Shards of hope shine amidst dank poverty

Film documents how Gawad Kalinga of Couples for Christ helps Filipino poor

- photo supplied GK housing provides a step-up to the struggling impoverished.

By CELIA PAZ de CASTRO
Special to the WCR
Edmonton

It was exciting to see the many smiling faces in the lobby of Empire Theatre in downtown Edmonton on April 21, awaiting the premiere of the movie Paraiso: Tatlong Kuwento ng Pag-asa (Paradise: Three Stories of Hope).

This was a unique movie, a first of its kind produced in the Philippines, because it was made in the spirit of love for the poorest of the poor. A number of celebrities involved in the making of the movie waived their fees and donated their talents.

Before the movie began, there was a short program emceed by ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) Coordinator of Edmonton, Nap Llanos.

The first number was a performance by the Luminous Hands - men and women in black wearing luminous white gloves that formed words, such as Love for the Poor, Help, Thank you.

Two young adults who are members of Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ shared their experiences as volunteers for Gawad Kalinga (or GK, which means giving care) in the Philippines.

Poverty's prison

Katrina Cerin talked about the sad stories of poor people she met as a volunteer. There was the case of a 16-year-old boy who was unable to finish high school because of lack of money ($30 was all he needed to finish high school). Instead, he was peddling peanuts on the street, barely earning $2 a day. He often missed his meals for the entire day.

April Aquino related the story of a co-teacher, who as a GK beneficiary when she was young, wanted to give back to the community that helped her rise from dire poverty. At 28, she had been suffering from a grave heart condition.

Gift of love

Yet daily, she would commute for one and half hours (one way) by tricycle and jeepney to get to the GK site to teach young children in the community. She said the children she taught showed their love for her by walking her everyday to the jeepney stop to make sure she was safely aboard.

The movie showcased the stories of three real people whose lives have been directly touched by the work of Gawad Kalinga.

The first was the story of a woman, named Jocelyn, whose family was a victim of landslides in Leyte in southern Philippines. Gawad Kalinga helped her overcome her desperate situation and became instrumental in her regaining her sanity and faith in God.

The second was the story of a boy named Elvis who, with no food to satisfy his hunger, ate pebbles instead. A family who belonged to Couples for Christ later adopted him and gave Elvis a chance for a better life.

The third was the story of Rudy Abad, whose wife Marie Rose died in the twin tower 9/11 tragedy. Depressed and helpless, he tried to make sense of his tragic loss. Eventually, in God's mysterious ways, he found GK to be the answer to his search for meaning. He had a GK community built and named in honour of his wife Marie Rose, who in life wanted so much to help the poor.

The featured stories (except the boy Elvis story) were sad stories that touched people and made them cry. However, it is comforting to know that there are many good people out there who truly care for the poor whom Jesus loves.

This is what GK is all about - giving hope and dignity for the poor and transforming their lives.

Transformation

Gawad Kalinga is defined by the three levels of transformation that take place in the lives of those it touches.

Level 1: It restores dignity and hope (the material and spiritual assistance of GK engender hope).

Level 2: Transformation (through GK, the change from slum dwelling into clean beautiful homes with hygienic surroundings provides an incentive to become law-abiding citizens with sound ethical values, respectful and grateful for their blessings).

Level 3: Community development (providing shelter is the first phase of development. However, education, livelihood, health and value formation are just as important to bring about integrated, holistic and sustainable community development.)

The dramatic changes that take place in the lives of the poor are amazing.

Gawad Kalinga is one of the pillars of Couples for Christ, a lay movement that originated in the Philippines. It is now an ecclesial movement approved by the Vatican's Pontifical Council of the Laity.

It adheres to Jesus' preferential option for the poor, giving hope and dignity for the destitute who for so long have been marginalized and forgotten by society.

There is no doubt that there are still obstacles that lie ahead and many challenges to overcome in achieving all its goals and missions. But as in Jesus' time, miracles big and small, are happening, transforming the landscapes of the poor into bright, colourful days - unimaginable without the work of Gawad Kalinga. Praise the Lord.

Another showing of the movie is scheduled at the Empire Theatre at Westmount Centre, Edmonton on June 30 at 10 a.m. For more information, contact the Couples for Christ office at (780) 447-0900.

For more information about Gawad Kalinga, please visit the following websites: www.ancopcanada.org or www.gawadkalinga.org.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter