Love More Weekend; CFC Canada Conducts National Conference

In a weekend celebrating Couples for Christ's theme for 2015 "Love More," over 800 members from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies. The three day National Conference at the RBC Convention Centre was loaded with uplifting praise & worship, meaningful teachings, powerful sharings, creative performances, invaluable dialogues and fruitful fellowship. "Love More" is taken from the scripture of John 21:15-17.

Donning white tops, bow ties and black aprons, Vancouver Area Leaders Jimmy & Liza Arzadon hand out snack packs to their constituents. They, along with other Area Governance leaders personified "loving more" through service.

From left, Arnel Simbulan, CFC Canada Central Region Coordinator; Greg Parillas, CFC Canada National Director; and Ador Cabrera, CFC Manitoba Area Director, formally open the 2015 CFC Canada National Conference.

Nic Escalona, KFC International Coordinator based in Manila, gives the prologue of the entire event. He reminds everyone that our hearts, our minds, our souls are capable and prepared to love more.

Vancouver's presentation team awaits their turn. The banner in the foreground garnered first place. The t-shirt design won second place and the entire Vancouver contingent was also awarded the "Most Vibrant."

In a show of physical and mental dexterity, the Vancouver presentation team relish their performance.

The CFC Vancouver delegation enjoying a light moment.

Jun Clarito, CFC Canada Eastern Region Coordinator delivers the first talk: "It's Too Little" which reminds us that all our efforts are not enough.

Joe Yamamoto, a member of the CFC International Council, expounds on the second talk. He points out that despite our faults and failures Jesus still invites us to "Come Have Breakfast" with Him.

Arnel Santos, CFC Social Development Program Director, dissertates the third talk and mentions the times when we are asked: "Do You Love Me More Than These?"

Each and every day of the conference starts with the Rosary followed by the Holy Mass.

Eric Delos Reyes, CFC Canada Country Coordinator discusses the final talk and rallies everyone to "Love More."

Larry Vickar, a Winnipeg-based businessman and avid ANCOP promoter who continues to support an entire village in Southern Philippines, surprises everyone with another $25,000.00 donation to ANCOP.

Bong Salmon, CFC Winnipeg Family Ministries Head, (one among several praise and worship leaders during the conference) leads the closing praisefest. 

Spirit-filled, a conference of this magnitude always succeeds in enlightening the minds and uplifting the souls of all those who are present. It never fails to enrich a person, to set oneself on fire and to love more. We hope to see you next year at the CFC Western Canada Regional Conference in Calgary, Alberta. (For those in the Eastern Canada Region, it will be in Ottawa, Ontario).

ANCOP Canada Convenes Second National Summit

Charged with being the army of ANCOP Canada, Couples for Christ members numbering about 135 recently gathered for the second national summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Delegates arriving from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec were on hand to participate in the annual event. With Canada as the number one donor country, the summit helps set a clearer direction for all its stakeholders who continue to show their faith in action.

Greg Parillas, CFC Canada National Director, delivers the opening remarks. With significant improvement in the online segment, he states that ANCOP is now comparable to other organizations of its kind in terms of issuing tax receipts. 

Rene Garrucho, ANCOP Canada Training Director, opines that ANCOP is one of the largest if not the largest volunteer-based organization. He encourages participants to express the inadequacies and needs of their respective areas so that they can be addressed.

Ricky Cuenca, ANCOP Canada President, discusses the numerous improvements and successes of ANCOP particularly the clear strategic framework and direction; its vision, mission and key result areas (KRAs).

Participants listen intently as Ricky Cuenca ties evangelization with "work with the poor." He cites as example a situation where SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation Inc. that handles the corporate social responsibility programs of SM Prime Holdings, requested ANCOP to institute values formation to beneficiaries of its projects.

Larry Vickar, a Winnipeg-based businessman and philanthropist, speaks words of encouragement during the CFC ANCOP Canada National Summit. He shares that differences in religion should not be a dividing factor in helping other people. Together with his wife Tova, they sponsor and continue to support an entire village on one of the Camiguin Islands in the Mindanao region south of the Philippines.

