The most Rev. Florentino F. Cinense is the much-loved Bishop of Tarlac. To us Rotarians, he is fondly called “Governor Bishop”.

He was born to Mariano Cinense and Ma. Consuelo Ferrer on March 14, 1938 in Guimba, Nueva Ecija. He finished his elementary education at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Academy, Guimba, NE (Salutatorian 1952); high school at Mary Help of Christians Seminary, Binmaley, Pangasinan (Valedictorian 1957); Licentiate in Philosophy, UST (Cum Laude 1960); Licentiate in Theology, UST (Cum Laude 1964); and Doctor of Philosophy, Angelicum University, Rome, Italy (Magna Cum Laude 1973).

He was ordained as a priest in 1963 and became the first Bishop of San Jose, NE in 1985. By 1988, he became the second Bishop of Tarlac. As a Church Leader, Bishop Cinense founded the following schools; St Rose of Lima Catholic School (Sta Rosa, NE 1981), Our Lady of Peace College Seminary (Tarlac 1989), Our Lady of Peace Formation House (QC 1992), San Sebastian Cathedral School (Tarclac City 1992). Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School (Tarlac City 1998), Gerona Catholic School (2000), and Victoria Catholic School (1988). He was also co-founder of the Missionary Catechists of the Holy Spirit (Gerona 1991) and the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community (Ramos Tarlac 1998).

He was inducted into the Rotary Club of Tarlac on November 29, 1988. He has served the club as Director for Community Service (1989), Club Chairman-Disaster Relief Operations (1990), Director-Vocational Service (1993), Vice- Chair – Sisterhood Operations Pact with RC Chang Hwa Taiwan (1993) prior to being elected as President-Elect of RCT as well as the Director of Club Service and member of the Editorial Staff. He served as President during the Club’s 50’th year, thus earning him the title “Golden President”. He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and has served as GSE Leader to Finland in 1999.

He is also presently serving the people of Tarlac as a member of the following organization/councils: Board of Director of the Red Cross-Tarlac, Provincial Peace and Order Council, and the PNP Enlistment Screening Committee.

His election as District Governor for RY 2006-07 earned him a place in Rotary history, being the first Catholic Bishop to become a District Governor worldwide. This is feat worthy to cap his ascend to this distinguished position from serving his club as President on its 50th year, to becoming the 6th Dist. Gov. from the Rotary Club of Tarlac on its 60th year of service.

Gov Bishop is a true gentleman, a humble servant of God, and a dynamic servant leader in Rotary. Truly, he is a blessing to Rotary.