UGNAYAN March 30 to April 12, 2015

CBCP Monitor

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March 30 - April 12, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 7

The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

Love Conquers All:

The CFC International Men’s Conference

By Bobbee C. Mella

Love conquered about 400 true men of God during the recent CFC Catholic Men’s Conference.

Touted as the best Servants of the Lord (SOLD) conference ever, the conference was held on the weekend of March 27 to 29 in Iloilo, appropriately referred to as the “City of Love” and also the “Queen City of the South”. Iloilo is noted for its fresh oysters, “biscocho,” “pinasugbo,” and of course, the world-renowned La Paz “batchoy”, a fact that was not wasted on the participants. The sweltering heat did not matter at all for the participants, nor did the nautical miles they had to travel to get to Iloilo. They came, they saw, they heard, they felt and they were conquered by the amazing love of God. Friday night was a good omen of the things to come -- from the homily of the afternoon Mass to the spirited opening worship and the fantastic welcome “Dinagyang” dance of the host province.

All these were capped by the impromptu group a cappella singing competition that drew surprisingly excellent performances from various areas.

After the Saturday morning Mass, punctuated by a much-applauded homily relating to the true meaning of Christ’s passion, the participants were welcomed to Iloilo by Western Visayas Regional Head Tony Gimenez.

Then it was on to the first session titled “He Loved Us First” which was delivered

by Manny Garcia, Regional Head of Eastern Visayas. His session brought renewed realization that men can only love others more only if they acknowledge that they first have to experience the love of God in its real sense.

After the sumptuous lunch break, Robert Ardiente, Provincial Area Head of Quezon, delivered the second talk entitled “Be Who You Are”. The message of his talk revolved around the various levels of men’s

true personalities which they allow themselves, others and God to see. His message resonated in the conference hall and gave all the participants the opportunity to ponder and evaluate how and where they are now in their personal relationship with the Lord.

The last session for the afternoon, “Tough Love,” was given by Charly Laiz, Regional Coordinator for Borneo. Charly coined the acronym B.O.S.S.—“Brothers Offering Something Special” to explain that everyone truly has something to offer to others but we all have to learn to share it. He expounded further on the desirable ability to share true love even in the direst of situations.

Saturday evening’s fellowship was another revelation as different areas showed their impeccable talents, competing in true brotherly fashion in a raucous stomp praise challenge.

Intermingled in the program was a joyful community dance revolution led by bold leaders of the ministry.

Notwithstanding the escalating temperature on Sunday morning at the seaside venue, the final session titled “Love Conquers All” echoed in the hall, with Ben Babilonia, member of the SOLD Core Group, punctuating the whole message of the weekend – that of being in and using Christ’s love to reach out to all so that Christ will ultimately rule the hearts and homes of everyone who experience Him through men.

Afterwards, Joemar Salumbides, International Coordinator of SOLD, led the congregation in a jubilant send-off praise fest. Prior to the praise fest, all the men, including some women in attendance, were empowered with the imposition of the Shepherd’s Cross, symbolic of their mission to go and to conquer everyone with God’s love.

Fittingly, the 14th CFC SOLD Men’s Conference was capped by the celebration of the Palm Sunday Mass with the homily centered on the message of the unconditional love of God as manifested in the sacrificial love of Christ, the kind of unconditional love that Christ now asks us to share with everyone we meet.

CFC Leaders Given New Assignments

Alan Baino

Boyet Rafael

Mike Bukuhan

Fortune Ilaya

Gerry Manapsal

Art Molato

Norman Robles

Rey Reyes

Eight CFC leaders were recently given new assignments in line with the community’s thrust to further the mission.

Effective March 1st, Alan Baino, a member of the Area Governance Team of Davao, assumed his new role as Country Coordinator to New Zealand.

Gerry Manapsal, together with his wife Esther, will be serving as the Provincial Area Head of CFC Apayao, replacing Boyet Rafael. Boyet was moved to his new assignment as Provincial Area Head of Davao City. Rod Ariar was likewise named Provincial Mission Coordinator for Dinagat Island.

For the Metro Manila Missions, five new Sector Heads were appointed, namely Rey Reyes for North A, Fortune Ilaya for North B, Mike Bukuhan for West A, Norman Robles for West C, and Art Molato for Central B. All new assignments for the Philippine Missions and the Metro Manila Missions took effect last April 1, 2015.

