Enriching Christian Marriages: MER 2

After years of thinking when would my wife and I be able to attend the much awaited MER 2, the moment finally came.



In a sense, it was largely through our CFC unit’s own initiative and eagerness that the sought after activity at long last became a reality last April 26 and 27.



After the successful conduct of an MER 1 late last year, we immediately set our sights on the conduct of an MER 2 in 2008. It was high time that one was conducted as many leaders through the years have simply been unable to experience this wonderful bonding retreat.



For the unfamiliar, the acronym MER stands for Marriage Enrichment Retreat. The second part like the first one forms part of the forma­tion program available in CFC and should be offered to all member‑couples starting from their second year in CFC. It is an option­al program for the general membership and for household leaders, but is supposed to be required for unit leaders and up. Sadly, a number of our elders have yet to undertake this memorable activity.



Content wise, MER 2 does not replicate what has already been discussed in the first MER. Nonetheless, a number of principles and points unsurprisingly are again given focus.



Recommended for all CFC member‑couples, MER 2 is also suggested even for those who might perceive some topics to be of limited relevance to their lives (e.g., those with no children).



In the end, the retreat is an excellent opportunity for the couple to have time off by themselves to strengthen their personal relationship, and to further gain wisdom on marriage and family life, especially for those holding leadership positions in the CFC community.



Normally, MER has a similar three day schedule as the MER 1 does, starting on the evening of the first day (usually a Friday) and end by noon of the third day (Sunday). Otherwise, it may be held over two days, beginning early morning of the first day and ending in the afternoon of the second day. The retreat sched­ules, not necessarily on a weekend, do not provide for a Lord's Day celebration and a Mass which we usually have in the MER 1. There should be a Lord's Day cele­bration though, if the retreat includes a Saturday evening.

Bro. Omin del Castillo lead us in worshiping the Lord

Service Team Roster


Bro. Omin and Sis. Nette del Castillo
Team Leaders

Bro. Aster and Sis. Tess Peña
Assistant Team Leaders (House Rules and Registration)

Bro. Manny and Sis Grace Cajipe
Assistant Team Leaders (Music Ministry and Program)

Bro. Ferddie and Sis. Odette Mendoza
Supervising Unit Leaders

SOLD - Bro. Lito Cajipe
Support group

Bro. Aster Peňa gave out the house rules

As Pastoral Formation Office (PFO) Coordinator of our chapter, I had to be both organizer and participant. Difficult as it may seem, I had the advantage of handpicking some of the most reliable and dedicated members of the community to make this pastoral event work.

I had already talked to the Del Castillo couple about the MER 2 for this year as early as when we went home after conducting the MER 1 last year. Other leaders like the Pena couple who have taken the retreat in the past, seemed a perfect fit as assistant team leaders. We were not disappointed. We worked and raised a substantial amount similar to the last MER 1 so that many could go through the same experiences previous participants have felt in our chosen venue for the second time around – the Sacred Heart Novitiate and Retreat House located along Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Bro. Rey Reyes delivered Talk # 1: What makes a Christian marriage work

I invited Bro. Rey Reyes of North A to handle the first talk. The Reyes couple are North A’s Family Ministries Sector leaders. As it turned out, his wife who used to work at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office, recognized a former officemate in Sis Grace Cajipe. Small world, isn’t it?

Bro. Terence Grana delved on the importance of “Unity of Marriage”

After lunch, Bro. Terence Grana, our Cluster Head for North B-1 emphasized the importance of unity in Christian marriages.

We give Thee thanks for the tasty afternoon snack

Junior, Sonny Boy and I went home around 4 o’clock that Saturday morning from a free street concert in Tomas Morato St. in line with Quezon City’s celebration of Earth Day. So as the day went on, my eyelids became increasingly heavy and I had to fight it to listen to the very good talks.

Bro. Nonoy Dalman talked on the value of “Communication” between spouses

Giving thanks to our Creator during the Lord’s Day Celebration

The fellowship program highlighted the various talents of our couple participants like those of the Dabuet couple - Bro. Gildo and Sis Estring

Like the fellowship nights of previous MER 1, we wanted to make our fellowship activity that Saturday evening something to remember for participant couples.



We were able to ask permission from the Retreat House that we be allowed to use the pavilion near the swimming place at the far end of the facility where our program would not disturb close retreat participants. With the pavilion and poolside adequately lit, the ambience was just right.



The highlight I think of the night was when participants had one song from the CFC songbook to sing according to a specific musical beat. And the rest of the night was a time of rollicking fun and laughter!

The singing Esperas - Bro. Dodie and Sis Eva!

