MARIKINA, Philippines—170 CFC ANCOP volunteers from Metro Manila East A and B, social workers, chapter heads, and cluster heads were present at the launch of the ANCOP Volunteers Empowerment Summit (VEST) held at the Marikina Sports Complex on March 15, 2025. A conference for volunteers that serve in ANCOP, VEST initiates a dialogue about what else we can do to reach out to people and embody how Christ cares for the poor. Besides the ANCOP Global Walk, it also highlights other ANCOP programs and initiatives.
To kick off the day’s activities, East A ANCOP Head Bro. Jun Paminiano led an energizing opening worship.
Everyone, connected
“This web of love shows how we can all be connected in love,” said Metro Manila Central B Sector Head Bro. Allan Santiago during the first session about the “Web of Love.” Through an activity of creating a makeshift web using yarn, participants could better visualize their interconnectedness with others through the acts of kindness they choose to do. Bro. Allan also emphasized that God is love, and we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
The first plenary got a bit more technical as Sis. Cezarina Curada of CFC ANCOP Donor-Relations shared an ANCOP situationer, showing the current numbers of ANCOP, the milestones and achievements of the past and current year. The continuous growth of ANCOP definitely inspired the attendees to think about how else to support more students in the upcoming school year.
CAGFI Values Formation Head Sis. Jam Rubillos gave the second plenary, explaining that values formation is more than just giving assemblies and sessions to parents and scholars. It is about helping sponsored students and homeowners grow in the Lord and providing them with the spiritual nourishment they need as they take on life.
‘Hindi pa tayo tapos…’
And to wrap up the entire event, Metro Manila Mission Head Bro. Norman Robles gave a talk entitled “Living the Love.” He shared about living the faith by not being selective in helping our brothers and sisters, embodying the humility of the Lord by seeing Him as its ultimate example, for he came from a humble background and lived a simple life. “Hindi pa tayo tapos dahil dadami pa ang matutulungan natin (We are not yet done because we are going to help more people),” he said.
CFC ANCOP does much more than just sponsoring students, building shelters, and promoting livelihood programs. It also shares the Good News with its beneficiaries and gives them a strong foundation in serving the Lord. Besides financial support, ANCOP also ensures the spiritual nourishment of the families under its care. Whether as a volunteer or beneficiary, we are meant to support our brothers and sisters, especially the least, the last, and the lost.
ANCOP VEST aims to hold the activities in different major areas in Metro Manila to disseminate and integrate VEST into the community. Here are the upcoming dates and venues for VEST in the coming weeks:
April 9 – CFC MM West Sector
April 12 – CFC MM South Sector
April 26 – CFC North and Central Luzon
May 10 – CFC MM Central Sector
May 17 – Luzon – CALABARZON & MIMAROPA
May 24 – CFC Visayas & CFC Bicol
July 12 – CFC Mindanao – WM, NCM
July 19 – CFC Mindanao – NEM
July 26 – CFC Mindanao – SEM & SCM