In the global front, former International Council member and Church Integration Office Head Rouquel Ponte, with wife Nina, were welcomed by CFC Italy as the new Country Coordinator.

(CFC Global Comm)

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March 30 - April 12, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 7

Joe Tale

The Hope of Easter One of the greetings I received over this Easter weekend described Easter as the second Christmas.

The text sender explained it thus: In the first Christmas, Jesus came from Mary’s womb – an enclosed space full of love.

In the second Christmas, Jesus came from the tomb, another enclosed space – after going through untold suffering, betrayal and death.. All of us can claim that we share in Jesus’ first Christmas because we too came from our mothers’ wombs. But only Jesus went through the second birth – His Resurrection and journey to eternal life.

His promise is that those who believe in Him shall share in His eternal life.

And that is what Easter is all about – assurance that salvation can indeed be ours because He has already bought it with His blood. The events of the last week of Jesus’ life here on earth were all leading up to a crescendo towards glorious triumph. The betrayal by Judas, the denial of Simon Peter, the abandonment by the apostles and disciples, the ridicule and insults, the scourging and painful physical abuse, the humiliating walk, carrying the heavy cross, to Calvary, and His crucifixion and death on

the cross were necessary so that He could fulfill His promise to give us all eternal life. Easter, or His resurrection, is the culminating expression of God’s great and infinite love for us.

Easter represents hope. And hope is what we all need. Today, when suffering abounds, when injustice and cruelty are often daily occurrences in the lives of many, particularly of the poor and the helpless, hope is the only light in a progressively dark world. In a world where materialism, blind ambition and greed reign and where to be top honcho in any situation means stepping on everybody else, hope is the only palliative.

When misery and despair more often lead to death, both of the body and of the soul, the rising of Jesus brings hope, hope that despite all the darkness, love, light and peace can still be found.

It is propitious that CFC celebrates the year 2015, the Year of the Poor, with the promise to Love More because the act of loving more brings hope. To love more means to give much more of ourselves than we have ever done before. The very sheer magnitude of that giving represents so much hope, not just for the giver of love but most especially for the recipient of that love.

In this Year of the Poor, our commitment to love more translates to serving those among us who are lost, who consider themselves the

least of all, who are abandoned, who are helpless and desperate. It is a commitment that promises to bring us out of our comfort zones into roads less travelled. And that itself is hopeful, because true transformation can come only if we embrace what is difficult.

In all churches nationwide, there was joyous celebration of Easter, with many not only ringing church bells but also shattering the dawn silence with noisy and colorful pyrotechnics. This is our own expression of joy and gratitude for the promise fulfilled, for the gates of Heaven being within our reach.

As we begin Easter week, just like the season of Christmas, let us reflect on the things we are truly grateful for and give thanks to God for all the dreams that have come to fruition because of His grace.

Let us reflect on the things we still dream and hope for and give thanks that, as Pope Francis has said, we still retain the capacity to dream. Let us reflect on our struggles and frustrations, and still give thanks to God for these put us through the refining fire and make us glowing witnesses of the presence of His grace in our lives.

Happy Easter to you all.

CBCP Monitor

CoFC Manila Elects 5 New BOD Members

Last March 28, 2015, Co-ops for Christ Manila held its General Assembly and Elections at the MAB Hall of the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. The GA and Elections coincided with the 15th anniversary of Co-ops for Christ Manila.

CoFC Chairman Jose Tayag presided over the assembly. After the preliminaries, Tayag called the meeting to order and discussed pertinent matters such as the audited financial report, approval to amend certain provisions of the by-laws and the proposed budget for calendar year 2015. Electronic voting for the members of the Board of Directors (BOD) followed after.

After the official tally of votes, the following were elected as members of the Board of Directors: Cynthia Dizon (HOLD), Michael Ariola (CFC), Romeo Erenio (CFC), Victor Hizon (CFC) and Jaycee Dela Cruz (CFC). (A. Alvarez)

LOVE MORE Goes Around the World Love, like a ripple, has spread around the globe!

The different regions of the Philippines, as well as countries abroad, echoed the Love More weekend retreat in their respective areas. The weekend activity, based on the year's "Love More" theme, has spread the message of love to all CFC areas. The message continues to resonate -- that we need to commit to love more but this commitment involves not just increasing our expressions of love to those we already love but the readiness to sacrifice more and to serve more.

