C1Vol. 13 No. 5March 2 - 15, 2009

CBCP Monitor

The CrossA Supplement Publication of KCFAPI

and the Order of the Knights of Columbus

C1Vol. 13 No. 6March 16 - 29, 2009

CBCP Monitor

KCFAPI’s PRIDE. The Board of Trustees, Fraternal Counselors and Area Managers with their ladies coming from different point of origins nationwide gathered at Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu, last March 6-7 for the 32nd Fr. George J. Willmann Annual Family Service Awards.

By Gari M. San SebastianFOUR words that spell Cebu! Known as the Queen City of the South where the delegates of the prestigious annual awards had their fun-filled experience last March 6, 7 and 8, at the famous Marco Polo Plaza which offered a panoramic view of the entire city.

There were several flights of Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines last March 6 which were fully booked and packed carrying KCFAPI’s Pride - the Cream of the Crop of the salesforce. The Board of Trustees, Fraternal Counselors and Area Managers with their ladies came from different point of origins nationwide from Cagayan De Oro, Davao, Iloilo and Manila with a total of 186 passengers and touched down in just one destination, Mactan International Airport, the central hub of the archipelago.

As the awardees arrived at the lobby of the venue, they were welcomed by the local dance troupe with their version of the Sinulog festival (an an-nual event in honor of the arrival of the image of Sto. Niño in the island

2008 Annual Fr. George J. Willmann Family Service Awards

of Cebu). With the warm smile and greeters from none other than Knights of Columbus Visayas jurisdiction offi-cers led by Atty. Allan Nicolas Ouano, State Secretary and the General Man-ager of Marco Polo Plaza, Mr. Hans Hauri together with his executives.

The first meal was a buffet lunch and truly filling. In the afternoon, awardees had a chance and took some nap from an early morning travel while others preferred to simply soak and relax in a crystal clear pool. It was a glamorous afternoon when all the participants wore their formal attire from Jusi Barong (a formal Fili-pino attire) to the coat-and-tie for the Brother Knights. The ladies showed their elegant evening gowns. Others said it was like a night of the Oscar’s Award. Since there were a total of sixty seven awardees with their ladies, invited dignitaries and special guests of the affair, the entire grand staircase was literally filled during the group picture taking. One of the highlights of the event during Day One was the celebration of the Thanksgiving mass

KCFAPI donates P1 million to KC

Philippines FoundationKC FRATERNAL Association of the Philippines has announced recently its donation of an additional One Million Pesos to the KC Philippines Foundation, Inc. for the construction of seven houses and a Chapel in Bagong Pangarap Gawad Kalinga (GK) Site at Tung-kong Mangga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Last October 2008, the Foundation turned over to selected beneficiaries ten houses at the same GK Site. The ten beneficiary-families came from Pangarap Village in Caloocan City who were screened and

selected by the Gawad Kalinga Community Founda-tion, Inc.

Construction of these houses began in June last year and was finally completed in September through the Bayanihan efforts of the employees of KC Fraternal and its subsidiaries, Gawad Kalinga community, Knights of Columbus Councils in Manila and Bulacan and the KC Luzon State Officers.

Construction of the additional row of houses is slated on June 2009. (Denise Solina)

THE Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) proudly recognized its employees who have passed and completed their chosen Life Office Management Association (LOMA) course last November 2008.

The certificates were awarded to the following employees last February 18, 2009 led by KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo and Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia: ADRIAN B. BOSTON, Associate, Customer Service; ROWENA S. MERCIALES, Associate, Customer Service; ROWENA M. DIAPOLIT, Associate, Life Manage-ment Institute; NINA S. HONGAYO, Associate, Life Management Institute; ARVIN P. DAPULA, Level 1: Insurance Fundamentals; MICHAEL B. DE CASTRO, Level 1: Insurance Fundamentals; JEFFREY VINCENT M. GALEA, Level 1: Insur-ance Fundamentals; ANDREI M. ROSANA, Level 1: Insurance Fundamentals; IRA J. TEE, Level 1:

KCFAPI congratulates LOMA awardees

Insurance Fundamentals.From your KCFAPI family: Congratulations and

keep up the good work! (Ira Tee)

KC Foundation conducts scholarship qualifying exams

THE Knights of Columbus Philippines Founda-tion, Inc. recently administered the scholarship

qualifying examination to 4th year high school students from all over the Philippines.

