MANILA – Before the crack of dawn, an estimated 10,000 walkers, mostly coming from the Metro Manila sectors, trooped to the Quirino Grandstand to be part of the 15th ANCOP Global Walk (AGW), yet another milestone of Couples for Christ’s Work with the Poor program.
In his message, Couples for Christ Chairman Arnel Santos acknowledged the gift of being able to serve the poor, “To answer the cry of the poor is a gift. It is a grace. We do not on our own to answer the cry of the poor. Like faith, like love, like hope—to ANCOP is a virtue that comes from God.”
Call for an end to corruption
Using ANCOP as an action verb, Bro. Arnel exhorted the thousands of walkers to recognize the Lord as the prime mover of ANCOP.
He explained, “It is God who answers the cry of the poor! It is the Lord. The poor are crying…sumisigaw ang mga maralita (the poor cry out)—Tulong po! Tabang! Tulungan po ninyo kami. (Help! Help us.) The Lord hears them. The Lord hears their cries.”
Addressing the rampant corruption in government, he also took the opportunity to call for justice, saying, “The poor are crying…sumisigaw (shouting)…tumatangis (crying)—Katarungan! (Justice!) Kapayapaan! (Peace) Itigil po sana ang katiwalian! (Let us end corruption!) May pangarap din po kami! Nagsusumikap din po kami. (We also have dreams! We are also striving).”
Youth, the hope of the fatherland
Meanwhile, ANCOP President Leo Labrador highlighted the fact that ANCOP’s 10,400 sponsored students are not just being supported financially but are benefiting greatly from ANCOP’s values formation.
He explained, “10,400 young girls and boys, all over our country, slowly being molded to be good and God-fearing citizens of our country. Natatanaw po natin ang monumento ni Jose Rizal at ang ating watawat. Ito ang iniwan sa atin ng ating national hero: Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Ito ang ating tinutugunan sa AGW 2025. (From here we can see the monument of Jose Rizal and our flag. This is what our national hero left us: ‘The youth is the hope of the fatherland.’ This is what AGW 2025 hopes to address.”
It was the first time the AGW featured the rosary featuring 50+ sponsored students acting as human rosary beads.
Then walkers learned more about the history of the AGW through a video.
This was followed by the opening worship led by ANCOP alumnus Jeff Concepcion who said, “The invitation to be part of the ANCOP Global Walk is God’s invitation for us to serve. God is always present in us and in our lives.”
He also shared about his journey of being a beneficiary of ANCOP to answering the cry to be a missionary of the community.
After praying as one body, participants heard the official AGW 2025 theme song “Come Walk with Me” performed by the ultra talented Ocampo family.
The prayer of a humble heart
After walking 5 kilometers, AGW walkers assisted at a Mass celebrated by Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban.
The prelate reminded everyone about the central role of humility in every good work, saying, “In the end, there is only one kind of prayer that reaches the heart of God. The prayer that comes from a humble heart.”
Walkers stayed a while despite the mid-morning sun to have “Isang Almusalan Para sa Kinabukasan!”
To celebrate 15 years of AGW and to cap off the event, participants listened to performances from Cyd Tamayo, Serhendrey, Genesis to Jesus.
AGW 2025 is still ongoing as donations continue to come in. Provinces and countries are also set to have their own AGWs in their respective areas.