These photos, taken from the various provinces and sectors, are proof that CFC is indeed ready to love more.

CBCP Monitor

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March 30 - April 12, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 7

CFC ANCOP Has A New Partner for CSP On March 11, 2015, CFC ANCOPTekton Foundation, Inc. (CATFI) and Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, Inc. (FACFI), signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Child Sponsorship Program in the Cebu and Cavite campuses of the Sisters of Mary Boystown and Girlstown. Jimmy Ilagan, President of ANCOP, and Dieter Reichert, President of FACFI, signed the agreement for their respective organizations.

Under the MOA, ANCOP shall provide yearly scholarship grants to children who will be nominated

by FACFI and who meet the standards established

by ANCOP. Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, Inc. works as the funding arm of the Sisters of Mary Boystown and Girlstown in the Philippines and has been implementing a Child Welfare Program for several years. Under their Child Welfare Program, the foundation looks for qualified benefactors who will support the education of the poor children who are now under the care of the Boystown and Girlstown facilities. The sponsorship is

Zambo Sibugay AGT Leads Feeding Program

given to the children with no cash payback required.

The Sisters of Mary started operating in the Philippines in 1985 through its founder, the Servant of God, Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz. The nuns established the Boystown and Girlstown institutions that serve as both school and home for deserving students from poor families. The children are provided free food, clothing, shelter, medical and dental services and high school education.

Under the MOA, vocational courses will be provided for the qualified scholars, to equip them for the time when they would have to go on their own.

The courses, certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), include dressmaking, contact center services, technical drafting, computer hardware servicing and culinary arts.

The MOA signing was witnessed by Romy Florida, CFC Area Governance Team Member and Pastoral Formation Office Head of CFC Cavite; Albert Resurreccion, CFC Cavite Sector 3 Head; Rovy Mercado, CFC Provincial Area Director; Ethel Balenton, ANCOP Education Program Head; Manette Acero, CFC Finance Manager; Elmer Cadiz, ANCOP Operations Manager; and Vida Cuares, ANCOP Canada Coordinator to the Philippines. FACFI was represented

by Sr. Teresita A. Sumalabe, SM, Officer in Charge and Board Member of FACFI. (Romy M. Medina)

The governance team of CFC Zamboanga Sibugay spearheaded two feeding activities for 45 children in Barangay BLISS in Buug and 47 children in Barangay Taway, Ipil. The activities were done last February 28 and March 1st, respectively. This was in line with BCOP’s “Love More” initiative beginning this year. The BCOP project involves monthly activities targeted to benefit the poor, and is a response to the year 2015 being tagged as the Year of the Poor.Top CFC leaders of the province and volunteers from the Family Ministries and ANCOP made the two-day feeding event truly enjoyable, not to mention nutritionally satisfying, for the children and their mothers.

AGW 2015: Transforming Lives Via a Single Step CFC ANCOP launched t he AN CO P G l ob a l Walk 2015 last March 1, 2015, during the Metro Manila Mission Core Assembly at the Mega Tent, Libis, Quezon City.

ANCOP Global Walk (AGW) is a global activity of ANCOP, CFC’s work with the poor. In this activity, people from all walks of life gather in the early dawn of one designated day to walk a few kilometers for a worthy cause – to generate enough funds for ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship Program whose aim is to send poor children to school.

This year’s AGW is slated for August 16, 2015. Provinces all

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The News Supplement of Couples for Christ

George B. Campos IC Oversight

Zenaida A. Gimenez Editor-in-Chief

Deomar P. Oliveria Layout Artist

Alma M. Alvarez Associate Editor

Evangeline C. Mecedilla Circulation Staff

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Editorial trunk line: (+63 2) 709-4868 local 23 Direct line : (+63 2) 709-4856 www.couplesforchristglobal.org cfcglobalcommunications@gmail.com

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@CFChrist

over the Philippines, as well as a number of countries all over the world are expected to bring together thousands of walkers for this simultaneous event.

AGW has been conducted in the USA and in Canada for many years now; thus, AGW 2015 is the 10th in the USA and the 12th in Canada. In the Philippines, AGW 2015 would be the 6th time this will be conducted. The event has been gaining adherents through the years, from a few thousands in the early years to more than 80,000 walkers in the 2014 AGW. The AGW has been hugely successful, gauged not simply from the growing attendance but from the funds that have been generated.

Funds raised through the annual

AGW have been supporting more than 1,000 ANCOP scholars.

Scholarships start from the early education stage all the way up to college. In recent years, several scholars completed college and are now gainfully employed. As they have all enthusiastically shared in many gatherings, their lives are changed forever because of the education they have received, a feat that would not have been possible without ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship Program.

Updates on AGW 2015 will be posted on Facebook (facebook.com/ancopglobalwalk) and other social media networks of ANCOP. Registration for the event is now open and can be done through these social media networks. (A. Alvarez)

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March 30 - April 12, 2015 Vol. 19 No. 7

CBCP Monitor

2015 CFC SOLD Men’s Conference In New York A Huge Success

By Manny Caballero

CFC’s Servants of the Lord (SOLD) held its annual Men's Conference from March 20-22, 2015 at the Hilton Hotel JFK in Jamaica, New York. Over 100 member delegates from around the USA attended the conference, including all the national leaders of CFC USA, led by its president, Eric Villanueva and wife Pat of California, as well as the national core group of SOLD USA led by Mel Gayao.

The Conference theme was lifted from Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

The Conference was formally opened on Friday, March 20, with a talk about the theme, video presentations and fellowship.

In a welcome development, since the SOLD conference providentially coincided with the Archdiocese of New York’s 1st Men’s Conference, the participants of the CFC Men’s Conference trooped to Fordham University the following day, Saturday, to attend the archdiocesan Conference in a show of solidarity with the Church.

The archdiocesan conference had as its theme "Men, Be Who You Are!" with His Excellency Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan as keynote speaker.

The good Cardinal defined to his all-men

audience the meaning of the conference theme. He said that every man is created in the image of God, and that he should live his life loving Him with all his heart, soul, strength and mind.

Cardinal Dolan also explained it is not what a man has or does that defines his being. Rather, his identity stems from who he is. “And who is he? He is a child of God”, the Cardinal stressed.

Two other speakers, former New York Jets football player Joe Klecko and Damon Owens, Director of Theology of the Body Institute, also spoke at the NY Men’s Conference.

The 550 Conference participants (including the 100 CFC and SOLD members from around the U.S.) joined a solemn Eucharistic procession to Fordham Catholic Church where a concelebrated Mass was held. Principal celebrant was Most Rev. Peter J. Byrne, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, together with seven other priests.

Two Filipino men who are members of the New York Archdiocese Men's Commission, Roger Santos and Jojo Reandelar, both of CFC USA, made it possible for the participants of the CFC Men’s Conference to join the Archdiocesan activity.

In the evening, the CFC men returned to the Hilton to continue the SOLD Conference activities. It was a particularly enjoyable bonding time as the men eagerly participated in the team building activities and competitions.

On Sunday, March 22nd, the participants listened to the remaining two sessions on Building Strong Families. A Sunday Mass ended the three-day CFC Men’s Conference.

ANCOP receives $3K donation from the Philippine ConGen in Toronto

CFC Parejas Para Cristo Enters Quito, Ecuador

By Esther Prexl Hugs, tears, smiles, joyful singing, beaming faces—these were very much in evidence during the two Christian Life Programs recently conducted in Quito, Ecuador. What a blessing it was to be able to share the Good News with such humble, simple people who have vast, inspiring reservoirs of faith!

The CLPs were conducted at the Centros Del Muchacho Trabajador [CMT] (Working Boys Centers—a Family of Families). The Centers were founded

by Father John Halligan, S.J., over 50 years ago, to strengthen and reinforce the faith of Catholic families from the lowest socio-economic strata of Ecuador. The Centers can claim that, through their efforts, around 30,000 people have left poverty forever, developing and strengthening moral values by means of changes in attitudes and behavior, helped by programs of formation and social assistance.

This process of change stresses ten important areas of life: loyalty, personal formation, family, religion, education, economy, work, recreation, health and housing. The goal is for the families of the working boys to be united in their Christian commitment, be financially independent, have access to education, health and quality basic services, become agents of change, oriented to the construction of a just society that promotes equal participation and respect for fundamental rights. It was the perfect venue for Parejas para Cristo as all these are found in the CFC expanded Mission Statement!

