A. The City

Cagayan de Oro City is the capital of Misamis Oriental and is mainly a coastal area located at the southernmost portion of the Macajalar Bay. Because of its naturally deep shoreline, mountainous Bukidnon, an immensely affluent province, relies heavily on Cagayan de Oro for shipping agricultural produce to the Visayas, Luzon and abroad. It likewise depends on Cagayan de Oro for industrial and financial processing. Because of these, the city has become the trading and agri-industrial hub of Northern Mindanao.

The city was originally called Kagayha-an, which means the "place for panning gold". Present day residents tend to believe that Cagayan de Oro evolved from its original name when the early settlers found "gold" in the heart of the Cagayanons, a warm and sentimental people, hence, it is now dubbed as the City of Golden Friendship.

Cagayan de Oro is the seat of the Archdiocese that made up of five dioceses, namely, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag and Bukidnon. The diocese of Cagayan de Oro has forty-four parishes, one seminary, the San Jose de Mindanao and one hospital, Maria Reyna Hospital, that is ran by the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartes. A major seminary, the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, which belongs to the archdiocese is also situated in Cagayan de Oro.

The city has a population of more than 500,000 of which about 85% are Roman Catholics. The Chinese in Cagayan de Oro are mostly Catholics; naturally, some are Protestants, Fundamentalists and Buddhists. Because most of these Chinese are non-practicing Catholics, some of them were easily drawn to fundamentalism until a Catholic Community was organized in 1993 that drastically reduced the conversion.

B. The Community

Much of the conversion of Chinese into the Catholic faith started in the early 50’s when Chinese priests and seminarians came to the Philippines to escape communist persecution in China. Some of them came all the way down south to Mindanao.

June 15, 1951, saw the beginning of the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Association of Cagayan de Oro, when Fr. Joseph Kuo, a Jesuit priest, came to Cagayan de Oro and became its first Chaplain. Fr. Kuo, sadly, held this position for only a brief period of nine months. He died of heart failure while swimming in the Cagayan de Oro River on March 24, 1952 - just four days away from the scheduled inauguration of the Cagayan Chinese Catholic Association that he painstakingly organized. Three days later he was buried in the Cagayan Roman Catholic Cemetery.

On the day of his death, some members found a draft of the program of activities for the March 28 inauguration, which his colleagues saw him working on before he went for a swim. Thus, his untimely demise was attributed to hard work in organizing the association. The members of the association, which likened themselves as sheep without a shepherd, petitioned the Most Rev. Archbishop Hayes for another Chinese priest. With God’s help, the appeal was favorably responded with the arrival of Fr. Stanislaus Shu, SJ, who was sent by his superior, the Rev. Fr. Paul W. O’Brien. It was under the guidance of Fr. Shu and the continued moral
support of Arch. Hayes that the association was formally inaugurated on May 18, 1952.

The following were inducted as officers of the association:

President - Mr. Alfonso Sia
Vice President - Mr. John Mac Mang
Treasurer - Mr. Santiago Go
Secretaries : Chinese - Mr. Joseph Yen
English - Mr. Ben Go

As Fr. Shu’s stay was only temporary in nature, he was soon replaced by Fr. Stanislaus Sun, OMI. Under the active leadership of Mr. Alfonso Sia, the selfless guidance of Fr. Sun and moral and material support of Arch. James T. Hayes, the association was able to build the St. Joseph Chapel (where the CAP Building now stands) just across the Chinese school (old Kong Hua School). The chapel was named in honor of the patron saint of China and in memory of Fr. Joseph Kuo. It was blessed on December 24, 1953 and the first Eucharistic celebration
was heard on Christmas day.

In the beginning, there were only a few Chinese churchgoers but very soon the chapel became overcrowded and the officers found themselves making plans to enlarge the chapel.

