TUKLASIN NATIN

The Knights of Columbus fraternal Association of the Philippines Inc. (KCFAPI) is now looking for a responsible community leader to be named as Most Outstanding District Deputy (MODD) for the year 2011-2012.

MODD is designed for District Deputies appointed in the Columbian Year 2011-2012 who have implemented an insurance coverage of at least P100,000 or more, or an equivalent to one paid life, not later than December 29, 2011.

The minimum qualifying requirements oblige that at least two councils in the participating District Deputy’s Jurisdiction must have an enforced Council Mortuary Benefit Plan (CMBP) contracts as of March 31, 2012; and that there shall be twenty-four new paid lives taken by K of C members and the immediate family members for the period of July1, 2011 up to March 31, 2012.

The lucky District Deputies will receive prizes and awards from KCFAPI.

MODD program aims to encourage an active involvement by district deputies and grand knights to the insurance program of the Order. The intensive campaign for this has contributed in the improvement of the sales production of the KCFAPI.

Meanwhile, the Fraternal Benefits Group (FBG) clarifies the definition of New Paid Life. This is a benefit certificate issued and paid to Knights of Columbus members and their immediate family members from July 1, 2011 up to March 31, 2012. The face value of the benefit certificate must be P100,000.00 or more.

However, the two or more benefit certificates with a total face value of P100,000.00 on the same life taken from July 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 will be credited as one life.

And the lapsed benefit certificates taken from the said dates shall be deducted from all credits.

Excluded as paid lives credit are Fraternal Accident Death Benefit and Council Mortuary Benefit Plan.

For inquiries, please call telephone numbers (02) 527-2243 or (02) 527-2223 to 27. Yen Ocampo

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje is enjoining his Metro Manila-based officials and employees to actively participate in the Civil Service Fun Run on Sunday (Sept. 4) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as part of the month-long celebration of the 111^th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, the Fun Run seeks to raise funds for the benefit of families left behind by government forest protection officers who died in the line of duty.

“I am enjoining the DENR employees, particularly those based in the central office, National Capital Region and Region 4B, to participate in this project.  Not only it is good for the health, but it is very noble as well as it seeks to raise funds for the families left behind by our co-workers in the department,” Paje said.

Paje added:  “We have always considered our fallen forest guards as ‘environmental heroes’, having sacrificed their lives for the protection of the environment.”

The CSC Fun Run will have two events: 3-K and 5-K races.  Both races will start at 5 a.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, and will run through Buendia Avenue, also in Pasay City.

Initial report indicates that more than 2,500 participants from different government agencies and the private sector have already registered to join the Fun Run. Of the number, a total of 100 registrants are from the DENR. Ayda Zoleta, PAO, DENR

The Fraternal Benefits Group (FBG) of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) holds a two-day fraternal service training program on August 15 to 16, 2011 at the KCFAPI Social hall in Intramuros, Manila. The participants of the said training will come from Bicol, Central Bulacan, Ilocos, La Union, Santiago, Cagayan, Cavite, and Metro Manila. The participants will learn the featured plans of KCFAPI like KC Cares and other insurance. Speakers are Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro Yap, Executive Vice President Ma. Theresa G. Curia, and Fraternal Benefits Services Manager Gari San Sebastian. The FBG will familiarize the fraternal counselors with the Order of the Knights of Columbus and history of the insurance arm of the Order. Meanwhile, FBG Staff Jimwell Santillan cited that the KCFAPI is a fully committed arm of the order to provide optimum mutual benefits to all its members and their immediate families. Yen Ocampo

Two areas in Cebu City have conducted a Joint District Organizational Meeting on July 31, 2011 held at the Knights of Columbus, San Nicholas Chamber in Cebu.

The joint meeting of Districts V-01 and V-03 started with Fr. Michael McGivney prayer followed by the introduction of council officers. The V-03 District Deputy Ramiro Caballes led the discussion on the duties and responsibilities of council officers and protocol.

While, the Provincial Deputy and V-01 District Deputy Ramon Aguilar tackled about the eleven thrusts of the Knights of Columbus.

Meanwhile, the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) through Central Visayas Aces (CVA) Team Leader Joel Flordelis and Fraternal Benefits Associate (FBA) Floralin C. Bohol of Cebu Service Office support the joint organizational meeting by discussing about the fraternal benefits and their rapport with the order, which followed by an open forum.

Flordelis and Bohol emphasized their demand for a temporary receipt for every payment made through a Fraternal Counselor (FC).

Based on the minutes of the meeting, District V-01 has three councils but only one is active, the other two councils were dormant for more than three years. While District V-03 has four councils, yet one is inactive for more than five years, thus only four councils were actively participated during the joint meeting.

