The Village That Frank Built Part III

UPDATE 09/05/08:
Delisting letter added.

Part I is HERE.
Part II is HERE.

In fairness to the Easter Group, Jun Junia, et al, here is their next response on the Remarville issue following the Mario Pareno response published in Part II. I am hoping for a response from the parties named, preferably with some documents to back up any claims, something the Easter Group is always noticeably short on. I personally would love to also hear from the FFL members themselves who were on site and not just from Jun Junia.

They've directed this response specifically at this blog and at the images and issues posted here. While it is my opinion that it doesn't hold water (because of the coinciding testimonies from several parties and not just from one), I am waiting for actual witnesses to speak up. I am also positive there is a video of the event in question somewhere. If you know how I can get to that video, I'll appreciate a heads up.

I've seen the calls for a "Blogger's GK Village" started by TE and it gladdens my heart. I feel tho that before we get started on that, we have to settle any injustices that are being committed now, lest it happens again. This is OUR watch now, we must do all we can to set things RIGHT before we move on.

I will be updating this entry throughout the week.



--- On Tue, 8/26/08, Easter Group wrote:

From: Easter Group
Subject: Fwd: CFC Global's 20 July CFC International Village (Remarville) Build
To:
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 7:52 PM


Following our 1st reply to the CFC Global bloggers' comments and e-mails, more releases were made by them that needed some correction. We have the brother himself, Jun Junia, who wrote the e-mail account below to clear the air on this issue which has reached quite vicious and ugly proportions because of rather baseless accusations. With this correction, we hope all are now clarified with the true state of affairs in Remarville.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


To: Easter Group
Cc: junjunia@gmail.com


CFC Global's 20 July CFC International Village (Remarville) Build

A lot has been said about the foiled attempt of CFC Global for an alleged BUILD at the CFC International Village (Remarville) last 20July 2008. I would like to clarify that this 20 July affair was not a BUILD attempt but an INVASION of a site which CFC Global knew and accepted as a Restoration Village and not a GK site.

To get a better perspective hereunder is a brief background of said project. CFC International Village was started by members of North C Cluster 6, then under the headship of JUN JUNIA. There is no problem with the land acquisition as the land was purchased and is being paid for by the beneficiaries on an installment basis over 5 years (free of interest) and as of this date amortization payments for 2 years and 7 months have been made.

This social housing project really took off when Frank Padilla saw it as a chance to give homeless CFC members their own home. Frank Padilla then requested the CFC International community to adopt one house each, thus the name CFC International Village.

Work was started in January 2006 but because of differences in development approaches between Junia and Pancho Lopez Tan, GK National took over control of project development in December 2006. Raul Dizon was in charge of the area for eight (8) months and during that period he created his own clique which he called his TEACHER's PETS, and which group became his alter ego.

When the split in the CFC community happened the majority of the beneficiaries chose to align themselves with CFC FFL and the homeowner's association took over the project. Raul Dizon's Teacher's Pets (a noisy but numerical minority) aligned themselves with CFC Global and created divisions in the project while openly defying the homeowner's association. When caught with violations they would cry HARRASSMENT. This division in the Remarville community (FFL vis a vis Global) is the problem that the association had been trying to correct when the 20 July Build of CFC Global cropped up.

On 18 July 2008 I got a text from Tito Santos telling me that they had scheduled a BUILD in Remarville on July 20, 2008 and that permission had been given by Lito de Guzman. Tito Santos advised me that Ricky Santos, an awardee of one of the three houses to be built, would coordinate with the association.

Lito de Guzman, when contacted, told me that the message Tito Santos was circulating was misleading as he took back this positive comment when he learned that Tito Santos had not asked permission from the homeowner's association and had sent him a second text asking him to seek the association's permission first. In a dialogue with Ricky Santos on the evening of 18 July, he told us that he was asked to attend a meeting in Melo Villaroman's office and was surprised to see people identified as DIZON teacher's pets in that meeting where the plan for the 20 July Build was finalized. The Remarville homeowner's association then explained to Ricky Santos that on 20 July the beneficiaries themselves were scheduled to work in the site and the presence of 200 outsiders may derail this internal unifying process. Furthermore how do you place 200 people on three (3) small (3.5M x 7.0 M) lots over and above the 30 to 50 beneficiaries working there also. Finally it was explained to Ricky that you do not attain UNITY by the statement of Tito Santos that we will go there to build for the 3 members of CFC and if things work out we will also work on the houses of non CFC members. You do not start unity moves by going into FFL territory and calling them non CFC.

Ricky Santos understood and promised to do something. On the morning of 19 July, Ricky Santos sent me the text message that Melo Villaroman had cancelled the 20July Build at Remarville. I forwarded this message to Tito Santos together with the information that the homeowner's association had disapproved their 20 July build..

The reply of Tito Santos was that he did not know Ricky Santos and he would pursue their 20 July Build despite the disapproval by the association and whether I would be there or not. That is when I knew that Tito Santos was not coordinating the 20 July Build, but rather only informing us that they would proceed with the Remarville build despite the disapproval by the association, thus we called it an INVASION and prepared for such.

The pictures being circulated by CFC Global will readily show that we had women at the entrance barrier as we do not adhere to the DADANAK ANG DUGO theory and never said that. Neither did we have goons, unless CFC Global looks at FFL members as goons. We are however grateful to the barangay as they were a big help.

So my friends the 20 July exercise of CFC Global was not a build, but an invasion as

- They had knowledge that Remarville is not a GK site, yet they never sought permission from the association before they planned their BUILD.

