Forty (40) former informal settlers from Barangay Catmon in Malabon are now homeowners of beautiful new houses built in ANCOP Calgary Canada – San Miguel Homes in Santulan, Malabon.
The new community, where the lives of forty families are being transformed both physically and spiritually, thanks to the generosity of CFC ANCOP Calgary, Canada which financed the houses and ANCOP Canada through Bro. Ricky Cuenca, who was instrumental in the completion of this project.
His Excellency Most Reverend Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan, celebrated the Mass and blessed the new housing units during the turnover ceremonies on September 13, 2019.
In his homily, Bishop Ambo said,
“May mas mahalaga kaysa sa mga bahay na naitayo dito sa San Miguel Homes. Ang mas mahalaga ay ang pagsasama na inyong binuo sa pamamagitan ng dinaanan ninyong Christian Life Program sa pamamagitan ng pangangasiwa ng mga kapatid natin sa Couples for Christ na ginamit ng Panginoon. Walang kwenta ang mga bahay na ito kung hindi kayo buo, kung hindi kayo nagkakaisa, hindi lang sa materyal kundi pati sa spiritual na pagkakaisa.” (There is something far more important than the houses built here in San Miguel Homes. What is more important is the brotherhood and unity that you have built through the Christian Life Program of Couples for Christ who were used by the Lord. These homes will be worthless if you are not united, not just because of material blessings, but more so spiritually.)
A short program followed the blessing of the houses. EMME SME and Mariel Aglipay Foundation, Inc. Chairman, Gen. Aglipay, expressed their joy at the completion of the project. Gen. Aglipay said,
“This project is a gift of God and everybody should take part in taking care of it.”
He also eagerly expressed his desire to develop a phase 2 of the project using the adjacent lot, exciting many of the home partners.
Nonoy Caunga, CFC West A Sector Head said, “We are very grateful to Couples for Christ in Calgary for giving new hope to our brothers and sisters here in San Miguel Homes.” He added, “Even though you are not here today physically, your loving presence is deeply felt by everyone. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much.”
The Philippine Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), the Local Government Unit of Malabon City and CFC ANCOP Global Foundation, Inc. were also stakeholders in the shelter project.
CFC ANCOP President Rudy Gaspillo reminded the homeowners, “Take care of your houses and community because this is a gift from God. If you remain united, CFC ANCOP has other programs to offer like Educational Sponsorship Program and Technical and Vocational Training both for the youth and parents.”
Homeowner President Jose Eden Arroyo responded,
“When we were in Catmon, we had a homeowners association but we barely knew each other. Now that we have been organized anew and live in this new community, we believe things will change as well. We learned so much in the Christian Life Program.”
(Romeo Medina)