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Payatas Trece and the Gawad Kalinga experience 1.
Introduction
Couples for Christ (CFC) is a Catholic Community that started in
the Philippines in 1981. It originally had 16 couples but grew to
approximately 1.4 million active members in 108 countries. Its
initial aim was spiritual renewal, but has evolved to social
renewal, a natural response to the call of Christian
responsibility. This gave birth to Gawad Kalinga (GK, which
literally means to give care), CFC’s community development program
for the poor. Gawad Kalinga GK is non-sectarian, multi-sectoral,
non-partisan and non-discriminatory. It is a program that begins
with “stewardship and moves towards community empowerment.” It
starts with the appointment of a caretaker team – a group of
volunteers committed to visit a community to educate and train, but
more importantly to build relationships with the residents. They
give values formation and skills training to help the community
become independent and sustainable. By doing this, the program
targets the root cause of poverty, which is “not simply the absence
of money but an absence of shared values, sense of community and
higher purpose.” The GK program has several components; each
component actually a sub-program that targets specific needs of a
community, making the approach comprehensive and wholistic. To
target shelter and site upgrading in communities, GK offers TATAG
which literally means, “to establish.” TATAG is a housing program
wherein durable and colourful homes are built for the poor, as well
as other physical structures such as pathwalks, drainage systems,
water and toilet facilities, a school, a livelihood center, a
multi-purpose hall and a clinic. Sometimes, other structures such
as basketball courts and libraries are also constructed once basic
infrastructure needs are set up. But this housing program has a
value-added quality. The very act of building homes and common
facilities is done by making beneficiaries pay for the expenses
through “sweat equity.” This means that each beneficiary, aside
from building his own house, helps build his neighbor’s house side
by side with the GK volunteers. To answer the education needs of
the community, GK also offers several programs to educate young
people. One is SIBOL, which literally means “to grow.” It provides
value-based education for pre-school children, aged three to six
years. GK also offers SAGIP (to save), which has support programs
for streetchildren whose ages range from seven to thirteen. Another
program focused on education is SIGA (to light; also means
toughie). It provides scholarships to those with the mental
aptitude to pursue higher education. It also offers a strong youth
rehabilitation program where juvenile delinquents are provided
various activities and counselling sessions to help them live
productive lives without committing them to rehabilitation
institutions, then later on, reintegrate them into their
communities.
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In answer to the health care needs of the communities it serves,
GK offers LUSOG, meaning “healthy” in Filipino. Through this
program, each family’s health in a GK community is carefully
monitored by a volunteer team of doctors and paramedical
practitioners. It introduces and builds clinics in communities. GK
also addresses the livelihood needs of the communities it serves
through GAWAD KABUHAYAN (to give livelihood). Through this effort,
livelihood and skills training are conducted, and start-up capital
and materials for microfinance and micro-enterprise are also
provided. It assists in marketing communities’ products. It also
aims to raise food self-sufficiency levels by teaching technology
for backyard farming, urban agriculture and poultry-raising. GK
empowers communities by organizing each of them into a KAPITBAHAYAN
Neighborhood Association. The community, through the organization,
is given the responsibility to decide and agree to a set of
guidelines as well as plan and work for continuous development in
its area. Payatas Trese Payatas Trese used to be a slum community
of Payatas Area B in Quezon City, Philippines. It is about four
hectares in size and its population is 260 households. Most of the
people who live there are very poor, and work as drivers,
construction workers, painters, household helpers, washerwomen,
etc. Couples for Christ began their work in Payatas Trese in 1995.
According to the residents, it started when an RVM nun who used to
conduct regular bible study sessions in the area introduced CFC to
the residents. It conducted the Christian Life Program (CLP) in
Payatas Trese, which was initially attended by seven couples.
Membership to the Couples for Christ has grown. According to one
resident, almost 65 percent of the residents are now members of the
CFC. In 2001 Payatas Trece was chosen as a GK site mainly because
of the considerable number of CFC members. In May 2001, the
Kapitbahayan (the association of would-be GK
resident-beneficiaries) was organized. The following month, SIBOL
was launched. Then in August, The first house was constructed for a
member of Handmaids of the Lord in August. Other GK programs,
namely SAGIP, SIGA and LUSOG were put up in early 2002. GK’s
programs in Payatas Trece are still on-going; It has also gained
the support of other organizations, such as the Ateneo, which
became its first partner university. Ateneo pledged to finance and
construct 60 houses, thus Payatas 13 was renamed the GK Blue Eagle
Village. GK aims to build 208 houses, as of October 2005, 177
houses have already been built. The next pages focus on how the
Gawad Kalinga program has affected the residents of Payatas Trece,
from the perspective of six residents who have committed themselves
into ensuring that the program succeeds.
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2.Payatas Trece and the GK Experience 2.1 Transcript of
Interview 1 About the group/community How did your group/community
start? Who started it? How? This community, as you see it now,
started when Sister Oxy conducted Bible study sessions with us. It
came to a point when more and more people were joining and CFC and
elders wanted to enter the community. CFC (Couples for Christ) has
been with the community since 1995. We were the first batch of CFCs
here. Since then, the community has grown. What were your
activities when you were starting? We attended thirteen weeks of
the Christian Life Program, which is focused on teaching. This is
how our community started… We had seminars relating to community
development. We give all our support to our neighbors There are
also teachings about Christian life. How did you make your
community stronger? What were the strategies you used? Development
started here up to Area A and B, even in Silangan (East). Gawad
Kalinga started through the padugo (which means “to bleed” for the
cause. It is means devoting one’s own time and resources to
initiate work within the community without expecting outside
funding or support). Actually, the system wasn’t called GK then. It
was called padugo. It started with twelve houses. Our elders who
are members of the Couples for Christ Catholic Group outside of
their community who helped us gave a small amount of money so that
we can share this with the others here in building or improving
their houses. Until now, they are still here. They give their
support for the completion of (houses)… They gave a large amount of
support. The number has increased. Almost all households in this
area are CFC members. The community was strengthened through our
dealings with each other. So maybe the others see that there’s
nothing wrong with what we do. In the first place, before, you
would see drinking and gambling sessions in the streets. If you get
drunk, you pick a fight with someone. Now that the area is
developed through the community, through what they teach us, there
is a big change. You can no longer see any commotion. Prayer. Also,
we explain what we are doing. Now, we help each other build houses
in the community. We help each other with the tasks. We help each
other increase our faith, better our relationship with other
people, our associations with big people, how to achieve justice in
the country.
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Describe your community as it is today. What were the changes
that took place since you started it? What were the changes that
took place? You said there were a lot of drinking sessions? Now… we
were able to change that system. Also, group prayer was introduced.
Before, you never prayed with each other? No. We didn’t mind each
other. We did not concern ourselves with what our neighbors did.
For example, if you were my neighbor and you had a fight, it was
your business. Fight if you want to. Now, if there are any
arguments, the leader is consulted. The community will try to solve
the situation unless of course it is a big problem and we do not
have the capacity to solve it. Then the barangay, i.e. the local
government unit, will take over. But if it is only a small thing,
we the leaders will just solve it. Sir, how do you describe your
community before the project started? Can you describe the people’s
way of living? What were the main sources of income? When CFC just
started, people here lived each day at a time (subsistence living).
Although you worked hard, sometimes you could not even eat. Life
was difficult. Most people here worked as painters and were
involved in construction services. Also, some were back-riders
(those who accompany truck drivers) like me. Those were the common
occupations of people here. You really would see that the houses
then were different from houses today. Before, the houses were
shanties made up of flimsy materials crudely put together. People
would have been frightened to visit us. Even the roofs were a
hodgepodge of used galvanized roofing materials. Our walls were
made of scraps of plywood. Maybe if you touched a match to it, it
would only take one second till… it would immediately catch fire.
But now, you see the appearance of the surroundings. This place has
been really blessed for us. It is also because of those from Ateneo
(the Jesuit university) that this community had been organized.
They’ve given us much help and support. Consider also that the
roads outside the community had many potholes before. Only the
tire-tracks were flat. And then population here increased. Maybe
the city government took pity on us. Now the road has been paved
from Litex to here, maybe to cater to the transport needs of each
person. In 1993, ERAP’s (former Philippine President Joseph
Ejercito Estrada) housing project was put up. People in Manila were
moved there. There was relocation. That area is very vast. As I
have been relating, we’re improving our quality of life because now
we have homes. Also, we do not go back to our old ways. Things have
indeed changed: the interaction of people, how we accept visitors,
how we introduce ourselves. We have become more open.