- Tito Santos was not coordinating, but merely informing us that irregardless of the association's disapproval he would push through with the Build Tito Santos was in fact spreading distorted information while not heeding the advise of Ricky Santos that their 20 July BUILD HAD BEEN CANCELLED BY MELO VILLAROMAN.

- The mobilization of 200 persons was illogical as it would be physically impossible to place them on the site of three small lots (unless the purpose was the usual photo ops of GK)

- In the process of dissuading them from their 20 July build Tito Santos was informed that the beneficiaries affiliated with Global and FFL were working together as a group of 30 to 50 people, and they had a build scheduled also on 20 July; thereby making it doubly difficult for an additional 200 outsiders to work in the area. The beneficiaries themselves working together irregardless of affiliation was the real start of unity.

The highlight of this episode was when ERIC CAYABYAB attempted to forcefully enter the site. After trying to impress me that he was a doctor and head of GK he sarcastically asked me IF I KNEW WHERE THE MONEY BEING USED FOR THE MATERIALS THEY WERE SENDING TO REMARVILLE CAME FROM? He was implying that it was their (GK) money and I amusedly answered it was Remarville funds (not GK). I had been informed that donations for the 130 units in Remarville had been fully made. This is in the custody of GK and they are releasing this only to beneficiaries who would affiliate with CFC Global. Then Eric Cayabyab directly coordinated with Arlene Castor, a beneficiary who is being delisted for having built a house more than three times the standard size for Remarville. Castor claims to have spent Php 200,000.00 of her personal funds (over and above the Php 80,000.00 plus of free materials she got from FFL and Global inventories). If Eric Cayabyab were a true GK practitioneer he should have relocated Arlene Castor in Camella Homes, considering the violations Arlene Castor has made and the money she claims to have spent, instead of letting her spearhead the 20July affair. GK/CFC Global has not spearheaded a move to relocate her to a regular subdivision, but has in fact provided her a lawyer in the delisting proceedings filed by the association against Castor. It is by this act that I wonder if GK has changed its qualification standards.

Finally I feel that the LORD really knows how to play jokes on us.. This 20 July Build is personified by what I call THE UNHOLY TRINITY. You see the main characters in the whole affair are holy people as

- One of the houses programmed for construction in the 20 July invasion is that of RICKY SANTOS

- The person pursuing the unauthorized BUILD/INVASION is TITO SANTOS

- The person currently circulating libelous statements against me from a self assumed high perch of moral authority but in total ignorance of facts of the case is MIKE SANTOS, a son of Tito Santos

Today Remarville is completely polarized and vividly depicts the conflict between CFC Global and CFC FFL being lived on a day to day basis by persons/neighbors who take pride in calling themselves Christians while being unchristian to one another. This is the reality of what CFC or we have become.

I pray that you can pass this on to our brothers in the community so that lessons in christian behavior may be learned and current moral standards being used/practiced be reassessed.

JUN JUNIA




* * *

I believe it is time for our beneficiaries to speak up. Jun Junia speaks of Christian Behavior. Please be fair then Mr. Junia. Sana po hindi lang salita yan. Payagan nyo po ang mga apektado na magsalita at mag bigay ng kanilang panig, na walang takot ma de-list.

Is that fair? I've published your side and I believe the they have a right to respond in kind.

UPDATE 09/05/08
Sample delisting letter added

Now I am certain this isn't the only one given out. At this time, I have had no updates so far on the situation inside save for the comments left anonymously by residents of Remarville. Please keep it up, we are doing this for you.

Hear Their Plea

I just wanted to draw your attention to these comments.

GK Beneficiary ng Remarville has left a new comment on your post "So It's True":

Ang kinatatakot ko lang po paano kapag sa amin nangyari yun! ano ang gagawin namin? Saan kami pupunta? May tutulong ba sa amin? natatakot talaga kami kay Jun Junia kasi isang sabi lang nya HOA officials ay sumusunod sila kahit alam nilang mali na!

Alam nyo po sobrang SAYA namin ng maging beneficiary kami sa Remarville NOON kasi sa wakas may sariling bahay na kami, ngunit ang SAYA na naramdaman namin NOON ngayon ay nababalutan na ng LUNGKOT AT TAKOT NA BAKA BUKAS AY WALA NA ANG BAHAY NA IBINIGAY SA AMIN NG PANGINOON

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "So It's True":

Bilang isa sa mga GK beneficiary, nais ko pong ipaabot ang liham na ito kay Tito Jun J. at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Kapit bahayan ng GK Remarville. Lubos po ang aking paniniwala sa kabutihang loob na taglay nyo, minsan na po tayong naging isang pamilya sa bubong CFC, at maaring nag iba man tayo ng landas na tinahak ngunit hindi ang maiaalis kabutihang loob na naitanim sa puso nyo.