The youth likewise actively participated in the church activities with the organization of the Sodality of Our Lady of St. Joseph Chapel and the Catholic Youth Association. A small library adjacent to the chapel was used by Fr. Sun for catechism classes and for teaching English and Mandarin languages to the students of Kong Hua School during their free time. Because of this, many students were converted to Christianity; they were baptized and had their first communion. It was during this period that the Chinese Catholic community was very active and alive. In April 30, 1954, Fr. Sun was recalled to Manila and the chaplaincy was again given to Fr. Stanislaus Shu, this time for good. He continued the work of Fr. Sun and made his presence felt by the Chinese community by visiting and assisting them when needed.

Sometime in 1960, the owner of the lot where the chapel stood decided to sell the property for commercial use and so the chapel was demolished and together with its destruction was the dream of enlarging the chapel. Once again plans were made to raise funds to buy a lot and build another chapel somewhere in Cogon area. But one of the regular churchgoers of the demolished chapel, Mr. Angel Chavez, offered the chapel that he was building to the Chinese Catholic Association’s use. So, the members meet every week for Sunday Mass at the Santo Niño Chapel until Fr. Shu was transferred and given others duties. Without Fr. Shu in their newfound chapel and the vicinity of the chapel becoming the hideout of bad elements, the Chinese Catholics found themselves hearing masses in different parishes according to the proximity of their homes. Thus, the beginning of the association’s inactivity.

At the age of 83, Fr. Shu died in his sleep on January 18, 1991 at the Nazareno Church, Cagayan de Oro City, where he was assigned as Assistant Parish Priest.

In 1993, about 39 years after the association remained inactive, Fr. Gil Escalante, SSJV, a Chinese mestizo, was given the task of reviving the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Association in Cagayan de Oro under the leadership of Bishop Teodoro J. Buhain, DD, the National Coordinator of the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Apostolate in the Philippines and the blessing of Arch. Jesus Tuquib, DD. Two years earlier, Fr. John Su, of Lorenzo Mission Institute, prepared Fr. Escalante for the job by sending him to Taiwan to study Chinese language and culture.

With the approval and guidance of Msgr. Tuquib and with the help of twelve couples who formed the Core Group, Fr. Escalante opted to build a Catholic Christian community rather than just an association. Initially, they encountered stiff difficulties and obstacles but with determination and prayers, the group persisted and finally succeeded. And so, on December 8, 1993, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community was formally founded with a Holy Mass concelebrated by Arch. Jesus Tuquib, Msgr. Tex Legitimas, Fr. Gil Escalante, and Fr. Charlie Zayas at the Fatima Chapel of the Daughters of St. Paul.

In the beginning, only one Sunday mass was celebrated in the same chapel every month. Soon, it increased to two then every Sunday until February 18, 1995 when the Community had to transfer to the Carmelites Monastery Chapel at Seminary Hills, Camaman-an because the Fatima Chapel can no longer accommodate the growing number of Filipino-Chinese church-goers.

The twelve couples who made up the Core Group:
Mr. & Mrs. Julieto and Madelyn Ang Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Marilou Kho
Mr. & Mrs. Man Son and Lucy Liong Mr. & Mrs. Angelo and Shirley Palaña
Mr. & Mrs. Johnny and Adelfa Sia Mr. & Mrs. Joaquin and Rosita Tan Mr.
& Mrs. Joel and Marilyn Tan Mr. & Mrs. Roger and Marlyn Tan Mr. &
Mrs. Roger and Lydia Tantiongsa Mr. & Mrs. Alan and Judy Uy Mr. & Mrs.
Julio and Juliet Uy Mr. & Mrs. Efren and Susan Yeo

During the first quarter of 1994, the Core Group invited Bro. Mike Fabello, the head of the Kahayag Sa Diyos Community, and one of the lay representatives of the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro to the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, to talk on the laities’ role in the Church as envisioned in the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP2). Based on this, a ZOPP Seminar conducted by Mr. Nanding Bermoy, to firmly establish the Community’s Mission & Vision, its objectives, and to identify priorities and activities. Schedule of activities, one year and onward, were then made.