Bro. Tata and Sis. Jasmine Conte belt out a marching rendition of a CFC song

Odette and I had to sing our song to a Jazz beat. I applied the upbeat tune of Manhattan Transfer’s “Boy for New York City” and it worked! We won the game and got a nice wall clock as our prize!

Hearing the Sunday morning Mass at the Main Chapel

Lovey and I woke up early to catch the early morning Mass at the Main Chapel. Several participants and other retreatants were present during that very solemn Eucharistic celebration.

Prayers before the breakfast meal

I have the say that the food in Sacred Heart Novitiate is worth your money in this spiritual oasis. They give out generous servings of tasty meals that you wouldn’t feel shortchanged.



While the rooms and facilities might look old and Spartan-like to some, they do serve their purpose and in a way, adds to the charm of this holy place.

Praying over the next two speakers

Bro. Oty Narciso tackled with the ‘tabooish’ topic of “Sex in marriage”

Bro. Edwin Aquino shared his experiences regarding “Christian parenting”

“Empowering our marriage” was discussed by Bro. Hermie and Sis. Remy Vargas

MER 2 “Graduation” picture of NB - 1 D (Batch 2008)

I felt quite tired by the end of the activity but much fulfilled by what we have quite accomplished for the participants and for ourselves as co-participants. It is an experience which like MER 1, is an experience that I wish every married couple shall take together. I thank the Lord for the insights, the sharings, the encounters, the fellowship and the tools to strengthen our respective marital relationships.

Thank you, Lord for MER 2!

Earth Day Jam 2008 Rocks!

The best things in life are free.

That includes annual Earth Day Jam street concerts held in Quezon City.

My two older kids and I didn’t want to pass on another one of these cool and momentous yearly events so Junior and Sonny Boy joined me in the office later in the afternoon of April 25. Later that night, we attended the Earth Day Jam concert at the Tomas Morato Ave.

On its eight edition, the annual Earth Day Jam celebrated International Earth Day This year, the festive event featured no less than 23 of the country’s top bands and individual performers who converged and made music in an effort to raise awareness and support for conservation and protection of our environment.

When we arrived on T. Morato, a sea of humanity covered half the length of this popular lane for its food and entertainment row of establishments.

We agree with Greenpeace – Pass the Renewable Energy Bill…NOW !!!

The activity was in cooperation with the Quezon City Government and several governmental and non-governmental organizations. Some had booths with information materials on different environmental issues and how one may get actively involved in such advocacies.

The music marathon started with explosive Jazz, Samba and Bossa from groups like the Philippine Latin-Jazz Orchestra, The Company, Samba band Guarana and Bossa Nova diva, Sitti.

People excitedly waited as great bands came one after another

Expectedly, the crowd went wild as the pop-rock groups started performing one after the other. We listened to the rocking sounds of Barbie Almalbis, Imago, , Moonstar ’88, True Faith, Radio Active Sago Project, Kjwan, Up Dharma Down and Zelle. “Earthday jam” veterans such as Lou Bonnevie (who spearheaded the concert), rockers from Razorback, plus Noel Cabangon with his band and world-funk-ethno group Pinikpikan were all back at this musical event with an environmental cause. Other bands present were Brownman Revival, Juan Pablo Dream, Reggae Mistress, Sinosikat, and South Border. I think the concert reached its climactic points during the performances of three major bands - Callalily, Rivermaya and Sandwich.

More importantly, the concert provided a venue for both musicians and members of the audience to learn ways in concretizing concern for the environment. In between performances, musicians shared how in their little own ways they help protect the environment. Some cited waste segregation, recycling, reductions in energy spending and one group advocated for the use of alternative fuels.

Most of the audience stayed on through the night and early morning hours

At some point in time we went to Chowking at Timog Avenue to eat. By repositioning ourselves, we were able to go around the backstage area and get a closer view of the musicians. We were able to talk and have a picture with Zelle’s singer Jeazell Grutas. Jeazell’s gutsy vocals can be hauntingly heard in the band’s phenomenal hit, “Sabihin”.

Junior and Sonny pose with a real live rocker - Jeazell Grutas, vocalist /

acoustic guitar player of Zelle

I think it was around 4 a.m. when my two sons and I called it a “day”. Nine hours had passed so quickly and the concert still wasn’t finished when we left. I had to get some shut eye in preparation for the big pastoral formation activity my wife and I was involved during that weekend. We were members of the service team and participants at the same time.

I needed sleep and rest for my aching legs and feet. But all the tiredness was worth it. As it’s always inspiring to know that a lot more people including musicians care for the environment, willing to share their time and talents not for profit but for a worthy cause.

To these environmental musicians – may your tribe increase!