by Darren Torres
“Ang Pogi Mo!” A phrase, girls would normally shout out whenever they see Dao Ming Su or Brad Pitt or even Darren Torres, ehem! I can imagine girls reading this article would crumple this newsletter, reacting furiously, but don’t. Allow me to continue. The road to discovering that I and the rest of the ICC brothers are pogi started with our regular bonding moments.
Every weekend is fellowship weekend for the brothers. I have been spending most of my weekends with the extraordinary brothers of ICC. We have our regular basketball games where we display our basketball prowess, catching our breaths just to reach the other side of the court. We enjoy displaying our machismo muscles with our six-pack abs like layered hotcakes.
Straight from our basketball games, we also have our movie marathon overnights which were always a blockbuster! Planned movie marathons would always turn out to be unplanned sleepovers. Realization: I am now convinced that men are great singers - that is, during sleep. You would think you were listening to a Philippine Madrigals practice!
Last September 22, 2007, we had the time of our lives when we put an exclamation to our so-called regular brothers fellowship. Thanks to brother Ronald’s generosity, his house became our crib for the whole night. Brother Julius Ulep lead us to a powerful worship as our activity started then brother Ronald gave a talk titled Private Conversation: Usapang POGI. What striked me most in the talk was when Bro. Ronald posed an overwhelming question that made us pause for a minute: “Are you a boy or a man?” It’s as if my life just flashed back so fast that the question remained unraveled in my mind. I only discovered the answer to the question when the group was broken into pairs or buddies. Surprisingly all of us have the same answers and assessment to the question when we had the chance to share our thoughts.
Individually, we acknowledge that we are still boys with imperfections, still committing lousy things, still having difficulties with certain aspects of our lives. But as we struggle facing our difficulties, we are being molded to becoming a man with firm convictions, with great faith, and with a lot of love to share with everyone. That’s why I believe that I am POGI because even though I struggle, I still acknowledge that God is in me. ICC brothers are POGI because we have the Presence Of God Inside of us and that truth will always remain with us. HUA!
by Vida Visagar
Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what little girls are made of.
What about grown-up girls? What about women? What about us?
You are patiently and perfectly fashioned and God created you
beautifully. You are a woman of God. These are the words came into my
mind one morning as I was getting ready for office. “What is woman of
God made of?” I wondered if we can have the topic one household
meeting, but the upper household brothers might get disinterested (the
same way we would if they talk about machismo muscles with six pack
abs like layered hot cakes, gross…)
A sisters overnight fellowship would be the best venue to discover the answer to the question. The fellowship was arranged last September 22 to 23 with the theme: Discover Your True Beauty.
Earlier during the day of fellowship, 9:00am at the ICC formation center, our September birthday celebrants shared their blessings to the kids attending the regular Saturday Soup Kitchen as their way of saying thank you for another wonderful year God has given them. The little angels responded with a big smile to the little
and simple things they received from their kuya’s and ate’s. Every child was excited with the presents. Thanks to our generous birthday celebrators who shared their time and resources to make this gift giving possible for the kids.
Later in the day, 6:00pm, everything was set as the sisters started to arrive at the venue. Thanks sister Ann for opening your home for our sisters for the fellowship. The activities started with giving the sisters some practical tips on how to look good by putting simple make-up and by using readily available and natural beauty products without spending too much - care of our sister Nette. The next activity showcased our unit heads Wen and Mina sharing their top cooking secrets in making lasagna & ham & cheese roll (delisyoso!). After dinner, sister Rhia entertained the sisters with an acoustic performance of her self-compositions, kilig moment iyon! The sisters were then introduced to the skill of scrapbook making, as sister Joanne
fondly shared her memories and the story behind their family scrapbook.
Finally the time of being intimate with our God came. What can a woman of GOD offer? And why do we easily cry? As I listened to the sharings of the sisters, it was revealed to me that individually, we are undergoing certain pruning - in struggling to become good daughters, in loving unconditionally, in loving more and loving till it hurts, in fighting for what we believe in, in trying not to compromise our faith in spite of pressure, in letting go of temporary pleasures and joys as we patiently wait for our true love. I also realized that our tears are the expression of our happiness, our pain, our grief and our love
The ICC SFC sisters are all women of God because He created us after His own image. He even took overtime to create us perfectly and beautifully. We are special because women are the extension of God’s emotions and even as we grow up into different shapes and sizes, we are still God’s little daughters. HUA!
Hello SFCs,
Congratulations to Central B for bagging the Men’s doubles badminton
championship and the 2nd place finish in the Men’s singles (only
because George had to default the singles finals match for he can’t play
the singles and doubles at the same time). Congrats to Norman and
George for the job well done!!!
Thank you for all those who have supported our teams despite our
meager participation.
October 2, 2007 (Tuesday)
Leaders Core Training
Topic: "Discover Your Power"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
October 4, 2007 (Thursday)
General Membership Teaching
Topic: "What Are Spiritual Gifts?"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
October 5, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#7: "The Christian Family"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
October 7-14, 2007
Household Week
October 12, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#8: "A Spirit-Filled Life"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
October 14, 2007 (Sunday)
Tongues Workshop 1:30pm
San Nicolas Chapel
October 17, 2007 (Wednesday)
Chapter Assembly
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
October 19, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#9: "Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit"
7pm; ICC Formation Center
October 20, 2007 (Saturday)
Rosary Vigil
5pm; San Nicolas Chapel
October 21, 2007 (Sunday)
SFC Singgolympics
8-5pm; Marikina Sports Complex
October 21-27, 2007
Household Week
October 26, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#10: "Growing in the Spirit"
7pm; ICC Formation Center
October 27, 2007 (Saturday)
Halloween Party: A Fund-Raising Project
7pm; Venue TBA
October 28-31
Fellowship Week
Advance Announcement!
November 9-11, 2007 (Fri-Sun)
Singles Weekend Retreat 1 &2
Falcon Crest, Norzagaray, Bulacan
Reg. Fee: Php800/head
(inclusive of transportation, food and accomodation)
September 4, 2007 (Tuesday)
Leaders Core Training
Topic: "Discover Your Pleasure"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 6, 2007 (Thursday)
General Membership Teaching
Topic: "Workshop: The Basics of Leading a Worship"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 7, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#3: "What It Means To Be A Christian"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 8, 2007 (Saturday)
Mama Mary's Birthday
September 9, 2007 (Sunday)
Brothers' Fellowship! Part 1
Details TBA
September 9, 2007 (Sunday)
One Philippines For God
(A Worship Gathering of CFC, Light of Jesus and Bukas Loob sa Diyos Communities)
2pm; ULTRA, Pasig
September 9-15, 2007
Household Week
September 14, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#4: "Repentance & Faith"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 15, 2007 (Saturday)
Metro Manila Leaders Assembly
7:30pm; Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary Gym
September 19, 2007 (Wednesday)
Chapter Assembly
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 21, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#5: "The Christian Ideal: Loving God"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 22, 2007 (Saturday)
Sisters Fellowship!
4pm onwards; Ann Calantoc's Place, Caniogan, Pasig
September 23, 2007 (Sunday)
Brothers' Fellowship! Part 2
Details TBA
September 23-30, 2007
Household Week
September 28, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#6: "Loving Your Neighbor"
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
September 30, 2007 (Sunday)
Singgolympics
8am-6pm; Marikina Sports Complex
By Vee Delos Santos
When I was asked to write about this article, I can't help but thank
God for using us as He transforms the lives of our brothers and
sisters, present and future. As we heed the call of proclaiming the
Gospel to the ends of the earth, a lot of preparations have been
made. Like an army, we should be equipped physically, emotionally
and spiritually before going to the battle ground. The CLP Teambuilding
helped us develop good relationships among our co-servants in the
team. The CLP Motorcade and Leafletting allowed us to see the
vastness of God's territory and to conquer the still unconquered
territories. The Sacrament of Confession allowed us to seek
forgiveness and to ask God to purify us once again and to take away
our fears and doubts.
At last, the much awaited CLP Orientation had arrived last August 17,
but accompanied with heavy rains and a prevailing storm. But God
never failed to show us His power and majesty. More than 20
participants braved through the storm and were able to attend the
Orientation session!
Brothers and sisters, as we take part on the transformation of God's
people, let our love for our brethren come from the immense love
God - the Transformer, is giving us. Godbless!
Note from the Editor: Each month, our newsletter will be featuring a "unit" in the chapter. A
Unit is composed of more or less five household groups. We will take a closer look at the
personalities comprising our units and get a glimpse of what they've been doing as a group.
This month and for starters, we will feature the Upper Household.
Madalas natin marinig ang Brothers Fellowship, Sisters Fellowship,
Chapter Fellowship at iba pa. Pero narinig nyo na ba ang Upper
Fellowship? Lupit…, ito palang mga lider natin, ang mga members ng
Upper Household (UH) ay gumigimik rin, para sa isang humahagupit na
upper fellowship. Tara, alamin natin ang kanilang bonding, trekking,
planning, laughing, eating at syempre pwede bang mawala ang picture
taking.
Last 18-19 of August, naganap ang pinaka-aabangang upper fellowship
from our home base, Pasig City to beautiful, foggy, cool climate of
Tagaytay City. Naku travel time palang sa van (nila Ronald, Vida, Medz,
Darren, Cathy, Aaron at Ann) ang saya na ng upper, di maawat sa
kwentuhan, kulitan, asaran at tawanan. Ewan ko lang yung nasa kotse
(Jerry, Mina, Julius, Bugs at Wen), hanggang sa marating namin ang
tahanan nila Bugs.
Day 1, August 18: Day 1 pa lang, grabe food na agad ang nasa isip, first
we had dinner at Leslie’s Resto para sa favorite bulalo, kare-kare, sisig
at syempre rice, nag order pa nga ng extra rice sa dulo eh. Before nyan
nag-bilyar muna ang mga brothers, hehe. Tapos, mid-year review na
nung gabi. What went wrong and what went right, yan ang nadagdag sa
kaalaman ko. Talagang tinandaan ko pa yan. Kakaiba di ba? Mid-year review on
the month of August… =) Eto ang malupit, bonding moments, ito ang moment ng
upper that crosses day 1 & day 2, puyatan to the max! Kaya lang di ko pwede
i-share ang mga kilig, kwela, at very intriguing moments ng bawat isa, basta
merong yiihhheeee…. eto yung tipong bonding na talagang pang-over night &
take note walang K.J. sa upper lahat, dare! =) Hay naku, almost 4am na ayaw
pa paawat. Wanna join and play our “Name or Pass” game? J
Day 2, August 19: Ito na ang araw ng adventure at galaang walang katulad.
Hanep ang upper parang mga turista, parang Lost in Tagaytay. Ganon pala kami
pag nagsama-sama, parang mga naka wala sa hawla J First destination, Good
Shepherd for the best pasalubong na “ube”. Then, ang walang kupas na Picnic
Grove. Ang saya ng trekking namin, a lot of picture taking, laughing and a few
of seconds of crying then laughing ulit, hehe.
From Picnic Grove down to the famous Pink Sisters, famous kasi lahat ng
sisters / nuns are dressed in pink. Dito we spent quiet hours of praying and good
conversation with our God. Our last stop at di papayag ang upper na di matikman
ang masarap na food sa Mushroom Resto, nilantakan ng upper (brothers) ang
mga pagkain. Akala mo ang daming inorder, para lang matikman lahat, nag ibaiba
pa ng order, kulang nalang boodle fight =)
It was a great weekend, the upper household proved to have established strong
relationships and a special friendship among us. The community binds us, the
teachings & gathering bind us more. But most of all, it is the members of this
chapter, SFC-ICC, who inspire us to give our best and to share our 3T’s, Godgiven
Time, Talent & Treasures for our chapter and community, for our brothers
& sisters of SFC…HuuAaaa!
