CBCP BEC Online

03/10/2026

02/10/2026

Diocese of Baguio Welcomes CBCP-BEC Commission for Pastoral Visit

BAGUIO CITY, September 30, 2026 – The Diocese of Baguio welcomed the CBCP Commission on Basic Ecclesial Communities (CBCP-BEC) for a pastoral visit headed by Msgr. Manny Gabriel.

Bishop Rafael T Cruz, Fr X (diocesan BEC Director), and Fr X (LIFORSA Director) were present during the visit. The visitation featured a meaningful dialogue on the history of BEC in the Diocese of Baguio and in the Mountain Province in general.

The diocese expressed its keen desire to form a new diocesan BEC Team that will focus on renewing and promoting BEC work across the diocese. It also looks forward to partnering with CBCP-BEC on formation programs for the soon-to-be-formed BEC core group.

19/09/2026

On September 17, 2026, CBCP-BEC Executive Secretary Rev. Msgr. Manuel "Manny" Gabriel led a one-day pastoral visit to the Diocese of Lucena, held at St. Bonaventure, Bulwagan Pulungan, Sentro Pastoral ng Diocesis, Isabang, Lucena City.

The visitation is part of regional rounds for the 6th BEC National Assembly, scheduled for October 18–22, 2027, in Clark City, Pampanga. Its purpose is to initiate a dialogue between CBCP-BEC and BEC workers, listening to how BEC life is truly faring, especially among clergy and those on the peripheries, and to present initial plans for the 2027 National Assembly.

Msgr. Manny and the team were warmly received by Most Rev. Mel Rey M. Uy, DD, with Fr. Raphael Tolentino, BEC Director of Lucena, along with 50 Pastoral Lay Workers of the Diocese (PLWD) and 42 members of STMSK.

A beautiful takeaway from Lucena: their 3K — Kapitbahayang Kristiyanong Katiwala, a smaller, more intimate form of BEC designed to reach those sa laylayan. A concrete reminder that the Church grows smaller so no one is left behind.

Maraming salamat po, Diocese of Lucena! 🙏

12/09/2026

Our Executive Secretary, **Rev. Msgr. Manuel "Manny" Gabriel, PC, STD**, journeyed to the Island of Lubang last **May 19–21, 2026** at the invitation of the **Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro**, to join their Monthly Clergy Gathering.

Msgr. Manny delivered a talk on *"The Foundations of the EASY Program: A Roadmap for BEC Establishment and Implementation,"* walking the clergy through the four pillars — **Evangelization, Activity, Service, and Youth** — and how these can be concretely rolled out at the parish level.

The Vicariate has made the establishment and revitalization of Basic Ecclesial Communities its primary pastoral priority, and it was a joy to accompany them in that mission. The gathering was hosted by **Most Rev. Pablito M. Tagura, SVD, DD**, Apostolic Vicar of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro together with **Fr. Roy Panes**, AVSJ BEC Director, and brought together **35 clergy from 27 parishes** across Occidental Mindoro.

Maraming salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap, Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose! 🙏 May the small faith communities you are building continue to grow vibrant and mission-oriented.

*"That they may all be one." (Jn 17:21)*

08/09/2026

Taos-puso po ang pakikiramay sa inyong buong pamilya Bp. Joey. Kasama ninyo po ang buong CBCP-BEC at ang lahat ng BEC workers mula sa lahat ng Dioceses ng buong Pilipinas sa panalangin sa panahong ito ng pagdadalamhati. 🤍

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Letter to Bishop Joey Rapadas, DD. Chairman, CBCP-BEC
On the death of his mother, Yolanda R. Rapadas.

September 8, 2026

Dear Bishop Joey, DD.:

Please accept the heartfelt condolences from the entire CBCP-BEC and all BEC workers in the different Dioceses of the Philippines during this difficult time of losing your beloved mother, Yolanda R. Rapadas.

We share in your sorrow and sadness. We want you to know that we stand with you in solidarity as you mourn and say goodbye to a mother whose life has been deeply connected to yours.

