CFC Singles for Christ Cabuyao
The Untold Story
Let me tell you a story.
It’s how the SFC Cabuyao was re-established in my own vantage point.
But first, let me introduce you to a man who once an active servant in SFC but he ran away when a tragic thing happened to his life – his girl friend broke-up with him. It wasn’t the first time but it was the most painful of all. His world crumbled in an instant. He was so depressed that time that he left the service in the community and turned his back to God. And yes, he even blamed God for what happened. I really thought he was strong enough to handle that because I knew he has been into so much battle in life. At the age of 5, his father left with other woman. His puberty were nightmares – most of the times he was the center of jokes and laughter, he cries in pain and anger when alone, and sometimes going home with either a wounded knees or a bloody face. He grew alone without the proper guidance of his parents. He strived but failed. He made friends but betrayed. He learned to stand strong and brave to overcome the loneliness and struggles in life. He had faced so many storms and he survived it all. And so I thought all this time his faith is enough to survive the greatest tragedy of his life…I was wrong.
“There was no party thrown for my return..there was no feast.
I never felt so unwelcome in my own beloved chapter”.
The First Five
And now let me continue the story of how the SFC Cabuyao was re-established in my own vantage point…
I was out of the community; they called it “lay-low”, when I heard that there was a conflict between the leaders of the CFC (Couple For Christ) Council. So even “good people” fights for position, I said that to myself. And so after drowning myself in work and other frivolities – my means of “finding my own self”, I decided I will return to SFC. Enough of my self-pity and bitterness, after all, I missed my brothers and sisters. My drama that time: “Lord, nagbabalik na po ang inyong pasaway na anak. Eto pasaway pa rin kaya hindi na po ako karapatdat tawaging ‘Anak ng Diyos’, sorry po kung naglayas ako, gawin nyo nlng po akong alipin basta let me stay at SFC…” It was like the story of “Ang Alibughang Anak” revised and revisited. There was no party thrown for my return. No “pinatabang guya” was killed and there was no feast. I never felt so unwelcome in my own beloved chapter. I thought I’m already home but I’ve felt out-of-place even more. Their warmness was lost.
The SFC Cabuyao Chapter 2 has already decided their side in the growing conflict of the community that ended in the separation of the conflicting parties. It was all over the news. And then, with the Catholic Church leaders, it was resolved that it was best for the two CFC council leaders to go on separate ways – and so the CFC FFL was created.
I was out of the community; they called it “lay-low”, when I heard that there was a conflict between the leaders of the CFC (Couple For Christ) Council. So even “good people” fights for position, I said that to myself. And so after drowning myself in work and other frivolities – my means of “finding my own self”, I decided I will return to SFC. Enough of my self-pity and bitterness, after all, I missed my brothers and sisters. My drama that time: “Lord, nagbabalik na po ang inyong pasaway na anak. Eto pasaway pa rin kaya hindi na po ako karapatdat tawaging ‘Anak ng Diyos’, sorry po kung naglayas ako, gawin nyo nlng po akong alipin basta let me stay at SFC…” It was like the story of “Ang Alibughang Anak” revised and revisited. There was no party thrown for my return. No “pinatabang guya” was killed and there was no feast. I never felt so unwelcome in my own beloved chapter. I thought I’m already home but I’ve felt out-of-place even more. Their warmness was lost.
The SFC Cabuyao Chapter 2 has already decided their side in the growing conflict of the community that ended in the separation of the conflicting parties. It was all over the news. And then, with the Catholic Church leaders, it was resolved that it was best for the two CFC council leaders to go on separate ways – and so the CFC FFL was created.
“Everyone has made their choice, I have to respect that and move along”.
My first RECON at Bicol
The entire CFC Family Ministries was divided. All of Cabuyao Chapters sided with CFC FFL. No one in SFC made their own brave and firm decision to remain…except Kuya August. It was sad and disappointing that the strength of our chapter, being most of its members is barkadas, will be the reason of our extinction. Exaggerated but true – SFC Cabuyao was totally gone. Three (3) chapters of it were dissolved. I prayed and hoped sana maayos pa ang lahat and that we will all be happily ever after again. I even planned to unite even just the chapter 2 where I belong. And then I thought it’s out of my power and responsibilities anymore.
