freedom wall

sounds familiar? well, if you do your groceries in any SM hypermarket or any SM supermarket, you might be hearing this tag line. they shout this line from time to time in the middle of their work. i don't have any idea how did they come up with this line but it sounds great though! it only goes to show that they love what they're doing inspite of "kailangan mabilis silang kumilos", customers who nags them, pagkakamali while packing the groceries. i hope they're not only shouting this out dahil kailangan nila sa trabaho but also because they really are happy to serve without asking for something in return and they are proud with their job.

last May 27-29, College group and Antioch had a camping at Lian, Batangas (Hacienda Mabale). the place is owned by Mabale family who also serves in our parish. the theme was, obviously, "HAPPY TO SERVE". the camp taught us to see the deeper meaning of service or serving and of course, to apply it in our lives (inside or outside the parish/ministy).

On our way to the campsite, we had our first challenge – the amazing race. Each group will have their own marshall to guide us on our way to Batangas. For the first task, we have to fill the cup with water and prevent it from spilling. The group with minimum amount of water to spill up to the campsite will be the winner. Our first destination was SM Bacoor. We have to do three good deeds to random people either in the streets or in the bus.

for the first day, we were introduced to king kuppa (if im not mistaken :p) and princess "oh-i-forgot-the-name". they told us that they will be our AMO or BOSS and we are the SERVANTS until the camp ends.



like the typical boss-servant relationships, we also have had rules.

servants' rule

Name Game - each group has to have yaya, kusinera, hardinero, labandera, kargador, planchadora and alipin. the alipin will be the team leader and it's already up to the members what position they will choose.

No apron, no life- for us to feel the essence of being a servant, we were asked to design and waer our aprons ALL THE TIME all through out the camp. the apron symbolizes our lifeline.



Monks meal every meal- this meal is not like the typical mean we have everyday. in monk's meal, you are to serve the others. this meal teaches us how to be sensitive to the needs of others. you will be the one to get his or her food or drinks. this meal teaches us also not to be sensitive only to the person you are serving but also to be sensitive to the needs of other people who will also eat. (swear, di mo gugustuhin na maubusan ka ng pagkain kasi yung iba malakas talaga kumain. kaya matuto ring magtira para sa iba).




mayor domo- the boss next to the core team :) hehe. this is kuya or tito nhap (as what i call him since i was a kid). former coordinator of College Group.


for our 2nd session, we had a "bull session" it's some kinda role playing thing.

situation: bubuwagin na ang CG & Antioch sa Youth Ministry. bakit? because the council can't see any reasons for them to stay. the members don't participate in other parish/youth activities.

what shall we do: we have to defend our group. we have to give reasons para di alisin yung group namin sa ministry.

in this session, emotions were all over the room! tears fell down and opinions were said.

my realizations:
i just can't imagine my life without these groups. i don't know how will it be like if di ako nag Antioch. it helped me in going on with my life during my teenage years. im also sure na di lang ako yung natulungan ng dalawang group na 'to.

passing on to others what you've been learning from the meetings, weekend experiences and seminars or other activities. like what i've said during this session, one of the reasons why i keep on attending CG meetings is because i am looking forward to the teachings/topic that we will be having. i look forward kasi alam kong may mapupulot akong aral. alam ko rin na yung matututunan ko doon sa meeting ay maipapasa ko sa mga kabarkada ko, sa family, o sa kahit na kaninong tao.

faith family. di lang sila basta family, they are our faith family who supports us spiritually.

ang college group, as well as my previous groups (luke 18 & antioch) yung naging dahilan o isa sa mga factors why i decided to chose the feeling of fulfillment i'll have when i graduate. lately kasi, i've been arguing with myself on what field yung patutunguhan ko when i graduate it's either the industrial field or the social working field. i chose the social working field. walang pera don alam ko.. hindi ko rin agad agad mabibili yung mga gusto ko pag ito yung pinili ko. pero ayos lang! basta nakakatulong ako, nag sserve ako, nakakatulong ako sa ibang tao... solve na ko don! :)

yung mga values na tinuturo din ng mga grupong ito also helps us to become a better person and to live as a catholic.


for our 3rd session, it was entitled, serbisyong totoo. the team gave each group situations on what shall we do or who will we choose between friends, family, our group, youth ministry.
we've had our own opinions and tips. we've shared our experiences and they also taught us on how we can manage our time and be responsible with our decisions and choices.

passion for serving. i remember ate karen saying this line. she said, "kung may passion ka talaga dun sa ginagawa mo, di ka mahihirapan..." -- something like that :p

session 4, bravery test. gabi na nung ginawa namin 'to and we were asked to go and find our aprons at the dark.

-sacrifices, hindrances and fears in serving were said and realized. with these, we were able to know our strengths and weaknesses.

session 5, commitment.
during this session, we were able to look deeply on what service is.
for some, service is to lead and to follow, being humble, finding time, giving something you have and giving it back to God, willingness, passing it on, contentment, acceptance, and a choice.

here are some of our activities:

to the beach :)

-credits to Ate Karen for the photos.