Like the first Christians, the Core Group decided that any forthcoming members of the Community must pass through a certain catechumenate through a spiritual formation seminar. With the help of Bros. Lito Urgino and Romy Ramos, of the Couples for Christ, the First Christian Life Program (CLP-1) was conducted on March 27, April 10 and 17, 1994. Sixty-eight persons attended (including the Core Group) and sixty-two of them successfully finished the seminar.

The Second Christian Life Program, CLP-2, was held on September 11, 17 and 18, 1994. This time Bro. Lito Urgino single-handedly conducted the entire seminar. One hundred ninety three persons attended and one hundred thirty four completed the program.

To sustain their spiritual growth, the total membership of one hundred ninety six were divided into prayer groups of 14 to 18 members each group headed by couples; these couples were called Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Every four to five prayer groups form a unit and headed by couples Unit Leaders.

The growth of the Community was so fast that the Core Group felt the need for more leaders and the need to form a better and family-oriented organization. The year 1995 was spent organizing different ministries, giving lectures and on-the-job training of the Big Brothers and Sisters and Ministry Heads and setting-up of religious organizations within the Community. Hence, the Third Christian Life Program, CLP-3, was held more than one year after, on June 9, 16 & 23, 1996. Seventy-seven persons completed the seminar.

The Fourth Christian Life Program, CLP4, was conducted on July, 6, 13, 20, 26 and 27, 1997. Twenty-nine (29) persons completed the seminar. While the Community was growing, it was being run by Governing Council composed of the Spiritual Adviser, different Ministry Heads, Unit Heads and the President of the Ladies Circle as an ex-officio member. With this new set-up, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Ladies Circle, the forerunner of the Community, was placed under the umbrella of the Community.

Confident of the new organization and Ministry Heads, three organizations were set-up as planned. They are the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Kids (FCCK), the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Youths (FCCY) and the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Singles (FCCS). FCCK is composed of children of Grade School level; FCCY are youths from High School to College levels and FCCS are single professionals. All married members or adult members who do not qualify nor belong to any of the above organizations are considered elders. Once these organizations were set up, the concept of evangelizing the whole family was put in place. The FCCK was organized first because it is believed that evangelization should start at a very young age. These kids meet every Saturday morning at the Legacy Printing and Sales Compound for catechism class. Field trips were also scheduled to teach them to protect nature and to love God’s creations. Teaching children to hear mass on Sundays was found to be an effective way of bringing the parents especially the fathers to the Church.

Since the San Lorenzo Ruiz Ladies Circle has placed themselves under the umbrella of the Community, they were given the task of taking care of the FCCK and these are some of the programs they conducted for the kids:

1. Regular Catechism Classes on Saturdays
2. Conversational Chinese Classes
3. Teachings on Chinese Cultures
4. Field Trips
5. Yearly Celebration of Flores de Mayo

FCCY, which is a national organization, was already existing at Kong Hua School when the Community was starting to take shape. Sr. Teresa Yuen, the superior of Hijas de Jesus community of Kong Hua School, saw the emergence of this new community and requested us to take-over the supervision of FCCY. In her wisdom, she foresaw that FCCY will be better off as Community or Parish based than school based. But the school continued to worked very closely with the Community by assigning a sister, Sr. Helen Catangcatang, FI, as the FCCY Moderator.

When the Community took over the supervision, it wasted no time in re-organizing and making changes in the FCCY. One of the notable changes it made was that to become a Regular Member of FCCY, a youth must pass through a lived-in formation seminar called FCCY Camp otherwise he or she will just be a Probationary Member who will not have the same rights and privileges of a Regular Member.