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Research Questions What commitments to dignity and justice have
you made as a Christian community, i.e. inspired by your Christian
faith? As a member, what are the concrete activities that you do?
As a community? Do you have activities? Yes, our community is a
strong one because we now have a school, a clinic, and the program
Sibol (GK’s tutoring and skills development program for pre-school
children). It is mostly we who run these, who are part of the
community. I am the one assigned at the clinic today. In fact there
is an activity this moment at the clinic. I should’ve gone there if
it weren’t for this interview. Everything that a person can learn
can be found here. There are also volunteers here. We study, we
attend trainings. We get invited. If there are doctors that come
here and serve, the volunteers assist them. Are there a lot of you
who serve? Yes, during weekends. I have a job, but Saturday and
Sundays, I am free. However, it is my wife who works for the
community during weekdays. My wife and I are both active. Here
there are many couples that actively serve. We have our own
assignments. Raquel’s assignment, for example, is for Tatag (GK’s
housing program). She is in charge of the construction of the
houses, the distribution of the materials and all that is needed.
We have our own assignments. Someone is also in charge of Sibol so
we have our own assignments. We also have a pastoral program.
Someone also is assigned for that. Are these commitments occasions
for an encounter with God? In what way? Do you see God in all the
time you spend in promoting dignity and justice in your community?
Yes, I see God. Because we won’t be able to act if He’s not here.
He guides us with our actions. We cannot go on without Him. That’s
why my wife tells me, “I’m so tired but when I am able to help
someone, it’s like my tiredness disappears.” No matter how much our
sacrifices are, no matter what our services are, we are repaid by
joy especially if there are people who help us. They are there to
support us. We help one another. It lightens the load if we help
each other. Sir, how do you feel God’s presence with what you do?
Through cooperation. Through being open to other people. We show
each other goodness. Of course sometimes, I also think…for example,
even during the night someone wakes us up, “Can we have some
medicine?” So we, as leaders, go to the clinic and
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give them the medicine that they need. There is sacrifice and we
don’t expect anything in return. Our joy lies in being able to
serve the Lord. What signs of the Spirit have appeared in that life
of commitment, which you consider especially important? In
attitudes, community dynamics, lifestyles, implication of persons…
Sir, what do you think are the important signs of the spirit that
you see in your commitment to service? For me, I wish for nothing
except that what I give is able to help. It is enough that I be
able to serve. It is enough that my wife and I are able to serve in
a good way. By continuing what you do, what are the signs of the
Spirit or evidence that the Spirit is present? Do you see this with
the attitudes of the people? How is it…if you do something, are you
aware of the presence of the Spirit? When can you say this? For me,
I can say that the Lord is there because each step that I make I do
because of Him. If he is not there, your actions are sluggish.
That’s why it’s necessary to be energetic because you know that you
are being taught and guided with everything. So sir, is it right to
say that what is important is the movement of that Spirit, aside
from the fact that you are able to help? Because that’s already a
big thing. It’s a big thing that someone wakes you up at midnight,
but it is more important that you see that the Spirit is moving
you? Yes. What aspects of your faith have become clearer,
outstanding, strengthened? In the way to view Jesus’ life or to
interpret God’s face, or to welcome people, or to see God’s
presence in non-Christians… Sir, what aspect of your faith has been
shed light on, has emerged or has been strengthened by what you do?
Each week, we have prayer meetings, usually every Saturday. Also,
the things that my leader and I talk about are being relayed to the
members. In a week, there’s always a prayer meeting. You mean sir
that emerged from your activities? So in your activities, there is
an aspect of your faith involved? This is manifested through your
prayer meetings? You also have your sharing? Yes. Sir, how did your
understanding of the life of Jesus, His face, how did these change
throughout your helping other people?
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With what we see with the people now, even if they are not
Christians, even in our housing project, we do not think of getting
anything in return. What’s important is that you are helping the
person, no matter what religion you are part of. Before, did you
use to help only Catholics? No. It was like this even before. This
is our view, even though a person is not part of our group, as long
as we see that he is in need of help. When you started to do your
activities here, how did your views change? Before you joined
Couples for Christ and after, how did your views of other people
change? There is a big change because when we joined CFC, it is
through this that we got to know God. Before, there were a lot of
gamblers in the area, I was one of them. And then I started to know
God, my image really changed. I no longer appreciated what I was
doing before. We began to have many activities that help other
people. So the time spent for our previous past-times are now spent
helping other people. So your life was really changed, your
lifestyle. A lot has changed. In earlier times, you would have seen
that I was very, very big. Your appearance also was transformed?
Also with vices, people smoked, sometimes gambled. People fought
with their wives because they were usually drunk. When I joined
Couples for Christ, we let go of all these vices because we thought
that our community will not grow if we continue with our old ways.
So why don’t we do this? It is in fact for ourselves. But you see
it also in them, in the people who support us. There are the people
who have changed tremendously, which amazes me. In our community,
before all these developments, you needed a bodyguard to get in.
Now even if you walk around, nobody will harm you. When you say
Payatas, people will automatically think it is very chaotic here.
But in our community, with the Lord’s mercy, things have changed.
The people’s actions have changed. That’s why I am very thankful to
the elders who have given us support. I think that these are
blessings for us and we are to share these with other people. When
carrying out your commitment, what major difficulties have you
experienced? But sir, are your tasks difficult? Are there times
that you also get tired? Of course! We also get tired. That’s only
natural. Think about this, you’re tired. You’ve worked the whole
day. And when you sleep, sometimes someone knocks at your door and
comes in. Also, we have to visit other couples also. What are your
problems? Can we help?
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There, we see to it that we understand his needs. Of course I do
not want to report this immediately to those in higher positions.
They might say, “Why, can’t you even handle that?” So now, as long
as I can do something about it, I do it. And then if we really
can’t, then we ask the help of other members. It’s really
difficult. Because in the first place, sometimes, we need to go to
seminars outside. Of course I am quite shy when it comes to my
leaders. So what we do... If we are in prayer meetings, we get
contributions from the core members. We pitch in so that we can
save money. By the time that we need funds, the money is ready. Not
like when you act just as the situation comes. Then you cannot use
anything. This is what we do. From the vantage point of your faith
and commitment to justice in favor of the poorest, what do you ask
today of the Church you are part of? What do you think should be
changed or strengthened? How would you like your commitment to
justice and life to be? From the vantage point of your faith and
your commitment to justice, your activities now especially those
for the poor, what do you ask from the Church of which you are a
part? From your parish? What do you think can be changed or
strengthened with regard to the Church? I only ask that they always
pray for us and give us strength. Strength of body and spirit. So
that our mind will only be on Him. I hope they will not fall short
on its teachings. What do you think are the concrete steps to do
this? Support dignity. Sir, what do you think should be changed
with the Church or should be strengthened? Maybe the renovation of
the church so that it will become bigger. So that we can fit.
Because many people are forced to hear Mass from the outside. That
should be renovated. Maybe even to make it more beautiful. Also, so
that people can understand more the teachings of the Church. Does
this help you in your activities? Yes. Our leaders were the ones
who started the church. Solicitation also is needed so that the
fund will increase. And from the same standpoint, what do you ask
of the society in which you live? What do you ask also of those who
live in rich countries of the world? Sir, from the vantage point of
a Christian who works in the community, what can you ask from the
society? What do you wish for them to know?
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For me, I want to let the government know that they should see
how our community runs so that they may be impressed and so that
they will also see what is lacking here. There is still a lot to be
done. So sir, those from other rich countries, what can they do?
Perhaps what I can ask from those who have already helped us is to
continue helping us for a long period of time so that things can be
improved. So that there’s something for the people to make a profit
of. Livelihood. That’s all. In our place, there are mothers who do
not have anything to do. Sir, these answers that we got from you
will be sent to Spain. There were many countries that were asked so
that they will be given an idea how they will respond. So these are
all our questions. Yes. Don’t tire of coming here. We are always
here when you visit. If I’m not at home, I’m just making my rounds
in the area. Sometimes, if there is a problem, they also add to my
problems. But I just tell them, “Let’s just pray. Let’s pray. God
might help us.” Just like that. That’s why I am also pleasant even
though they come at an unholy hour. I do not get angry as long as
they ask properly. Sometimes I even joke with them, “Let’s drink.”
But that’s only a joke. I am happy that we are able to get to know
each other. With our dealings, we are able to get to know each
other, things fall into place. 2.2 Transcript of Interview 2 About
the group/community How did your group start? Who started it? How?
This religious community called Couples for Christ started here in
1995. This was led by a nun, the RVM sister Sr. Oxy. At first, she
came here to conduct values formation in the area, all these in
relation to faith. She saw that the population was increasing and
she initiated this for those people who had forgotten about their
faith. It is by chance that she talked to Bro. Tony Meloto then. He
was one of the leaders of Couples for Christ. He and other leaders
held an orientation here. They conducted two orientations and then
they introduced the Christian Life Program (CLP). So, it was in
1995 that Couples for Christ entered the community. My husband and
I were among their first harvests. Mr. Tony is also from here? No,
he lives outside the community. It was also they who started the
Gawad Kalinga which is the community’s service now. Gawad Kalinga
and Couples for Christ are related. They are linked. Every year,
more and more people join the organization. But not all who join
stay. Some go on and some disappear. Each person has his free will.
Wherever you adapt yourself, wherever you are happy with your
faith, stick to it. So when they harvest members for Couples for
Christ, maybe it won’t even be a year until some members falter and
disappear.
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But GK itself, the building of the houses, when did this start?
GK was not yet called GK before. Then, it was called ANCOP. It is
an acronym but I forget the meaning. This started 2001. The donors
before were our leaders in Couples for Christ who may have had
extra blessings. Maybe they thought that they should build us nice
houses. The first batch to be built was composed of twelve houses.
The first one was erected in August and then this was followed by
another one in November and two others in December until all twelve
were finished within 2001 to 2002. The donors were our brothers and
sisters who do not reside here, those who are well off in life. Is
that what they call padugo? Yes, that’s what we call padugo. Those
we call elders, our leaders, cluster heads and unit heads who have
extra blessings, started this. When they got good feedback, they
thought about building the community through Bayanihan
(cooperation). So after twelve houses, SIBOL was organized. SIBOL
is a program of GK for kids in the kindergarten, nursery and
preparatory levels. There is also a program for elementary students
called SAGIP. And then SIGA is for the Out of School Youth. Are
these tutorials? Yes. Almost all are tutorials but there are also
skills-training for those with talent and abilities. So that’s the
program. I think GK has been running for only two years. It has
existed for two years but since 2001, we’ve already had programs
here. Maybe, they had the idea of penetrating the area because they
realized that it is easier for them to introduce other programs
here because people have already been molded and are members of
CFC. So these are the values that we wish to impart to them:
cooperation, whatever should be done to be a true Christian. It
starts in the home, at work, wherever. With spouses. It all goes
from there. That’s what they thought of. GK in Quezon City actually
started in Payatas. What are the other tasks or activities? There
were trainings and seminars in management, especially in managing
or handling people. They taught us, through Ateneo, in November
2003, especially when we were fixing the legal status of our land,
when it was about to be awarded to us. Now, it is okay. We now have
a subdivision plan. A final census has been conducted here. This
was when Ateneo entered. This was when they gave an effort to
develop the community. This was when the trainings, livelihood
projects, and community development started. They put up a health
center, GK center, Sibol, and then they conducted tutorials in our
school here. What do you mean when you say management training?
Management training. Because now, that is what GK really wants.
When the program started, those who ran it were the outsiders.
Nobody from here was in
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charge. They thought then that because most of us have been
members of CFC for a long time, that means, we already know what is
right. “You know right from wrong,” they might have thought“ so
it’s time that it is you who will lead the community.” But they did
not give the authority to us completely. We needed to be trained
first. The program managers here were they themselves, those who
were from Filinvest (village outside Payatas). Now, things have
been devolved to us. We, the unit heads of CFC, we already manage
the programs here. We have programs like Sibol, Sagip, Siga, and
housing program which we call Tatag. At first, we didn’t know
exactly how to run the program. We were afraid. We thought that the
rich ones handled the projects previously because they had money to
spare for the projects which we would have to pay later. Then we
were taught that you don’t have to use personal money for the
project. Only the knowledge to run your program is needed. What are
the functions, who are the people that you can involve in the
program you are handling? So our trainings were mainly to teach us
how to handle people, how you can mobilize them, how you can
convince them to be involved in this kind of activity. It is only
in December that the trainings will be finished. It is still
on-going. This is why you go to Ateneo every weekend? Yes. The
couple Tess and Adel Briones gives the seminar. I think they are
from Ateneo. How were you able to strengthen your community? What
strategies did you use? How have you strengthened your community?
What were the strategies that were used toward its strengthening?
For leaders, you have management trainings. But you yourselves,
what are the strategies that you use in order to strengthen the
community? What we apply are the teachings that we learn from CFC.
How you would be able to control your emotions even if you were
really angry, even if people were being difficult. How will you
convince this person? How will you please him? We apply the
teachings in this manner. Because we have been with CFC for ten
years, our elders trust that we can handle these situations
already. We also conduct values formation for the people. Here, we
try to mold them with the dos and don’ts. They begin to realize
that the values they have grown up with, are not exactly in
accordance with the standards of being a good Christian. That is
also one way for us to convince people to be active in the
community. Big developments began to take place. Although if we
look at the percentage, we would see that we have not yet acquired
the commitment of everybody. Maybe about 65 percent have joined us.
It’s not yet that many. The others have also their own motives.
They act as though they’re involved, but if you’ve given them what
they want, for example if they’ve been housed, they immediately
disappear. So this is when we use the strategy of talking to them
to remind them of what we have discussed during the values
formation. We remind them of the responsibilities that come with
being a beneficiary of this development. What are your
responsibilities to other people? We have signed MOAs (memoranda of
agreement) in our values formation between each beneficiary and GK.
Because others tend to forget. They still go about doing what they
had been doing when their houses were still not built. Another
thing, we also take them in the
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CLP. But they are not forced to go if they do not want to. Of
course there are religious differences here. Some are from Dating
Daan, some are Born-Again or are Jehovah’s witnesses. Only a few
are from Iglesia ni Kristo but there are also Moslems. Gawad
Kalinga is really for everybody. But if you know that certain
persons are Catholics or Christians, then maybe they can be invited
immediately. We begin with the housing project, and then with the
family. How can we tap your family so that the development and
beautification of the community will steadily push through? Because
if there’s only the housing project and the beneficiary and his
family are not saved from the values that they have grown up with
which they thought to be correct, it will be difficult to organize
the community. So this is the strategy that we have used. Tita
Raquel, are these values formation programs only for the members of
Couples for Christ? The values formation is given by leaders who
are not from here. It is also related to the CFC community. It is
not exclusive to the couples because those that we were able to
house were not all member couples. Some are not yet members; others
cannot be members because they really do not want to. But they also
attend values formation so that they can also be educated about
what GK is and what a beneficiary of GK has to do. The values
formation is not exclusive to CFC just as the housing program is
not exclusive to CFC members. If someone needs a house, he will be
given one no matter what religion he belongs to. This is also a
strategy, isn’t it, that all are included? You do not leave someone
out. Yes. Please describe your neighborhood today. How is it
different from your community when you first started? Please
describe your way of life. What are the common sources of income?
How would you describe your surroundings? How do you picture your
community now? What changes happened since when you first started?
Before, during weekends, you would see that people were very happy
here. You would see things going on along the street. There were
those who sang videoke. There were those who drank. Then in the
afternoon there would be quarrels. And then you’d see that in a
house, there would be people gambling. There were also a lot of
children running around especially if there were no classes. And
then later you’d see them fighting with each other. When there were
visitors here, there’d be nice cars parked outside, and then when
the driver left, he’d find scratches drawn across his vehicle. It
was like this before. That’s why when someone would learn that you
were going to Payatas Trece, they’d be scared and say, “Oh no!
You’re going to Payatas Trece? Don’t use nice cars, it’s dangerous
there. There’ll be lines scratched in them or your tires will be
punched flat.” This is how our community was because people were
bored and did nothing.
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So when GK entered, we had new activities. GK has many
activities in store every weekend. So when this became a GK area,
Sibol, Sagip and Siga started and each one had an activity. The
kids became busy, you’d see, not because of play. Yes they also
play but their time has become useful. They play but at the same
time they also learn because someone from Singles for Christ
facilitates their playtime. Parents are taught values and we also
teach the children these same values. Before, the kids hung out
here and had clique wars. Now they are all part of the same group
because all of them are part of the program Siga. So what happens
is that they become busy with the activities. Also when a child has
a talent in acting, singing or dancing, this is developed. It is
here that the children’s time, which was previously wasted doing
nothing, is spent. This is through the initiative of those from
Ateneo. Sometimes Ateneans come and say, “Who among you are fond of
this activity? Come with me.” Or, “We will have a training in
Ateneo this Saturday and Sunday.” They think of all things. This is
why kids become busy. Now when it comes to the parents, we see to
it that every year, we have CLP twice. So every Saturday and
Sunday, instead of seeing people drinking -- there are still some
who do, you can’t remove that, but now only a few people drink and
they usually do during special occasions-- now you see that they
bring with them the Bible, songbooks and a guitar because they have
household prayer meetings. This usually happens during weekends
because this is when all of them do not have work. This is the only
time that the members have complete attendance. Sometimes you would
hear people who meet along the street saying, “Brother, where will
your household prayer meeting be?” or “Why are you rushing?” And
then the person answers, “Because I need to recruit the two couples
I’m targeting for the CLP.” So it’s very nice to see that it’s very
different here already. Sometimes our leaders who are from
Filinvest have meetings here that last up to 11:00 or 12:00 in the
evening. They are very safe. Some residents will even watch their
cars for them. This is very different from the earlier times when
they would come here and nearly cry in despair because their cars
would be scratched. We, the members of Couples for Christ, were
embarrassed because of this. Now they are very safe. Some students
even come here for their school’s immersion programs. This shows
how our community can already be trusted. Even foreign students and
students from Ateneo come and spend Fridays and Saturdays here.
They usually go home on Sundays. Now they have something to share
to others. This means that it is very safe now here because Couples
for Christ and GK have penetrated the area. People are being molded
and so you see a big transformation in us compared to who we were
before. Research Questions What commitments to dignity and justice
have you made as a Christian community, i.e. inspired by our
Christian faith? Dignity? With dignity, for example… the housing
project. In earlier days, when someone came here we were
embarrassed. Should we stay outside? Should we stay at the
basketball court or should we stay in the chapel? Our house was not
nice. It was not presentable. It was embarrassing. Now, when
somebody comes here, we say, “Come in.” Although sometimes, like
now, it is very disorderly because I haven’t had time to fix it.
But we’re proud, “Come in, our house is finally beautiful. It is
presentable compared to how it was before.” So now, we have dignity
and we can
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say that our house was not built for free. We can say that we
also have a part in it. Our part here is through what we call
bayanihan. The house of our neighbor would not be built without my
help because I also lent a hand. What happens is that I’ll be able
to say, “Neighbor, don’t fight with me. Don’t you know that I am
one of those who helped build your house?” They will also think,”
Let’s not be angry at him because when our house was being built,
he was one of the people who mixed cement, piled hollow blocks,
painted and hammered.” So there, that’s one thing I can say about
dignity. Another thing I can say is that although the house is
free, the land is not. We will have to pay for this. Not everything
is free. We also have a part in this. We are also proud that we
will have to pay for the land. About equality, what we can say
about this is that we are not squatters. When other people say,
“Wow, your place is very nice,” we add, “Yes. Aside from that, that
is already ours. When we are able to pay we will hold the title to
that. Although it is only small, we can say that this is already
ours.” So there, we already have dignity. In earlier days, when you
enter the house you see the living room, the bedroom and kitchen in
one space. Now, we have a real bedroom. We have a separate kitchen
and living room. We have a presentable bathroom. It has also been
tiled. So we can say that the people here acquire a sense of
dignity because we already have homes. It starts in the home. How
do you promote, as part of a Christian community, your experience
of equality, or having dignity? How do you uphold this in your
activities? I know one way is through taking care of the houses
that you build. Another way also is the fact that you are paying.
What else? In your activities in the community? Actually, regarding
equality, some partners and sponsors come here and build with us.
“What? The rich come here to mix cement?” They are the partners,
they are the ones who donate so that the houses can be built and
then they also want to have a part in the actual building of the
house, that they also sweat for it. So people here wouldn’t want to
just watch them and do nothing. Are these commitments occasions for
an encounter with God? In what way? My service here is full-time. I
have an allowance because I am the materials custodian here. Of
course, I have a responsibility. That’s why they give an allowance.
But this allowance is not that big. My service here is really for
twenty-four hours. Everytime people say, “Hey Raquel,” …sometimes
even if I am already asleep someone says, “Tomorrow should be our
preparation, this has just come up. We are to expect a visitor,
meet the Mabuhay team (that’s our entertainment team)…” Sometimes,
I think to myself, this is what you call service. Because if I say,
“It’s very tiresome, this should not be at this time.” and then I
stop it, you will see that if you stop doing your part, the
following day, when the visitors arrive, things will not turn-out
well. Now, even if it is afternoon and you’re already tired, and
your services are needed in the evening, you will give it. What we
always think is that besides, all these are for the Lord. Because
once a person really needs something, he approaches me, “Raquel
will a house be built for us too?” And then I see that they’re
really hard up. “Okay, I’ll try, I’ll recommend that a house be
built on your lot. There won’t be much of a problem as long as
there is an available lot.” Now if you are able to build them a
house, they show gratitude through participating in the activities.
But if you put off helping this
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15
family, where will they be now? They probably will still not
show concern for the community. The family will probably not join
CFC. Helping them build their houses is one way to assimilate them
to the community. Usually when we know that they are Catholic, we
invite them immediately. And when they reason that they are not yet
married, we encourage them to join the CLP because we also sponsor
mass weddings for ten couples or more who have not yet received the
Church’s blessing on their union. So it is then that they join CLP
and then we discover that they have leadership capacities. And then
you realize that if this couple were not given a house, they would
not be members of CFC. Now they are handling four to five couples
that listen to them. This means that when you help other people
they help other people also, this can be considered as your
indulgence to the Lord. At first, I did not care about what
happened to this family. I was telling myself, “I don’t care about
you as long as my house is finished. I’m tired, I get lazy, and
I’ve served the community enough. I’m tired.” But now, I see that
this couple is very active and they have the ability to be leaders.
People listen to them. Even those who acted terribly before, those
who were boisterous, they have corrected their ways. This is what I
call chain reaction. If it stops with you… If you have something to
offer, you must share it until it bears good fruit. Do not complain
in your service because you are able to help a lot of people and
many are able to get closer to God. If you complain and you think
of the difficulties you experience and then you stop doing whatever
you are doing, it will be such a waste. Many people are waiting to
be discovered, to be given a chance to be involved in the
community, to be shown the way towards Him. And eventually they
will realize that it is not true that if you are suffering now, you
will forever be suffering. It is possible that if you start to act,
you will acquire a dignity for yourself. You will also be able to
help. That there are people on your side to help you help others.
This becomes your indulgence to the Lord. So in those miracles, in
each one’s transformation, in the chain reactions that you
mentioned, it is in these that you see the face of the Lord? Is it
here that you encounter God? Yes. In our Sagip program for example,
which is for kids 7 to 13 years old, someone donates school
supplies. And then one child comes and says that he does not have
this item because his parents can’t buy him one because they have
not enough money. So I will give him what he needs. You will see in
his face that he’s really happy. Sometimes when I have some candy,
I say to them, “If anyone goes to Mass on Sunday, if I see you in
attendance, come to my house and I will give you candy.” Come
Saturday, they are already excited. So when they go to Mass, they
will see that it’s also nice to go to Mass. If you help the
children, I think you get bigger points compared to when you help
the adults. And then I teach them, “I will give you candy as long
as you hear Mass.” And then what the child does is that he will go
to Mass regularly because candy is delicious. He does not know that
the point is not that he be given candy but that he is able to get
closer to God. So it is here that I see the face of the Lord. We
help children in our being program managers in Sagip. When we help
the children, it is as if we are already helping Him.
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What signs of the Spirit have appeared in that life of
commitment, which you consider especially important? Attitudes,
community dynamics, lifestyles, implication of persons… Like what
I’ve said, if you are a member of GK, you put people in values
formation. In homes, you will see the movement of the whole family.
In earlier days, this particular family used to be a rowdy bunch.
This family fought with each other always. The mother was a nag.
The father was a drunkard. But now, you will see that the father
works hard for the family because he was inspired by his pretty
house. If the house is nice, the food should be good also. You will
begin to think of acquiring nice things for the house. The mother,
because the house is nice, will think that instead of nagging,
instead of playing tong-it (card game), she will put up curtains
and clean the house. The kids on the other hand, will be taught
values and how they can help their parents. So there, you see the
movement of the spirit. It starts in the home. It revolves from the
kids to the parents especially if they are recruited to join CFC.
The whole family will bond together. Their minds will be opened and
it will dawn on them that their previous lifestyle was wrong. They
will decide to change this while there’s still time and while the
kids are still young. When they get older, we will also include
them in the youth group. This also has a big effect on the family.
If the relationships within the family are harmonious, among
neighbors, this spills out into the whole community. The movement
of the spirit starts at home, within the neighborhood and all over
the community. This goes around after. What aspects of your faith
have become clear, outstanding, strengthened? In the way to view
Jesus’ life, or to interpret God’s face, or to welcome people, or
to see God’s presence in non-Christians… At first, I thought it is
enough that I know the Lord, that I go to church when I have time.
Now that I am a member of CFC, I understand that it is not just
that. It is also necessary that you give time for Him. That’s why
we have what we call the covenant. We have what we call a 15-minute
prayer time. I realized that each one’s responsibility is not just
to move all day, wake up, sleep, eat - as long as you know that
there is a God, you know that you go to Mass and that you do good
things. This is not the only way to be connected with him.
Secondly, in earlier times, we decided to be content with what is
given to us. As the old saying goes, “The action should come from
the person, the mercy from God.” Before, you tended to ask for
blessings and complain when nothing came. How can these prayers be
granted if you do not work for them? We learned that you should
pray but at the same time, you should also move. Because the old
thinking that miracles just come from heaven is not true. Now you
have to work and pray that what you are working for will be
granted, that your goals will be achieved. In earlier times, you
pray hard and then the Lord does not seem to listen your prayers.
But what were you praying for? To win the lottery? Is this the
right thing to pray for? If you want to have money, it shouldn’t be
through betting on the lottery. You should work. I was always
praying to win while playing tong-it but I never won. Before, we
thought it was important to pray for everything. We didn’t know
that prayers are granted depending on what you pray for. What you
pray for will not be given to you if it is not meant for you. What
if you really win in the lottery? You might say you won because you
have prayed for it. Then, you’d be
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teaching your companions how to gamble. So we were educated that
it is not important that you pray all the time. It depends on your
prayer and also on your actions. Now if this is not given to you,
maybe it is not time. Life is long. Maybe after ten years, five
years, two years from now, it will be granted. Before, we were
really impatient. Why do we stay this way? Always wanting? We work,
don’t we? We are very hardworking but we still lack so many things.
But we discovered this thinking is wrong. You actually have money
but you just don’t know where to put it. When you are part of the
community, you are also taught how to respond in a good way. For
example, you have money but you bet at the lottery because you want
to increase this amount. You are taught that this is wrong and that
if you want to make this money grow, you should invest in a
business. Think of part-time work for which to use the money so it
can generate more money. Also, before, we didn’t care what happened
in the community. I had a job before, I went to the office every
day. And then I’d say, “I’m tired.” Sundays are only the time left
for my family. It is also my rest day. We will go gallivanting, I
will visit my mother. When I get there, there would be happenings,
happy gatherings, singing sessions with the videoke. You are not
aware that your Sundays can be set for Him. Mondays to Fridays are
spent at work, Sundays should be for Him. This is called service.
Some may say that Mondays to Fridays can also be called service.
But for whom? Your family? Did you integrate Him here? Did you do
any service for Him Monday to Saturday? Sunday should be a day you
give full-time service to the Lord. You should recruit people for
CLP. There are trainings and seminars so that your knowledge of how
you can serve the community will be increased. This is different
from your job. Your train of thought is different. We thought that
a person only lives to work, eat, attend Mass and when you want to
gallivant, then gallivant. We learned that it should not be that
way. As long as there is time, give it to Him. As much as possible,
it should be 50-50. Fifty for yourself and fifty for Him. Although
it is not directly for Him, if you help the community, it is as if
you are helping Him. When carrying out your commitment, what major
difficulties have you experienced? At first, it was really
difficult. Of course, we learned to adjust. Sometimes we have work
on Saturdays and Sundays. I have to do my laundry. I’m not even
able to clean the house from Monday to Saturday. Dust accumulates.
The whole afternoon isn’t even enough for me to clean up and then
I’m supposed to extend my service? Sometimes I say to my husband,
“You go, you attend because I won’t attend. I’ll stay here at
home.” But then I feel that this is wrong. This is when what they
call time management should come in. From Monday to Saturday, you
go out at 8:00 am, you work until 5:00 pm. You arrive at 7:00.
You’ll cook, even then you can make sure that your household chores
do not pile up ‘til Sunday. You can also delegate to your kids.
They’re old enough. They should do their own laundry. You can also
start doing your laundry at 7:00 pm and then finish at 10:00.
Before you go to work in the morning you can hang these up to dry.
When you come home in the afternoon they should already be dry.
Then the laundry won’t pile up. This is what I teach others also.
The problem is that they see Saturday and Sunday as laundry day.
But Saturday and Sunday should be days of service to God. You
should compress all of your activities for the family from Monday
to Friday.
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However, sometimes, I also lose my way. Like, if there is a
special occasion here at home, for example if it’s somebody’s
birthday, I’ll say, “Today is my day-off. Nobody texts me, nobody
calls. You will not find me today because I will cook, there will
be visitors. But this only happens sometimes.” And sometimes, this
is needed. Sometimes, you need to refresh your mind. Or else you’ll
go mad. So at times when you get tired and you feel like you don’t
want to go on, what motivates you to go on in your service? I’m
afraid that if I get tired, what if the Lord also gets tired of me?
“You’re tired? Then I’m more tired than you are,” He might say.
“You serve me, yes, but I serve much, much more of you and yet I do
not get tired. What if I get tired and decide to decrease the
number of persons in this world and you will be one of them?” Then
you’ll die unprepared. You are prohibited to complain when you
serve. There’s a way for everything. If you really want it badly,
there is a way. If you don’t there are many alibis, because you do
not want it. Even if you know there’s a way, you won’t do it. But
if you really want something, you will craft a way so that you can
make time for it. From the vantage point of your faith and
commitment to justice in favour of the poorest, what do you ask
today of the Church you are part of? What do you think should be
changed or strengthened? How would you like your commitment to
justice and life to be? Isn’t the Church also the people? It is the
community. Well, if this is in relation to the parish…sometimes
misinformation occurs. They see CFC as a sect but they’re wrong.
For example, the parish has a choir but In CFC, we also have what
we call a music ministry. We have a rotation system. There is a
fixed schedule for the commentators at Mass, also for those who are
assigned to clean the chapel before Sunday. They think these are
different things. They do not realize that those who move within
the Church are those also from Couples for Christ. There is a
priest here who opposes CFC. They say that since CFC came here, the
Church is being pushed outside the picture. But we say that this is
not the case. How can they say that when we do not have our own
priest? We believe the same things. The difference is that CFC has
many activities that sometimes overlap with the activities of the
Church. Because we are members of CFC, we join the CFC activities.
Sometimes, the activities of the Church are really set-aside but I
think these can be integrated. This can be done through proper
dialogue. Because sometimes, those who lead in the parish alienate
themselves, which is wrong. CFC’s activities are different from the
activities of the parish but these should be combined. For example,
if there is a retreat sponsored by the parish and then there is a
different retreat that CFC is organizing, it is possible that those
who will attend the CFC retreat will also attend the retreat of the
parish as long as there are no conflicting schedules. Sometimes,
CFC is prioritized more than the Church because in the parish, you
can attend as an individual. In CFC, however, you need to go as a
couple. So what is more enjoyable, that which only you attend or
that which you and your partner will attend? Of course you
prioritize the retreat which you can attend with your partner. But
the teachings in both retreats are the same. If there is no overlap
in schedule, we can attend both. But sometimes, there are
conflicts. Maybe, the parish and the leaders of CFC should talk so
that activities will not overlap. I think that is the key:
communication. Sometimes we only care about our own affairs. Maybe
this is why there is envy.
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And from the same standpoint, what do you ask of the society in
which you live? What do you ask also of those who live in the rich
countries of the world? The thing that we wish the government would
do is to also adopt what CFC-GK does. This way, it will be easier
to implement development projects. With CFC-GK, what happens is
that when a budget is given for ten houses, these ten houses really
get built. With the government, however, what happens is that when
the budget is for ten houses, only five are built. Where are the
other five houses? “We got caught short on the budget.” Why did
this happen? Because the fund gets passed around and everyone has
his own intention. Usually only 50 percent of the fund actually is
spent on the project. Now if the government adopts GK’s style, if
the money is meant for this, it will be spent for this. There will
be no corruption, how wonderful would that be. With regard to other
countries, the same thing should happen. The whole world will be
really happy and there will be global transformation.