Everyone has made their choice, I have to respect that and move along. Bumalik ako sa SFC pero ala na pala akong babalikan. So I have to make my decision too – Saan ako pupunta? I considered the these options: (1) I finished Christian Life Program (CLP) in SFC Global (to distinguish FFL from CFC) and I served there for almost 2 years; (2) I had no problem with the leadership of the CFC Councils and I see no wrong about Gawad Kalinga (GK); (3) Kuya August was my facilitator and household head back then; (4) Lastly, FFL will be a Parish-based group not like the CFC Family Ministries, an independent entity.
My decision was sealed when I attended the SFC Regional Conference (RECON) at Bicol with Kuya August and 2 other undecided individuals (I will not mention there names). Sadly, they also decided to be at the other side of the river. I decided to stay along with Kuya August, Tin, and Jonathan. We are to establish again a new SFC Cabuyao. I felt great and honored that I will be one of the few who will start again Singles in Cabuyao. I thought it would be that easy…I was wrong again.
Everyone has made their choice, I have to respect that and move along. Bumalik ako sa SFC pero ala na pala akong babalikan. So I have to make my decision too – Saan ako pupunta? I considered the these options: (1) I finished Christian Life Program (CLP) in SFC Global (to distinguish FFL from CFC) and I served there for almost 2 years; (2) I had no problem with the leadership of the CFC Councils and I see no wrong about Gawad Kalinga (GK); (3) Kuya August was my facilitator and household head back then; (4) Lastly, FFL will be a Parish-based group not like the CFC Family Ministries, an independent entity.
My decision was sealed when I attended the SFC Regional Conference (RECON) at Bicol with Kuya August and 2 other undecided individuals (I will not mention there names). Sadly, they also decided to be at the other side of the river. I decided to stay along with Kuya August, Tin, and Jonathan. We are to establish again a new SFC Cabuyao. I felt great and honored that I will be one of the few who will start again Singles in Cabuyao. I thought it would be that easy…I was wrong again.
"God talked to me...and His words strikes deep in my heart...”
With Tito Alex at ICON 2008, Pampanga
As I mentioned, there was no SFC Cabuyao anymore but the four of us continued as one household group. We even have bro. Kiko for a short span of time. We manage to conduct household every week even if we don’t have someone to play a guitar, we just played MP3 praise songs during exaltations. Conflict between me and my ex-gf starts to worsen our situation. The eye of the group was for the group in general and I was thinking they have forgotten the needs of individuals in the group – like me. I stopped attending household until such time that Kuya August and Tin was left. And that was the time they found Kuya Rudolf, who hasn’t been around in SFC maybe a few months after I graduated in CLP. I think God saw the gap in our group and so He filled it using Kuya Rudolf. Our prayer meeting is much alive now that we have someone to play a guitar for us. The 5 of us were united again.
It was my first time to attend the SFC International Conference (ICON) at Subic, Pamapanga. When I was new in the community I missed attending the one held at Baguio City because I was just a student back then and have no source of income. And so I promised myself when I already have a job, I won’t miss attending that International Conference again – I made that promise. Most of the time when I was there I was separated in the group. I took my time to reflect on what was happening to me. I choose to be alone for some time so I can have time alone talking to God.What shall I do next? I asked Him. Kinukulit ko si Lord ng mga panahaong ‘yun. I apologized for the mistakes that I made and lifted to Him all that is making me weary. I asked for strength and guidance for what it is to come. I was so down during that time and desperate to have an answer from Him. Nakulitan na siguro sa ‘kin kaya pinadala nya si tito Alex para kausapin ako. He was once a household head of tito Mighty. We didn’t know each other but he approached me as if I’m just his Kumpare. And there it is, God talked to me that time through that man and His words strikes deep in my heart. I sealed my faith again that day and promised to never run away from Him again. We were re-united again by the warm hug from God. And I guess, ito ‘yung party na hinanda sa ‘kin ni Lord sa pagbabalik ko. More than 6 thousand SFCs coming from the whole world attended the feast and I felt I’m really home.