Isa lamang po ako sa maraming bilang ng mahihirap na naghangad na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan. Kaya’t naging lubos ang aking kasiyahan ng malaman kong ako at ang aking pamilya ay mapapagkalooban ng tahanan sa GK Remarville. Sa totoo lamang po ay napaluha ako ng marinig ko ang balita. Naisip ko agad ang mga anak ko. “Sa wakas mabibigyan ko na rin sila ng maayos na tirahan at tahanang matatawag kong amin”. Lingid pos a inyong kaalaman ay nangungupahan lang po ako sa kasalukuyan. Sa hirap po ng buhay makailang beses na rin kaming lumipat ng tahanan, para lamang makahanap ng murang marerentahan. Bagamat may trabaho po ako at ang aking asawa ay di pa rin ito sapat para matugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan namin sa araw-araw. Bilang isang ina gusto ko pong ibigay ang lahat ng makakabuti sa anak ko, masakit pong isipin na hindi ko man lang matugunan ang ilang pangangailangan nila dahil na rin po sa kakapusan. Makakatulong po sana talaga ng malaki kung ang perang binabayad namin sa upa ay mailaan na lamang po para sa mga anak ko. Ngunit sa kasawiang palad maaring manatiling pangarap na lamang ang PANGARAP kong ito. Dahil isa po ako sa mga nakatanggap ng DELISTING notice mula pos a inyo. Maaring may mga desisyon po kayong di ko lubos na nauunawaan. Hindi ko rin naman pong hahayaan ang aking sarili na humantong sa galit. Tingna nyo na lang po ako bilang isang tao, bilang isang Pilipino, bilang isang mahirap. Isang kababayang nangangailangan.

Hindi man po tayo personal na magkakilala, pero alam ko pareho tayo ng pananaw pagdating sa ating mga pamilya. Hindi po sana maging kalabisan sa inyo kung hihilingin kong maipagkaloob po sa akin sampu ng aking pamilya ang isang bahay sa remarville. Hindi ko man po kayo mabayaran dito sa lupa alam ko pong may nakalaan na biyaya ang May Kapal. Gayun pa man po taos puso akong magpapasalamat sa inyo. Pinapaubaya ko na po sa inyo ang katuparan ng mga pangarap ko…

Salamat po,
GK Benificiary

GK Beneficiary has left a new comment on your post "So It's True":

Bilang GK Benificiary ng Remarville ako po ay nagmamakaawa kay Tito Jun. J. at sa GK Int’l Restoration Village Homeowners Association, na sana kami ay mapagbigyan na matupad aming pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay. Kami po ay mahirap lamang, di naming kayang bumili ng lupa at bahay. Ang kinikita naming mag-asawa ay di pa minsan sapat sa gastusin sa araw-araw: pagkain, gamit ng mga bata sa eskwela, tubig, kuryente at renta sa bahay.

Nung naging GK Benificiary kami, tuwang-tuwa kami aking pamilya. dahil malaki ang maitutulong nito, Nagpapasalamat kami sa Maykapal , sa mga Sponsors na ginamit ng Diyos upang tulungan kaming mahihirap. At alam kong, di lamang bahay ang binigay ng ating Panginoon kundi isang tahanan. At pananalig na madama at lubusang makilala, kung paano maging mabuti at tunay na kristyano.

Alam ko sa dito sa Remarville mayroong CFC at FFL. Pero nanalig ako na magiging maayos ang lahat dahil iisa lamang ating Panginoong Maykapal.

Bilang CFC Benificiary kami ay umaattend ng Homeowners Meeting. Sa mga meeting, nababanggit ni Tito Jun J. na wala sya pinapanigan CFC o FFL, ang panawagan lamang nya ay makaisa ang mga members ng Homeowners lalo na sa pagbayad ng amortization sa lupa.

Hanggang sa dumating yung araw July 20 – GK Build para sa CFC Home Office ng 3 Beneficiaries. Kami bilang CFC members na gustong tumulong, GK at ibang pang members ng West C, pati ilang kapatid sa GK ay nagpunta upang tumulong sa pag gawa ng bahay. Ngunit di natuloy ito dahil nagbarikada ang Homeowners at ilang FFL members.

Makalipas ang dalawang linggo, nakatanggap kami mga CFC Benificiaries ng delisting notice ang mga CFC Benificiaries. Ang Tanong Namin Bakit, ano ang nagawa naming mali.

Mali ba yung TUMULONG PARA SA MGA KAPATID NATING CFC Beneficiaries.

CFC-GK Beneficiary

Mike Santos gives us an update:

mike santos has left a new comment on your post "A Call To Arms Pt 2":

in light of the recent event --remarville delisting and eviction--

My dad sent a SMS to Jun Junia and requested a dialogue that reads

... There is far greater joyful reason to UNITE, than to DIVIDE.. let's meet and resolve issues Re: remarville, gk magsaysay and other concern...

let's pray for this to happen!!!

Friends, this Remarville issue is far from over. I know we've committed to prayers and gatherings on their behalf, please help me keep this issue at the forefront. If only half of the things I'm hearing about the International Village beneficiaries and their plight are truly happening, it is still a major WRONG that must be put RIGHT.

Let us pray for God to touch the souls of the men at the root of this travesty, and allow them to care once again for their less fortunate brethren, without prejudice to what community they choose to belong to.

So It's True

Apparently the Easter Group really is trying to distance themselves from Remarville. They don't even list it in their "Restoration" villages list on their site.

I have heard (and seen a comment about it) that all CFC members have now been unceremoniously delisted. It is no surprise that this has caused an incredible amount of stress to the beneficiaries who have looked forward to their home there. IF they truly are denying involvement in Remarville, they're going to have a tough time denying it, considering they themselves sent out an email from a certain Mario Pareno basically admitting that FFL members had "taken over" over the site (found near the end of this entry). I also don't know how they're going to explain the "RESTORATION" plastered on the entrance arch. I guess we'll have to be prepared for whatever spin they attempt. If any of you have any more information or documents regarding this, I'd welcome it. You know where to reach me.

So after making a complete mess of things, they now want to deny and walk away from everything. How nice.