A most notable change was the amendment of the entire Constitution of the FCCY to make the organization more dynamic and responsive to the changing time. The proposed amended constitution was submitted to the National Office of FCCY under the leadership of Fr. Peterson Tieng, LRMS and Mrs. Polly Alianan. With some correction made during the First Summer Leaders’ Camp held in May 1997 at the Betania Retreat House, Malasag, Cagayan de Oro, the proposed amended constitution was entirely approved.

Another change is the creation of Prayer Groups within FCCY to sustain their spiritual growth. As of August 31, 1997, FCCY Cagayan de Oro Chapter has a total membership of 176, excluding Probationary Members, as products of five Youth Camps. A sixth FCCY Camp was conducted on October 24, 25 and 26, 1997. For the past three years, FCCY has been tasked by the Hijas de Jesus to conduct spiritual retreats to the third and fourth year students of Kong Hua School.

Because of the requests from different chapters through the Ladies organizations, on May 22-24, 1997, FCCY Cagayan de Oro Chapter hosted the First Summer Leaders’ Camp to the leaders of seven FCCY Chapters, namely; Iligan chapter, Butuan chapter, Zamboanga chapter, St. Jude and Mary the Queen chapters from Manila and two groups, FCCY and SHY (Sacred Heart Youth) from Cebu. Aside from the different moderators, Fr. Arnel Tan, who was still a deacon at that time, Polly Alianan, the FCCY National Coordinator and Bro. Mel Rabellas, a seminarian from Lorenzo Mission Institute were also present.

In April 1996, the Core Group of the FCCS was organized and on the following month, May 24-26, 1996, to a group of twenty-one single professionals, the First Christian Life Program was conducted at the Living Spring Seminar House, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City. All twenty-one who attended successfully finished the seminar. On November 8-10 of the same year, the Second Christian Life Program was conducted. This time thirty-six single professionals attended and only one did not finished. The Third Christian Life Program conducted on August 22-24, 1997, produced 29 graduates making the FCCS’ membership to 86 as of end of that month.

Most teachings for the FCCS are especially aimed toward preparing them to be good Christian parents. Thus, topics similar to the ones given during pre-Cana seminars are conducted for them. One of the responsibilities given to the Community by the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro is to conduct Pre-Cana Seminars. As of December last year, the Community conducted various Pre-Cana Seminars and married seven Filipino-Chinese couples. The Community placed this program under the Family Ministry, which likewise conducted two Marriage Enrichment Retreats on November 3-5, 1995, and August 23-25, 1996 both at the Betania Retreat House to 15 and 17 couples respectively.

Aware of the presence of Bro. Lito Urgino in the Philippines, the Governance took advantage of this and requested him to conduct a more advanced Christian Marriage Retreat for the graduates of the Marriage Enrichment Retreats One and Two which he obliged on February 21-23, 1997, again at Betania Retreat House.

To fulfill another objective, the Community established a sister community in Mambajao, Camiguin, the San Nicolas de Tolentino Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community, by conducting the first Christian Life Program to twenty one participants on February 16, 24 and 25, 1996 and the second CLP on January 26, February 1 & 2, 1997 to thirteen participants. Presently, this new community holds their own bi-monthly prayer meetings, quarterly recollections and monthly family fellowships. Filipino-Chinese Marriage Enrichment Retreat was also conducted
for them on October 3-5, 1997; nine (9) couples completed the retreat. Another sister community was likewise organized in Iligan, the Resurrection of Our Lord Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community after conducting the first Christian Life Program on August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 1997. For five successive Sundays a group of brothers and sisters went to Iligan. Then on September 7, a smaller group again went to Iligan to conduct a practicum of a prayer meeting and help hem organize their own Governing Council. A total of thirty-one (31) participants composing of twenty (20) wive and eleven (11) husbands completed the seminar.

