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An account of BREAD history

In early 1998, a group of students, together with some professionals and doctors of education, envisioned that scholastic learning should coincide with the study of Christian moral values regardless of their religious affiliations. Interestingly, this vision was also cited in the present Constitution of the Philippines, specifically in Article XIV, Section 3(2)

“All educational institutions shall. . . inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights ... teach the rights and duties of citizenship, STRENGTHEN ETHICAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES, DEVELOP MORAL CHARACTER AND PERSONAL DISCIPLINE . . .”

and other laws of the land like Presidential Decree No. 62 (PD.62) and Executive Order NO. 319 which states the need for moral renewal in order to eradicate the social ills that have plagued us for the past several decades, such as graft and corruption, patronage, politics, apathy, passivity, mendicancy, factionalism, and lack of patriotism among our youth. Unfortunately, the primary victims of this cancer in society are no less than the youth of today. It is the same youth, which Jose Rizal referred to as the “hope of our nation”.

There are many governmental and non-governmental organizations currently existing in this archipelago but reality bites; their efforts are not that effective. Fortunately, when a group of students and professionals in the universities and colleges read Rev. 1:3 of St. John, they came to the realization that this is the most effective antidote society has endlessly hoped for. And in view of these constitutional provisions, the group then believed that the constant reading of the Bible and practicing of Christian values written therein offers the best if not the only antidote, to eradicate the social ills our country is currently facing. Thus the Bible Readers Society of the Philippines came into being.

Very soon, their visions spread to different colleges and Universities in the Philippines. They were known to their school in different names like Truth Seekers Club of the City College of Manila, Truth Seekers Society of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the Technological University of the Philippines using the name Bible Readers Society of the Philippines. Only on February 25, 1999 was the name Bible Readers Society of the Philippines officially became the accepted name of the organization.

But just like the Christians depicted in the Bible, the road that BREAD traversed did not became a golden trail. The group went into several hardships, trials and sacrifices like discrimination, delay and worst of all denial of the Society’s recognition in some educational institutions. But due to an unquestionable legal basis and uncontestable biblical foundation, the Society slowly earned recognition in different educational institutions.

In a short period, various students embraced the principles of the Society. The Technological Institute of the Philippines, Philippines Normal University, City College of Manila, University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila, University of the East Caloocan and Ramon Magsaysay, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Central Colleges of the Philippines, Bulacan State University, Rizal Technological University Manila, Taguig and Cavite, Central Luzon State University, Rizal High School, Pasig College, Antipolo National High School, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, Centro Escolar University, Don Filemon Aguilar Memorial College, Far Eastern University, Lyceum, National College for Business Administration, Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela, Our Lady of Lourdes College, City College of Pasig, Philippine Christian University, Philippine Maritime Institute, Philippines Merchant Marine Services, Philippines School of Business Administration, Roosevelt College of San Mateo, Systems Technology Institute of Las Pinas, University of Makati, University of Rizal System, Dela Salle University, Dasmarinas, Laverdad Christian School, PATTS, Bicol State University, Camarines North State University, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, Central Luzon State University, Eastern Samar State College, MABA Computer College, Pangasinan State University, System Plus Computer College Pampanga, University of Mindanao, University of Southern Philippines, Caloocan National High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Mandaluyong High School, Quirino High School, San Mateo National High School, Valenzuela National High School and Tarlac State University have joined efforts to help the organization in its agendas and projects which consist of Bible giving in both CD and book formats, bible exhibits, symposia for moral, mental and spiritual growth, as well as academic and recreational activities. ¢