* * *

A recent comment brought up a very very important item. We as a community firmly believe in the power of prayer. I apologize that I have been so focused on bringing forth the facts about the recent events that have not even made a personal plea for it. I am asking now for all us to make it a point to PRAY for a resolution to these issues. Let us all pray for the favorable conclusion of our fight for our name; let us pray for God to soften the heart of Jun Junia and allow our brethren their homes. Most importantly, lets us all pray TOGETHER.

If any of you can arrange group prayers in your respective chapels, please do so. If we can arrange an even bigger group, please, do your best. It's high time to raise our problems and pain to the Almighty and trust Him to make things right. I hope that we can all try and make this a priority this Sunday, and the subsequent Sundays, and if you can do it everyday, all the better. In fact, if you need me to post your announcements for prayer meetings, I'd be more than happy to do so.

Have a blessed weekend bloggers.

The Village That Frank Built Pt II: The Issues

UPDATED 08/11/2008
Blogger Round Eyed Toddler queries Mario Pareno and gets a detailed response.

UPDATED 08/08/2008
Easter Group emails a response, by a certain Mario Pareno.

UPDATED 7/31/2008 2:00AM
Document on the land acquistion and amortization scheme added.
Report detailing issues added.
Full translations of Salaysay added.
Pictures from the 7/20 build attempt.

UPDATED 7/29/2008 9:00AM
Partial translation of Salaysay added.

To those who've been following this blog since last year, you might remember the first hints of strife at the CFC International GK Village at Remarville, when some comments were posted back in October of 2007. The first was in the Time To Wrap It Up entry. I quote:

Anonymous said...

FFL said that there is no coercion in making people attend there activities...well maybe they have to ask jun junia and pancho lopez tan what they are doing with the beneficiaries of gk remarville...if they will not attend they will b ejected...and for the young ffl...why is it that if a ftw doesnt join you binabastos nyo...(xavy dont do it again ha)...and what kind of community are you building that is based on putting others down and labeling them us un christian?
I have 2 appeals for FFL to consider...
1. Can we all please move forward without maligning others.
2. tito frank pls stop acting like your God.

The next comment showed up in the Another One entry:

neokidntown said...

From what I heard, FFL is now managing former GK sites like the GK CFC International Village (Remarville).

The beneficiaries were asked to sign the petition paper that GK turns over the site to FFL.

I was told everyone signed the petition paper.

I’d like to know, is it true that failure to sign would mean ejection from the village?

Can anyone shed light on this?

Obviously, this isn't a "new" issue. People have known what the FFL (as represented by Jun Junia) have been up to, since last year.

You've seen the pictures in the first part of this series. Take a look at how CFC International GK Village looks like now:


We'll start this story with an account of events from within:





Download Salaysay as a pdf HERE.
English translation HERE and HERE.

Many thanks goes to our translators!


There have already been several comments in part 1 that were interesting (and gave us an update of events), one of which asked the pertinent questions:

What are the leaders of FFL saying about this?

Are they condoning the stoppage of the build? Why?

As obviously displayed by the coercion going on since October of last year, is it logical to assume that this is with the blessings of the Easter Group since they claimed the site, rechristened it "restoration village" and are apparently the sole authority there. I am hearing reports that now, the FFL are attempting to wash their hands of this and distancing themselves from the whole affair, with even Jun Junia claiming he is CFC and not FFL. We MUST NOT let them get away with this. The record of events goes back almost a year, with a finger pointing to the FFL and Jun Junia clearly showing attempts at coerction, harrassment, and incredibly unchristian conduct.

I am appalled.

Addition:
As usual, I will welcome any communication from Jun Junia et al to air their side.

LAND ACQUISITION DETAILS AND AMORTIZATION SCHEME




Download this document as pdf HERE.

A PARTIAL SUMMARY OF ISSUES



Download this document as a pdf HERE.

JULY 20, 2008 BUILD ATTEMPT

Here are some images taken from the attempted build at Remarville that was reported first here, here, and the aftermath reported by Mike Santos here.

The first alarm sounded:

cfc international restoration village update!!!!!
this sunday july 19,2008, may build po sa dating gk village na ito but sadly to tell that they rejected our request to build the 3 houses for the 3 home office beneficiaries and they tell us under the command of dictator Jun Junia and his alliance group(atty.Ogie Bautista and the home owners board of directors na hilaw)to back off kasi daw ffl na daw ang lugar na ito kaya they will not allowed any attempt to build with other gk benefeciaries and of course with West c sector team to be lead by tito santos and delfi geraldez.Jun J, tell us if we will not comply his recommendation he said! dadanak ang dugo dito!!!! and he even called some names working in the nbi to give him support this sunday kasi daw sigurado na magkakagulo, pati barangay po pinapaalarma and he also instructed two of the board who working in ABC5 and Channel 2 to document the possible clash kasi daw tito s. insisted daw to enter the perimeter to build...he even instructed also na pagpumilit na pumasok ang mga cfc global at gk volunteers pukpukin na daw agad kaya nga kagabi sa meeting nila gumawa na sila ng letter for whatever happen this sunday may pan laban sila...he(Jun) even hired bugoy or tambay just for bakbakan daw sa sunday.....nasaan na po ang spirit ng cfc....200 expected volunteer to come, they come to support the build not to dimolish the area...oh! comm'n ffl drop ur pride and be united with us for the sake of the poor people living there....he admitted that they dont have funds anymore for the construction....kong sabagay wala silang pakialam kong wala silang pondo kasi kong ayaw mo na sa lugar na yan then you back out as homeowner and then they will sell your lot na mas mahal, i think 5000 or 5500 na yata per sqr.meter don before it was only 3500 per sqr.mter, kaya daw mahal kac na develop na ang lugar..ang tanong po? sino po ba ang nagdevelop ng lugar na yon, di po ba gk....they also said na lahat na cfc-gmfi sa lugar ay hahanapan daw ng butas para maalis...calling the attention of gk national to step up to this issue...taposin na ang dapat taposin...tama na!Sobra na!Palitan na!! walang iwanan di ba!!!!!


cfc remarville

Reported by Mike Santos:

About the Remarville Build tomorrow July 20,2008.