 Also present during the joint meeting were: Fraternal Counselors Valentin Olandria of Guadalupe Council 5883; Albert Quiñanola of Council 7204; Grand Knight Lucino Tan; Grand Knight Eleno Zafra; Advocate Fillmore Gomos; Trustee Eloy Solibio; and Past District Deputy of San Vicente Council Calixto Tenchavez. Yen Ocampo

Organic food, organic farming, and health enthusiasts are invited to the Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum (AFTF) that will exhibit food that are naturally Filipino-grown or raised.

Organically grown and raised adlai and native pigs will be featured in cooking demonstrations and food preparations during a technology forum hosted by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). It will be held on August 11 to 14, 2011 at Megatrade Hall 2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

BAR is popularizing the growing of adlai as it is a staple of some Filipino natives in Mindanao, but its anti-diabetes and nutrient-rich property should benefit everyone. It is rich in fiber, protein, and energy and is an herbal medicine used for its anti inflammatory, anti-allergen, anti-mutagen, and anti-diabetes benefits.

Health-conscious consumers will also get an orientation on the use and farming of a natural sweetener, stevia, which doesn’t raise the body’s blood sugar level and is in fact an anti-diabetes herb. Three-to-five leaves of stevia is enough to sweeten one’s coffee. Importantly, stevia may be grown in anybody’s home.

Seedlings of adlai and stevia, along with other healthful crops, will be available for sale during the forum.

Free tasting of food using adlai, stevia, and native pigs will also be available. These native pigs are organically-grown as farming does not involve use of antiobiotics and other formulas used in commercial hog growing. Other food products as coffee, cocoa, vegetables and fruits will be featured in exhibits during the seventh AFTF.

“We have more than 90 exhibitors. Organic farming and climate change will be new features this year since it is a thrust of the Department of Agriculture to create awareness on these,” said BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar.

There will also be workshops-seminars on business opportunities and processing-production of other healthful foods including multi-medicinal cashew nuts, anti-diabetes yacon products, fish empanada, seaweed spaghetti and leche flan, pickled ampalaya, garlic-enriched noodles buffalo milk, and non-chemical banana.

For technical subjects, seminars will be on biofuel feedstock, algae, legumes (peanut, mungbean, soybean), climate change’s impacts on agriculture, farming of rice in flood-prone areas, sea urchin grow-out culture in cages, coconut sap sugar production, coconut by-product galactomannan, and native swine and quail production.

As an added come-on, free books on a rainfed agriculture guidebook, climate change and agriculture research, and sweet sorghum business will be given away via raffle in between workshops or seminars.

For more information, please call BAR-Technology Commercialization Department, 928-8505, 928-8624.

The oldest Charter Grand Knight of Council 8044 joined a colloquium conducted by Nueva Ecija District Deputies on 23 July 2011 at Gapan City Hall, Gapan Nueva Ecija.

Brother Herman B. Narag, 84 is the oldest participant who joined the Council Officers Orientation seminar organized by the Roundtable of District Deputies and Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Phils., Inc. (KCFAPI) Area Manager Manuel L. Naldoza.

Narag is a member of Council 8044 Lupao, Nueva Ecija and a member of the Order since 1966. For 45 years in service, he shows persistent effort to achieve continuous growth, stability and efficient service, and remains committed to his assigned tasks. Yen Ocampo

The seminar was attended by a total of 402 Brother Knights (5 from Luzon Jurisdiction and 397 participants from 46 Councils, including 11 District Deputies and speakers). There were council officers coming from as far as Baler, Infanta and Dingalan, Aurora.

Luzon Jurisdiction State Officers such as State Church Director Vic V. Ortega; State Community Director Romy B. Estrella; and Secretary to the Executive Board Ramon C. Sanchez together with the Official Representative of Luzon Deputy Arsenio Isidro G. Yap, State Program Director Ramoncito A. Ocampo also take part to the Council Officers Orientation seminar.

The session was called to order by DD Gil Dindo O. Berino, RTDD Chairman of Nueva Ecija and Aurora. DD Francisco Ballesteros reported on the Credentials, DD Reynaldo Belmonte led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem; DD Nicanor Santiago led the singing of the Opening ode. The introduction of District Deputies and Grand Knights was presented in the A/V manner in which their pictures were shown as their names were called.  The Mayor of the City of Gapan Hon. Christian U. Tinio gave the Welcome address.

Major policies of the Luzon Jurisdiction were well presented by DD Gil Dindo O. Berino; the Organizational set-up and Protocol was discussed by immediate past RTDD Chairman FDD Pedro S. Fernando Jr.; while State Program Director Ramoncito A. Ocampo talked and explained the KC Luzon Programs. 