Transformation will not happen only in the community. There is no
politics involved in CFC. When people work, they are motivated by
service not so that they be recognized or thanked or gain votes for
the next election. At GK, when you serve, it is not just for other
people but for God. In fact, there are partners who wish to remain
anonymous. What they give are excess blessings that they receive
from God. It is infuriating that with the government, it is obvious
that their intention is to be recognized. I really hope they adopt
GK’s principle. That service is really not meant for you to be
praised, or gain points for the next election. No politics. Now if
the people really like what you do, they will say, “Oh what he does
is very good. This is what we like.” Not “Hey, he did this, he did
that, if it weren’t for him, that school will not have been built.”
What you didn’t know is that this person just used the community’s
money. They just named the project after him. You know, before I
was just a homebody, especially when I was a full-time mother. It
is only in 2000 that I worked in an office, when the children were
old enough. Then, I did not care about politics. And then when I
extended my services to GK, I saw how the government was.
Sometimes, I scold myself for even thinking of the government… Many
people even notice that I have lost weight. They point out that
when they see me along the way, I seem to be always frowning. And
then I say, “Was I frowning?” Because sometimes I don’t notice it
but when I think of something that infuriates me, the feeling
reflects on my face. Sometimes I laugh at myself for bothering
myself with these things. If you think about it, who cares that
they do those things? As long as I am content here. But this is
really service. You take on problems that you should not be
concerned about because you want them to realize that what they are
doing is wrong, that there is a better way of doing things. You can
also pass up pointing things out. These won’t affect you anyway.
But you see the vision. And you know that it is very difficult to
reach that vision if this is how they are doing it. And this is for
everyone, for the future, for their grandchildren and their
grandchildren. You’ve already seen the vision, and if you can do
something to stop the wrong that they are doing, then do it. If
they listen to you, thank them. If not, it is their problem. As
long as you know deep inside that you did everything you could do.
What’s important is that you have told them how things should be
done. Now if they
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do not want to believe, it is they who are on the losing side,
not me. So my conscience is not bothered. Sometimes I get irked
when in the middle of washing the dishes or sweeping the floor, my
mind wanders. I am affiliated with the housing program here. The
association talks about the lot to be built upon. I also visit the
area. But it is with the beneficiaries that problems arise. Those
who had previous rights of the lot area usurp the land. They’ll
say, “Stop the construction.” But I really fight for the
beneficiary. Sometimes my husband would ask, “Why do you fight for
them?” “So that they can get what is theirs,” I answer. “But they
will get that if the government acts. Just wait for it to act,” my
husband tells me. If I can do it today and am able to talk to those
who are claiming the rights to the land and say to them that the
lot is not really theirs, that their rights no longer exist, then I
will do it so that the person will already benefit from the land.
Why do I have to wait? What if it is only after two years that the
government acts and I can do this in a span of only two weeks? Then
I do it. “That’s why your problems increase,” he would say. My
point is that if you can do something, then do it now. Do not
expect others to do it for you. If you see that there is a way to
please the person, If you see that there is actually a way to
please him, then do it now so that he can get what is for him and
he can enjoy it now not after some more time. This is what’s
irksome. Sometimes, you sweep the floor, you still think of
something. For example, how do I talk to this person? It is still
service on your mind. Sometimes they tell me I am this way because
I am being paid. “Nope” I say “Wrong. My pay is just a small
amount.” Sometimes, in the dawn you are already sleeping and you
still think of how to buy the mixer for cement. There are those who
will donate for seven houses. Now, they want to see our
credibility, they want to see how fast we work. If you take it
slow, a sponsor might lose interest. It will be such a waste if the
construction will not push through. Now I am thinking of ways to
get a greater number of neighbors who are willing to help. I will
visit them one by one. Six a.m. I already do my rounds and then at
8:00 I will have gotten people to commit. Maybe within one week,
the house will be finished and the sponsors will say, “We see that
you are fast workers, this is the funding for the next houses.”
This, this is what I call 24-hour service. That is why I was
saying. I really have this big responsibility. Actually, I was only
a volunteer. I just butted in. It was, I think, a blessing in
disguise. This is the story: I was working and then there was an
economic crisis, people started to get laid off. I was one of them.
If you think about it, I should be angry with God. “Of all the
people to be laid off you chose me. My work was doing okay. You
sided with those who had been working longer. Those who worked more
than five years. If you worked five years or below, you would be
fired.” I am used to being busy, so when I saw that GK had much
paperwork, I volunteered to take care of it. “Okay, I will be the
one to record the bayanihan.” Until someone asked, “Who will be the
one to coordinate with the City Hall?” I said, “I’ll do it.” And
then they saw that someone was working, even if she was a woman. I
wasn’t doing anything so I could give it time. And then someone who
was in charge of the housing (he was not from here, he was an
outsider) said, “Maybe you can be in charge of the materials, with
the ins and outs. But you will have a responsibility so maybe we
should give you an allowance because you will give this focus and
so that when money is needed, you can shell out some amount.” So I
am in charge of the ins and outs of the materials. When the
materials are delivered, I record them in. When materials are given
out, I issue them.
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21
I also allot and give out the materials needed to build each
house. I should see to it that this is not given out in excess
because then the next house will lack materials. These were my only
tasks then. Now it even increased. Now, it is with me that people
coordinate. When someone comes for an interview, they talk to me so
that I can refer them to other people. And then, when some visitors
arrive for an exposure to the life of the community, I will bring
them to other people. Now we have already formed committees. At
first we did not have committees. We did not have a president. They
said I should be president. I said, I couldn’t do it. It gets very
frantic, I wouldn’t know what to do. I just did things by myself.
Now there are committees so it’s easier to delegate. If it’s
related to payment, I give it to this person. If it’s about health,
he’s in charge. It will be up to the person as long as you give him
the details. He will be the one to act. So there are many who work.
This then is my responsibility here and also in the City Hall. I
was briefed about who our beneficiaries are. I’ve even memorized
our subdivision plan. You can even ask me to draw it. When someone
comes to me, “Raquel, what’s my area and block number?” ” Where do
you live?” “Over there” “Oh that’s Block 2 lot 3” I already have
memorized this because I have been working with it for two years
now. “Can you draw so we know the jurisdiction of the kapitbahayan
or neighborhood association?” they’d ask. How can I not memorize
this when I handle his everyday? Everyday I coordinate with people.
Sometimes, I am even the directory. “Is there somebody here with
this surname?” “Yes, she lives behind the house of this and that…”
Even the doctors who come here for medial missions, they look for
people and they ask me. Even the color of the houses, I am able to
tell. So what happens is that people come here first; that’s why I
have situated my house up front. Before, I stayed at the back. Back
when there was still no subdivision plan. But my kids complain
because a lot of people come here to look for me and I’m usually at
the site. I tell the children to tell the visitors that I am at the
building site, if they see me, then good. If not, then sorry.
Sometimes my cellphone is also busy. 2.3 Transcript of Interview 3
About the group/community How did your group/community started? Who
started it? How? My family and I arrived here in Payatas Trece in
1994. When we arrived here, there were already a few members of
CFC. Couples for Christ developed this place. In 1994 the Christian
Life program started. Now every year we conduct CLP and invite
couples to attend. Eventually, many people joined. It was in 2001
that Gawad Kalinga started here. What were your activities when you
were starting? At first, we had a homeowners’ association which was
called Sandig. It stood for Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Damdamin,
Isip at Gawa (literally means Association of a United Sentiment,
Mind, and Action). Its vision was that people here be able to
acquire the land where they had built their homes. This has already
happened.
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When GK had not started yet, our activities with CFC were mostly
spiritual. How did you make your community stronger? What were the
strategies you used? Through unity. There is a saying that without
unity, nothing ever happens, right? There is also a saying that a
broomstick will not be able to sweep if it is composed of only one
stick. Now if you combine many sticks, even if these were thin
sticks, they will be able to sweep dirt off. Are you talking about
the group Sandig? Yes. Before Couples for Christ arrived here, we
already had formed Sandig. Every time a meeting was called, there
was always a program to be discussed, in cooperation with the
foundations who wanted to help the area. Groups came here to
conduct values formation and people attended. How were you able to
join Couples for Christ? Are you an active member? Actually, we
were invited to join CFC and since then, we have grown spiritually.
As you know, when your spiritual life grows, the more you get
active with your tasks. So CFC has really been part of your life.
Yes. We prioritize it. The projects that we handle are those of GK
but GK is also under CFC. It was CFC who initiated GK. Describe
your community as it is today. What were the changes that took
place since you started it? We established Kapitbahayan where we
have a president and other officials. It has become bigger. What
are the significant things that happened to your group since the
project started? In earlier times, our roads here were very muddy.
