote
multicultural diversity and harmony as richness in the Diocese of San
Bernardino; the program
exposed the youth and young adults to urban and rural communities in
Manila, Cavite, Agusan del Sur
and General Luna in Surigao del Norte. It included a four-day stay with
the Lumad (indigenous
community) at the San Luis LumadCommunity High School in Agusan
del Sur, a three day stay at
the beautiful white-sand beach resort in General Luna, Siargao Island,
Surigao del Norte, a visit at
the Urios University in Butuan, as well as sightseeing and shopping in
Manila, Quezon City and
Cebu; pioneers of the program were: Eddie Banuelos (St. George -
Ontario); Roman, Alexander and
Monica Castro (St. George - Fontana); Richelle Argenal (St. George -
Fontana); and Jomer
Laurenaria (Cavite, Philippines); pioneers were accompanied by Alex
and Naida Castro (St. George –
Fontana), Felicitas Cenica, Cavite, Philippines) and Lorna Balatay
(Manila Philippines); guides and
facilitators: Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque. MSC and the Sisters of
Missionaries of the Assumption.
• June 9 – July 3, 2006, officers and members or the Executive Committee
and Board of Directors
supported and attended the first National Asian Pacific Catholic
Convocation (NAPCC) sponsored by
the National Asian Pacific Catholic Organization (NAPCO) in Arlington,
VA; among the presenters
were: Fr. Arturo J. Monzon-Balagat, President of the NAPCO, and Fr.
Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC,
SSL.

National Asian Pacific Catholic Convocation (NAPCC), Washington, DC,June 30 – July 3, 2006
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• August 5, 2006, the Executive Committee held a Strategic Planning
Meeting to organize its plan
of developing short- and long-term goals and finalize the program for
the series of Goal Setting
Workshops. During the first Board Meeting on August 9, 2006, at the
Pastoral Center, among the
topics discussed were issues/concerns regarding Filipino Ministries at
the parish level, including
existence and providing guidance to various Filipino religious
organizations and movements, forming
Vicariate leadership teams, strengthening Parish Filipino Ministries, lay
parish leader consultation
meetings, parish and vicariate visitation meetings, E-Newsletter, Filipino
Ministry – DSB Office and
Staff, Commissioning of Officers and Members of the Board of Directors,
Executive Committee and
Standing Committee, and various upcoming events.
On November 19, 2006, at the combined Thanksgiving Luncheon and
Board Meeting, the Executive
committee presented to the Board of Directors the One-Year (2006 –
2007) Plan of Action of the
Filipino Ministry – DSB for review and approval.
The Plan of Action included the specific goals and objectives of the
Executive Committee and the
various activities planned by each Standing Committee based on
committee objectives (described in the
Constitution and By-Laws) as follows:
Executive Committee
Goal 1. To organize the Filipino Community.
Objectives:
1. To strengthen the Parish Filipino Ministries in the Diocese of San
Bernardino;
2. To expand the Filipino Ministry in the Diocese;
3. To consolidate the existing parishes into clusters/vicariates;
4. To network with various Filipino communities/organizations locally,
nationally and internationally; and
5. To support and oversee the plans and activities of the Standing
Committees: Family Life, Youth and
Young Adult, Worship, Evangelization and Temporalities (Finance)
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
On November 10, 2007, a General Assembly Meeting was held at Sacred
Heart in Rancho Cucamonga, where the Constitution and By-Laws was
presented for approval.

General Assembly, November 10, 2007, held at Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga

Family Life Committee

• May 23, 1998, Spring Dinner Dance in collaboration with the
Family Life and Youth Committee to bring Families Together In
An Atmosphere of Friendship, Canaraderie, and Joy. venue:
Centennial High School -Corona
• February 24, 2007, Reconciling Differences – How to Resolve
Conflicts in Families, Church, & Organizations; presenter: Msgr.
Cesar “Ching” Encinares; venue: St. Thomas the Apostle –
Riverside.
• April 11, 2008, Asian-Pacific Islander Dinner with Bishop Barnes
in collaboration with the Asian-Pacific Islander Ministry – DSB;
venue: St. George -Ontario.
• May 3, 2008, Dinner/Dance Reception in celebration of the
15th anniversary of the Filipino Ministry – DSB in collaboration
with the Youth and Young Adults, Evangelization Spring Dinner Dance, May 23, 1998
and Social
Concerns Committees; venue: St. George - Ontario.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry

15th Anniversary Celebration of the Filipino Ministry - DSB

• May 31 – June 1, 2008, Family Committee sponsored the Encounters of

Married Couple Weekend
Seminar;; venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria -Riverside.

