Gawad Kalinga

In 2006, we started our journey in serving the less fortunate sector of our country through Gawad Kalinga (GK).  At that time,  GK, as it was popularly called, was one of the pillars of Couples for Christ.  GK and Couples for Christ have parted ways since last year but that's getting ahead of the story.

To our colleagues in Couples for Christ, Jun and I were the most unlikely to serve in Gawad Kalinga.  They said that we do not fit the stereotype characterization of a GK worker.  In this age of glutathione and other skin whitening agents, I thought we are lucky to have fair complexion.  Sadly not in GK. Di daw kami bagay dahil maputi kami and that we are not used to be in a squatter environment.  But the Lord works in mysterious ways.  Bro. Joe Francia, our Chapter Head and the first Project Director of GK Central appointed Jun to be the Project Manager for Tatag (Shelter).  

We literally had a baptism of fire on the first of the profiling of the site.  While our vehicle was parked along Central Avenue, somebody threw a stone big enough to crash its windshield.  That was our initial padugo.

As Project Manager for Tatag,  Jun supervised and implemented the building of houses for the beneficiaries.  GK houses were painted with bright and loud colors so by looking at them, the problems are forgotten for awhile.  That the future ahead can be bright and rosy.

From being the Tatag PM, Jun became the Project Director (PD), replacing Bro. Joe.  The PD makes sure that all the programs are being implemented in the site.

If Jun was called the PD, I, his wife was the Mabuhay Lady.  A Mabuhay Lady saw to the cleanliness, orderliness and beautification of the site.  She made the site a pleasant place for visitors to go to.  The activity that was truly memorable to me was the first Ms. Mabuhay Contest.  Our site's contestant was Wilma Rafer, a Handmaid of the Lord.  Wilma and I had fond memories scouting for an evening gown, a Filipiniana costume, fashion jewelries to complement her get-up.  We found all that she needed in Quiapo.  I enjoyed every minute preparing Wilma for the contest and at the same time doing our assigned chores come pageant night at Del Rey Court.

I also enjoyed doing a cooking demo of simple and inexpensive dishes that the ladies could serve their families.  Who could forget the sardines' making demo by Timmie Bernaldez?  After using the LPG of one of ladies for more than three hours, I had to pay for the refill otherwise she won't be able to cook dinner for her family.

It never entered my mind that I will enjoy serving the people of GK Central.  Simple people whose faces brighten at the sight of the members of the CFC Caretaker Team.  Yes it is true what I heard in the teachings that God empowers you.  You may feel unworthy of the service but His will be done.

Run for Fun, Run for Faith, Run for Love

 WHAT:  West C Legacy Run

WHEN:  November 28, 2010 5 am

WHERE:  Quezon City Memorial Circle

WHO:  Everyone

HOW:  Register via email at westc_legacyrun@yahoo.com.

Payment of registration fee of P50 at the venue from 5-6 am on Nov. 28.

Walk-ins are allowed.  Register and pay on Nov.28 from 5-6 am.

Event t-shirt will be sold at the venue at P180/piece.

Come Nov. 28, the CFC West C Sector  will be conducting a fun run dubbed as Legacy Run which is touted to be the biggest event of the sector.

It aims to assemble Couples for Christ members, their loved ones, members of the different Couples for Christ ministries and non-CFC members at the Quezon City Memorial Circle at 5 in the morning to dramatize to the world that the best legacy one can leave in this world is a family rich in faith.  Just like Abraham, the Lord has chosen us to follow him, "do what is right and just and that I will do everything to give you what I have promised" (Genesis 18:19).

Spend precious moments with your loved ones and  dear friends.  For only P50, you can register yourself and your family by sending an email to westc_legacyrun@yahoo.com or by visiting us in  our Facebook fan page West C Legacy Run  or you can drop by on the day of the fun run. Payment for the registration fee will be received at the venue on  the day itself.   Limited event t-shirts will also be sold at the venue for P180 per piece.  

Prizes await the winners. Let us all run for fun,  faith and love.  See you all.