The examinations were conducted at the Knights of Columbus Headquarters in Intramuros, Manila and at KC Fraternal Service Offices in Cabanatuan, Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Zam-boanga City. A Special Testing center was also set up at Santiago City, Isabela to accommodate examinees from Region I and II.

The scholarship is open to graduating high school students with 85% general weighted aver-age and whose father is a Knights of Columbus member in good standing. Examination results will be released by last week of March 2009. (De-nise Solina)

Scholarship applicants take the qualifying examination at the KC-FAPI Head Office in Intramuros, Manila

BREAKFAST WITH AMBASSADOR DAVIDE. The KCFAPI Board of Officers had an audience with his Excellency Ambassador to the UN Sir Knight Hilario G. Davide last March 4, 2009 before returning to New York, USA. Ambassador Davide (third from right) is a member of the Board of Advisors of KCFAPI. (From left) KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo, Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia, KCFAPI Treasurer Antonio T. Yulo, KC Foundations Chairman Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., and Corporate Secretary Alonso L. Tan.

One of the awardees, Arvin Dapula of Benefit Certificate Holder Relations Office (BRO), receives the LOMA certificate awarded by KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo and Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia. Dapula completed LOMA Level 1: Insurance Fundamentals. Also in photo is the HRCC Supervisor Ma. Kristianne D. Guevara.

KCFAPI DORM BLESSING. KCFAPI President Antonio B. Borromeo and Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia led the ceremonial ribbon cutting to formally open the newly renovated dormitory at the 4th floor of KCFAPI Head Office in Intramuros, Manila on March 4, 2009. Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III led the blessing of the dormitory. Also present to witness the opening and blessing were KCFAPI Treasurer Antonio T. Yulo, KCFAPI Officers and staff. (Joseph Norman Agustin)

Cebu / C2

Cebu is Captivating, Enchanting, Breath-taking and Unique!

The CrossC2 Vol. 13 No. 6March 16 - 29, 2009

CBCP Monitor

(From left to right) Frederick Emerson Castro (Grand Knight), Ferdinand Magsakay (District Deputy M22), Jose Cuaresma (State Squires chairman), Ruel Tecson (District Master Dist. III), Fernan Dealca (awardee), Alonso L. Tan (Luzon Deputy), Pascual Carbero (State Warden), Eduardo Manabat (State PRO), Jose Pangan, Jr. (State Round Table Chairman)

he was chosen as the Outstand-ing IIA-P member for 2002, the first highest award given to a member of the Institute. His team composed of audit chief execu-tives and directors from various financial industries formed a working group that assisted the Securities and Exchange Com-mission in drafting the Corporate Governance which is now imple-mented by the government. He is the present chair of the institute’s COMELEC, a position entrusted to him for the last five years.

He got married in 1981 to Ma. Pureza “Chay” A. Natividad, they were blessed with three kids: Pergentino, Patrick Vincent and Paolo Angelo. His eldest is a graduate of Applied Physics at UST, the second is a UP Math graduate and presently teaching at the Ateneo de Manila University and the youngest is a Mechanical Engineering student at the UST.

Bro. Pet is a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus Manila Council 1000.

The Cross

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Chairman’s MessagePatrocinio R. Bacay

(This speech was delivered by KCFAPI Chair-man Patrocinio R. Bacay during the 32nd Fr. George J. Willmann Annual Family Service Awards held in Cebu last March 6, 2009.)

IT is such a pleasure for me to address our distin-guished and deserving Fraternal Counselors. We are truly in the company of a strong people who have set their goal, labored for it and achieved it. A strong people who desired to excel and real-ize their individual potential. By doing so they brought honor not only to themselves and their families but almost accomplished a feat that has not been equaled before—attaining more than 102.7 M FYCI thus having the greatest number of awardees in the year 2008.

Accepting your assignment was the first step you took upon yourselves. It is only you who truly know what had to be done to bring you

and us to this beautiful moment and beautiful Marco Polo Hotel. How appropriate! Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus were both explorers and navigators. When he started his journey, Christopher Columbus did not know where he was going. When he got there, he did not know where he was. And when he got back, he did not know where he had been—and he did it all on borrowed money. Today, he is our legend. You knew you had to make a difference in you life when you accepted the task. But you also knew you will make a difference in the life of the people you rendered service to. You prac-tically added life to this world as far as your clients are concerned. You are spending your lives in helping others. There can be no greater valor than this. My dear honorees, your sense of commitment is beyond question. What you have accomplished speaks for itself. You inspire

ADDITIONAL 20 IN 50IN 2008 our BC Holde.rs were paid P40 Million in participation for the As-sociation’s 2007 Excess of Revenue over Expenses. A bonus of P14 Million was given on top of the P26 Million regular participation.

