WHO WE ARE

The Rubenian International through the leadership of Sir Ruben M. Ecleo I with its slogan, “Bagong Buhay, Bagong Pag-asa” elicits the restoration of hope in every member of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc. founded by his grandfather, Divine Master, Ruben E. Ecleo Sr.

Rubenian, initially a Friendship organization started with a few young friends of Sir Bengie in 1997 have grown in five (5) years to almost 10,000 friend-members worldwide in 2002. Rubenian International aims for the development and success of PBMA, Inc. by providing assistance to the Association through Information Technology.

The humble beginning of Rubenian International  started on May 1, 1997 when Sir Bengie instructed his close friend, Bernie Marilla to distribute IDs to his close friends.  At the time the IDs were produced through Bernie’s expense, Calixto “Bhong” Ong, the EDP Head designed the first ID.  On May 8, 1997 the IDs were distributed for free to interested members, Bernie went to Master Ruben B. Ecleo Jr. the PBMA Supreme President, to verify if Rubenian has no conflict with the existing PBMA organization and Master replied that it has no problem.

On May 16, 1998 Sir Bengie gathered all his close friends for a meeting and went to the Ushers Office.  He created the Rubenian Password.  He formed the Nine (9) Star Officers of Rubenian and everyone took an oath as officer.  The members were:

• Ruben M. Ecleo I
• Bernie A. Marilla
• Jhon Gillanga
• Christopher Molina (Deceased)
• Ramonito G. Traya
• Arjie S. Bustamante
• George C. Guilleno
• Miguel O. Bayarcal, Jr.
• Richard N. Verana

The membership has multiplied throughout the years from an initial 80 members in 1997 to around 6,000 in the year 2000.  At that time Bernie maintains the records manually with the help of his Sister M. Cecilia Marilla, Julie Ann Marilla, Alicia Alindao and Manuelito Ravelo, the records were later on encoded in the computer using the only Microsoft Excel but it was tedious to manage the data using the said application.  In December 2000, Bernie asked Bhong to develop a computer program for Rubenian and put Rubenian in the Internet. Rubenian acquired the domain name www.rubenian.com which puts Rubenian on cyberspace and was made accessible globally.

Some of the projects undertaken by Rubenians are: (1) the Rubenian Mango Plantation at Pantinople, Basilisa which started on November 19, 2000 as instructed by Sir Bengie; (2) Computerization of the PBMA members profiles| track records and Chapter profiles;  (3) sponsoring of PBMA website; (4) establishment of a cooperative; (5) provided Internet Access via Satellite on May 10, 2002 which connects Dinagat Islands and PBMA to the World; (6) conducts Internet Awareness Seminar to educate the members and (7) creation of the websites of the PBMA working units.  Rubenian does not stop there but instead even think of more innovations for the betterment of its members and the PBMA organization as a whole and it was proven by the accomplishments that were attained in such a short period of time.

In November, 2001 the By-laws of Rubenians is drafted as instructed by Sir Ruben M. Ecleo I and was later on approved by Master Ruben B. Ecleo, Jr. and Mommy Glenda B. Ecleo in February, 2002 and was recognized by the PBMA Board of Directors on May 15, 2002 at the Comet House, San Jose, Surigao del Norte attended by the majority of the Board of Directors and Mommy Glenda B. Ecleo.

Rubenian International soars by imploring the continuing aid and guidance of the Divine Providence in order to attain the goal to poster the spirit of friendship, camaraderie, cooperation, unity and understanding among its members and the people of the world as a whole; strengthen the moral and spiritual facilities through faith and love of God; practice of righteousness and service to humanity; seek the latest trend and techniques in economics, livelihood and skills development for the benefits of its members, providers technical support in terms of computer and information technology, preserve the ideology, working principles and practices of the mother association the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc.