WRAPPING UP A “HARD CORE POETRY" – 3: THE PRODIGAL SON

When the Misamis Oriental top CFC Council leaders and sector heads unilaterally abandoned the CFC Community, “Pontius Pilates” among the CFC followers grappled with understanding the TRUTH that the same leaders were given a "tit for tat", or got what they asked for, the simple message being that a CFC leader does not mess with the God-given responsibility he voluntarily accepted, because the community has trusted him and lifted to Almighty God his wise stewardship of the structure the CFC members cast their renewed Christian life in.

Accordingly, a top leader in the CFC-IC and the "rebel leaders" used the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” to explore ways at reconciliation, which they could not arrive at because the latter made demands up front.

Recently, we have  “learned” of an email from Bro. Mon Saguin, who hails from the historic town of Jimenez in Misamis Occidental (hope my memory serves me right). Brother Mon was a very active member of the CFC Community in Cagayan de Oro City before he left for New York with his family. Using the "Parable of the Prodigal Son" as "framework", Brother Mon sees an opportunity for reconciling and reuniting the followers of FFL, GK and CFC in Misamis Oriental.

I reacted to Brother Mon's mail, which drew the responses of CFC brethren  from Cagayan de Oro who are now based in the US, all of which are quoted below. 

We all aim for the same objectve of FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION, and the opportunity that now obtains is in sincerely walking the same path without conditions or demands, carrying our own crosses for the love of our God and neighbor.

HERE’S BROTHER MON SAGUIN:

--- On Wed, 10/7/09, RAMON SAGUIN wrote:
From: RAMON SAGUIN
Subject: One Voice:Reminiscing CFC-Misamis Oriental in Video Clips
To: "marty atienza" , "dodong banaynal" , "romy banaynal" , "John Banaynal" , "jessie barcelona" , "leo cadete" , "leo cadete" , "leo cadete" , "meds calo" , "ella calo" , "norman canete" , "rollie delacruz" , "jun delfierro" , "badz dimacutac" , "Oscar / Gingging Factura" , "shaki factura" , "toktok galanida" , "pio-nats galasanay" , "Teresa Gillesania" , "Danilo Gillesania" , "suzette montes" , "BOY SUSAN OTARRA" , "Susan Otarra" , "bobot paalam" , "ronald paalam" , "dante pajo" , "glenn de pedro" , "Gil Sages" , "sarah sescon" , "anggingboie sescon" , "Raul M sfc-Maano" , "imee teves" , "archie velasco" , "Mariss Velasco" , "AVtatay Velasco"
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 1:17 AM

I documented most of the CFC activities that we had in 1993 and onwards especially the Family Activities in YFC and SFC. It started with the intention of simply showing the video clips to my son Raymond who was wheelchair bound, although there were events that he participated himself as in attending a youth camp on his wheelchair. I was actually excited with what was going on in CFC and I wanted to share this by showing my son what was happening in our community and the impact that it made on me and others. He was particularly awed when I showed him video clips about GK and when I brought him to the GK site in Pasil. I have all these events archived in my computer not realizing of what use they may have aside from my own consumption of reviewing them whenever I reminisce. I couldn't find the right moment of putting these events on DVD and deposit them in a CFC library in Misamis Oriental until the recent events in our community when I decided to bring them out and share these to you.  I

remember well when we had the provincial conference in Misamis Oriental sometime in 2001 when the theme of the community was United in Christ. I led the praisefest with the Fyrecross band at the Pelaez Sports Complex where we exhorted the whole community to be One or united in the direction CFC was pursuing at that time – which is the totally of the Work in CFC with the spiritual dimension and the social dimension in our Work with the Poor in Gawad Kalinga in place. We didn’t realize then that at the height of the Work in the succeeding years, the GK leadership would start to pursue a direction/implementation apart from CFC which eventually brought the whole community to a global crisis situation in 2007 even as other causes were being enumerated. And even before the dust could settle to the ground, the crisis situation continued with the current leadership in 2009 leading them to decide to let go of GK and allow it to be a non-religious organization instead.

But then again the storm continued to sweep across the land eventually affecting the community in Misamis Oriental. It appears that the strength of the storm remains unabated after two years to inflict more damage, sow more confusion and dampen the hearts of many in our community. Currently our country is experiencing the damages caused by powerful typhoons, one after the other – as if reminding us of the results after physical storms sweep through the land. But at the same time, showing us how we can unite together, help each other and how people around the world rush to the rescue in areas afflicted by such calamities. Hence with the spiritual storms that we are facing, the time has come for all of us to humble ourselves and bow down in prayer and ask God to heal our community and calm the storm.. The time has come for all of us here in Couples for Christ all over the world to join hands together – as CFC-GMFI, CFC-FFL and CFC-GK and those that chose to leave – in facing this storm. Our petition will be “. . . knit our hearts together that Your Glory may be seen in us. . . then the world will know that Jesus Christ is Lord . . .” I believe that we are made to realize that the only recourse available to us is to reunite and become One community again in facing these storms. How this will ever happen depends on all of us, by His guidance. Let us continue to believe and it is all up to us for this to remain as mere wishful thinking. 