Again, this 2009, the Board approved a P33 Million participation for the BC Holders payable in May. On top of this, another P20 Million will be paid in September 2009. This is our way of thanking you, our BC Holders, for your more than 50 years of trust and confidence in the Association.

President’s MessageAntonio B. Borromeo

WE have just honored the 32nd Fr. Willmann Annual Family Service Awardees and everyone is in high spirits. We are hoping that this award-ing has given a boost to all Fraternal Counselors to strive harder this 2009 to be able to cover more Brother Knights and their families.

In this light, we are looking forward to the Fraternal Benefits Conventions which will com-

mence here in Luzon this April 24 to 25, 2009. This will extend until May covering the Visayas and Mindanao areas. The FB Conventions aim to continually educate and update our Fraternal Counselors to equip them in their sales efforts. Similar to the last year’s conventions, we look forward to a fruitful and successful Fraternal Benefits Convention.

By Baby Jean CornelWHEN Pedro P. Lubenia joined KC Fraternal in 1976, he never thought that he would be working with the Association for more than thirty years. Only a semester away from finishing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the Philippine School of Business Administration (Manila), he was hired as an Accounting Clerk I at the Insurance Representative’s (IR) Account Section.

His perseverance and enthusiasm notwithstanding his dedication and loyalty to the Association made him stand out from the rest. He held various positions within the Association and its subsidiaries ris-ing from the ranks. It was never an easy journey for him to reach his present assignment as the Senior Manager of the Corporate Audit.

He was already a Supervisor at the IRs Account Section in 1980

each one of us in KCFAPI by your dedication, your perseverance, and your determination. We realize how much work had to be done. We knew you had to go through many problems, heartaches perhaps, maybe insecurities at times, the best things though is that you came out vic-torious in the end.

KCFAPI is very grateful to you all. It acknowl-edges and appreciates your production. Catego-

ries have to exist but you are all topnotchers to us and to Fr. Willmann up there. To you all belong the glory.

At the end of the day, you, our honored people, can truly claim that you glorified God here on earth by completing down to the last detail what you have accepted as your assignment.

“Mabuhay ang mga awardees!”

Pedro P. LubeniaSpending most of his life with KCFAPI

when he applied as a Credit Analyst at Anchor Finance and Invest-ment Corp, a KC Fraternal subsidiary. After four years with the company, he was promoted as Loan Officer and the following year, transferred to another KC Fraternal subsidiary as manager of the New Haven Lending Investors (Phil Asia Life). In 1983, he passed the board exam for Certified Public Accountant.

When the teachers’ salary loan for public schools was stopped by the Dept. of Finance, he again joined the Head Office as manager of Service Dept in 1987, In-charge of NGIP and Statistics Dept of Marketing and Sales in 1990 and back to Service Dept in 1994 where he was promoted as Senior Manager. Because of his vast experience with the organization, he was tasked to handle Corporate Audit in 1999 up to present.

An active member of the Institute of Internal Auditors-Philippines,

MS. Kristine Septhamae D. Atinen and Ms. Marlynn Joyce C. Pancha, two of the Foundations scholars from Davao City, passed the Nursing Board Examinations last November 2008.

These two young ladies have lots of things in com-mon aside from passing the Board exam on their first attempt. Both scholars graduated MAGNA CUM LAUDE with the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing last April 1, 2008 at San Pedro College, Davao City. Also, both were beneficiaries of the Knights of Columbus Philippines Foundation, Inc. under the Su-preme Council Scholarship Program from the school year 2004 to 2008.

Ms. Atinen is the daughter of Bro. Martin P. Atinen Jr. of Mary Queen of Peace Council 9323, Nova Tierra and Sis. Esterlina D. Atinen. She was an active mem-

KC Foundation scholars pass Nursing Board Exams

by Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III. During the awarding ceremony, the group was

subdivided into different areas. Starting from Central Luzon Conquerors led by Bro. Manuel Naldoza who had the most number of awardees totaled to eleven FCs. Followed by the rest and the last who received their awards was the Cen-tral Luzon Believers where the Area Manager, Bro. Efren Casupanan was awarded as the Area Manager of the Year and Bro. Lauro Evangelista as the FC of the Year who had a video presenta-tion of their messages prior to the acceptance of their awards. The simple yet memorable occa-sion ended with the singing of KCFAPI’s Golden Jubilee theme song “Hands of Love” sung by the president, Antonio B. Borromeo.