Philippine Consul General in Canada Junever Malihum-West turned over a donation of $3,000 to ANCOP Canada President Ricardo Cuenca last March 21, 2015 at the St. Ohrid Clement Macedonia Banquet hall in downtown Toronto. The turnover was done during the farewell party tendered in honor of the Consul General who will move on to a new diplomatic post as Philippine ambassador to Jordan in the Middle East.

Organized by the Philippine Canadian Charity Foundation, the event was attended by officials and members of various Philippine Canadian charity organizations and individuals involved in development work in Toronto.

Consul General West and her husband John were joined by Senator Tobias “Jun” Enverga and wife Rose, and other personalities working with the Canadian parliament.

Cuenca and wife Irma; Dan Gutierrez, Coordinator for Toronto; Mot Saliba, Coordinator for the Child Sponsorship Program; and ANCOP volunteers, plus members of the media were also present during the event.

Cuenca addressed the audience, rallying the guests to donate and help reach out to the countless poor especially in the Philippines,

through ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship and Shelter programs.

“Filipinos in Canada are so blessed, and I encourage everyone to help us send poor children to school and build homes for poor families,” Cuenca said.

He showed two video presentations about the ANCOP programs in the Philippines, underscoring the success stories of the Child Sponsorship Program. Ricky shared that two ANCOP scholars who graduated March 2014 were among those who topped the Philippine Board Examinations for Certified Public Accountants.

The ANCOP Canada president reported that ANCOP’s Haiyan campaign in Canada had generated $500,000 and this fund is being used to construct houses in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines for the typhoon victims. This is in partnership with SM Cares Foundation, the charity arm of SM, Inc. the largest retail conglomerate in the Philippines. The houses will be turned over to the home partners in June 2015.

“God is testing the purity of our hearts and our sincerity in loving the less privileged,” Cuenca exhorted, adding that the Filipino Canadians present should step forward, be the hands of Christ, and be the agents of change for the sorry plight of the poor.

“Let us give the poor hope, regardless of religious affiliations,” he added.

Senator Enverga, in his speech, informed the Filipino Canadian community that the Canadian government is also doing its best to help the poor people in the Philippines by encouraging Canadian

businesses to invest in the Philippines to generate employment.

“If this happens, many Filipinos would not aspire to come to Canada to seek jobs anymore; they would choose to remain in the country if they had jobs to support their families,” the senator expressed.

In her response, Consul General West thanked the Philippine Canadian Charity Foundation for organizing the event. She shared that she has always been a supporter of ANCOP, and that she is a proud sponsor of a young girl in the Philippines under the CSP program.

The Consul General expressed her appreciation for the vibrancy and dynamism of the Filipinos in Toronto, their hard work, perseverance and ability to rise up in crisis, and their community spirit.

“I thank you for your friendship and for forging partnerships to support the poor people in the Philippines,” she added. She likewise encouraged the guests to visit the Philippines and see for themselves how these initiatives, undertaken by non-government organizations such as ANCOP, are helping alleviate poverty in the country.

General West assured those present that the best is yet to come for the Filipino Canadians in Toronto.

“I was inspired by your support in my three years here,” she said.

“I am happy to report to you that we have expanded the services of the Philippine Consulate Office in Toronto.”

She ended her speech by thanking everyone present for their support and inviting them to visit the Philippine embassy when they go to Jordan.

Fr. John (Padre Juan) and all his dedicated religious and lay staff invited the mission team to share Couples for Christ with them and the people they serve. Although many spiritual retreats and conferences have been held at the Centers over the years, what most thrilled the CMT administration was the reality that CFC wasn’t a “one-shot-deal”—that CFC Parejas Para Cristo is an ongoing movement fully engaged in its mission. Thus, after the Christian Life Programs, households would be formed from among the participants, with CFC elders assigned to watch over and guide the households toward spiritual growth. CFC would still be around to conduct follow ups, pastoral visits, formation programs and retreats as a means of attaining and enhancing this spiritual growth.

The talks, the small group discussions, the sharing of personal stories, witnessing and the testimonies during each Programa de Vida Cristiana (PVC) truly touched the participants, and even moved the CFC mission volunteers to tears.

After the PVC, six Couples households, five Handmaids of the Lord households and one Singles for Christ household were established—127 adults in total.

On a very positive note, and as an offshoot of the programs conducted, over 30 young people are waiting for the Youth Ministry to come and share the youth program with them in the near future, hopefully after the youngsters make their Confirmation in June.