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Have Fun With Us, Attend the CLP

In Couples for Christ we believe on the saying "The more, the merrier."  We look forward to holding a Christian Life Program or CLP as this will give us new members.  New members mean new friends.  In our twelve years with Couples for Christ, Jun & I started with a handful of friends then as the years passed, we knew almost everybody in the cluster where we belong.  It is totally inevitable because of the never-ending reorganizations caused by changes in service or grouping.

To be one of us is very easy.  All one has to do is to attend a Christian Life Program.  What is the CLP?  The CLP is the entry point of all members to Couples for Christ. It runs for 13 separate weekly sessions that lead the participants into a "renewed understanding of God's call as Christian couples".  It consists of a teaching, a group discussion and fellowship with each session lasting two and half hours.  It aims to eventually bring couples closer to God. The best part of the CLP is that it is free. 

After finishing the CLP, the couples are put into a household, a cell group of four to five couples under a head couple called the Household Leaders.  It is in the household that lasting friendships are formed and the journey to spiritual renewal starts.

Be one of us and have a fun-filled life.  Join the Christian Life Program.  Email me at cfc.westc@gmail.com for more details.

http://www.couplesforchristglobal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=14

I Love Fellowship

The best parts of life here in CFC are the friends that you gain and the good times that you spend with them or in short FELLOWSHIP.  I would be a hypocrite if I say I don't enjoy it.  Do you know that planning sessions, be they be sector-wide, cluster-wide or chapter-wide, are fellowships in disguise.  More time is spent for bonding but bonding only comes after the planning session.  Lol.

Every CFC member belongs to a household group.  This group will be together for at least two years.  The household meets every week.  With the frequency of meetings, it is not surprising that the members of the household become very close.  Sometimes closer than siblings.

Belting it out at Redbox-Trinoma.

Fellowship is not altogether flimsy.  In Talk 10 of the CLP, it is one of the components for spiritual growth.  We need a support group in order to grow spiritually.

Here in Couples for Christ, not only did Jun and I able to multiply our friends (you have to think twice before throwing a party much less you offend one who was inadvertently omitted from the guest list) but we were able to visit houses of our brothers and sisters and partake of their specialties.  CFC brought us also to a lot of places because of conferences, fellowship and mission work.  Who says life is boring in Couples for Christ?

Bro. Mannie and Sis. Evelyn Paguntalan, then YFC Cluster Coordinators
brought us Chacocos to Tagaytay Highlands and Calaruega (below).

Serving The Youth

For four years, Jun & I served as household leaders for Couples for Christ members.  There were other couples who were put under our care because of the phenomenon called "reorg", the moniker for reorganization.    After those three fruitful years, we were given a new service.  Maybe our leaders discerned that we have to move on to other "territories".  

At the planning session of the newly-created chapter under Bro. Joe and Sis. Letty Francia, we were appointed as the Chapter Youth Coordinator.  We didn't know what we were getting into except that we won't be having couple-members under us.  Instead of couples, we were given the responsibility of nurturing the youth, ages 13 to 21 years old.  

The BOYS

and the GIRLS at the Chapter Planning.

The Youth for Christ (YFC) is an attached family ministry of the Couples for Christ which aims to render a Christian support environment for the teenagers.  YFC answers the need of the youth to belong, to be motivated, to be useful, and to become good examples to others.  It is not totally surprising for the youth to support a worthwhile cause like taking the plight of the poor and the less privileged in their own small way.

When we were Chapter Coordinators, the thing that I would love to do for the youth was to cook their food, be it merienda or meal.  I didn't agree with the idea that the reason why they cannot attend assemblies is they don't have enough money for reg fee.  The reg fee covered food and rental of the venue if any.  I volunteered to cook so the youth will be eating nutritious food without spending so much on food.

In our first year as Chapter Coordinators, we had the privilege of being the Supervising Leaders for a Youth Camp held at OMI in Quezon City.  We slept at OMI on the first night and was shocked that the youth were still up and about at the wee hours of the morning.  Jun and I couldn't also forget the time we had a YFC Cluster Planning and some got out from the swimming pool at 7 in the morning.  Where did they get that extra energy?  Though we didn't stay long as Coordinators, two years only, we realized the importance of putting the youth on the track of evangelization.  Who knows how many youths were saved from living wasteful lives?