The build is initiated and coordinated by GK National. And is intended for the CFC full time workers who are beneficiaries and lot owners in this site.

CFC West C GK workers and volunteers are part of the team who will support the build. All volunteers were asked to gather at the basketball court.

Tito Jun Junia is aware of this scheduled build.

Before the build was scheduled, talks were ongoing between the FFL (Lito De Guzman) and CFC (thru CFC West C GK Tito Santos). Also Tito Santos (my dad) is constantly communicating with Tito Jun Junia about the site and its benficiaries.

FFL (thru Lito De Guzman) has agreed to it and Tito Jun will refer it to the Homeowners Association of remarville.

-- one of my dad's SMS message to Tito Jun ---"GK natl has scheduled a build on Sunday 9am to 5pm at remarville, hope to make the start of uniting our hearts again even with 2 organizations"---

Let's pray for this and may all our hearts be melted and peace reign as we strive to follow Jesus' way...

And the report of what happened after:

Remarville update:

CFC Volunteer workers were not allowed entry.

CFC leaders decided not to do build today.

CFC will be arranging a meeting with Remarville Homeowners Association and Jun Junia.

Note the kadena (chain)

08/08/08 CFC-FFL Response

A certain Mario Pareno gives his side of the story.

From: "Easter Group"
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 20:04:17 -0700
From: m_pareno@yahoo.com.ph
Subject: Remarville and GK Manolo Villages: A Study in Contrast
To: eastergroup@gmail.com

Just as one gets the feeling both communities seem to be moving on their own comes an issue somehow blown out of proportion by CFC Global/GK regarding Remarville Village. The latter site apparently was taken over by CFCFFL upon the strong clamor of the KB officers themselves, the caretaker team, and even the beneficiaries. The apparent reason offered by the parties concerned was alleged and apparent neglect on the part of CFC/GK to continue with the houses. Bro. Frank apparently took pains raising the money for 132 houses but up to this time, only 55 units have been built. We were told that the KB itself formally requested CFC-FFL to take over in writing.

Upon closer scrutiny, it was allegedly discovered that what CFCFFL inherited from GK had still some pending land documentation issues and it was altogether premature and hasty for CFCFFL to take over without proper exercise of due diligence from the former caretakers, the CFC/GK. So the continuous building of the houses just had to stop pending the resolution of the issues.

Now, Bro. Frank again bears the brunt of potshots, malicious charges and baseless innuendoes that he built the village with a lot of problems. ALL HE DID AT THE TIME HE WAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS TO RAISE THE FUNDS AND IT WAS UP TO GK TO BUILD THE HOUSES. Of course,the rest is history because came the split and the site was left with GK until the very recent takeover which was not without its attendant problems left by GK to CFCFFL.

Contrast this to another GK village in GK Manolo, Valenzuela where the same situation hangs and persists. The number of promised houses have not materialized after 2 years. Apparently irked by the non-delivery of the houses as promised, some beneficiaries have resorted to building their own homes from borrowed funds, without help from CFC/GK. Still others have gone beyond the official design and in the site are now dwellings with more than one floor, apparently now a common site to see in other villages as well.

But what was more disturbing was the continued ostracism received by two families because they chose to affiliate themselves with CFCFFL. It goes without saying that they were told that they cannot hope to see their houses built because of their affiliations. Instead of making these cases a federal issue, the community just quietly raised the necessary funds to complete these houses. Now, the two families are happily settled in their new homes built by their CFCFFL brethren.

A contrast in approach: Remarville and Manolo villages and how two communities responded to the call.

You be the judge.

Mario

Note that practically everything claimed in this email, ie:

"..upon the strong clamor of the KB officers themselves"

"...what CFCFFL inherited from GK had still some pending land documentation issues and it was altogether premature and hasty for CFCFFL to take over without proper exercise of due diligence from the former caretakers, the CFC/GK."

Etc.

have already been covered in the "Salaysay".

He's asking us to be the judge. I believe we need to be supplied with evidence to make our own proper judgement, correct? First but certainly not the least, please explain the FFL's Jun Junia and his actions.

UPDATED 08/11/2008
Blogger Round Eyed Toddler queries Mario Pareno and gets a detailed response.

----- Original Message ----
From: Round-Eyed Toddler <roundeyedtoddler@gmail.com>
To: m_pareno@yahoo.com.ph
Sent: Saturday, August 9, 2008 10:12:12 AM
Subject: Remarville and GK Manolo Villages: A Study in Contrast

Bro Mario,
What role did you play in Remarville? Just curious. Then how do you explain the issues presented in these documents?

How do you explain the pictures of Remarville residents who blocked the entry of Couples for Christ volunteers to build the houses of home office workers? Click here, and here, then here, here, and finally here! Tell me why the sensibilities of relatively newer members of the community should not be affected by the brazen display of unChristian defiance of these residents? What does your Most Honorable and Most Humble Servant General Frank Padilla, the name above all names in the Catholic renewal movement for Christian couples, say about all these?

