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Cagayan de Oro City: The staff of Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF) was gathered today, 26 August 2024, in the Religious House of the Calabrian Priests and Brothers in Brgy. Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City for their monthly case conference. This meeting is very significant for it deals on some issues concerning CCF children. It is also an occasion for the service providers to share some experiences and insights on how to effectively handle and manage the cases of each child. Furthermore, it allows them to show appreciation and support for one another for the tireless effort that they exerted for the growth and well-being of CCF children.
Cagayan de Oro City: Despite scattered rains, the Calabrian Family in Cagayan de Oro City was gathered at Calabrian Children’s Foundation-Home for Girls, Brgy. Kauswagan, CDO for a birthday celebration for the celebrants in the month of August. The birthday program started with a eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Mark Jonnel Magos, PSDP and concelebrated by Fr. Miller John Masillones, PSDP. After the mass, the program continued with some presentations and giving of messages. Then, a sumptuous dinner followed.
The said program was participated by the staff and children of Calabrian Children’s Foundation, ex-CCF children, benefactors, friends, priests, brothers and sisters of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence Congregation (Calabrians).
Cagayan de Oro City: After quite some time, the management council of Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF) Inc., was convened this afternoon for a meeting at CCF-Home for Girls in Brgy. Kauswagan. Fr. Miller John Masillones, PSDP, the executive director of CCF, spearheaded this meeting.
Among the important matters discussed was the renewal of accreditation of CCF. It is to be noted that although CCF is a non-government organization, it has to comply with the requirements of Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as a regulating body which ensures the legitimacy and quality delivery of CCF programs and services as well as protects the beneficiaries of CCF.
Although the renewal is still scheduled next year, CCF is already starting its preparations to avoid the hustle and jeopardy of its accreditation.
Those who took part in this meeting were Fr. Miller John Masillones, PSDP, Ms. Yolanda Templa, RSW, Ms. Santalia Sangcopan, RSW, Atty. Khristiana Kay Calingin, Ms. Shiela de la Torre, LPT, Ms. Celeste Cajote, and Br. Edison Visaya, PSDP.
Cagayan de Oro City: The staff of Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF) had their formation and outing today, 31 July 2024, at Don Arc White Beach Resort, Tubigan, Municipality of Initao, Misamis Oriental. Fr. Miller John Masillones, PSDP, their executive director, gave some reminders and inputs that would help them become efficient service providers to CCF children.
In addition, this moment of relaxation is for them a rejuvenating experience to strengthen their bond and camaraderie as collaborators of the same institution that is geared towards providing a nurtured and conducive environment for the abandoned, neglected, and poor children.
Cagayan de Oro City: One of the programs of Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF) is to visit the family of its clients. This program is made to establish connection between CCF and the family, and to enhance mutual care and support for the welfare and development of the children.
Last July 25, 2024, staff members and collaborators of CCF went to a remote barangay in the Municipality of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to visit the family of a CCF kid. It can be recalled that last time they paid a visit to the said family; the mother of a CCF kid was bed-ridden and can hardly move. She too was diagnosed with cancer. But, thanks be to God, in this recent visit, her condition improved a lot. She can now walk and she can even manage to clean her house, do laundry, and cook her food.
In this visit, a heartwarming encounter took place when this CCF kid handed on his academic medals to his mother. In response, his mother embraced him so tightly and expressed her genuine love to her child.
Before going back to CCF, staff members and collaborators gave her some goods. Fr. Mark Jonnel Magos, PSDP, a Calabrian priest who came with them, gave her the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and prayed over for her fast recovery.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Today, the CCF joyfully celebrates the gift of life bestowed upon its members and friends for the month of January, extending the celebration to encompass December of the previous year. This signifies the first birthday celebration of the year, shared in the company of children, friends, and family.
Additionally, today we extend our blessings to the boys as we inaugurate their new library. May this space be a source of knowledge, inspiration, and countless adventures for all who enter its doors. Here’s to fostering a love for learning and exploration in the hearts of our young readers.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to all who have joined us for this special occasion. Thank you for being a part of this joyous celebration of life.
Cagayan de Oro City – On October 8, 2023, the Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF) celebrated the feast day of our beloved founder, St. John Calabria. This special occasion marked the 150th birthday of our revered founder. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us in commemorating this memorable celebration.
B A R O G
(a Cebuano term which means ‘to stand’)
My name is Reneboy Asong Dela Torre. I am 30 years old. I am now an Enlisted Personnel of the Philippine Army, 2ID Infantry Division, Camp Mateo Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.
I arrived in Calabrian Children’s Foundation in May 2005. I stayed there for seven and a half years.
To say that my life before entering CCF was difficult is an understatement. We were homeless and without food to eat most of the time. Being in that situation, going to school stopped to become a priority. At some point, I started selling cigarettes in Cogon Market in Cagayan de Oro with my mother. We also resorted to asking food from random people out of desperation. I was an innocent kid and to go through such difficulties at an early age, I couldn’t help but ask God the big question, “Why?!”. I would find myself crying constantly because of what my life has turned out to be at that time.