It was my first time to attend the SFC International Conference (ICON) at Subic, Pamapanga. When I was new in the community I missed attending the one held at Baguio City because I was just a student back then and have no source of income. And so I promised myself when I already have a job, I won’t miss attending that International Conference again – I made that promise. Most of the time when I was there I was separated in the group. I took my time to reflect on what was happening to me. I choose to be alone for some time so I can have time alone talking to God.What shall I do next? I asked Him. Kinukulit ko si Lord ng mga panahaong ‘yun. I apologized for the mistakes that I made and lifted to Him all that is making me weary. I asked for strength and guidance for what it is to come. I was so down during that time and desperate to have an answer from Him. Nakulitan na siguro sa ‘kin kaya pinadala nya si tito Alex para kausapin ako. He was once a household head of tito Mighty. We didn’t know each other but he approached me as if I’m just his Kumpare. And there it is, God talked to me that time through that man and His words strikes deep in my heart. I sealed my faith again that day and promised to never run away from Him again. We were re-united again by the warm hug from God. And I guess, ito ‘yung party na hinanda sa ‘kin ni Lord sa pagbabalik ko. More than 6 thousand SFCs coming from the whole world attended the feast and I felt I’m really home.
“He prepared everything...to empower us of the task ahead of us...”
The first Xmas party as one chapter at Tagaytay
Our group would not be complete without a couple coordinators. A week before the 15th SFC ICON, we met tito Mighty and tita Tess in a household at their residence in Mabuhay City. Officially they became our new CFC coordinator that will handle us. And then sis Rhona came, a relative of tita Tess and an SFC who has been not around for awhile too. She was brought by tita and tito during our household at my place. When I think of the big picture, I believe God has planned everything for us. We waited and struggle back in 2007 after the crisis but He prepared everything in the next coming year – 2008. He gave us our couple coordinator and a power hug during the SFC ICON early of that year to empower us of the task ahead of us – and that is to conduct our first CLP.
Now, there is SFC Cabuyao. We were only 8 that time: Kuya August, Kuya Rudolf, Tin, Jonathan, Rhona, Me, tito Mighty and tita Tess. God knew it wouldn’t be that easy for us during our first CLP so He sent backups from our neighboring chapter – Dita, Sta. Rosa. He gave us 6 more soldiers after the 1st CLP: sis Maitha, sis Rose Ann, sis MJ, sis Cristy, sis Ehya, and bro Robert. And 7 more souls after the 2nd CLP: sis Ems, sis Cathy, sis Joan, bro Jun, bro Manny, bro Jaypee, and bro JM. Not to mention the coming back of sis Charie, sis Cieleen, bro Jojo and bro Rei.
There are the new casts of the new SFC Cabuyao. The new beginning.
The year is 2008 – when the SFC Cabuyao was re-established and everything that followed was history.
Now let us go back to the man that I told you earlier.
It was ME.
Now, there is SFC Cabuyao. We were only 8 that time: Kuya August, Kuya Rudolf, Tin, Jonathan, Rhona, Me, tito Mighty and tita Tess. God knew it wouldn’t be that easy for us during our first CLP so He sent backups from our neighboring chapter – Dita, Sta. Rosa. He gave us 6 more soldiers after the 1st CLP: sis Maitha, sis Rose Ann, sis MJ, sis Cristy, sis Ehya, and bro Robert. And 7 more souls after the 2nd CLP: sis Ems, sis Cathy, sis Joan, bro Jun, bro Manny, bro Jaypee, and bro JM. Not to mention the coming back of sis Charie, sis Cieleen, bro Jojo and bro Rei.
There are the new casts of the new SFC Cabuyao. The new beginning.
The year is 2008 – when the SFC Cabuyao was re-established and everything that followed was history.
Now let us go back to the man that I told you earlier.
It was ME.
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