On the second day, there were three buses who shuttled the awardees to the port terminal for their Bohol tour while one bus was allotted for the Cebu tour where they visited historical landmarks and heritage. The Bohol tour had a longer route from Cebu port to Tagbilaran, Bohol which took almost two-hours travel by an Ocean Jet ferry. They had a unique experience of lunch buffet at the floating restaurant in Loboc, River with a serenade from the locals. The forty-five minute cruise upstream was worthwhile seeing the beauty of the surroundings and how the Boholanos really cared for the environment. As soon as the tourists had their lunch, they saw and had a close encounter with the world’s smallest primate – the tarsier! There was also a souvenir shop during the stop-over where they bought some goodies but definitely no live animals were for sale. Then, the one-and-half winding road experience which led to the spectacular wonder of the world – Chocolate Hills. It was a guided tour and they detailed both the mythical and scientific explanation on how the hills were formed. One thing’s for sure seeing these hills will make you proud that they can only be seen

Cebu / C1

in our country.The “Pirates of the Caribbean” was the theme

party and these FCs and AMs were truly fantas-tic and astounding as they all wore the costumes inspired by the movie. KCFAPI’s Board of Trustees also displayed their own versions and showed the awardees how participative they were. Not only that our salesforce had skills in selling but they all got talents as they unfolded during the talent portion. Some group danced, sung and had a skit presentation, but the group that stood was the Central Luzon Conquerors with their combination of play and dance. There was also a best in costume for the male and fe-male awardees, each of them poised in the crowd and one couple shone as winners, Bro. Rex and Sis. Moriel Blanco of CLConquerors. The judges were surprised when the emcee announced that the two were couple and that they were last year’s best in costume!

The culmination of the entire activity was the Sunday Family Mass held at the same venue just before all the guests checked-out. For sure, the most important souvenir they took was the memory that once in their lifetime, they spent and shared with their brothers and sisters the stories of their successes.

The annual award is the much awaited event in the life of a Fraternal Counselor. It is the time when KCFAPI recognizes their accomplishments and honor the distinguished Brother Knights and family members who achieved the qualification in extending superior Fraternal Benefits to the members and immediate families of the Order of the Knights of Columbus. The moment to boast their achievements to the people who provide the inspiration for them to excel – their families! It is more than just an awarding ceremony, it’s a lifetime experience! We all look forward in seeing more awardees next year – we will all be number one, in Palawan!

ber of Filipino and English Club back in high school at Stella Maris Academy of Davao and a recipient of Community Extension Service Award in College for her active involvement in various medical and dental missions.

On the other hand, Ms. Pancha, is the daughter of Bro. Jacinto S. Pancha of St. Joseph the Worker Par-ish Council 8764, Sasa, Davao City and Sis. Yolanda C. Pancha. She is a recipient of a Loyalty Award given by the Holy Cross Academy of Sasa during her graduation in high school. Ms. Pancha is also a music enthusiast who loves to play the piano.

Both scholars devoted all their time and efforts in their studies and now they are reaping the fruits of their labors, setting good examples to their fellow scholars. (Denise Solina)

Kristine Septhamae Atinen Marlynn Joyce Pancha

By Arsenio YapTHE Knights of Columbus Co-lumbian Squire Fernan O. Deal-ca, PCS (Past Chief Squire) was granted the honorable “Squires of the Body of Christ”, the high-est level in the Squires Advance-ment Program. He is the first Filipino Squire to do so and second recipient Orderwide. Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan awarded the certificate of recognition and a Medallion to

Knights of Columbus achieve new highsBro. Dealca, PCS during the Tes-timonial Recognition Day held at St. John the Baptist Council 10582, Calumpit, Bulacan. Also present during the awarding were Chaplain Fr. Jose Rodel R. Ponce, GK Wilfredo M. Cruz, M-22 District Deputy Ferdinand Magsakay and other District Deputies from nearby districts.

Bro. Dealca, PCS was a mem-ber of Gat. Blas F. Ople Colum-bian Squires Circle No. 4863 prior to his exemplification in the

Knights of Columbus at St. John the Baptist Council No. 10582.

