The story of the Bukang Liwayway Dawn for the Poor
Foundation, Inc. began in 1996, when Patrick Hobbs—a Canadian OMF
Missionary driven by faith and a deep love for sharing God’s Word with the
marginalized—arrived in the Philippines and chose to live in the slum community
of Welfareville, Mandaluyong. His simple presence opened doors to genuine
relationships built on trust and shared experiences. As he immersed himself in
the community, Patrick shared his testimony of Christ, living out his mission
as a disciple and inspiring others through love and service.

With the support of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF),
the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and other Filipino
Chinese believers, Patrick’s grassroots efforts grew into a structured
community development initiative. In 1997, he launched the Jordan Project
in Welfareville—a comprehensive program offering scholarships, livelihood
opportunities, and ministry outreach. This marked the beginning of Bukang
Liwayway’s (BL) commitment to holistic transformation.

From 1996 to 2000, the program expanded through partnerships
with local churches, making disciples among the poor in Mandaluyong City and Kamandag
(Cogeo) Antipolo City. This period laid the foundation for a movement rooted in
both community development and spiritual growth.

In 2001, Bukang Liwayway transitioned into the Holistic
Church Multiplication Movement (HCMM), focusing on planting churches and
raising spiritual leaders. By 2002, the ministry extended into new
areas—Calapan, Malabon, and Balic Balic, Manila—introducing community-based
initiatives such as preschool education, Health Clinic, livelihood projects
(like card-making and cross-stitch), and youth development programs, including
Youth Camp.

The early 2000s marked key milestones, including the
establishment of the Jordan Child Development Center in Welfareville, along
with a Computer Center and a Drop-in Center, demonstrating Bukang Liwayway’s
commitment to empowering the youth. Former BL scholars like Fred and Mimi
Dungganon stepped into vital leadership roles under the leadership of Rev.
Marlon Roldan, together with Filipino missionaries such as Pastor Danny and
Josie Francisco and Larry Macabante. They were also supported by OMF
missionaries including Theo and Regina Jansen, Ching Ngaihte, Pia Mobus,
Elizabeth Antritter, Doug and Dot Smith, and Sabine Kaiser. Their collective
efforts fanned the flame of the movement, leading it toward even greater
impact.

The year 2007 marked another milestone as leadership
transitioned from a missionary-led ministry to grassroots Filipino leaders who
took on the staff of leadership in BL. From Danny Francisco and the missionary
team, the responsibility was passed on to Ptr. Fred Dungganon (Ministry
Coordinator), Ptr. Dan Edrad (Church Multiplication Movement Coordinator), and
Nilda Del Panos (Community Development Coordinator). Together, they formed the
new leadership team known as the Strategy Council.

On September 2, 2008, Bukang Liwayway Ministry was
officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as BL
– Dawn for the Poor Foundation, Inc.

From 2005 onward, Bukang Liwayway flourished in communities
such as Pandacan (Manila), Trece Martires (Cavite), and Marilao (Bulacan). Its
holistic ministry expanded to include medical missions, school sponsorships,
and house church planting. By 2016, more than 111 house churches had been
established. That same year, BL celebrated its 20th anniversary—a testimony to
resilience and unwavering faith.

In 2017, Bukang Liwayway became a member of the Philippine
Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). That same year, the house churches it
had nurtured for 21 years were officially registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Dawn Harvest Church Philippines. In 2019, Dawn
Harvest Church Philippines became a member of the Alliance of Bible Christian
Communities of the Philippines (ABCCOP).

Also in 2019, a handful of BL alumni, through the initiative
of Ptr. Fred, responded to the Lord’s call to begin a ministry reaching young
professionals. Their vision was to bridge the gap between the rich (financially
able individuals) and the poor (poverty-stricken communities), fostering brotherly
fellowship and mutual strengthening. This became Blessed Manila Church,
which is now growing in membership, making disciples, and reaching into
workplaces.

In 2021, BL celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching Project
25—a 25-year initiative to establish a holistic church movement in 25 new
locations by the year 2046. At that time, BL was serving six urban poor
communities with three outreaches, with a vision to expand into at least 56
poor communities over the next 25 years. Early fruits of this movement include
the ministries in Tanay (Rizal), Bulalacao (Mindoro), Iwahig (Marikina), and
Rosario (Cavite).

In 2023, BL opened an outreach in Bulalacao, Mindoro—a
milestone where the urban poor embraced the mission among the tribal poor.

In 2024, the organization received official licensing and
registration from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
further affirming its mission of community service. Recently, programs such as Tupang
Ligaw were transformed into Kabisig, strengthening unity and men’s
ministry

Today, Bukang Liwayway continues to stand as a beacon of
hope—serving, discipling, and uplifting communities through faith, love, and
dedicated service. It now ministers in 11 communities: Mandaluyong,
Manila, Kamandag-Antipolo, Padilla-Antipolo, Calapan, Bulalacao, Trece Martires
(Cavite), Rosario (Cavite), Marilao, Marikina, and Tanay.