Class No. 1, Encounters of Married Couple sponsored by the Family Life Committee held at St. Catherine of
Alexandria-Riverside, May 31-June 1, 2008.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• July 1, 2008, Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes appointed
Fr. Romeo N. Seleccion, MS as Episcopal Vicar, San
Bernardino Region; Spiritual Adviser of Family Life
Committee.
Youth and Young Adult Committee
• April 21, 2007, Asian-Pacific Youth Day – Bridging the Gap;
sponsored by the Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry; Speaker
and Eucharistic Celebrant: Very Rev. Benjamin E. Alforque,
MSC; venue: St. George, Ontario.
• May 25, 2007, Priestly Ordination of Fr. James Oropel –
first Filipino priest ordained in the DSB; Filipino Ministry – DSB
assisted the Office of Vocations in organizing the reception and
program after the ordination; venue: Sacred Heart Re. Romeo N. Selleccion, MS,
– Rancho
New Episcopal Vicar,
Cucamonga. San Bernardino Region

2007 Priestly Ordination of James Oropel

Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• June 18 – July 3, 2007, Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines, a
Philippine Exposure
Program introducing Filipino - Americans and their friends to Philippine
history, culture and present
day realities – the survival of the poor and the struggles of the
marginalized for justice, peace, and
integrity of creation; participants visited/toured and interviewed the
Filipino people in the following
areas:
o Don Roberto’s Winery, Imus, Cavite – produces sweet and dry
mango wine and coffee wine from
Philippine yellow and green mangoes, and coffee.
o General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite – home of the first
Philippine President.
o Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila – where our participants had an
overnight stay with the community
over the breakwaters of Manila Bay.
o House of Congress, Quezon City – for a briefing on Philippine
Government.
o CENPEG (Center for People Empowerment in Government) – UP,
Diliman, Quezon City –
a nonprofit organization.
o Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac – where farmers were massacred in their
struggle to own the land they
till.
o Fr. Saturnino Urios University, Butuan
City, Agusan del Norte – participants
were introduced to the university life,
programs, and the “American Dream”
of the young Filipinos.
2007 Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines
o San Luis Lumad Community High
School, Agusan del Sur – the group
enjoyed a two-day stay with the students
and learned the Indigenous peoples’
struggles for cultural identity, their claim
for their ancestral land and domain and
their struggle for the integrity of
creation.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• May 31, 2008, Priestly Ordination in collaboration with the Office of
Vocations – DSB; venue: St.
Paul the Apostle - Chino Hills.
Worship Committee
• September 30, 2006, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Saint;
main celebrant: Most
Rev. Rutillo del Riego; con-celebrants: Fr. Alex Castillo; Fr. Gem
Bandivas; Fr. Oscar Reynoso; Fr.
Antonio G. Abuan, MS; Fr. Romeo N. Seleccion, MS; Fr. Gerald Vidad; Fr.
Ronald Guzman, MS; Fr.
Fred Costales, MS; Fr. Chris Subosa, FI; Fr. Dennis Legaspi; and Msgr.
Cesar “Ching” Encinares;
Officers and members of the Board of Directors and Executive
Committee were commissioned during
the Mass; venue; St. George – Ontario.

•
October 28, 2006,

first session of

Simbang-Gabi Workshop;

presenter/facilitator:
Fr.
Diocesan Filipino
Dennis Ministry San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir and Liturgical Dancers,
Legaspi;
September 30, 2006, St. George, Ontario
47
parish leaders in

attendance; venue

Sacred Heart Church

-
Rancho Cucamonga.
•
November 11, 2006,

second session of

Simbang Gabi Workshop;

Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• September 29, 2007, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz – First Filipino Saint;
main celebrant: Fr. Romeo
N. Seleccion; venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria - Temecula.
• December 15, 2007, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off; theme: We are a Pilgrim
Church; main celebrant:
Very Rev. Bob Miller, Episcopal Vicar, San Bernardino Region; venue: St.
Peter and St. Paul -
Alta Loma.

Simbang Gabi Kickoff celebrations held at St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Alta Loma, December 15, 2008.

• December 23, 2007, Simbang Gabi Closing; main celebrant: Very Rev.
Msgr. Tom Wallace,
Episcopal Vicar, Riverside Region; venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria -
Riverside.

Simbang Gabi Closing celebration held at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside, December 23, 2008.
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry

Simbang Gabi Closing celebration held at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside, December 23, 2008.

•May 3, 2008, Eucharistic Celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the

Filipino Ministry – DSB and
candlelight procession of the images of Our Lady of Peace and Good
Voyage (Our Lady of Antipolo),
San Lorenzo Ruiz, Blessed Pedro Calungsod and Venerable Mother
Ignacia del Espiritu Santo;
main celebrant: Fr. Romeo N. Seleccion, MS; venue: St. George –
Ontario.

Candlelight Procession of Our Lady o Peace and Good Voyage

Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• June 14, 2008, Misa Para sa Inang Bayan – A Celebration of Philippine
Independence Day; main
celebrant: Fr. Manuel dela Cruz, MS, Provincial Superior of the La
Salettes; homilist: Fr. Romeo N.
Seleccion, MS; concelebrants: Fr. Jose Goopio, SVD, and Fr. Fred
Costales, MS; venue: St.
Christopher – Moreno Valley. Evangelization Committee

Evangelization Committee
• August 11, 2006, Session I of the Goal Setting Workshop, Pastoral
Planning Process; presenter/
facilitator: Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC, SSL, VF; venue: Sacred Heart -
Rancho
Cucamonga.

Objectives

1. To establish a working plan of action for each committee;

2. To have a common understanding and collaborative ministry;

3. To learn and practice the process of firming up the organization of
committees on the parish/
vicariate/diocesan level;
4. To come up with a working paper that will help us in the ministry;
5. To create a collaborative ministry; and
6. To consult with the participants in responding to the needs of our
communities.
• August 25, 2006, Session 2 of the Goal Setting Workshop; facilitators:
Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque,
MSC, VF and Fr. Dennis Legaspi; Standing Committee Coordinators held
committee meetings to: 1)
analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by
eachcommittee; 2) to
determine/discern concrete concerns, response and tasks; and 3) to
develop a one-year program of
action; venue: St. Thomas the Apostle – Riverside.

• October 13, 2006, Session 3 of the Goal Setting Workshop; Standing

Committee Coordinators
reported on the results of their discussions; venue: St. Catherine of
Fifteen Years of Service In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino
Community Filipino Ministry
• October 13, 2007, first session of Simbang-Gabi Workshop; presenter:
Fr. Cristobal Subosa, FI;
venue: St. Peter & St. Paul – Alta Loma.
• October 27, 2007, second session of Simbang- Gabi Workshop;
presenters: Deacon Donnie Geaga
and Grethel Cabison; venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria - Riverside.

Simbang Gabi Workshop, Session 2 held at St. Catherine Of Alexandria, Riverside on October 28, 2007

• February 14, 2008, Convocation of Filipino Devotions, Prayer Groups

and Movements in
collaboration with the Office of Maria Echeverria, Vice-Chancellor and
Director of Apostolic and
Ethnic Affairs; emcee: June Bitanga; speakers: Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, MS;
Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque,
MSC, SSL, VF; Naida Castro, MSLM; Maria Echeverria; and Fr. Dennis
Legaspi; venue: St. George
– Ontario.

February 14, 2008, Convocation of Filipino Devotions, Prayer Groups and Movements

• March 14 – 15, 2008, Lenten Day of Prayer and Reflection: Spirituality of

Christian Leadership;
emcee: Nini Dyogi, Vice Chairperson, Filipino Ministry - DSB; speakers: