Mid-June 2025 News

I. Two groups of Summer Intensive CPE are in fuull swing expecting to finish in late late July. The groups are being led by SITs Crista and Jezza.

II. Our 200 hour CPO just started with 7 trainees. The program will last for 5 weeks. It is being led by Diplomate Vo and SIT Fhey.

III. Congratulations to Jeno Bautista and Solomon Aggrey: Both graduated today from Philippine Baptist Theology Seminary with Master of Divinity in Pastoral Car. Both are also CPE trainees with Bukal LIfe Care. Solomon has completed 4 units, and Jeno is finishing his 4th unit.

Visit from Dr. Doug Dickens

We were blessed by a visit from Dr. Doug this week. In addition to individual opportunities for consultation and socialization, he joined us for several activities. Three major ones were:

—–Training and case consultation with our SITs and CPE Trainings.

—–Visiting the ministry team at Sacred Heart Medical Center

——Seminar at Calvary Baptist Church, the church Pastor (and SIT) Jun Vestidas

—–One of the lead speakers at the CPSP-Philippines Plenary. We will save picture of this for a separate post. We are thankful for his taking time to fly over to help us in our ministry work.

    May 2025 Updates

    Not a whole lot new. Our Next CPE Full Unit starts May 27 – July 28. This is shorter than normal in terms of duration. This is done because we are trying to work with the schedule of Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary since some of our trainees are students there. However, it will have the same number of training and practical hours, as well as requirements. We expect to have 9 trainees in two groups.

    Yesterday, Carmel Villar of Jethro Guidance Center passed her certification board for Diplomate Supervisor of Pastoral Supervision. Diplomates Celia Munson and Paul Tabon met at the Bukal Life Care Office to host the board online. Diplomate Vic Navarro joined online as a board member. Sponsoring Diplomate Larry Gusto was also able to join online.

    CPO (200 hour) will commence on June 11 and continue to July 18. We expect to have 5-7 trainees in one group.

    Chaplain Celia leading group discussion at The Salvation Army Retreat in Pansol, Laguna

    April and Beyond at Bukal Life Care

    1. We have a number of big things coming up at Bukal. Primary among these is Clinical Pastoral Education:

    -CPE Summer Intensive (May 26 – August 15). Full Unit

    -CPE Summer Intensive (June 11 – July 18). Half Unit (CPO)

    We still have some openings available for our Full Unit batch. Our Half Unit is possibly full. However, if there is enough interest, we can perhaps start another group in the batch.

    Please contact us soon at bukallife@gmail.com if you have questions. (Or address questions in our Contact Us Page.

    2. There are a few projects coming up as well. Here are a few:

    -April 23-25. Training Project with The Salvation Army (Laguna)

    -June 7-8. CPSP-Philippine Plenary Gathering in Santa Maria.

    -August 13-16. OSB 6th Triennial Missions Congress

    3. We have a number of copies of “The Art of Pastoral Care” by Robert and Celia Munson at our office in Baguio City. They are P350 each. Email us if you want a copy. (Additional cost if it needs to be shipped.) Note that for those in other countries or those who want an electronic copy can do so by ordering it online (Amazon and other vendors.

    April Updates

    Our first batches are still busy right now, but things are coming up soon for everyone else.

    April 6-9— CPSP Plenary, Charlotte, NC

    Late April—- Joint training seminar with Salvation Army

    Late May—- Expected beginning of Summer Intensive CPE

    June 7-8— CPSP-Philippines Plenary. Santa Rosa, Bulacan. For more info, Click Here.

    Additionally, we want to congratulate Fhey Kindipan-Coyoy on passing her board a few days ago. For more info, Click Here.

    Spirituality and Wellness Seminar

    Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary held a seminar on Monday, March 24. The topic was “Spirituality and Wellbeing in Asian Contexts.” Dr. Violeta Bautista, Director of Psychosocial Services at UP-Dilliman, did gave the primary presentation with Dr. Sally Maximo, professor of psychology at Saint Louis University provided the response. Dr. Boy Bautista joined in two in the panel discussion. Approximately 80 attended.

    Drs. Bolet, Bing, and Boy (Bautista, Maximo, and Bautista)

    May be an image of 4 people and text

    Panel Discussion proctored by Dr. Francis Samdao

    The Bautistas with Bukal Life Staff

    March Commissioning for CPE

    The Commissioning Service for our CPE trainees will be on March 15th at 10am at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (in Chapel A). The commissioning is welcome to all, but the lunch after is only for trainees, staff, and specially invited guests.

    Also check in earlier posts about the CPSP-Philippines Plenary in June, and the Theological Symposium on Spirituality and Wellness at PBTS at the end of March.