Her passing saddens us, but we also hold gratitude for her wonderful life.

We thank your mother for the beautiful, religious way she nurtured her children. God affirms he motherly care. A bishop is born from her womb. In her, we see the love, sacrifice, faith, and care she must have poured into every moment of your family.

As she now returns to our Creator, we trust she will meet the Lord with a grateful heart—thankful for the privilege of walking alongside, listening to, feeding, and embracing her children. Her caring hand may be out of reach, but we feel it through yours.

Her smile is not in our sight anymore, but we see it shining in you. Her laughter might not be around us now, but we hear it echoing in you. She lives forever in the hearts of those you have touched and served. Her memory lives on through you.

May her soul rest peacefully in God's loving embrace. May your family find comfort and peace in the knowledge that your mother is now with the Lord, whom you serve with devotion here on earth.

With our deepest sympathy, prayers, and love, your companion in this journey,

CPCP-BEC

04/09/2026

A day of communion, listening, sharing, and journeying together!

On September 2, 2026, the BEC National Team held a BEC One Day Visitation at the Bishop’s Residence, Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity Compound, Daet, Camarines Norte.

The gathering was graciously hosted by Bp. Herman G. Abcede, RCJ, DD, Bishop of Daet and South Luzon (Bikol) BEC Regional Bishop, and attended by Fr. Federico “Boyet” Asesor, MF, BEC Coordinator, together with his Diocesan BEC Team.

Also joining the visitation were Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel, Executive Secretary, and the BEC National Team.

The visitation provided a meaningful opportunity to listen to the experiences, celebrate the journey, strengthen collaboration, and renew the commitment to building vibrant Basic Ecclesial Communities in the South Luzon (Bikol) Region.

May this shared journey continue to inspire our communities to live out the Gospel in communion, participation, and mission. ❤️🙏

📸 Noel Abarquez

04/09/2026

Moving Forward Together for the 2027 6th BEC National Assembly! 🙏

The 4th meeting in preparation for the 2027 6th BEC National Assembly was held on August 25, 2026, at Sison’s Hall, San Sebastian Cathedral Compound, Tarlac City.

Hosted by Bp. Roberto C. Mallari, DD, Bishop of Tarlac and Central Luzon BEC Regional Bishop, the gathering brought together Abp. Florentino G. Lavarias, DD, Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, along with BEC Directors, Lay Coordinators, and members from the Central Luzon Region.

Also present were Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel, Executive Secretary, and the BEC National Team.

📸 Noel Abarquez

03/08/2026

The celebration continued at **Da Gianni Cucina Italiana**, Westgate Alabang — the Italian restaurant co-owned by Matteo Guidicelli. 🥂
Good food, good company, and a room full of people grateful for **Msgr. Manny** on his 83rd birthday.
*Ad multos annos!* 🎉

31/07/2026

**"Aging is not a curse, it is a blessing!"** 🙏
On his 83rd birthday, Msgr. Manuel "Manny" G. Gabriel presided at a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving and shared with us the art of aging:
✝️ Be patient with yourself
✝️ Expect the unexpected
✝️ Smile with the face of gratitude in your heart
To everyone who came, prayed, and helped make the day possible: thank you. And to Msgr. Manny, thank you for your ministry, your gentleness, and your example.
*Ad multos annos, Msgr. Manny!*

29/07/2026

Maligayang ika-83 kaarawan po, Msgr. Manuel "Manny" G. Gabriel! 🎉

Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Panginoon sa handog na buhay ninyo at sa taon-taong paglilingkod sa Simbahan. Bilang Executive Secretary ng CBCP-BEC, kayo po ay naging instrumento sa pagpapatatag ng ating mga Basic Ecclesial Communities — doon mismo sa puso ng ating mga pamayanan.

Nawa'y patuloy kayong pagpalain ng mabuting kalusugan, kagalakan, at marami pang taon ng masaganang paglilingkod.

*Ad multos annos po!* 🙏