The calling then at that time before the onset of the crisis situation was for the whole community to stand as One in vision and mission – as families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth. Where every member of the family has a role to play – in building the Church of the Home, of the Future and of the Poor in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord in the family, in Misamis Oriental and to the whole world. I chose the song One Voice as the reflection song during the praisefest which was sung by Candy. I will upload the video of that praisefest in a series of video clips entitled “Reminiscing CFC-Misamis Oriental” starting with the YFC presentation of The Prodigal Son. I am bringing this forth by putting aside my own stand and inclinations about the situation in CFC. But I intend to simply join in with the rest of us who are praying and longing for the unity that can be seen in these video clips. Click the YouTube links below to browse through each video clip of the play about the Prodigal Son, the CFC events of the province, and the praisefest at the Pelaez Sports Complex.

I chose the parable of the Prodigal Son as the background theme of this series of video clips. I discerned that the crisis situation in Couples for Christ until the recent events in Misamis Oriental can be addressed in the ways that God has been offering us in the Scriptures particularly the parable of the Prodigal Son. I firmly believe that our prayers for reconciliation are well answered by God in this story. It is up to us to do our part. 

I attended a bible study in New York handled by a priest and the topic was the parable of the Prodigal Son. I admit that the only viewpoint I spoused about this parable is that the father in the story is God Himself while the two sons would symbolize us as the children of God. I focused more on the need of our repentance and that God as our Father will forgive us. I would identify myself as the younger son who sinned, then repented and finally returned home to our Father who embraced him with unconditional love and forgiveness, while the elder son complained of the attention given to the younger brother. Hence I left the character of the father unblemished being symbolic of God Himself. However the priest led us into a discussion of the parable in a different perspective. You may have heard of this before but it was the first time for me to view the parable in a different way – to focus on the character of the father.  

I believe this parable contains the solution to every disagreement or conflict that we in CFC and the Family Ministries find ourselves in – whether between members or between leaders or more so between members and leaders. I believe that there are situations where we could identify ourselves as the younger brother or the elder brother or even the father depending on the circumstances. The structure in CFC would portray such relationships as we relate with each other as brothers and sisters; the household heads are the big brothers and big sisters; the unit heads then assume pastoral headship up to the chapter heads, up to the local area councils and finally up to the International Council.  

The priest brought us to focus on the father in the parable and described him based on the story – that the father was a wealthy but stern, strict and stingy and with a character highly unlikable by anybody including his two sons - as the younger son left with all his inheritance while the elder son complained that the father never gave them any feast/celebration at all in the past as he kept on working in the field away from home. He felt that he was treated like a slave. In a sense both the sons did not like the father to a certain extent. And with no mention at all about his wife, this father must have some attitude disliked by women as well or maybe he was a widower as the priest would put it.   

With the sons away from home, the father was left all by himself in loneliness. More so with the younger son who left far away from home and not having any communication at all. The father can see the older son at certain times at home but not the younger son who is far away. Years must have passed and the father must have thought that the younger son is already dead as there was no communication at all and there was a great famine that hit the land. And this situation must have brought the father to repent and change his ways as he missed the younger son after all these years thinking that he was already dead. The loneliness must have brought him to examine his ways and attitude. His sufferings must have brought him to repent and a personal conversion must have happened.   

As a way of personal reflection, it was the same loneliness and suffering that my family went through with our only son Raymond who had an incurable neuromuscular disorder. He died in February 2, 2003 here in Philadelphia and for twenty years of his life, I went through an examination of my ways and attitude towards God. And I praise Him for bringing my family here in this community in 1991 where our conversion was well guided and nurtured by our elders as represented by Frank Padilla, Tony Meloto, Lito Urgino, the rest of our elders in the International Council and my household heads and elders in CFC-Misamis Oriental. I thank them all for giving their time to the Lord and in the process helped me and my family to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and live a life with joy despite afflictions.  

The father in the parable must have made it a daily routine to look out the window hoping that his younger son will come home. He started to long for his lost son to return home. And one day it did happen as he was looking out the window, he saw a figure that looked like his son. And maybe even as he was not sure that it was his son, he ran to meet him with compassion in his heart. The words in Scripture says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”- Luke 15:20   

The story clearly brought the characters – the father and the younger son - to a period of repentance and change of ways and attitude and eventually reconciled. The father who used to be stern and strict became a father who is forgiving, loving and filled with compassion that he ran towards his lost son rather than stayed and waited for the son to come to him in repentance and invoke his authority as expected of him. But instead the father ran to meet the son - which was considered humiliating an act by a wealthy and strict father at that time. But instead he did not demand anything from the son but with all his heart embraced him and forgave him. Even at a distance, the father ran to meet the lost son – it was probably an act to protect the son from humiliation and possible harm or public stoning by the community for his rebellious act (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). He further showed the change in him when he ordered for a celebration which he never did before. The words in Scriptures says, “ ²²But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.” And the father restored to him his place of inheritance and sonship as symbolized by the robe, the ring and the sandals.