Practicing for the presentation for the Youth Camp.

http://www.couplesforchristglobal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=15

Ancop Elocution Contest

A week ago, I was at Ancop Central Avenue for the judging of the winners of the elimination round of the Elocution Contest of the Ancop Learning Center (ALC).  There were three categories, namely, Nursery, Kinder and Prep.  There were no less than 6 contestants for each level.  Teacher Beng Reyes made all pupils memorize a poem and she chose contestants from those who recited better than the rest.

The contestants were dressed in their Sunday's best by their overzealous mothers.  They came with make-up for retouching the faces of their children and the ubiquitous digital camera.  For those who didn't have a digicam, they settled with the cameras of their cellphones.

Listening to the children deliver their piece, I was amazed at the transformation of these children.  From tots who couldn't tear away from their mother's hemline, all I saw was self-confidence.  A big leap indeed.  

The top winners in all levels at the elimination round were all girls.  Only one boy was able to make it at second place.  The top winners will represent the site in the sector-wide Elocution Contest on October 29, 2010.

D-day came.  The children which Sis. Meng Figueras, Sis. Joy Nolasco and myself adjudged as the best of Central Avenue trooped to Ancop-Visayas with Teacher Beng and their respective mothers.  They bested all the other contestants from the other Ancop sites in ALL levels.  Grand slam.  I was so happy when I heard of the news.  I felt as if I too won as I was instrumental in choosing these children as the best.  Congratulations to the winners and to Teacher Beng, too.

The WINNING TEAM with Teacher Beng Reyes

Power Weekend

Yearly since 1999, Couples for Christ West C has mounted leaders' conferences mostly in Baguio City.  The first conference called "Power Weekend" was in August, 1999 and Jun and I were fortunate to be part of this.  This annual conference is open to all leaders of Couples for Christ, from household leaders and up.

Since Jun and I were already appointed as Household Leaders a month ago, we automatically belong to a Unit.  A Unit is made up of four to five households and is headed by the Unit Leaders.  Our Unit Leaders were Bro. Jun and Sis. Lina Eguico and the other Household Leaders that comprised the Unit were Bro. John and Sis. Weng Valesco, Bro. Artz and Sis. Tess Bermejo and Bro. Danny and Sis. Weng Abella.  Weeks before the Power Weekend, we, together with the other leaders of the Unit started planning for our stay in Baguio. Preparation included buying jackets that would be suitable for Baguio weather.  Weng Valesco and I ended up buying the same jacket from Shoemart.  We all had a good laugh since Jun and John also had identical jackets.  

With Weng Valesco and Lina Eguico at the Teacher's Camp, Baguio City.

We drove to Baguio at dawn aboard two vehicles.  The weather was fine when we left Manila.  On the way to Baguio, we sidetripped to Dagupan for a very sumptuous lunch by the sea and to Manaoag, Pangasinan to visit the Virgin of Manaoag.  Never did we think that the weather will turn for the worse in a couple of hours.

While we were about to start our trek to Kennon Road, we were advised that it was not passable as giant boulders blocked the street.  The river  had swelled with water rampaging from the mountains.  The two alternative roads to Baguio were also closed.  We  had no other recourse but to spend the night in nearby San Fernando, La Union.  We cruised along the main highway of San Fernando City and adjoining towns looking for a place to stay in while roads to Baguio remained closed.  We ended up in an old, dilapidated four-storey hotel in San Fernando proper which was so dusty and left us all coughing.  Our search for a place was reminiscent of Mary's and Joseph's quest for an inn.  

The sun was shining early the following morning.  At last, all roads to Baguio were opened.  We arrived just in time for the start of the Opening Worship.  Everybody was clapping and dancing while singing praises to the Lord to the lively accompaniment of the Music Ministry.  Thankful for the protection from the strong winds and the rain.  

Jun & I at Teacher's Camp, Baguio City.