The Round-Eyed Toddler

Mr. Pareno responds:

On 08 10, 08, at 10:23 AM, Mario Pareno wrote:

My,my you are frothing all over. Not surprising for a toddler.

I am just as curious who the round-eyed toddler is. No one who hides under the skirt of anonymity (no pun intended as toddlers are wont to hide under the skirts of their moms) has any right to ask about roles if he is not willing to come up front and reveal his real identity... Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Bulatro, whatever.

Besides, ever heard of investigative journalism? More to come in our sequel coming from the residents themselves.

RET:

On Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 10:22 PM, Round-Eyed Toddler <roundeyedtoddler@gmail.com> wrote:

My name is inconsequential. Would you have cared if I told you my name? You won't see my name in any of the pages as I am someone new to the community when GK started. But now, I just happen to be someone who feels strongly about this whole thing and none of the actions in Remarville is helping anybody, not even you in FFL. What do you think all this brouhaha will accomplish? Prove that someone's right and someone's wrong, as if Christ is smiling at everyone at the gate of Remarville on July 20? You gave a very "brotherly" reply. I wish you luck in your newfound community. A certain "spirit" appears to be working in you. We, in Couples for Christ, will move on. You certainly have the prayers of my community.

{RET's real name, CFC Chapter and Mobile number was indicated here in the actual email}

It would be interesting to see what Mr. Pareno will dig up. To him and the commenter who said,

"Imagine you do not have enough evidence and yet you wrote things against whomever you can put based on your sources."

I say, bring it on. I welcome ALL evidence. Let the chips fall where they may.


To be continued.

The Village That Frank Built

This is the 1st in an ongoing series on the CFC International GK Village.

Part II is HERE.
Part III is HERE.

Overview




Location
CFC International GK Village is located along Zodiac St., in Remarville Subd., Brgy. Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.

I'm hoping this will be the start of the online mapping of all GK sites across the globe. It took me about 30 minutes to pinpoint using visual references on WikiMapia and Mapcentral.ph

View Larger Map

I've also added its location in WikiMapia.

Frank Padilla gives us the gist:

Frank Padilla wrote:
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 21:24:05 +0800
To: COUNTRY COORDINATORS ,
COUNTRY HEADS
From: Frank Padilla
CC: , Pancho & Marilyn Lopez-Tan <>
Subject: [Countrycoords] int'l GK village

Hello brethren. The Int'l GK Village is a go. It will be located in Remarville in Quezon City. The total lot area is 4,904 sqm. and we will build 132 houses. This village is for CFC members including about 10 of our own employees. We will build row housing, with each house having two floors of 18 sqm each or a total of 36 sqm. So it is larger than the normal 20 sqm house. The beneficiaries have already been identified and are currently undergoing values formation. The Kapitbahayan is already in place. Some site development work is already ongoing, but formal groundbreaking will be on Feb 4.

For the houses in this village, our material cost will be about 75,000 pesos. At a peso-dollar exchange of 52.65, that would be about US$1,425. You of course know that there are many more costs involved aside from just the raw materials. These will be covered by local padugo. You also know that our sponsorship cost for the 20 sqm house, starting 2006, was already raised from $1,000 to $1,200. I am asking for a sponsorship amount of US$1,300 for the Int'l GK Village. For this particular project, there will be no retention, either by Ancop abroad or by GK locally. The full $1,300 will be given to the GK site.

Our target is one country, one home. Please let me know if CFC in your country is going to sponsor a home. The money may be remitted as soon as you are able to raise it. The amount should not come from what has been raised by Ancop or by CFC from partners and contributors. It should come from our members. You should have a special drive to raise the amount, and hopefully in the process get our members (in those countries that are not yet that involved in Ancop or GK) to be more cognizant and appreciative of our work in GK.

You are invited to the Int'l GK Build and hopefully dedication on June 18. We will all go to the site and have our brethren from all over the world participate in building and finishing this village.

The privilege of those countries that opt not to sponsor a home will be given to the other countries until we fill up the sponsorship of all 132 homes. I will be waiting to hear from you.

God bless you all.

frank

"For to me life is Christ, and death is gain." (Phil 1:21)

Highlights in bold are mine.

And so it began:

From Vision

To Reality

The call was answered; from our own UP students to people from overseas

Homes were completed, and CFC International GK Village was gradually populated.

In part 2, we'll dig into the story behind the anomalies, the FFL's involvement, and stories from those who actually live there.

Resources:

I've used or referenced photos from the following Multiply accounts:
Veran1222
Mia12Polka
CFC North C
Bikey
Sleekchic87
lmujunebug
Lolacat

Another One?

It seems the FFL is seeking to keep up its righteous streak of statements...

OF RUDE AWAKENINGS AND LATE REALIZATIONS: A STUDY IN CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS

At this point in the conflict, some of those who have sided with the Council are making statements that the Restoration Movement (CFC-FFL) and the present CFC are the same. They are purporting that the intent and direction that the Council’s leadership has taken is everything that the CFC-FFL claims itself to be. The subtle message is these people (CFC-FFL) just want to be in power and they are peddling you something that is already in existence.