The older brother in contrast responded negatively to what the father did. But still the father went out to appease him – the same response he had to the younger son by going out of the house to meet him and pleaded with him to join in the celebration. The words in Scriptures says, ²⁸"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' Here the older brother refers to his younger brother as “the son of yours” instead of being a brother to him and started making accusations against him. And he also felt unappreciated and unrewarded by the father for his deeds and therefore has been harboring resentments. But older sons usually get a greater part of the inheritance and takes care of younger brothers who are in hard times. Apparently the older son was not willing to accept this responsibility to the younger son and even appeared not claiming him as a brother anymore. Again the father showed his eagerness to have the older son share in the joy of the celebration. The words in Scriptures says, ³¹" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " 

The story of the Prodigal Son aptly shows the ways that we can follow in addressing challenges affecting relationships as is happening in our family and in our community here in CFC and the Ministries. At the same time the story also shows the ways that we should not resort to – as in the father correcting the older son.. And even if the older son sounded disrespectful of him and to the younger brother, the father restored just the same the family relationship amongst them. Repentance and reconciliation is the focus of the story not just by the younger son but by the father as well – who did not wait for any apology on the part of the younger son but rather anticipated it by heart and went on to run to him in order to embrace him with unconditional acceptance. There is no greater precedence that this - for anyone elder, no matter how right he may be against another, choose to ask forgiveness first and then to forgive.

This is our hope and our prayer – that we all not only adopt a repentant posture, members and leaders alike but “run to embrace each other” without any conditions in restoring back our community to the one community that was started 28 years ago – starting here in Misamis Oriental. This presentation is not for us to identify who is at fault but to see ourselves in the story and identify with a particular character in the present circumstances in our community. It is not the time to assert who is right but it is the time for us to love and love even those we find so difficult to love. It is not also the time to point out who is in or out of the community for nowhere in the story did the father disown his sons even if the sons didn’t like the ways of the father. And even if the central theme of the story is repentance and forgiveness, which should be in everyone’s heart already, let us focus more on the picture of the father receiving the son back into relationship as a response to repentance by both of them. This is the purpose of this presentation – a relationship restored as one community or as being partners in mission. And as a corollary, how could we offer our sacrifices at the altar if there is a brother or sister outside that we need to be reconciled with. And besides Scriptures says that a house divided against itself will not be able to stand - Mark 3:25. 

I believe that the calling is for all of us to adopt the posture of the father in the story as we proclaim in the year to come, fullness of life in the Son and as we acknowledge the Father as the Almighty who is Just and Righteous. The priest in that bible study ended with the exhortation that suffering is an opportunity for us to repent and be reconciled with God and with one another.

I would like to praise and thank you Father for Couples for Christ and the challenges and spiritual storms that we are facing – for such situations will bring us to repent and change our ways and become more like You who ran towards Your lost sons and daughters. Allow us to do the same to one another in our community today. Allow us to run towards each other in tender and loving embrace as brothers and sisters in your Name. In the same way as our Mother Mary, make each one of us say, “. . . be it unto me according to Your Word”. Father, let Your Will be done as we seek You and worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Mother Mary, our Mother of Forgiveness, pray for us. Amen.  

t2mon 

THE VIDEO CLIP LINKS IN YouTube:

1. The presentation of the Parable of the Prodigal Son by YFC during the PraiseConcert The LOve of the Father at the XU gym:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnCwLNt874M

2. A presentation by CFC Canitoan Chapter in 1994 - The Taposai Family that portrays a family in conflict but chose to forgive each other and reconciled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtotT93hKw4

3. The praisefest on the theme of Unity in four parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NARej45LIyc

http://www..youtube.com/watch?v=C-bVQhuUV9w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW8jrqYS2_o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf3E0pDSrOk

4. A fellowship at Chali Beach in 1994.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcA-i6QSXDo

5. CFC activities in 1996 including the Regional Conference; the provincial conference with Msgr. Monsanto; the turn-over of the first GK houses in Pasil and the CFC Assembly in the Corpus Christi gym on April 2002..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG0fHlIzTvY

To Follow are the CFC Anniversary presentations in 1993 and the Mindanao Leaders Conference in 1994.

M-CDO RESPONDS
Re: Riminiscing CFC-Misamis Oriental

To: "RAMON SAGUIN"

Cc:"marty atienza" , "dodong banaynal" , "romy banaynal" , "jessie barcelona" , "leo cadete" , "meds calo" , "ella calo" , "norman canete" , "rollie delacruz" , "jun delfierro" , "badz dimacutac" , "Oscar / Gingging Factura" , "shaki factura" , "toktok galanida" , "pio-nats galasanay" , "Teresa Gillesania" , "Danilo Gillesania" , "suzette montes" , "BOY SUSAN OTARRA" , "Susan Otarra" , "bobot paalam" , "ronald paalam" , "dante pajo" , "glenn de pedro" , "Gil Sages" , "sarah sescon" , "anggingboie sescon" , "Raul M sfc-Maano" , "imee teves" , "archie velasco" , "Mariss Velasco" , "AVtatay Velasco" , misamiscdo@yahoo.com... more

Brother Mon:

Got a copy of your email.  Thank you for sharing your candid thoughts about unity and reconciliation of CFC groups that can start in Misamis Oriental.
We know you have been FFL and an avid follower and defender of F Padilla from the time he split CFC because of conflicts with GK and T Meloto.  We have seen how you worked hard and dedicatedly for CFC while here in Cagayan de Oro, and understand the struggles you had to go through in the US with your disabled son... And likewise wished you had seen the conflict between FP and Meloto then from the perspectives of the defenders of the original CFC that was and continues to be aligned with the IC and the Vatican.
We have common experiences in building the GK village in Pasil, which no mainstream or separatist faction of the original CFC can claim exclusive claim, patent, right, or title to.
I wish to raise TWO (2) points:

ONE:  Yes, Misamis Oriental province may provide venue for a "deus ex machina", an act of God to reunite CFC.  We see humanly irreconcilable forces coming in to further divide or else unite CFC:  FFL, which has a few following in Cagayan de Oro, through Nani Almanza of FFL-USA or upon prodding by FFL Servant-General Frank Padilla, has signified it was siding with the separatist group of del Fierro (so-called "CFC-GK) even if the latter is very probably a protege of TM whose GK was the main reason for the break-up CFC in the province end of July, 2009.  (Of course it is not unknown to quite a number that GK top management, including TM, was very much elated that finally CFC made GK autonomous by the act of “letting it go" last end of April, 2009, which event might have been anticipated by F Padilla who totally rejected GK in his "GK-3" opus in April, 2007).  If, for whatever cause or circumstance, TM and FP reconcile in Misamis Oriental under the "CFC-GK" group of del Fierro, then perhaps a consequent negotiation for unity with the real, mainstream CFC-IC may not be far behind.  Since by now it has been clear as daylight that GK cannot stand alone to "evangelize" about "working with and for the poor" without CFC, and since FFL here may not duplicate what CFC has been doing, perhaps the del Fierro group will do the IMPOSSIBLE DREAM of genuine repentance and bring the FFL and GK factions back to the fold of CFC-IC.  In this sense we see a window of opportunity for Misamis Oriental to be the springboard for reconciliation just as it provided a "beachead" for CFC in North Mindanao during the "golden era" of F Padilla leadership. TWO: In interpreting that the Father in the parable of the '"Prodigal Son" repented for his strict attitude towards his two sons, your "bible study priest" could just as well retitled the same parable with "The Repentant Father".  While I admire said priest for his audacity and respect his point of view, I don't think I can agree with his reinterpretation of the theme. The parable of the "prodigal son" is about the "prodigal son" and his ever-loving father, the MAN with an OUTSTRETCHED HANDS, a loving person who is always ready to unconditionally forgive and embrace a sinful but repentant son.  In the story, the Father knew his son was repentant, for he did not come swaggering around with the untold wealth he could have amassed using his share of the family fortunes, nor could he come home to ask for more, no, Brod Mon. Still, I agree with you, Brod Mon.  The key toward reconciliation of factions using the name “CFC” is in the Gospel about the Prodigal Son. GOD BLESS YOU, BROD Wishing you well, M-CDO

 
A REJOINDER FROM BRO. BOY AND SIS. SUSAN OTARRA
Re: Riminiscing CFC-Misamis Oriental

Thursday, October 8, 2009 2:06 PM

From: "SUSAN OTARRA"

To: "M Cdo"

Cc: "Arman Erpe" , "erlina mangmang" , "felipe galanida" , "M/O Kamson Roel D. Moldez"

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Warm greetings in Christ Name

Susan and me are always proud of being a CFC member from CDO. We were moulded by leaders whom we believed have the highest integrity and who love God so much. We can't forget our first HH head Dick Jongko (a KSD faithful servant), who guided us, prayed hard for our convertion and eventually led us to love God so much that we're willing to give our all for Him. We also can't forget Vic Lagdamen, Ed Paalam, Lito Urgino. TM and FP and all the other leaders who taught us many things about loving God and loving our neighbors.

The recent problems in our community gave us so much pain. We never thought conflict like this will happen in a beautiful community like ours but it really happened and it's really "nasty". How could people who called each other brothers and sisters became like this? We don't want to blame anyone however we are praying hard that concerned leaders should humble themselves, repent, ask forgiveness and come home like the prodigal son. We are hopeful that as God's promise "everything work good for those who love and serve the Lord." We can't be enemies for sure. 

We will always be a brother or a sister to those in the CFC-FFL and we will always support GK but Susan and me will be a CFC member forever. We experienced the joy of a borderless and global evangelization and we will continue doing this work because this is the great commmission that God gave us.

May God bless us all! 

Boy/Susan Otarra

AND ANOTHER ONE FROM BRO. TOKTOK GALANIDA, GK VOLUNTEER:

Re: Riminiscing CFC-Misamis Oriental
Friday, October 9, 2009 7:18 AM

From: "felipe galanida"

To: "M Cdo"

To M CDO, Peace! Whoever you are, this is my observation of the situation as compared to the loving father of the prodigal son story of the Bible The loving father never hesitated to give in to the request of the prodigal son even if it was not the proper time to get his share of the wealth. He gave him what he had asked without any reservations nor had he uttered unfavorable words to mean like rebel or separatist, or any adjective that any father, at the height of anger, could make to describe his son's action. He was even tolerant. His sharing of his wealth to his son is the manifestation of his love and permission to his son's going to far away places. He did not send people to spy on his activities and never made any move that will ruin their relationship. Instead, he waited for the day when the Prodigal (Luxurious, Extravagant and Wasteful) Son will return to him. As expected, the son who have sinned because of squandering the wealth that the loving father gave him, came, for he knew that the father -- loving as he is, did not harbor any resentment or grudge towards him. When he recognized his son still far off, he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him which was a show of forgiveness, protection and love even before the son could utter the words of repentance. The prodigal son mentioned in the Bible was not rebellious. He properly asked from his father his share of the families fortune but he was extravagant and wasteful, sinfully spending all the treasures that his loving father shared to him. I didn't experience or witness an act of wastefulness and extravagance on our separated brothers and sisters. In fact, the former council had managed the finances and resources of CFC/MOR wisely and even produced bigger amounts for CFC National share which did not happen on the previous administrations. Thus, I do not agree the label you described them as Prodigal Sons. Cutting ties in writing is not a disrespectful and disobedient act. It is a gentlemanly decision that a person can do if remedies for unity are not being met. Also, to call them rebels is not appropriate for as they separate I never heard them doing or acting something to destroy CFC not unless you consider continuing the work which they believe in as rebellious. My only wish to our elders is for them to LET GO and LET GOD do the rests. Who knows someday or somehow our separated brothers and sisters will come and say, " I have sinned against you and to God please forgive me!" When? Only God knows!   God bless you! 2k2k CFC-West LA  GK Volunteer

WRAPPING UP A "HARD CORE POETRY" - 2

For the guidance and information of all, I have decided to make a sequel to the Wrap-Up Post in order to inform the likes of a certain Father Arvin who has threatened the Author with "stoning to death" because of the "confusion" made here.
ONCE MORE, THIS BLOG IS  FOR  DEFENDING CFC-IC.  Everyone was welcome to share his/her views provided the entries were written in a charitable way, which limitation was basis for moderating and throwing away some of the comments.

A.  MY SIDE OF THE TRUTH

These TRUTHS were exposed to help enlighten and empower the loyal CFC-IC followers:

1. Because our top leaders in Misamis Oriental did not lead the members to the right path of living their CFC Covenants by unilaterally severing ties from the Vatican-approved COMMUNITY OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST, there is an urgent need to go back to the basics of the culture and practice of CFC Life in Misamis Oriental.

2.  There is reason to believe that the "revolt" of the Misamis Oriental Top leaders was part of a grander plot to install GK using or "seizing" the human and material resources of CFC, wherever possible.  In short, that was no "boys' game". and,  ang mga pusong mamon diyan  (if I may) should take a harder look at the events and  circumstances.  The TRUTH , my dear is not in the justifications of the rebel-leaders; instead read it silently "betwen the lines" drawn by their unfortunate revolt.

3.  "Exhibit #1" is the "Study in Black and White" article by the separatist group of Frank Padilla, Servant-General of FFL.  Published in the US-based FFL newsletter under Nani Almanza, FFL-USA Director,  Frank Padilla/Nani Almanza expressed support to JDF Group, falsely asserting that the del Fierro group and FFL suffered the same fate of outright rejection (without dialogue) under the CFC-IC (Steadfast debunks it HERE. There is a lot it in the the CFC blog HERE.).  Since they want to lie together (take it at face value and/or as a pun), then that article gives credence to the possibility of a "grander plot".

4.  The case of Tito Badz is a bit confusing.  He correctly dissociated from doing jobs related to his being a FULLTIME WORKER OF CFC-IC because his livelihood could only be sustainable and viable (at least from a secular point-of-view) if he continued to align with the del Fierro Group.  But Tito Badz has not formallly given up his position as Regional Coordinator of KFC, which can only be removed by Bro. Melo Villaroman, CFC-IC Family Ministries Director in Manila.  Yet, Tito Badz may not anymore represent himself to coordinate regional KFC activities in Mindanao's northeastern provinces of Surigao, Agusan, Camiguin, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental because his act of following the del Fierro group has motu propio removed him from the CFC community pursuant to the CFC-IC Pastoral Letter of August 4, 2009.  Nevertheless, these are only manifestations of Truth about the case of Tito Badz, which is still sunk deep in his person.

5.  The Singles for Christ is a ministry of Couples for Christ.  In Cagayan de Oro City, Gerard Quiaoit, son-in-law of Bro. Jun del Fierro, was the Provincial Couples Coordinator.  Gerard is a loyal son-in-law and had been an unquestionably loyal CFC follower, in addition to being a loyal friend in SFC.  The confusion among SFC is that while they acknowledge being part of CFC, they are more attached to Gerard as PCC than to the CFC structure, more so because Gerard did not integrate the SFC organization in the CFC structure with the consent of JDF his father-in-law, who himself was cold to patronizing the crucial CFC leadership conferences which he found to be "lousy".  "Turfing" gives way to "personal ownership" and self-centeredness, attitudes that exclude God and invite the Evil one....
So, now we have some prominent "SFC" leaders opposing the authority of the new Area Council in Misamis Oriental.
However, as far as this Council is concerned, the SFC in Misamis Oriental must get its instructions from Bro. Venus Cabaraban, the newly-installed PCC.
The other Truth is that Manila-based SFC coordinators should follow the Provincial Area Council on ALL matters pertinent to CFC in Misamis Oriental.
On this issue of UNITY in CFC, may I  suggest this advice fromBro. Manny Garcia, founding member of CFC:  "...We need to "crucify the flesh"  so that the body is not disunited...We should make the fruits of the Spirit work in our lives - Gal5:24-25 - ... pag inangkin mo ang trabaho papasok na ang demonyo diyan!" ( by Bro. Manny Garcia, of the original founding group of CFC  together with F. Padilla in 1981 -  during the MCTN at Patrick Cronin Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, October 9, 2009) 

6.   Last, but definitely NOT the least:  If we only look at all the work we have done and accomplished in CFC (including those we have done for GK before the unfortunate separation of the JDF Group) as that of God and not our own, as His stewards of the TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE, then we become sensitive to the leading of the Spirit: 

• that we are an ARMY connected to JESUS CHRIST AS OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF -
• living in obedience of the structure and of the leaders
• learning God's ways through prayer
• working as a team and watching over our self-conceits
• soldiers of God, enlisted by Him for His own use
• raring for a fight, not to back down to "Lay Lo", complain or become "Pasaway" (only to ultimately "PASS AWAY"!)
• THAT WE NOW CONSIDER ALL THAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY AS A TIME AND SEASON OF GRACE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR KINGDOM-BUILDING, FOR OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE GIVEN ONLY ONCE, BUT ONCE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, WE MUST BE FIT FOR THE FIGHT, FOR THE BATTLE OF HEARTS AND MINDS, WHICH, ALSO MEANS BEING HIGH-MINDED OR LEVEL-HEADED ABOUT THE POINTS AND COUNTERPOINTS RAISED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES IN THE COMMENTS SECTION HERE.
  

B.  OUR TRUTHS

1. JULY 30, 2009: CFC-MISAMIS ORIENTAL BURNS!

• AT STEVE'S BARBECUE GRILL LOCATED ALONG THE DIVERSION ROAD FROM JR BORJA STREET IN COGON MARKET TO BARANGAY GUSA IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY  EASTWARD TOWARD MALAYBALAY AND BUTUAN CITIES IN BUKIDNON AND AGUSAN DEL NORTE, RESPECTIVELY; 
• IN THE EVENING OF JULY 31, 2009; AND
• SIGNING ON THE 2-PAGE LETTER THAT WAS PREPARED EARLIER AND DATED JULY 30, 2009:
  

THE TOP PROVINCIAL CFC LEADERS IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL, HEADED BY BROTHER ALFONSO "JUN" DEL FIERRO, PROVINCIAL AREA DIRECTOR, SEVERED TIES FROM CFC REPRESENTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL (CFC-IC) EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY , NINE (9) DAYS BEFORE THE PRE-SCHEDULED MEETING OF LOCAL CFC LEADERS WITH BRO. JOEY ARGUELLES, THE NEW PROVINCIAL AREA HEAD OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL, WHO REPLACED BRO. TONY MELOTO EFFECTIVE JULY 14, 2009.  

HOWEVER, ONE OF THE SIGNATORY-SECTOR HEADS, IN THE PERSON OF BROTHER APOLINAR "JUN" FABELA, RETRACTS HIS SIGNATURE THE FOLLOWING DAY, AUGUST 1, 2009,  AND ASKS FORGIVENSS FROM THE COUNCIL.

[ No Subject ]

Saturday, August 1, 2009 7:58 PM

From:   "apolinar jr. fabela"

To: jyamamoto73@gmail.com

Cc: dongbanaynal@yahoo.com

Bro. Joe Yamamoto, 
Mindanao Mission Coordinator,
Couples for Christ

Dear Brother Joe,

        Pax Christi!

        After a long period of sleepless night right after I signed a letter together with my fellow sector leaders separating with the CFC International Council, I am asking your kind heart to reconsider me and my wife Nene as a member of CFC that I lived for more than ten (10+) years. I am very sorry for what I have done to my beloved CFC. Again, I ask you to accept us back and I promise to God and CFC-IC that I will abide whatever sanction that the IC may imposed on us.

        We are hoping for your consideration.

Apolinar N. Fabela, Jr

2.THROUGH BRO. JOEY ARGUELLES, MEMBER OF THE 7-MAN INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL AND AREA HEAD FOR MISAMIS ORIENTAL, CFC-IC ACTS ON THE LETTER OF SEVERANCE AND REMOVES ALL SIGNATORY-REBEL-CFC LEADERS OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ON AUGUST 1, 2009.  

HOWEVER, ACTING ON THE LETTER OF APOLOGY, THE CFC-IC REINSTATES BROTHER JUN AS SECTOR HEAD. 

Re:

Saturday, August 1, 2009 10:43 PM

From:  "Jose Yamamoto"

To:   "apolinar jr. fabela"

Cc:   "Dodong Banaynal" , jca_cfc@yahoo.com, anggingboie@yahoo.com

Dear Bro. Jun,

I have found it in my heart to forgive you for the action that you referred to. I believe that you may have been misled by those who wanted to advance their human agenda and not God's plan for CFC. We in CFC have been brought up in the culture of respect and honoring and that should never be lost much less compromised. We believe in obedience and respect for our pastoral lines of authority and the hallowed CFC chain of command.

Since you have acknowledged the gravity of your action, rectified the same by owning up to it and have expressed your willingness to go back to CFC, I will not impose any sanction. I would like to affirm my appreciation for your enlightened decision to rectify your earlier action and courageous decision to come back.  Go back to your service and discharge it faithfully as God's anointed leader. Present yourself to the assembly of leaders and resume your position of leadership as a Sector Head.  God bless you and your wife.

In Christ,

Joe Yamamoto

3. ON AUGUST 2, 2009, JUN DEL FIERRO AND MIS-OR CFC REBEL GROUP FORMALLY DECLARE INDEPENDENCE FROM CFC-IC IN A PRE-SCHEDULED MEETING OF CLUSTER HEADS AT THE CFC CENTER IN SITIO PASIL, BARANGAY KAUSWAGAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WAS SCHEDULED BEFORE THE SIGNING OF THE SEVERANCE LETTER BUT AFTER AN EARLIER ANNOUNCMENT OF AN ASSEMBLY WITH THE NEW PROVINCIAL AREA HEAD):

4. ON AUGUST 4, 2009, THE CFC UGNAYAN MULTIMEDIA CENTER RELEASED A LETTER-ADVISORY TO ALL CFC LEADERS WORLDWIDE AND A 2-PAGE PASTORAL LETTER TO THE BRETHREN IN MISAMIS OREINTAL ABOUT THE REMOVAL FROM LEADERSHIP OF BROTHER JUN DEL FIERRO AND HIS GROUP OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL CFC LEADERS:

5. ON AUGUST 5, 2009, MEMBERS OF THE CFC-IC,  IN THE PERSONS OF BRO. JOE YAMAMOTO AND BRO. JOEY ARGUELLES FLEW INTO CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO BOOST THE MORALE OF THE "INTERIM" PROVINCIAL COUNCIL AND CFC LOYALISTS COMPRISED OF A SMATTERING OF CLUSTER, CHAPTER, UNIT AND HOUSEHOLD LEADERS AND ORDINARY MEMBERS, MOSTLY FROM SECTORS 2-A, 2-B, 2-C AND THE EAST SECTOR (COVERING THE EASTERN SIDE OF CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY FROM THE CATHEDRAL AREA AND ITS VICINITIES TO VILLANUEVA AND CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL AND THE TOWNS OF MANOLO FORTICH AND LIBONA IN BUKIDNON PROVINCE.)
NOTE THAT AT THIS TIME, AT LEAST TWO SOLID SECTORS WERE STANDING FOR CFC-IC:  THE EAST SECTOR OF BRO. JUN FABELA AND SECTOR 2-C (covering parts of Gusa-Cugman to the Bukidnon Municipalities of Libona and Manolo Fortich) WHOSE SECTOR LEADERS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO JOINED THE REBEL GROUP OF JDF; THE REST OF THE MEMBERSHIP FROM CLUSTER LEADERS DOWN TO THE MEMBERS HAVE REMAINED LOYAL TO THE CFC-IC!

6. ON AUGUST 6, 2009, BROS. JOE AND JOEY HAD BREAKFAST MEETING AT THE HOME OF BRO. JUN DEL FIERRO, WHO "ACKNOWLEDGED THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS ACTIONS" AND EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO RECTIFY AND ISSUE APPROPRIATE STATEMENT.  (POST-FACTO INSIGHTS REVEALED THAT BRO. JDF SUGGESTED THAT THE IC, THROUGH BRO. JOE YAMAMOTO, WOULD DRAFT THE LETTER OF APOLOGY WHICH HE WOULD SIGN LATER IN THE WEEK IN TIME FOR THE PRE-SCHEDULED ASSEMBLY OF LEADERS WITH THE NEW PROVINCIAL AREA HEAD ON AUGUST 8,2009.)

 

TEXT MESSAGE

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Received: 10:25 A.M. by CFC Flame Ministries (c/o Sis. Tata)

QUOTE:

To all CFC brethren of Misamis Oriental:

Joe Arguelles, Jun del Fierro and myself had a short dialog this morning.  Jun del Fiero has acknowledged the seriousness of his action, the confusion and heartaches that resulted from it.  He is sorry for it and will abide with subsequent decision of the council.  He will do the rectification and issue the appropriate statement.

Joe Yamamoto”

UNQUOTE

TEXT MESSAGE

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Received: 6 Aug-2009 at:  13:12:30

QUOTE:

CFC ADVISORY:  We have reconciled our differences with the cfc elders.  U must all now go back 2 work n d service of our Lord.  Official pronouncement will be made this weekend.  God bless u all.  PRAISE GOD!

FRM BRO JUN DEL FIERRO…Pls Pass!

UNQUOTE
 

7. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009, THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL, REPRESENTED BY BRO. JOE YAMAMOTO AND BRO. JOEY ARBUELLES CAME BACK TO CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY. DURING THE DAY, THEY HAD A DIALOGUE WITH BRO. JUN DEL FIERRO, THE MEMBERS OF THE DEFUNCT COUNCIL, AND ALL THE DISMISSED SECTOR HEADS. 

HOWEVER,  INSTEAD OF SIGNING THE LETTER OF APOLOGY THAT HE REQUESTED TO BE DRAFTED, AND OF ENGAGING IN A DIALOGUE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS AS HAS BEEN PRACTICED IN CFC, BRO. JUN DEL FIERRO AND HIS GROUP MADE DEMANDS WHICH THE IC OBJECTED TO AND REJECTED. (Pls cf. infra Pastoral Letter of August 12, 2009)

IN THE ASSEMBLY OF LEADERS THAT WAS HELD IN THE EVENING, BRO. JOE YAMAMOTO ANNOUNCED THE FAILURE OF THE DIALOGUE WHILE BRO. JOEY ARGUELLES PROCLAIMED AND LED THE "PRAYING OVER" OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW CFC AREA COUNCIL FOR MISAMIS ORIENTAL HEADED BY BRO. JUN WAGA. 

ON THEIR WAY BACK TO MANILA THE FOLLOWING DAY, BRO. JOEY ARGUELLES SIGNED A FORMAL LETTER TO THE BRETHREN OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL INFORMING THEM OF THE DECISION OF THE GROUP OF BRO. JUN DEL FIERRO TO LEAVE THE COUPLES FOR CHRIST COMMUNITY.

8. ON AUGUST 12, 2009, THE CFC UGNAYAN MULTIMEDIA CENTER RELEASED ANOTHER PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE CFC- INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL.  ADDRESSED TO THE PHILIPPINE MISSION.  THE LETTER OFFICIALLY INFORMS THAT BROTHER JUN DEL FIERRO AND HIS GROUP HAVE LEFT THE COUPLES FOR CHRIST COMMUNITY.

WRAPPING UP A "HARD CORE POETRY"

The good, old “IN DEFENSE OF THE REAL CFC” blog HAS BEEN BACK SINCE SEPTEMBER, 2009!!!.  Its second post on September 28 calls for assistance to the victims of typhoon "Undoy".

In that blogspot are archived documents, comments and observations about the CFC split (by Frank Padilla) from August 2007 to July 2008. I was so surprised but delighted to chance upon "our" blog's REOPENING while looking for a post there about  “HARD CORE POETRY” that was commented on by Sis Marivie (Dalman I suppose) during the CFC Disciples Weekend in Baguio last January, 2008.

That song renders opposing points of view as "hard-core poetry".  I propose its lilting verses as the "SWAN SONG" of this blog.

Here it goes:

HARD CORE POETRY

(Tavares)

It depends on who is looking at the tenement walls
Whether he's coming home or passing through
You can walk the streets and find so much to criticize
But that would be the easy thing to do
'Coz there's beauty in the concrete
If you see it with your heart
The sidewalks only hurt you
If you hate them from the start
THIS IS A SONG NOT NECESSARILY SWEET
I'LL PASS IT ON TO FOLKS THAT I NEVER WILL MEET
AND IF MY WORDS DON'T MAKE HISTORY
JUST CALL IT HARDCORE POETRY
You can blame the world if troubles come
And knock at your door
Let your weakness cut you down to size
If you find some fault with everything surrounding you
Maybe it's your narrow-minded eyes
'Coz there's music in the city
If your ear is to the ground
Only nonbelievers never hear a single sound
THIS IS A SONG NOT NECESSARILY SWEET
I'LL PASS IT ON TO FOLKS THAT I NEVER WILL MEET
AND IF MY WORDS DON'T MAKE HISTORY
JUST CALL IT HARDCORE POETRY

Indeed, the contents of this blog were not necessarily sweet and were passed on to CFC brothers and sisters, including those who may never personally meet each other again. Now, if all of our collective thoughts and comments shared here won’t "make history", let me propose that they were 'testaments' to the compulsive power of the human word EMANATING FROM RESTLESS AND CONFUSED HEARTS.

For which reason, and amidst our conflicting views, may I propose that we ask of the venerable St. Augustine, Patron Saint of the Achdiocese of our Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental, his fervent Intercession.  Let us us ask him to pray that we REUNITE IN LOVE under our VATICAN-APPROVED COUPLES FOR CHRIST COMMUNITY.

"In Augustinian spirituality love for God is experienced as love for one another. Where love for another person is present God is present too. 'Honour God in each other'.  We come to God through love of one another, since love for a human being is much more concrete than love for God. In the teaching of Augustine human love has divine love running within it. 

"Augustine models for us prayer of the heart, longing to know and to see God. In prayer we progress to God who is human happiness itself. 'You have made us and directed us toward yourself and our heart is restless until we rest in you.' Conf 1.1"

PRAISE GOD FOREVERMORE!