It wasn’t easy to enter our area. At this hour, you’d see people at
the streets setting up tables to drink and gamble. Now you see
these no longer. Maybe there are still some but you can only count
these with the fingers of your hand. It was like this before the
project started. Now it is very orderly. In the beginning, there
was no unity. Before GK, the trash was strewn beside the road. Now
you will notice that although there is still some litter, we began
a six o’clock habit. The mothers sweep the surroundings at six in
the morning. At first, people needed to be oriented. This would go
on for months. You would set up meetings to remind them. But now
they do this voluntarily.
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Sir, how do you describe your community before the project
started? Can you describe the people’s way of living? What were the
main sources of income? Most people here were carpenters and were
involved with construction. They were not regular wage earners. For
example, they got hired by a construction firm, after the contract,
they’d go jobless for a few months. Then they waited to be hired
again. Some of the mothers had jobs, some had no jobs. It is like
this. Life was routinary. How do you describe your community now?
Now, we have been giving values formation about how people can
change their lives. They are also taught some micro-financing. Now,
they have been able to avail of loans. Some people here have been
able to borrow money and put up small businesses. They sell
fishballs and other food products. You could see nothing like this
before. But most people here are still carpenters? Yes. But now
their wives help them. Research Questions What commitments to
dignity and justice have you made as a Christian community, i.e.
inspired by your Christian faith? First, so that justice prevails
here, we enact rules especially for the youth. Sometimes we see
young people around who gamble or drink. I myself warn them that if
they will not stop what they are doing, I personally will bring
them to jail. Because if there were no adults to explain to them or
give them advice, they would continue with these. That’s why this
is what I do. Also, when there are problems, especially with the
housing project, I get called by Sister Raquel, “Brother, come
here; let’s talk to this person.” And then I explain to the people
who seem a bit hard of understanding. Again, if some neighbors also
have problems, that is what I do. So you also troubleshoot? What
are your other activities here? I am a street leader here. At the
same time, I am also the program manager for Tatag (the
house-building). Now, most of my time is spent with my family and
my work. But on weekends. Are you always on-call? If they call me
because of a problem. But now I no longer involve myself with GK
especially if operations are going smoothly. I leave this to Sister
Raquel. Are these commitments occasions for an encounter with God?
In what way
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Do you see God in all the time you spend in promoting dignity
and justice in your Community? Of course. It is said in the Bible
that the Lord can be seen in your brethren. When you go somewhere
and your work is accepted, it can only mean that the Lord is
present, right? Here, there are still some who do not accept what
we do. But they are the minority. You are lucky if you find two.
More people accept us. Also, why do we say that we see the Lord in
all of this? At first, people did not want to participate in GK’s
activities. But before long, they saw that what we do is for the
Lord, not for ourselves. What do we get from our work here? We do
not get paid. We are not given any allowance. Sometimes we even
give our time at the expense of our jobs. So we can really say that
the Lord is present with what we do. What we do also largely
affected those whom we helped. Some people did not believe in us
and sometimes they even flaunted their vices as if saying that this
was who they were. Later on, through our continuous explanations
about the will of God for Trece, they were transformed. Sometimes
when somebody drinks on the streets, I ask them not to drink there.
I’m not saying they should never drink but I think they can do this
inside their houses. Later on, most of them quit drinking
altogether. So you really see the Lord moving because we realize
that we cannot do these things if the Lord doesn’t help us. What
signs of the Spirit have appeared in that life of commitment, which
you consider especially important? : attitudes, community dynamics,
lifestyles, implication of persons… Actually, at first, we had no
belief in ourselves. Now, our faith in ourselves has been
strengthened. The Lord is really present in us. Prior to this, our
usual thinking was that we do not care what happens to you. Why
would we care about you if we got nothing in return? Now, every
time someone has a problem, this thinking no longer occupies our
minds. Help is given automatically. We no longer have second
thoughts. We do not even think whether what we plan to do would be
good or bad for us. We just know that the Lord wants us to help our
brethren. We know that what we do is God’s work. We are only part
of His work. We are instruments. So we really believe that he will
never forsake us. What aspects of your faith have become clearer,
outstanding, strengthened?: In the way to view Jesus’ life or to
interpret God’s face, or to welcome people, or to see God’s
presence in non-Christians… How did your understanding of Jesus
change with everything that you do? How do you see the face of
Jesus in your work, in your dealings with other people? How do you
see the presence of the Lord in other people? How did this change?
There was really a big change. At first, we really wondered if we
can do these things. This was always the question: Will we be able
to change the situation? After some time, with His help and through
perseverance, I felt that the Lord has come upon me and my family.
So I share this with the people. For instance, when someone is
in
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need, it is as if someone tells me to give him money, even if it
were only a small amount. I do not even worry if he pays me or not.
It’s enough for me to be able to help. It is difficult to relate to
you but many come to me when they are in tight situations. The Lord
says that you should love your brethren more than yourself. So even
if they do not pay me back, I will be repaid though the goodness of
the Lord. For example, other people will also share what they have
with me. So this is an automatic reaction from you already? Not
100% but I’m already there. Sometimes, you just get out of your
comfort zone. You do even the things you are not supposed to do
just for other people. What signs of the Spirit have appeared in
that life of commitment, which you consider especially important? :
attitudes, community dynamics, lifestyles, implication of persons…
The first sign of the Spirit is what I have witnessed in my family.
Things got better in my family. It really starts in the family
because it is really difficult to preach outside if your family is
messed up. And then business improved. It is like you feel very
carefree and buoyant. This is because we do not think about
ourselves that much. We always pray that if it is possible,
although we ourselves are not fully content with our status in
life, that others’ condition will improve and that we will be able
to help them more. Your family changed, you changed, your community
was also changed? Yes. Sometimes, I am astonished because my wife
and I seem to be like prophets. We say things and they often come
true. That’s why sometimes we are afraid to speak because whatever
we say often happens. Do you see this as a gift? Sometimes, we even
have gifts of healing. If someone is really sick, we pray over him.
Sometimes they get well. But it’s not 100%. We are not consistent
because we are also engaged in our work. But this is already felt?
Yes because every time someone comes for us for help and we answer
him, we feel that something really happens. Change occurs. When
carrying out your commitment, what major difficulties have you
experienced? Sir, you are always sought here. You are always on
call. Were there times that you experienced difficulties in your
commitment to the community?
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Yes, actually I have huge sacrifices here. I was once a
mechanic. Now, I shouldn’t be hiring a mechanic because I know how
to do the job. Because I accepted the role here at Gawad Kalinga, I
had to hire and pay for a mechanic. That’s a big thing. There are
also times when they will tell me we have to go to this event.
Instead of me being at work, I will give priority to the community
because this is more important. For example, we had a seminar about
how to deal with other people. I had another appointment then with
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. I gave up my appointment at the
Malacañang palace. We went instead to Ateneo for the training
because I knew that this community is important. From the vantage
point of your faith and commitment to justice in favor of the
poorest, what do you ask today of the Church you are part of? What
do you think should be changed or strengthened? How would you like
your commitment to justice and life to be? There are a lot of
organizations here. The parishioners get confused. They do not know
which activities to go to. We already have a pastoral program. So
if it is possible, although there are also benefits to be had from
these organizations, it might be possible that they accept only one
foundation so that our time will not be divided. There were times
when the church needed parishioners but other organizations called
them and they became less active in the church. The attention of
the people gets divided. So what do you think should be changed or
improved? Actually, the church here is very stable. If you notice,
every Sunday, most of the church-goers are the men in the
community. You hardly see that anywhere else. I am really proud to
say that as soon as Couples for Christ came, more and more of the
fathers came to Church. The church here is strong. As I was telling
you, there is an overflow of church-goers because every Sunday, the
foundations give gift checks to those who go to Mass. This is also
what we want to change. Sometimes, in his homilies, the priest
says, “Why is it that you only come here if they give out gift
cheques? Why is it that if I invite you nobody comes?” This is what
I want to be changed. For the Catholic Church, what I can say is
that they shouldn’t meddle with politics. This only confuses
people. Isn’t it that the Church should only be concerned with
aspects of faith? Then why are there bishops or cardinals who
interfere with political issues? Maybe high church officials
shouldn’t poke their noses into these. They must focus on preaching
the Word of God so as not to sow confusion. What does the Church
really do? Business? Politics? So that it will be clear to the
people that the work of the Church is focused on the spiritual
needs of the people. And from the same standpoint, what do you ask
of the society in which you live? What do you ask also of those who
live in rich countries of the world? Society includes the
government, the local government units.
