KATIMPUYOGTAYO TI SAO: National Biblical Workshop Highlights Synodality and Collaboration

Delegates from various dioceses and biblical apostolates across the country gathered in Baguio City for the 26th National Biblical Workshop held from February 2 to 5, 2026 at Hotel Supreme, Baguio City. Organized as a national venue for formation, dialogue, and collaboration, the workshop was guided by the theme “Katimpuyogtayo ti Sao: Collab with Love in the Word in the Spirit of Synodality,” which framed the entire gathering as a concrete exercise of walking together as one Church rooted in the Word of God.

The workshop formally opened with registration, an opening prayer, and the solemn enthronement of the Bible, highlighting Sacred Scripture as the heart of the gathering. Words of welcome and orientation set the pastoral and synodal tone of the event, followed by cultural presentations and an overview of the workshop. One of the highlights of the opening day was the keynote address that reflected on the Word of God as the foundation of synodal life and mission, situating biblical ministry within the broader call of the Church to communion, participation, and mission. Eucharistic celebrations punctuated the daily schedule, grounding the discussions and activities in prayer and worship.

Over the next days, participants engaged in plenary sessions, regional reports, and breakout workshops that examined the realities of biblical apostolate in different parts of the country. Sessions included reporting from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as conversations in the spirit of synodality that allowed participants to listen deeply to one another’s experiences. Workshops addressed themes such as pathways for biblical ministry, the ministry of the Word and social transformation, and concrete pastoral responses inspired by Scripture. These exchanges revealed both the shared challenges faced by biblical workers and the creative initiatives being implemented at the local level.

The spirit of Katimpuyogtayo ti Sao, understood as unity, harmony, and working together, was evident not only in formal discussions but also in moments of prayer, fellowship, and shared meals. Various encounters strengthened bonds among participants and fostered a deeper sense of communion. The drafting of a National Biblical Workshop statement and other collaborative outputs reflected the collective discernment of the body, while the presentation of reports and the election of officers emphasized shared responsibility in sustaining the biblical apostolate nationwide.

Among those who took part in the national gathering were delegates from the Archdiocese of Davao, particularly members of the Archdiocesan Bible Apostolate of Davao. The delegation was headed by their Director, Rev. Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, who joined fellow participants in the sessions, workshops, and communal discernment. Their presence underscored the active participation of the Archdiocese of Davao in national efforts to promote a vibrant and contextualized biblical ministry in line with the Church’s synodal direction.

The workshop concluded with a closing Eucharistic celebration, the presentation of certificates, and the formal sending forth of participants to their respective dioceses and ministries. The 26th National Biblical Workshop affirmed that collaboration in love for the Word of God remains essential in building a synodal Church. Strengthened by prayer, dialogue, and shared reflection, participants returned to their communities renewed in their commitment to make Scripture more present and transformative in the life of the Church and in society.