Called To Serve

A year after graduating from the CLP, the leaders of the chapter where Jun & I belong to then, tapped us to be one of the facilitators of the CLP that they were about to open.  We both feel elated for the privilege and likewise concerned about a lot of things.  First and foremost is we didn't know anything about facilitating. Though Jun had exposure in speaking to big crowds and presiding meetings, I had no such experience.  My only claim to participation in a discussion was barking orders to the maids and to the sewers of our garments factory.  My lack of interaction with people of the same background as mine left me insecure in carrying out a sensible exchange of ideas with strangers.  I couldn't stop from asking myself if I did the right thing in giving up a very promising corporate career in favor of motherhood. 

Twenty couples came for the Orientation Night.  After the first talk, the participants were grouped into 5.  We got the first group.  This group was unique as it was composed of professionals except for 1 couple.  The big challenge was how to make this couple jell with the others who are all professionals.  Group discussion came and I led the opening prayer rather mechanically.  The important thing for me then was to be able to lead the prayer without making mistakes.  I prayed with my brain not with my heart.

As we moved from one module to the other, our group became closer and the group discussions became more animated.  Alas, we just had found ourselves a "barkada".  Meeting for the group presentation for the Dedication Night did not pose any problems in scheduling as everyone was eager to be with one another.  Everybody contributed to be able to come out with a very good presentation.

Come Dedication Night, we were appointed to be the household leaders of Group 1.  It was a very memorable night for all of us.  Years later, we took different paths.  Only one couple remained active in the community while the others opted to lie low for one reason or the other.  Jun and I surely miss them.

Our First Marriage Enrichment Retreat

All members of Couples for Christ follow a pastoral formation track.  Six months after graduating from the Christian Life Program, the couple is expected to attend the first Marriage Enrichment Retreat or MER1.  The MER1 aims to present the important aspects of Christian marriage and family life which is the foundation of marriage and CFC.  It also fosters a better understanding and appreciation of God's plan for marriage and family life.

Jun and I had our MER1 in November 1998 at Sta. Rafaella Retreat House along Tandang Sora, Quezon City.  We were at the venue early Saturday morning up to noon of the following day.  There were talks given out by different speakers.  Some were boring while the others gave animated versions.  The talks that struck me most are Talks 4 and 5, namely "The Role of the Christian Wife" and "Effective Communication in Marriage", respectively. 

It is very difficult to live out the ideal Christian wife, i.e., being submissive to her husband in this age of equal rights, equal opportunities and feminism.  How can this be possible in this day and age when it is enshrined in the Constitution that everybody is equal?  When Grade 5 students are taught human rights and rights of the child?  Indeed the modern couple needs a deeper maturity and understanding of marriage and relationship to make marriage work.  Effective communication in marriage not only becomes necessary but should be the norm. 

Singing for the Lord

One of the activities that my husband and I indulged in as a member of Couples for Christ was to become a member of the Music Ministry.  Membership in the Music Min is one of the services that is available for a non-leader in CFC.  One must not belittle membership in the ministry as singing is an integral part of community worship.   With music, one is able to express joy and sorrow more fervently that St. Augustine said "He who sings, prays twice."

I believe that our membership to the Music Min helped a lot in our spiritual growth.  Because we served while still mere members in the community, we became active in community life.  We seldom missed CFC gatherings and teachings.  Just like any endeavor, active participation in CFC is necessary to attain true spiritual nourishment and contentment.  

My First Household Meeting

After finishing the Christian Life Program (CLP), the participants of the CLP are invited to join Couples for Christ (CFC).  They are put into a cell group of between five to seven couples called a household.  The household meets weekly in the houses of the members on a rotation basis.  At the household meeting, the members pray, share experiences on the night's or day's relevant topic and have fellowship after.  It usually takes two and a half hours.  The household is headed by the Household Head.

Our first household meeting was held a week or two after the CLP at the house of our household leaders, Jun and Rose Ricamonte.  Ours was a small household as there were only four couples in our group and that includes our household leaders.  The first meeting was spent mostly on "getting to know you".  Bro. Jun and Sis. Rose were complete strangers to us as they were not our facilitators in the CLP.  The meeting went on smoothly except for one thing, there was no guitar accompaniment.  Our worship sounded empty.  Nobody in the group could play a guitar except for my husband, Jun.  At that time, Jun hasn't played the guitar for fifteen years and had actually given away his guitar.  After that acapella worship, Jun toyed on the idea of relearning how to play the guitar but wait, where's the guitar?