History of the Biblical Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (ALD- BA)
and the John Paul II Biblical Center, Inc. (JPIIBCI)
1983 Fr. Alberto T. Arenos and Marcelo L. Vistro took the 1982 & 1983 Biblical Institute under Fr. Herb Schnider at EAPI & Eleazo Hall, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Archbishop Federico G. Limon appointed Fr. Alberto T. Arenos as Archdiocesan B.A. Director, and Marcelo L. Vistro as Archdiocesan B.A. Coordinator. Staff Members: Francisco G. Remigio, Veronica Diaz, Bernardina Ubando, Rosario Vidal and Eddie Lomibao.
1984 Marcelo L. Vistro was elected to the Board of Directors for a 2 year term (1984-86) of the Northern Luzon Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (NLCBA). Fr. Arenos and all Diocesan Directors are ex-officio members of the Board of Directors.
1985 Dioceses of Alaminos and Urdaneta Created. ALD- BA continues to operate in ALD (Central Pangasinan). Staff remains until the demise of F. Remigio, V. Diaz, B. Ubando and Eddie Lomibao. Tony and Alice Bautista joins staff.
1986 Marcelo L. Vistro was reelected to the Board of Directors, 1986-1988, 1988-1990.
1991 Marcelo L. Vistro went to Nemi, Rome on SVD scholarship, on Dei Verbum Biblical Pastoral Course (Aug-Dec, 1991). New Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz wrote his affirmation and confirmation of Marcelo L. Vistro’s appointment as Archdiocesan B.A. Coordinator while in Rome.
1993 Fr. Alberto T. Arenos asked for relief and Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz appointed Fr. Manuel Bravo as Archdiocesan B.A. Director (concurrently, Youth Director).
1994 ALD hosted the Regional Workshop for the BA. Rosario “Chat” Vidal was elected to the Board of Directors, NLCBA.
1996 Fr. Manuel Bravo was appointed Parish Priest of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Bayambang, Pangasinan. Fr. Raymund De Guzman was appointed Archdiocesan B.A. Director in place of Fr. Bravo.
1999 Fr. Raymund De Guzman resigns and Archbishop Cruz appointed Vicariate Directors to the BA as follows:
Vicariate I – Fr. Jess Del Rosario
Vicariate II – Fr. Alberto T. Arenos
Vicariate III – Fr. Rolly Fernandez
Vicariate IV – Fr. Jimmy Quinto
2002 Fr. Arenos, with Myrna Reyes (Lingayen), Chat Vidal and Mar Vistro attended the Regional Workshop for the BA in Bontoc, Mt. Province. Chat Vidal and Mar Vistro were both elected to the Board of Directors (2002-2004)
2003 Fr. Renato P. Mayugba was appointed Rector of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary (MHCCS) and took over as Archdiocesan B.A. Director. The Staff was strengthened with couples; Freddie & Lolit Baraan, Tony & Alice Bautista, Anton & Nenita Cuison, Henry & Conchita Montoya, Orso & Chat Vidal, Mar & Zita Vistro and Silvana De Vera, Belma Ibasan, Rudy Fernandez & Pabs Miranda.
2004 Fr. Renato P. Mayugba heads the ALD – BA Delegation to the Silver Jubilee of John Paul I Biblical Center (JPIBC), the implementing arm of NLCBA in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Mar Vistro was reelected to the Board of Directors (2004-2006). John Paul II Biblical Center, Inc. was established and registered with S.E.C., with Fr. Renato P. Mayugba as Chairman and the following as incorporators; Tony Bautista, Nenita Cuison, Silvana De Vera and Mar Vistro. Alice Bautista was appointed Treasurer and Silvana De Vera as JPIIBCI Secretary and General Manager of the Word on Wheels (WOW), a mobile store for Bibles, religious books and magazines, etc.
2006 Very Rev. Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD was installed as Auxiliary Bishop of ALD, and Fr. Fidelis Layog was appointed Archdiocesan B.A. Director with same staff. Bishop Renato P. Mayugba was elected Regional Chairman of the Northern Luzon Commission on Biblical Apostolate. During the Regional Workshop on the Biblical Apostolate held in Alaminos Diocese, Silvana De Vera was appointed Coordinator of the Pangasinan Sub-Region (consisting of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan and the Dioceses of Alaminos and Urdaneta).
2008 ALD – BA was commissioned to give updating seminars to Lay Ministers of ALD. Susan C. Aoanan joins the ALD – BA staff. Instead of a seminar, ALD – BA gives a recollection on the “Exodus Experience” to a batch of 80-180 Lay Ministers every Saturday from September to December, 2008. About 1,400 Lay Ministers (Lectors, Commentators & Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion) had undergone the “Exodus Experience” which includes the Divine Mercy Penitential Rite, the Passover Meal, the Red Sea “Crossing”, the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist and culminated with the Procession of the Ark of the Covenant and Bibliodrama Dances.
The BA Staff at present:
Most Rev. Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba
Regional Chairman, NLCBA
Rev. Fr. Fidelis Layog
Archdiocesan B.A. Director, ALD – BA and JPIIBCI
Rev. Fr. Anthony Layog and Rev. Fr. Jonathan Songcuan
Clergy Members
Marcelo L. Vistro
Archdiocesan Coordinator
Tony C. Bautista & Rosario E. Vidal
Co-coordinators
Silvana De Vera
Secretary
Alice V. Bautista
Treasurer
Nenita Cuison
Auditor
Staff Members:
Rudy J. Fernandez
Belma Ibasan
Susan C. Aoanan
Silvana De Vera
Freddie & Lolit Baraan
Tony & Alice Bautista
Anton & Nenita Cuison
Henry & Conchita Montoya
Orso & Chat Vidal
Mar & Zita Vistro