It goes without saying that very recently, the Council has made almost a complete 180 degree turn in practices which it never paid attention to from the time its attention was called after the Feb. 20 resignations. Now, it has come out openly for being diocesan and parish-based, of following the Bishops, of abandoning questionable practices of GK which were overtly not Christian, of following a balance between family life and service, of suddenly being behind the pro-life program of the Church although it has not rescinded its agreements with GK donors which manufacture artificial contraceptives. Why the sudden rude awakenings and late realizations?

It is an interesting exercise to unmask the hidden agenda of individuals. All you have to do is to answer questions straightforwardly and base your reply from actual data or experience. One must remember therefore the status of the community prior to the resignations of the three Council members on February 13, 2007 until the here-and-now.

What are some of the important qualities of the CFC-FFL they claim are the same with how they want to direct the community?

In this Truth Series, these qualities are presented in five parts.

I. “FAMILIES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT RENEWING THE FACE OF THE EARTH”

The feedback from the ground has been that the community has reached a saturation point in its activities that already prevent people from having quality time with their families and doing other things that are likewise important to establishing relationships in community.

Evidence: Dwindling attendance in gatherings and poor tithing; complaints from members on the lack of spiritual nourishment; lackluster worship; unprecedented leadership conflicts.

Practice: Functional relationships in households, service agenda are taken up instead of growth topics; weekdays and weekends are fully blocked off for community activities; leaders are maximized through multi-tasking.

Attitude of top leaders: drop-all-you-are-doing-we-have-something-important-to-do

At the beginning of this year, Frank Padilla announced a one-service policy to put a balance to an already worsening appropriation of time and resources in community. When Frank and the two other Council members resigned, the remaining 4-man Council never followed through with the initiative. Instead the 4-man Council in the persons of Joe Tale, Ernie Maipid, Rouquel Ponte and Joe Yamamoto decided to change the line functions of the top leadership perpetuating the multi-task orientation that precisely the community was diverting from, with themselves at the helm.

This same leadership now claims that they are the same as CFC-FFL in that vision when from the very start they never advocated or promoted such a direction.

II. PRO-GOD

Both groups have actually been quoting scripture and praying to the high heavens for peace and love in community. The Council has been proclaiming a new spirituality known as the GK spirituality, evidence of which could be seen from the revised Chapter Leaders Training where Ernie Maipid amended the outlines to include this particular orientation. If GK owns such a spirituality, then the GK Conference last June 21, 2007 at Araneta is a good example of what it advocates. People noticed an absence of worship and overt prayer. There was a song of St. Francis which very few recognized and an ecumenical prayer which the community members could not relate with. Yet, it was in community where we learned to at least make the sign of the cross (a prayer should follow) in a restaurant no matter how others may see us. Some of the brethren have also put crosses over their necks, pins on their collars, and even tattoos on their bodies to show that they are Catholic and CFC wherever they go, office, social, or community functions.

Evidence: The pronouncements of the Council regarding the GK spirituality; the changes made in the pastoral formation manuals; documented evidences of taking out CFC stickers from the doorposts of GK beneficiaries who are CFC members; the prohibiting the wearing of CFC T-Shirts, pins, etc. in GK assemblies, etc.

Practice: Do not show that you are overtly Christian or Catholic in the spirit of “ecumenism.”

Attitude of leaders: Evangelization need not have Christ shown in public.

Our basic teaching specifies that our posture should always be to respect the beliefs of others. However, the practice and principle have always been never to deny who we are. Restoration (CFC-FFL) means emphasizing this orientation and not compromising our identity like the way the Council has allowed things to happen. In this instance, it was even Habitat for Humanity which came out in the papers openly proclaiming that it is a Christian organization while CFC/GK has been quite coy about unfurling proudly its Christian banner.

III. PRO-CHURCH.

Although it has been an ongoing process of misinformation that the Easter Group, now part of CFC-FFL, solicited the help of the bishops, the Council insists in this idea that the bishops did not act on their own accord but were persuaded to issue letters against the CFC leadership. However, granting that their allegation is true (which it is not), it has always been taught in community that when you have an issue with your household head and you are unable to settle it amicably, then you appeal to the next higher rank – the unit head. In that same token, if it is the Council you have a disagreement with and they tend to use their power and position to further their agenda, then whom do you go to, the Elders Assembly? Yes, but it is difficult to assemble 200 people much less discuss issues with them. The recourse is the bishops, of course, who in our statutes safeguard our spirituality.

Evidence: The Council and the Elders Assembly did not follow the strong recommendation of Bishop Gabby Reyes, Bishop Soc Villegas, and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo stated in their letter dated June 7, 2007. Again, both bodies did not heed the strong admonition of Bishop Reyes on June 21, 2007 (“not to take the Bishops’ strong recommendations lightly.”) The intent and letters of Bishop Gabby have been twisted out of context several times which drew the rebuke of the Spiritual Adviser of CFC (his letters dated July 12 and August 6, 2007).

Practice: Whenever it is convenient, the Council visits the bishops but never follows their instructions. They concur during their meetings with the prelates but never keep their part of the agreement. The Bishops had to issue 3 clarifications to 3 International Council statements correcting the Council’s misimpressions of some statements coming from the Bishops.The Council was virtually handed a canonical warning when the Bishops hinted they were almost prompted to write the Vatican about the reported and documented cases of GK veering away fro the life and mission of CFC.

Attitude of leaders: The bishops have no authority over the internal affairs of the community and so should not interfere.

The Restoration Movement (CFC-FFL) has always consulted and followed the directions of the bishops. It has submitted to supporting the Church particularly its programs in the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC). Frank Padilla continues to be the recognized leader of Couples for Christ and the keeper of the charism. In fact, he went to the Vatican to explain the crisis in the community.