Added to the program was a presentation from a former Parish Priest of Gapan and a Knight Fr. Chito Beltran, assigned by their Bishop on Ecological Concerns. He presented his project in the construction of a multipurpose hall in the mountains of Bacao, Palayan,  by the Aetas who were displaced from Mt. Pinatubo areas. Fr. Chito and the Aetas constructed the hall from locally available materials. The Aetas were given food, not money as their compensation. The place has been reserved by various church organizations (mostly youth) and Aetas are still there to maintain the place. They tilled the soil and transformed a barren land into a productive place.

The Duties and Responsibilities of Council Officers were discussed by DD Nestor V. Berber. Prior to this he discussed leadership in which he quoted the example of Moses in the Bible. The talked was well delivered in an inter-active manner.

KCFAPI Area Manager Manuel L. Naldoza discussed the Membership and Insurance, while the Laws and Rules of the Order were discussed by DD Ruel Bautista. Service Program was tackled by GK Honorato P. Panahon.

All of the talks were well delivered, the participants were attentive to the seminar, hence there were no sleeping Knights. The Master of Ceremony Bro. Ronald Pascual from Cabanatuan City Council 3692 is a Mass Commentator and has been in the teaching industry for 27 years.

Questions were mostly directed towards suspension of non-paying members, so process of suspension flowchart was explained to them and the reason for avoiding suspension.

Meanwhile, the Luzon State Officers also witnessed the 1^st Degree Exemplification at the Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes Assembly and visit the Mother of Perpetual Help Parish which they called “Dambana.” Yen Ocampo

“We further urge you to fervently seek Fr. Willmann’s intercession in all your petitions for God’s graces and to report to the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ Charities Inc. all blessings you may have received with the intercession of Fr. Willmann,”  this was the statement given by KCFAPI Chairman Hilario G. Davide, Jr

Davide, former Chief Justice and Chairman of the National Committee for the Beatification of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ cited that the process of beatification is a long, tedious, and expensive one. Davide added that they can expect God to hear their petition that Fr. Willmann be raised to the honors of the altar by faith and prayer and from the support of the believers.

On 19 May 2011 a resolution was approved in order to create the National Executive Committee For the Cause of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ. The board decided to create their Working Committee Members on 01 July 2011 to help them advocate the life and works of the latter. Yen Ocampo

The Knights of Columbus Council 9491in Marulas, Valenzuela City holds 25^th Installation of Officers on 30 July 2011 with the theme: Sto Cristo Council 9491 @ 25 “Upholding Fr. Mc.givney’s Vision of True Knighthood in Faith and Dedicated Service Through Time.”

The program has three parts: the Holy Mass will lead by Msgr. Ranilo S. Trillana at 1PM to be held at Sto. Cristo Parish Church followed by the Installation of Officers at 2:30PM. Last part would be dinner and entertainment at Marulas Central Elementary School at around 5PM.

New officers are: Glenn Zamora, Grand Knight: Domingo Montalbo, Deputy Grand Knight; Heriberto Gatchalian, Chancellor; Alex Basilan Jr., Recorder; Luis Ferrer, Financial Secretary; Leonard Alvarado, Treasurer; Ernesto Carabeo, Advocate; Jesus Gan, Lecturer; and Virgilio Bernabe, Warden.

Other newly elected officials include: Inside Guards are Omar Cacait and Resty Lising; Outside Guards are Emil Sauro and Biboy Basilan; Hnery Toralba will be the Council Honor Gurad Commander; Board of Trustees are Edgar Brion, Abet Lim, Ed Reyes; and Danilo Gonzales as the PRO. Msgr. Trillana is the Chaplain. Yen Ocampo

The Fr. Willmann Charities, Inc., a social responsibility arm of the Knights of the Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines is hosting a Family TV Mass in commemoration of the 34th Death anniversary of Rev. Fr. George Joseph Willmann, SJ.

A Mass will be held at the San Agustin Church on September 14, 2011, at 9 am. The Eucharistic celebration will be videotaped to be shown on September 25, at IBC 13 from 9:00 to 10:00am.

In lieu with this, the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann Charities Inc., headed by KCFAPI President Alonso Tan is encouraging all the councils to co-sponsor this Eucharistic celebration by donating the amount of P500.00.

The funds will be used to pursue the Charities’ goal to help realize the beatification of Fr. Willmann and provide support to the charitable activities such as religious scholarship; providing doctorate studies; organizing a retreat or recollection; and printing of highly relevant pamphlets on the Seven Sacraments and Freemasonry.

Originally established as Fr. Willmann Fund for Seminarians and then merged with Christopher Foundation, the entity was expanded in 2000 to become KC Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc. Its Articles of Incorporation was amended on 15 April 1998.

Since 1990’s, various activities and initiatives have been accomplished to serve the furtherance of the cause of Fr. Willmann.

For more information please call telephone number 527-2223 loc. 230 or send an email tokcfoundations@kofc.org.ph. Yen Ocampo