Alwin Yambao, ANCOP Vancouver Area Coordinator, presents the strides taken by CFC in his area in relation to the key result areas. Vancouver has the most number of ANCOP-related projects in Canada.

John and Anne Braun of Edmonton report on their area's performance. Newly-installed as ANCOP Coordinators, they are an endearing example of active participation by non-Filipinos.

Joe Yamamoto, CFC International Council member, discloses that Couples for Christ work for the poor will now be known as ANCOP.

Eric Delos Reyes, a member of the CFC Board of Elders, conveys the closing remarks.

Delegates from across the nation pose at the end of the ANCOP Canada National Summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

The CFC Vancouver delegation joined by Ricky Cuenca and Eric & Carina Delos Reyes.

Couples for Christ Vancouver Continues its Outreach Program to the Local Community

Armed with the mission of bringing love and sharing our blessings with the poor, Couples for Christ in Vancouver continues its monthly commitment in preparing and serving meals for patrons of The Door Is Open (TDIO), a drop-in centre in the heart of East Vancouver that supports the needs of hundreds of less fortunate people in the Downtown East Side.  

Every month, a designated CFC Chapter sends a contingent of volunteers who actively participate in the planning and execution of the day's objectives. They take turns in prepping, cooking, serving and clean-up duties. The day is culminated with a debriefing or an examination of conscience where volunteers learn from each other's sharing.

A short prayer and briefing is conducted prior to anything else in order to keep everyone informed and on the same page.

Surrey 2 Chapter volunteers Joanne Cardeno, Reggie Cardeno and Roman Rollo prepare the pasta dish that is going to be served.

The Surrey 2 service team is joined by representatives from Surrey 1 and the Tri-Cities Chapters as well as the Sector Household. In this photo, they are joined by staff of TDIO Ministry.

ANCOP Walk 2015 Launched in Vancouver

The ANCOP Walk, a yearly activity aimed at raising awareness and support for ANCOP and its programs, was recently launched at the All Saints Parish Centre in Coquitlam, BC. Over 70 ANCOP supporters, business representatives, civic leaders, clergy members and guests attended the affair over dinner. The event also intended to show its appreciation to all its stakeholders and advocates. After a brief ANCOP presentation by Alwin Yambao, the Vancouver Area Coordinator, a number of patrons gave testimonies of their involvement in ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) and the indelible changes it has made in their lives which ultimately made the event extraordinary.

Alwin Yambao, ANCOP Vancouver Area Coordinator, presents the ANCOP projects to curious patrons.

Ting Barona, CFC Gift of Life Vancouver Area Coordinator attends to guests.

Anita Aytona, on right, looks after some of the civic leaders who showed up at the ANCOP Walk Launch. 

The ladies at the registration table making sure everyone has been accounted for.

Jimmy Arzadon, CFC Vancouver Area Head, fresh out from a flight from Manila, welcomes attendees.

Rosette Correa emcees the night's program.

ANCOP patrons and supporters enjoying the dinner buffet.

Laura, a member of the Holy Cross Mission Team, shares her experiences during last year's mission trip to the Philippines.  

Fr. Patrick Chisholm, pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Coquitlam, talks about his memorable encounters in previous mission trips.

Ed Kaizun of Holy Cross High School was part of the recent mission trip to the Philippines. He remembers how life-changing the event was for him and for many others on the trip. Here he turns over an envelope containing checks totalling $15,000 raised by Holy Cross and the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation for the construction of five houses in AVANAI Village.

Guests listen attentively.

Felice Rafael of Beneath One Sky, a non-profit student group based in Surrey and Vancouver, shows how her organization has been supporting and raising funds for ANCOP since 2009.

The Jose Family (RJ & Liza, daughter Tricia, son Mikey) affirms their active participation in ANCOP through the musical Right Here Write Now. 

Fr. James Kairu of St. Joseph Parish in Langley shares how CFC and ANCOP have been helpful to him and his Kenyan brethren.  

Philippine Vice Consul General Rogelio Villanueva expresses his appreciation of ANCOP and its mission and vision.

Elmer Tangco, CFC Vancouver Area Governance Team member and BCOP Head, wraps the night and thanks all those who have come to show their support.