Cebu marks National Bible Week tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - Bible communities in Metro Cebu and province will gather tomorrow to mark National Bible Week.

The activity will kick off at 7:00 in the morning with a motorcade from the Fort San Pedro to the Capitol grounds where the opening program will be held.

The group would later proceed to the Country Mall in Banilad, Cebu City.

Event coordinator Joel Detalo said it is the first time Bible communities are gathering for the event because no one knew until then that the affair was covered by a Presidential Proclamation.

January 24-30 is declared National Bible Week as per Presidential Proclamation No. 1923 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.

It was reemphasized by President Corazon Aquino's PP No. 44 in 1986 and was later followed up by President Fidel Ramos's PP No. 1067 which recognized that "national attention be focused on the importance of reading and studying the Bible, in building the spiritual, moral and social fiber of our citizenry."

Detalo said what would transpire would purely be Bible reading without any interpretation or debate so that all religious affiliations can join.

They are asking all Bible believing churches, schools, organizations, establishments, and individuals in the whole province of Cebu to rally behind the promotion of National Bible Week.

"To promote daily Bible reading in every home in Cebu province for transformation of families for a better society," is the guiding principle, Pastor Robert Boswell, East Asia Director of World Ministries, said.

The slogan for the celebration is "A Bible in every hand is God's Word in every heart."

Aside from the daily Bible reading, other weeklong activities include Bible quiz, hunt, drill, memorization, unified fasting, and Bible reading marathon.

The organizers have provided different offices and business establishments with texts and verses for the unified Bible reading for the whole week duration.