By its actions alone, the Council sets a very poor claim on being Pro-Church.

IV. PRO-POOR

If building houses was the only criterion for being Pro-Poor, the Council in its desire to support the GK spirituality may have the edge. However, what was the real context of Pro-Poor in the statutes of CFC? Was it really to provide shelter and livelihood for the materially poor? Or, was it to build Christian communities that will support the life and mission of people who will help themselves out of their poverty because they see themselves as a people of value and worth through their relationship with Jesus Christ?

Evidence: Can any of the GK workers confidently identify GK areas that are truly small Christian communities? Beneficiaries join the CLPs only to leave the organization as soon as they receive their houses. Even if GK identifies itself to be holistic in approach, what does it really have to show by way of a visible comprehensive health program, a working livelihood and job generation activity in GK communities except the Bayanihan program recently lifted from the Tekton livelihood program. Why did GK build up parallel structures when it was supposed to synergize and integrate with the social ministries which were deliberately set up to support GK?

Practice: The pursuit of building houses is given priority over the establishment of authentic Christian communities.

Attitude of leaders: Owning a house changes the attitude and outlook of a GK beneficiary.

The CFC-FFL intends to focus on the framework of establishing Christian communities rather than providing shelter. It will back up the spiritual side with programs that will address the temporal concerns of the people in due course. The focus on the social mission will not be imposed with quotas the way GK did.

V. OTHER ASPECTS

Pro-Life: In its desire to achieve its goals in GK777, the Council through GK has accepted benefactors who are clearly pro-choice advocates in the arena of contraception, abortion, population control, and environmentally hazardous industries. Which group has actually bent its mission and core values by acceding to pro-choice forces in order to achieve the goals they have set? Who among its leaders are clear of their pro-life principles and values and why are they sending the GK Executive Director to the conference of the Clinton Foundation, a known advocate of pro-choice and has Masonic inclinations?

Tradition: Which group adheres to tradition as a form of legalism much like the Pharisees and the Scribes? Which advocates radical changes in spirituality without consulting its constituents? Which is saying that it is adhering to its charismatic spirituality and not some mountain-generated forces that border on a different kind of idolatry? Which among its leaders are adhering to Catholic doctrine by submitting to the doctors of the Church all its teachings and programs?

Leadership: Who among the groups’ leaders rose to their present position with so many doubts cast on the process and their reputations tainted? Which group still has the “bearer of the charism” as part of the organization though he may not be in governance anymore? Which leaders are demanding obedience? Which are advocating consultation and unity of spirit? Which group trusted in a win-win agreement to be able to obey the Bishops? And which one defied the strong admonitions of the Bishops? Which group in the then Board of Elders insisted on having running dialogues with the Council and GK leaders to arrest the worsening rift between CFC and GK and which group preferred to table the issue? Which group brokered the failed August 14 dialogue?

If your are unable to distinguish the two groups by these questions, then the lessons of Lamentations and the experiences of the on-going conflict in the community may not have not yet impacted upon you.

However, it is your responsibility as Christian to know, and to make an informed choice. It is also important to know yourself, on what you believe, and what you tend to be biased on. At the end of the day, it is not which group you choose but the process by which you arrived at that choice. For all you know, you are making a mistake. No discernment is a perfect discernment. But God will always bless a choice made for Him, a choice that in honesty sees what is best for oneself, and for those whom one will serve.

Now, IF the FFL is intent on keeping up the slew of accusations, comparisons, and tit-for-tat attacks, then it is really up to their conscience on whether they want to build a membership based on that. Remember that a structure is only as solid as its foundation.

Let me quote their own Statement of Philosophy:

CFC-FFL adheres to a set of beliefs and ideals from which flow its Christian attitudes, values and behavior, as well as its programs, teachings and approaches to Christian renewal within the context of family relationships.

Highlights mine.

So, tell me this: What do they hope to accomplish by these constant accusations at the CfC? It seems they are paying more attention to what the Council is doing than on what should be most important to them: Hmm...like evangelizing? Unless of course, the downfall of CfC IS what is important to them. That is a scary thought....isn't it?

Then again, if this is their idea of evangelizing, I'd be afraid to see their version of GK. =)

I quote this sentence...

At this point in the conflict, some of those who have sided with the Council are making statements that the Restoration Movement (CFC-FFL) and the present CFC are the same.

...and I wonder who they are referring to as "some of those" and "making statements". Could it be that the FFL is now frantically responding to rumors and innuendos, while we here in the blog are citing actual emails and documents?

All I've seen so far from the FFL is a looooong string of accusatory statements, emails, plots, twisted stories, and efforts to bring down a community that Frank once led with pride. Not once did I see the IC issue as much as an accusation towards the FFL. Wasn't that what the Bishops' wanted? Peace between brothers? Who is disobeying them now?

To brother Frank, I ask, is this really how you want trace the FFL's roots? After all, all this will be for the greater glory of YOUR name, I assume?

As it is, I'm done responding to these constant statements rehashing the same old issues that have been addressed over and over again. The answers to them are all in this blog, anyone with a mouse, keyboard, and an internet connection can find the truth in the archives IF they want to find it. AND, I am still waiting for the FFL's official statements on the issues we've brought up here.

I won't hold my breath though....


UPDATE:

Oh and one last thing, about this:

"The Council has been proclaiming a new spirituality known as the GK spirituality"

What exactly is a "GK spirituality"? Is that another term coined by the FFL that is meant to be misleading?