On the same day, the Colum-bian Squires reached another milestone with a record mass investiture of 368 new squires in Circle No. 5230 at Liceo de Pulilan Colleges in Longos, Pulilan, Bulacan. The activity was hosted by Grand Knight Frederick Emerson A. Castro and was coordinated by Antonio Cunanan, Grand Knight and Youth Director of Council 14466. The 368 new squires is record high for the K of C Columbian Squires in the Philippines.

Luzon State Deputy Tan praised and congratulated all those responsible for this achieve-ment with special mention to District Deputy Magsakay and Luzon Columbian Squires State Chairman Jose F. Cuaresma for their all out support and guid-ance to the youth sector of KC Luzon Jurisdiction. According to the State Deputy, this should serve as a challenge for the rest of the K of C Columbian Squires Circles to do the same.

KCFAPI DONATES P100,000 TO THE DIOCESE OF DIGOS. KCFAPI handed a check donation amounting to P100,000.00 to Bishop Guillermo Afable, of the Diocese of Digos for the construction of Digos Diocesan Seminary in Digos City last February 28, 2009 at the Bishop Palace, Digos City. Present during the hand-over were (standing l-r) Davao del Sur Provincial Secretary Rolando Ruiz, Jose Abad Santos Council Grand Knight Anecito Tagalog, Regional 3rd Degree Team Coordinator Pepito Chu, FB Associate Adrian Boston, FC & District Deputy Alliondo Saromines and Mindanao State Secretary & KCFAPI Boart of Trustee Jose Bacalanmo, Jr.; (seated l-r) KCFAPI VP Joseph Teodoro, Bishop Guillermo Afable and Mindanao State Deputy Sofronio Cruz. State Insurance Chairman and Eastern Mindanao Area Manager Fidel Blantucas (not in photo) also attended the event. (Adrian Boston)

C3Vol. 13 No. 6March 16 - 29, 2009

The CrossCBCP Monitor

in the Metro Manila “Walk for Life”. Also invited to join are Columbian Squires, the junior Order of the Knights of Columbus; the officers, staff and personnel of KCFAPI and Boy Scouts from Ma-nila. Other church-based organizations are also welcome provided they will join the delegation of brother knights from their parish.

Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, State Secretary further added that the Knights of Columbus in the Visayas headed by Visayas Deputy Dionisio Esteban, Jr. and in Mindanao headed by Mindanao Deputy Sofronio Cruz will also hold the same “Walk for Life” in Cebu and Davao respectively as well as in several provinces of their respective areas simul-taneously with the “Walk for Life” in Luzon thus making this occasion a national event.

Bonifacio M. Martinez, State Program Director heads the working committee with Luzon State Deputy Alonso L. Tan as the Overall Chairman to guarantee the success of the project. He estimates that the whole program at the Bonifacio Shrine will end by noontime.

Knights of Columbus1 Columbus Plaza

New Haven, Connecticut, 06510-3326March 21, 2009

DEAR friends of life, and my dear brother Knights:

On behalf of the Knights of Columbus Su-preme Council, I am pleased to extend my best wishes to each of you, and to assure you of my prayers for the success of the March for Life in the Philippines, which for the first time this year will be a coordinated effort between the three Knights of Columbus jurisdictions: Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas.

The Philippines remains a country devoted to the Catholic faith, and the Knights of Columbus are leaders in the cause for life, as I witnessed first-hand during my visit in your country in 2005 for the Centennial of the Order in the Philippines.

Unfortunately, as you well know, there are insidious efforts to introduce the anti-life methods in the Philippines under the guise of “reproductive health” and “population develop-ment.” Such proposals bring with them abortion, contraception, enforced limits on family size and other immoral consequences, and therefore, the Knights of Columbus must stand in solidarity with our bishops and priests, and all people of good will, joining together to defend life, to de-fend marriage and to defend the family. The firm foundation of society crumbles when these institutions are violated or weakened, so we must be united, determined and courageous in our efforts.

As you march for life, pray that the Philippines will remain a place of faith and family values. Your witness this day will help preserve your country’s respect for life for your children’s generation. Vivat Jesus!

Fraternally,

Carl A. AndersonSupreme Knight

To The KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

MESSAGEin our country.

The Knights of Columbus and the many other civic, religious and social institutions must be united in work-ing for the common good. Through acts of charity and mercy, let us alle-

viate the poverty of our most needy brothers and sisters. Through projects and programs of development, let us reduce the poverty of communit ies by or-ganizing cooperatives and encouraging the acquisition of skills and jobs. Finally, through works of justice may poverty be eliminated. May laws that favor the poor, like the laws on Agrarian Reform, on education, and housing be implemented.

