“There is no room for selfishness in time of pandemic”. Ito ang diwa at tema ng Pondo ng Pinoy para sa ika-16 na taong anibersaryo ng community foundation na itinatag noong taong 2004 ni Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales na may pilosopiyang “Anumang magaling kahit maliit basta malimit ay patungong langit”. Ngayong taong 2020 sa gitna ng COVID-19 pandemic, inihayag ni Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, ang Vice-chairman ng Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation Incorporated ang paglulunsad ng programang “Pondo ng Pinoy: Simbolo ng Pag-asa, Pagmamalasakit at Pagdadamayan” sa panahon ng pandemya. Iginiit ni Bishop Evangelista na hindi maaring i-lockdown ang pagkawanggawa sa mga nangangailangan lalu sa mga apektado ng COVID-19 pandemic. Ibinahagi ng Obispo na sa kasagsagan ng pandemya ay nagbigay ang Pondo ng Pinoy ng 50-libong pisong cash sa bawat Diyosesis at Arkidiyosesis sa bansa para sa kanilang pagbibigay tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng krisis pangkalusugan. Lubos ding nagpapasalamat si Bishop Evangelista sa mga Good Samaritan na patuloy na nagbibigay ng tulong at nag-iipon ng munting barya (momo) upang makatulong sa kapwa sa kabila ng pagdaranas ng kahirapan at kawalan ng trabaho. “Hindi puwedeng i-lockdown ang kawanggawa, bawat araw ay sinisikap ng mga mananampalataya na makatulong sa kapwang nangangailanga. Nakakatuwa at salamat dahil sa nabuong catechesis o kamalayan ay patuloy na nag-iipon ng 25-sentimos para sa Pondo ng Pinoy”.pasasalamat ni Bishop Evangelista. Ini-ulat ni Bishop Evangelista na noong taong 2018 ay nakalikom ang Pondo ng Pinoy ng 28-milyong piso mula sa naipong “momo” ng mga mananampalataya. Taong 2019, sinabi ng Obispo na 27-milyong piso din ang naipon ng Pondo ng Pinoy mula sa ibat-ibang parokya at dioceses sa bansa. Ayon kay Bishop Evangelista, ang nalikom na pondo ay ginamit ng Pondo ng Pinoy sa pagtulong sa mga naapektuhan ng pandemya, Hapag-Asa feeding program sa 200,000 batang malnurished, livelihood programs, health projects at pabahay sa mga dukha. Muling nanawagan si Bishop Evangelista sa mga mananampalataya na ugaliin ang pag-iipon ng munting “momo” para sa kapwang nangangailangan. “Kumpletuhin natin ang bawat araw na may kawanggawa sa pamamagitan ng paghuhulog ng 25-sentimos sa alkansiya at ibigay sa mga parokya,” apela ni Bishop Evangelista. (Arnel Pelaco) Source: Radyo Veritas
Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday Homily Guide for October 2020
As we honor our Blessed Mother, the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary this month of October, we also think deeply about our little acts of kindness to our sisters and brothers this Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday with the inspiring reflections of coordinators Fr. Bong of the Diocese of Antipolo and Ms. Beth of the Diocese of Pasig. Stay safe and a blessed weekend to all!
Jubilee Sheltering Program: Climate Change Refugees Resettlement Site
The Climate Change Refugees Resettlement Site, more popularly known as the Jubilee Sheltering Program in Lumang Bayan, Plaridel, Bulacan is home to about 200 families relocated from different parts of Bulacan and Valenzuela. These former informal settlers lived in danger zones highly vulnerable to flooding. After Tyhoon Ondoy, their “little investments” or naipundar were washed out together with their houses. Now, with Jubillee Sheltering Program as their new community, they have decent homes and a sense of hope. Jubilee Sheltering Program is a 6.4-hectare sheltering program initiated by the Diocese of Malolos through its Malolos Diocese Social Action Center, Inc. with the intention of making decent and safe houses more accessible to climate refugees. To help finish the houses, Pondo ng Pinoy, in 2012 partially financed the labor cost for the installation of water and electricity and in 2016, supported the acquisition of land for expansion of the area. With these infrastructures and a larger land area, the community started to develop and continues to flourish. They developed a program led by an executive committee composed of members of the community. They manage the day-to-day operations or maintenance of the housing compound. To date, the housing compound has Bishop Jose F. Oliveros-Refugee and Formation Center that has the staging area of relief goods for the diocese during calamities, formation venue, and recreational facilities such as basketball court, community gardens, day care center, livelihood centers, and chapel. They are also planning to be environment friendly – using solar panels and rainwater collectors for some electric and water needs of the community such as street lights and water for gardening. From being unrecognized by neighbors and by the Local Government Unit (LGU) because they are relocatees, they are now becoming a model community invited to Barangay General Assemblies. And they have different livelihood initiatives and community services such as the “Bigasan sa Komunidad,” “Jubilee Shelter Project Health Clinic,” and the production of canned sardines “Beatus Vir.” Fullness of life is for all. But for the poor and marginalized like the families of Jubilee Sheltering Program, this dream is made possible when institutions such as the Church see and hear their plights, and channel their resources to help them help themselves in reclaiming their worth and dignity.
Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday Homily Guide for September 2020
In continuing our efforts in promoting Pondo ng Pinoy, we are once again sharing with you the Homily Guide for September’s Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday. Shout out to this month’s contributors: Fr. Errol and Mo. Camille for their beautiful reflections! You may share through your Messenger and other apps the JPEG files for easy attaching.
Pondo ng Pinoy, nagpapasalamat sa Good Samaritans
Nagpapasalamat ang Pondo ng Pinoy sa mga Good Samaritan na patuloy sa pagkakaloob ng kanilang 25-sentimos na barya o tinatawag na “mumo”. Sa panahon ng COVID-19 pandemic, ipinagmalaki ni dating ambassador Henrietta de Villa, sub-committee chairman ng Pondo ng Pinoy community foundation na dahil sa kaloob na 25-sentimos ay nakapagpabigay sila ng cash donations sa programa ng Caritas Manila at iba’t-ibang arkidiyosesis at diyosesis para sa mga lubos na apektado ng pandemya. Ang cash donations ay bukod pa sa mga ipinamimigay ng Pondo ng Pinoy na relief goods at face masks. Ikinagagalak ni de Villa na ibahagi sa Radio Veritas na ang Pondo ng Pinoy ay “caught the imagination of the people” at nagdulot ng himala. Ayon kay de Villa, dahil sa Pondo ng Pinoy ay nakaugalian na ang paglalaan ng “mumo” para magbigay ng pag-asa sa mga kapuspalad at isinasantabi sa lipunan. “Ang pag-iipon ng 25-sentimos para sa Pondo ng Pinoy ay pinanggagalingan ng katuwaan, feeling of fulfillment. Caught the imagination of the people, kaya marami ang nagbabahagi. The habit become a virtue”. Pahayag ni de Villa Sinabi ni de Villa na ang pakikibahagi sa Pondo ng Pinoy ay pagpapakita ng pagmamahal ng diyos at pagmamahal sa kapwa. Tiniyak ni de Villa na ang Pondo ng Pinoy na itinatag noong 2004 ni Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales ay patuloy sa kanyang misyon na akayin ang mamamayan na magbalik loob sa Panginoon at buksan ang puso sa kapwa upang makabuo ng isang nagkakaisang sambayanan. “Hangarin ng Pondo ng Pinoy na itaguyod ang pagbabago sa sarili para sa kabutihan ng iba. Tatlong P: pagtataguyod, pag-aaruga at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa”.pagbabahagi ni de Villa. Nabuo at naitatag ang Pondo ng Pinoy sa pamamagitan ng motto at principle ni Cardinal Rosales na “Anumang magaling kahit maliit basta’t malimit ay patungong langit”. (Arnel Pelaco) Source: https://www.veritas846.ph/pondo-ng-pinoy-foundation-nagpapasalamat-sa-good-samaritans/?fbclid=IwAR0XMQ9mdlZ3zNUvZfdu7xgoeNBPczwQnMlBt8NJRiA3gZqpXzY1PsHGSyc
Emmaus House of Apostolate
In 2018, (FY 2018-2019) Pondo ng Pinoy supported the improvement of the ward from decayed wood to steel trusses; from old rotten steel roof to a new steel roof; from low ceiling to high ceiling. The ventilation also improved. The ward is one part of the shelter where twelve female abandoned and sickly elderlies are staying, most of them bed-ridden. Other parts include isolation rooms, wards for male elderlies, a psychiatric ward, a laundry area, and a chapel. The Apostolate, however, does not content itself to mere provisions of the needs of the residents, rather, it finds a deeper fulfillment when it is able to gain one lost soul back to the Father’s fold. People from all walks of life merge in this apostolate with a common desire to glorify God and sanctify themselves through personal sacrifice for the poor, the sick, and the dying. They offer gifts of material goods, time, and labor, all for the love of God’s least as the number of residents keeps increasing. The Emmaus House of Apostolate has come to depend greatly on people who take time to offer voluntary services. As of today, Emmaus is a home for more than 60 elderlies from different places and faith.
Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday Homily Guide for August 2020
Sharing with you our Reflection Guide for August Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday. May this inspire you to do more little acts of goodness to all. Please don’t hesitate to send your comments or reflections.
“Barya sa pandemya”
Taos-pusong nagpapasalamat ang Pondo ng Pinoy Foundation sa mga “Good Samaritan” o mga taong may busilak na pusong nag-aalay ng bente singko sentimos o “mumo” para sa pangangailangan ng kapwang naghihikahos. Inihayag sa Radio Veritas ni Rev. Fr. Benjie Francisco, Committee chairman ng Pondo ng Pinoy Foundation na dahil sa “mumong” ipinagkaloob ng mga may dalisay na puso ay marami na ang nagkaroon ng kaayusan at kaganapan sa buhay. Mula “mumo” na kaloob ng mga Good Samaritan ay nakapagbigay ang Pondo ng Pinoy ng 7-milyong pisong relief assistance sa mga lubhang naapektuhan ng COVID-19 pandemic kabilang na ang mga mangingisda sa Rosario, Cavite na nabibiyaan ng bangkang pangisda. Ikinagagalak ni Fr. Francisco ang lumalaganap na kultura o “way of life” ng mga Filipino na pag-alay ng bente-singko sentimos sa Pondo ng Pinoy na umabot na sa 23-milyong piso ngayong taong 2020. Sinabi ng Pari na dahil sa maliit na binhi ng kabutihan ay naghari ang pagmamahal ni Hesus at simbahan sa mga higit na nangangailangan. Ayon kay Fr. Francisco, ang kabutihan ng mga nag-aalay ng “momo” o barya ay sumasalamin sa pangarap ni Cardinal Emeritus Gaudencio Rosales na “anumang magaling, kahit maliit basta malimit ay patungong langit”. Ibinahagi ng Pari na mula 2004 hanggang taong 2020 ay mahigit na sa 300,000 mga kapuspalad ang nabibiyaan sa programa ng Pondo ng Pinoy sa housing, edukasyon(mga scholar), nutrition(feeding program) at relief assistance sa mga naapektuhan ng pandemya. Nanawagan din si Fr. Francisco sa mga nais magpayaman ng binhi ng kabutihan sa kapwa na ang sentro ng Pondo ng Pinoy ay sa lahat ng parokya, ilang mga paaralan at tanggapan sa buong bansa. Tiwala si Fr. Francisco na lalo pang lumaganap at maging inspirasyon ang nais ni Hesus na ibigin ang kapwang nagdadarahop sa buhay. (Arnel Pelaco) Source: https://www.veritas846.ph/barya-sa-pandemya/?fbclid=IwAR1SMuCQA6HJqhgNY-fGJaPMeQCWSZYqU9ynmOzhgwP7BAjNTdwRDNceJeg
Café Lolek, the Caféteria Bus
Café Lolek has come a long way since its first branch was launched few years ago by the Commission on Youth of the Diocese of Malolos. From one branch at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan, it opened another branch at the compound of Malolos, Bulacan. What made Café Lolek’s story more inspiring is that its income supports the education of some underprivileged students in Bulacan. Since the scholars themselves manage the café, it also provides opportunity for the young people to develop their self-confidence and value for hard work. The café also serves as a venue to access positive peer groups, engage them into meaningful conversations, share stories, brainstorm over school projects and activities. It likewise serves as a venue to promote different church programs and activities that help strengthen the Christian faith of many young people. “Lolek” is St. John Paul II’s nickname as a boy growing up in Poland. St. John Paul II is an advocate of the young people and initiated the World Youth Day. Just like St. John Paul II, Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation, Inc. believes in investing for the future of the young people, that is why the crumbs you donated supported this project.