SFC Pasig-ICC officially opened its second
Christian Life Program for 2007 last August 17,
Friday, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Formation Center. The CLP, held every Friday,
8pm at the same venue, is expected to be
completed by November 2007. Around 23
participants attended the Orientation session.
Our CLP is lead by our core service team
consisting of: Teamleaders: Bugs Navarro and
Vence Abuyen; Asst. Teamleaders: Mike Bibat
and Jheng Cagungao; Servants: Rhedel
Capistrano and Ellen Roldan; Overseers: Aaron
Estacio and Jean Mahusay.
The CLP Teambuilding, Motorcade, Leafletting,
and Confession were all held and participated in
by members of the core and support service
team during the month of August in preparation
for the CLP. Let us all pray for an abundant
harvest!
August 5, 2007 (Sunday)
CLP Team Building
1-5pm; Rainforest, Maybunga
August 7, 2007 (Tuesday)
Leaders Core Training
Topic: “Discover Your Pain”
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
August 12, 2007 (Sunday)
CLP Motorcade & Leafletting
Details TBA
August 17, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Orientation
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
August 19, 2007 (Sunday)
CLP Leafletting
All Afternoon Masses; ICC Parking
August 22, 2007 (Wednesday)
General Membership Teaching
Topic: “Patience & Perseverance”
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
August 24, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#1: God's Love
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
August 26-31, 2007
Household Week
August 31, 2007 (Friday)
CLP Talk#2: Who is Jesus Christ?
7:30pm; ICC Formation Center
Lord, we thank you for the 26 years of our community. Like shepherd to his lost sheep you have sought us out and found us through the ministries of Couples for Christ. You have given us a new family and you have clothed us a life of fullness and joy. In 25 years you have blessed us, molded us, and sent us out into the world to proclaim your majesty. And in these 26 years:
There are fewer strangers and more brethren. There are fewer in poverty and more in abundance. There are fewer closed doors and more open hearts. There are fewer groping in darkness and more gathering around your light. Lord as our community writes its next chapter with You and as we the Singles for Christ of today are molded into the Couples for Christ of tomorrow, permanently etch in our hearts the faithfulness you unceasingly show, the comfort of your presence during the storms in our life, the warmth of Your loving embrace in our affliction, the overflowing of Your forgiveness despite our imperfection, the assurance of deliverance in our moments of desperation, and the courage and passion you have given us to live boldly for you that we may stand united under You, our one God and our one Hope, experiencing the fullness of life and restoring the world for You.
We offer to you Father, every single member of our community in every corner of the world that we may never cease to experience You and share you with others. We lift up to you Father our elders who have been humble and obedient stewards of our community that they may continue to serve as a light to the members, pointing us in the direction towards you. With the next era of our community upon us Lord, prepare us. Prune us that we may bear much fruit. Equip and enlighten us so that we bring your light to others. Give us grace that we may always choose to love and stand united in You.
Lord, for You we will serve tirelessly, we will love unconditionally, we will live selflessly and we will leave no one behind so that the whole world will know of Your power and majesty
Lord, raise us, your children in SFC, to become a true generation of leaders and martyrs as we work and live for the day when every knee will fall to You, beginning with our own. AMEN.
Sammy Lemos – 2
Ryan Felias – 4
Marjorie Marquez – 4
Mark Lego – 7
Peppel Angeles – 8
Flora Dublin – 8
Michael Mendoza – 10
Ma. Cecilia Flores – 10
Janette Doctora – 12
Joyce Zapico – 14
Jennifer Labrague – 14
Mhyk Bibat – 18
Louisa San Juan – 19
Cecil Ramos – 20
Obet Robin – 22
Carlos Deo Magalona – 26
Alma Durana – 27
Rose Concepcion – 28
Baby Lubrido – 28
Bel Bautista – 30
"All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." -Luke 12:30-32
Starting August 17, 2007
ICC Formation Center
Pasig City
For inquiries please call:
Bugs 0922 2621568
Vence 0919 2749654
Welcome to our new website... Our first newsletter will be posted soon for the month of August.