All those experiences had finally taken their toll on me when I acquired a serious illness and was on the brink of death. It was at this point in time that CCF literally saved my life. Fr. Luciano Gervasoni, then CCF director, came to my aid. I was hospitalized and gradually was able to recover. The kindness extended to me by CCF is the only reason that I am still alive.
For me, living inside CCF felt like winning the lottery. I was just one of the luckiest that I found CCF, or maybe it is the other way around: CCF found me. They helped me in all aspects of my life. Everything was free – shelter, food, education, and above all, their commitment to teach us about God and faith.
The rules that were upheld in CCF were not a problem for us, because they were important so that we, the CCF children, will be molded to become better persons.
Everything that I have and am now is all because of the support I have received from CCF. I will never forget the things I learned from the religious brothers, staffs, and house parents and the pieces of advice I received from Sister Yoly, Father Matulin, Bro Von, Kuya Samuel, and Ate Joan Del. Ginapataas nila ang among moral gikan sa wala nay paglaom tungod sa kawad-on o kalisod sa kinabuhi. (They have boosted our morale from being hopeless because of poverty and difficulty in life.)
CCF had become an instrument of God to wake us up to dream for a better life and in turn, be able to give back and help others who are in need as well.
Truth be told, the only reason that I am able to survive in the profession I chose and was able to achieve my dreams is because of all the good things I learned while living in CCF.
Gitudluan mi nga maging mamaayong mga anak sa Dios, para time will come wala na kami sa CCF, kaya na namong mobarog sa amung kaugalingong tiil. (We were taught to become good children of God, so that time will come, when we leave CCF, we will be able to stand on our own.)
Message to CCF resident children:
Be a dreamer. Be different. Be positive. Be ambitious. Be independent. Believe in yourself and above all, believe in Him and love Him.
The Human Resource Management Department (HRMD) organized its annual outreach program for the Calabrian Children’s Foundation. The event took place on September 15 at the Calabrian Children’s Foundation in Barangay Bayabas, within the city.
The group brought various donations such as hygiene kits, school supplies, preloved clothes, and medicines from the City Health Office and JR Borja General Hospital. Additionally, they contributed cash collected from various departments within the city hall and the proceeds from the #ColorRun4Fun registration fee, which was held on September 3.
A check was also presented to the foundation by the City Hall Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, also known as CHEMCO. Father Ronnie Lapara, the Executive Director of the Calabrian Children’s Foundation, graciously accepted these donations.
In addition to receiving donations, the children from the Calabrian Children’s Foundation showcased their talents during the outreach program.
This outreach program was part of the celebration of the 123rd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary and was attended by administrative officers from various LGU-CDO departments.
(a Cebuano term which means to be lively, inspired, and motivated)
I am Shela Dela Torre. I am 25 years old. I graduated Bachelor of Elementary Education major in General Education.
I arrived in Calabrian Children’s Foundation in the year 2005. I stayed there for 8 years.
Life before was difficult. Our family moved from place to place and since it was hard to find food to eat, we had to scavenge empty plastic bottles or anything that we could sell to survive in a day. Ultimately, when my mother can no longer provide for our needs, she decided to let my other siblings live with our relatives in the different parts of the country. That was the start where our family got separated.
We got no choice. My mother worked as a housemaid for a Muslim family and I was with her helping her so as my other siblings. We had to stay strong and work more because we had no relatives to seek help from and we knew no one from the city.
However, I believe that
In our darkest moments, God sends the most wonderful people. When our family was on the brink of giving up, God sent to us Calabrian Children’s Foundation.
The love, care, and nurturance the foundation showed made me comfortable to live there. I have learned so many things while inside the foundation. I learned how to pray, to do house chores, to make friends, to diligently study, and also, to take God’s word into actions.
The foundation helped me a lot to become who I am now. It had impacted my whole being to reach for my dreams. I remember those times when we had to perform dances, sing songs, and do role plays during feasts and celebrations. The foundation helped us to build our self-esteem and confidence to show our hidden talents. That helped me a lot because I used to be shy and uncomfortable in front of many people. The foundation made me do more of what I got.
The experiences inside the foundation continuously inspire me to be better so I could also help other children like me. It inspired me to volunteer in the Philippine Red Cross during college and now that I finally graduated, I can say that I am ready to help and serve other children who are in need.
My message to CCF Kids:
To the children in the foundation, continue to reach your dreams. You may, at some point in your lives, get to a situation where you couldn’t do it anymore, just always remember that there is nothing you can do unless you pray your worries to Him.
I know life is hard, but do not lose hope. If you feel like you’re lost and have no one to turn to, just look up. He will always be there. Just pray and trust His timing.