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With regard to our faith, we ask nothing more. Maybe from the
society, that they help us. The government should give their 100%
support especially here because the construction of the roads is
ongoing. The problem is that the government’s tasks are not
continuously done. The government does not work consistently. They
only work on some days. That road project for example, it has been
almost a month since anybody has worked there. I just wish that
once the government starts a project, it finishes the project.
There should be no breaks. The government usually just puts up a
face. We all know what they do. What do you ask of richer
countries? Actually, the Gawad Kalinga fund does not only come from
the Philippines. Much of it really comes from other countries. We
have countrymen there who have good lives and they extend their
help here. They give to a lot to the foundations here. Maybe what
I’ll ask of richer countries is that they help not just the
Philippines but other countries that are also poor. We think that
we are only the ones who are poor but there are other countries
which are actually poorer. 2.4 Transcript of Interview 4 About the
group/community How did your group/community started? Who started
it? How? Our group started upon the entry of CFC (Couples for
Christ) into the community. I was already a resident here. How old
are you already sir? What do you think? I’m twenty-nine. We have
been living here for almost twelve years now. At first…when
somebody joins it’s like… “Hmm. Weird. We talk about God? Oh no…”
People are usually hesitant to join groups like these because they
do not want to be made fun of. Who invited you to join? Someone
from this community invited me. Until now, the couple is still with
CFC. This happened in 2003. So you’re still new in the group? You
started 2003. Are you still active? Yes, in fact I am a
teacher/facilitator of RP-NFP. That’s Responsible Parenthood and
Natural Family Planning. In the community itself, even before I
handled RP-NFP, I was with the Mabuhay Team and I still am. This
team handles the events. I am in charge of the technical side of
the things. I set-up the sound system for example. But if it is not
in my capacity to do the job, I pass this to other teammates. How
did you make your community stronger? What were the strategies you
used?
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It was actually difficult…I guess I just try to be very
convincing. I just sell what I do to them. I just go on. Of course
it’s very difficult to promote family planning. They put a period
to what you say (they do not listen to you.) The former DOH
Secretary, Bro. Tony Meloto of CFC and I went to Cebu twice and
also spent three days in Palawan to teach family planning. We teach
the Billings Ovulation Method or the Mucus Method. I am from South
Cotabato. I know a lot of dialects. I know how to speak Ilocano,
Waray, Cebuano and Illonggo. Sometimes when I am in a jeepney
(small public conveyance) and I hear someone speaking Ilocano, I
will chat with this person until I am able to introduce the method.
“You know, we teach responsible parenthood and natural family
planning. Instead of using artificial birth control, maybe you
might want to try this? If you want to have a girl, you can have a
girl. Or if you want to have a baby boy, you can do something so
that a boy will be born.” It’s as if I’m advertising it. I spread
the method through word of mouth. Describe your community as it is
today. What were the changes that took place since you started it?
Ah. When I first joined, it is as if no one was moving. I began to
wonder why Elie who was new here was granted a house earlier than
we were given one. So this triggered my involvement. I decided to
join the organization. It is usually like this. Those who were
inactive turn active. But this is okay. Motives change through
time. I am a household leader and I see new members coming in. I
teach them what I also have learned from Couples for Christ. This
is also to encourage them to do the same thing someday. It gets
quite difficult because I handle members who are older than I am.
It is harder to talk to older people because their minds are
usually made up about some things. And you even teach them family
planning? Now that is very difficult. When I teach them family
planning, they act as if they know more things than I do. “What do
you care?” they might be thinking. “You’re a liar. You teach family
planning yet you have so many children?” they’d say. Then I tell
them without being disrespectful, “How about you? How old are you?
Did you know this already? No, you didn’t. You’ve grown old but you
still do not know about this. I myself have just learned about this
so I am applying it today.” We would also like to know how your
community looked like before GK started. It was ugly. Ugly? Can you
describe the daily flow of life here? Before GK, people here always
played tong-it (a gambling game using cards) or bingo. This is the
typical pastime of squatter communities. Now, there’s a different
term for the word squatter: “informal settlers”. This gives more
class to the word. It’s
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a better term. When people had nothing to do, especially on
Saturdays and Sundays, they usually sang videoke. When GK entered
the picture, all these disappeared. Before when my wife was angry
at me, she would go out and play tong-it. And then I’d ask her,
“Have the kids eaten?” I did not like this. I got hurt when this
happened. I got hypertension because I took responsibility for her
faults to maintain our good relationship. But this changed because
we chose to stay with CFC. We have absorbed their teachings. This
area was once a dumping ground for dead bodies. Now occurrences
like these have been lessened. A taxi driver was held up before,
coming up the zigzag road. He was gagged and left inside the trunk.
It was noontime and he was knocking like crazy. You see the kind of
things that happened here? Now this has changed because the people
believe that they can be changed. What was the people’s usual
source of income? People were mostly involved with construction
work. Many were drivers. Some worked as household helpers. Others
washed clothes for other people. Me, I am a technician. And after
the project? We divided the area into two kapitbahayan
(neighborhood associations). There are now two kapitbahayan
presidents. This was done to ensure program continuity. GK777 is
expected to run up to seven years. It has already been three years
since its inception but we know it won’t be discontinued. If ever
funds run out, maybe we will encourage the people to implement the
padugo (literally “bleeding” or “giving blood”) “Hey, your house is
finished but our neighbor’s house is not yet done. Maybe we can
help him. Let’s share our resources through bayanihan (mutual
assistance).” Sometimes robbery occurs here. Then, everybody gets
involved. You are involved, I am involved. When this happens, we
seek advice from the president. We ask ourselves what action can be
done to stop the occurrence of theft. Research Questions What
commitments to dignity and justice have you made as a Christian
community, i.e. inspired by your Christian faith? As a member, what
are the concrete activities that you do? As a community? Do you
have activities? The lifting of the people’s quality of life. This
is done through giving out information. I tell them, “Brother,
let’s do this because other people might think that we are
low-lifes. Let’s do this so people will look up to us and so we may
look up to ourselves. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s not be stuck
with the old ways.”
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Also, through values formation and trainings. For example, I am
being trained in Ateneo about management and people handling. I was
part of the caretaker team that took the seminar. When we are done
with that, we will share what we learn to the people here. You
should not be selfish because your talents can benefit many people.
Share these, do not keep these to yourself. Then it would be like a
person’s buried treasure. Are these commitments occasions for an
encounter with God? In what way? Do you see God in all the time you
spend in promoting dignity and justice in your community? In what
way? Yes. For example, I know a person who is obviously evil. By
caring and relating to him, I become a way so that he is able to
change. I am aware that this is what God wishes me to do. Also, I
see God in other people. I believe that it is possible to see
Christ in other people. Then why not help them? It is like this. I
see God in other people and vice versa. What signs of the Spirit
have appeared in that life of commitment, which you consider
especially important?: attitudes, community dynamics, lifestyles,
implication of persons… When I see a face that...One time I boarded
a vehicle. I saw a child who was extremely skinny. I think his age
did not match the way he looked. He was older than I thought. In
him I saw the Spirit which pushes me to continue serving, to
continue helping. The Holy Spirit always inspires me to… the Spirit
touches me through physical means but this really has a tremendous
effect on me. He is like that. It is in this way that the Spirit
touches me. The Spirit usually touches me through children, through
my own children especially. Sometimes I scold them but later I
regret it. So this is the Spirit’s way to make you move, to inspire
you? Yes. But I am only human. Sometimes when I hear bad things
about me, I feel like quitting. But then I say, “Do not scare me.”
Will I surrender to my enemy? I will go on. Because there are
actually two kinds of Spirit. There is an angel at my side and
there is also a demon on the other side. And the good spirit, do
you see that in your community? In the ways of the community? Yes,
when we consult with one another. Do you see Him here? Yes, but not
yet completely. But He is here. He does not leave. Maybe people
need to be followed-up. There is also a need to pray for people who
do not see the changes in their communities.
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What aspects of your faith have become clearer, outstanding,
strengthened?: In the way to view Jesus’ life or to interpret God’s
face, or to welcome people, or to see God’s presence in
non-Christians… My relationship with my wife was strengthened. This
is also true with my family. The way we relate to other people.
Through communication, everything improves. So it begins with the
family and then it spills over to the community? Sir, what changed
with the way to see Jesus? How about with the way you deal with
people? The way you see God through other pe