We oppose and shall oppose together with our people any law of the state that vio-late the conscience of

the people and the supreme law of God about life and morality. We encourage and support, on the other hand, our legislators in government who promote the moral and ethical teachings of God on life, family and population.

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEOArchbishop of JaroCBCP PresidentMarch 13, 2009

KC to hold ‘Walk for life’ against RH Bill

The WALK FOR LIFE which the Knights of Columbus are simultane-ously holding on March 21 in several major cities throughout the country is in support of the morality or ethics of Natural Family Planning.

This KC WALK FOR LIFE is in protest against the passage of the proposed Reproductive Health Bill which also encourages Artificial Family Planning. The advocacy of the Catholic Church has always been in consideration of the moral law of God. As a canon lawyer has said: “It is not a numbers game. What is virtue or vice, what is right or wrong, it’s a question of morals and ethics, it is not a question of how many say what,”

The controversial Reproductive Health Bill grants freedom to women to terminate the life of a child while in her womb. Abortion! Women’s rights! Women’s Liberation! When one’s freedom violates another’s life (v.g. the life of the baby in the womb), that is not true freedom. It is an abuse of freedom against an innocent and defenseless human being. Abortion is immoral and unethical, not because the Church forbids it, but because it is against the commandment of God.

A law that prescribes abortion will simply be immoral or unethical and contradicting the will of God. Coun-tries that have legalized abortion are now experiencing demographic winter; births in these countries are unable to replace and support their increasing senior citizens.

Statistics show that our Philippine population is already in a gradual

THE Knights of Columbus, the biggest Catholic organization in the world, will hold a mass action and program on March 21, 2009 dubbed “Walk for Life” to voice its concern over proposed Repro-ductive Health Bill in Congress. A concelebrated mass will be held at the San Agustin Church in Gen. Luna St. in Intramuros, then the group will march to Bonifacio Shrine taking the P. Burgos - M. Orosa - TM Kalaw - Taft Ave. route.

Alonso L. Tan, Luzon State Deputy, said he expects to see some 10,000 participants including members of the Knights of Columbus and their families who will show support to the Pro-Life advocacy of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines and the Knights of Columbus. He also stated that this event will be replicated in other parts of Luzon notably, in the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna, Diocese of Lucena and Archdiocese of Lipa; Apostolic Vicari-ate of Baguio; Diocese of Cabanatuan; Diocese of Bayombong; Diocese of Ilagan; Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk; Archdiocese of Tuguegarao; Diocese

of Caceres and Prelature of Libmanan; and in three places in the Diocese of Daet in Camarines Norte.

Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco, K of C Luzon Ju-risdiction Chaplain and Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, will officiate the concelebrated mass and will lead several guest speakers to the program that will follow in Bonifacio Shrine at 9:00 a.m.

Mayor Alfredo Lim and Dr. Ligaya Acosta, Director of Human Life International-Asia, both Pro-Life advocates, are expected to raise and voice their concerns to the ill effects of the RH Bill to the basic unit of our society, the family.

Brother Knights through their respective District Deputies in the Dioceses of Metro Manila, led by the Archdiocese of Manila, Dioceses of Antipolo, Cubao, Kalookan, Novaliches, Parañaque and Pasig have pledged full support and cooperation to this event. District Deputies of nearby provinces in the dioceses of Imus (Cavite) and Malolos (Bu-lacan) and the Archdiocese of San Fernando (Pam-panga) had committed to send their delegations

decline. Our growth rate, contrary to what many claim, is no longer 2.36% (1999), but between 1.61% (U.N. 2003) and 1.99% (N.S.O. 2004). The United Nations has stated that 61 countries are already in a state of population im-plosion (decline). The problem of our country is the concentration of wealth and op-portunities in ma-jor urban center and cities, giving rise to congestion of people in the same places.

I agree with the observation that our country i s poor not so much because of our growing popula-tion, but because of the concentra-tion of wealth and resources into the hands of a few families or groups, and because of the culture of corruption in business as well as government sectors.

We should advocate responsible and ethical population management and family planning. More than 60% of our people are very poor and lack proper food, housing, education and employment. All efforts must be exerted by both individuals, groups, business and government sectors to address the vast problem of poverty

The CrossC4 Vol. 13 No. 6March 16 - 29, 2009

CBCP Monitor

32nd Annual Fr. George J. Willmann Family Service Awards