Every month of September, the Community observes two feasts, the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the traditional Chinese Moon Cake Festival, in one momentous celebration of the Liturgy of the Light. In this joint celebration, the Jewish form of thanking God for his blessing, called the "Berakah", was used and was began by preparing and blessing the light. Since originally the Festival of the August Moon Cake signals the harvest season, it is deemed appropriate that during this season of abundance the Lord is blessed and thanked for the abundant harvest of love, joy, friendship, brotherhood and unity in the Community. It is also timely to thank God for the gift of martyrdom of our patron saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz, whose faith is worthy of everyone’s emulation; and for the gift of the moon which this beautiful creation had made our ancestors wonder as it added colors to their lives.

The beauty of this rite is that it brings everyone to realization that God is the source of this light. He gave us His Son Jesus Christ, the True Light, who lights us from the darkness of evil & sin. Since the liturgy is a family affair, it allows the families present the privilege of performing the duty of kindling their candles, symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Ever since the Community was founded in 1993, Filipino-Chinese Catholic families in Cagayan de Oro City observed Christmas and New Year by hearing Holy Masses that the Community celebrates on their eves. For the first two years the masses were celebrated at the City Tourism Center, but then for the next two years, they were moved to Kong Hua School Gym because the congregation grew by no less than 100 people each year.

The Community’s dream of building its own Formation Center, Chapel and a Retreat House began to be realized after the couple, Santiago and Lily Lim, who are known for their generosity, donated a 1.5 hectare lot on top of a hill over-looking the city and the Macajalar Bay. The site preparation work of the land for the buildings started immediately after a Ground Breaking Ceremony and burying of a time capsule held on September 28, 1997. Msgr. Tex Legitimas and Fr. Gil Escalante celebrated the Holy Mass for the said occasion.

Although the funds raised from donations at the time were a far cry from the projected budget, it was hoped that the Formation Center would be habitable before the year ends as everyone puts their faith in the Lord and their hearts into the project. But it took us almost three years to partially finish the building (Formation Center). The general-purpose hall portion of the Formation Center was habitable enough to be made into a chapel; hence after five years of celebrating mass in the Carmelites Monastery chapel, the Community went to her new home on December 24, 1999 where a Holy Mass was celebrated and was blessed on January 9, 2000.

On August 13, 2001, after the heavy rain for six consecutive days, rushing water of the creek and 45 meters of the road collapsed washed the foundation of the riprap holding the road away. It took the Community almost 3 years and more than three million pesos to repair it. The repair work was completed in November 2003.

The disaster happened at a time when we were half way through the construction of the Retreat House portion on the second floor of the Formation Center. The construction had to be stopped and funds were diverted to the repair works. Thanks to generous members & donors and to people like Santiago and Lily Lim, Josephine Chan, Carol Jeun, Inday Uy, Carmen Ku and Roger Tantiongsa who generously give their time and talents to raise the needed funds by conducting various fund raising projects such as, concert, raffle and soliciting outright donations.

In December, immediately after the Community celebrated her 10th year anniversary on December 7, 2003 at Marco Hotel, the construction work for the retreat house again started and scheduled to be finished by the second quarter of the following year.

The Community continues to grow in number and in faith by conducting yearly CLP’s and continuous teachings. The growth is most evident in the attendance in community activities such as Sunday Masses, annual Fiesta Celebration, Celebration of the Light/Mooncake Festival, Christmas & Foundation Day Celebrations, the Lenten & Easter Celebrations and Annual Pilgrimage to the Carmelite Monastery in Bukid Carmel, Bukidnon every July. The 9-day Misa de Gallo used to have a peak attendance of 70 to 80 people. In the year 2003, more than a hundred people came on the first day. It grew daily until it reached over 250 people on the ninth day.

As a way of updating the members of the goings-on in the Community, the Jade Vine, the Community’s official quarterly publication, was launched on January 1, 1996 under the ministry headship of Joaquin and Rosita Tan-leh. Sometime in the year 2001, Lydia Ching and some FCCS members replaced the couple.

Starting on February 2, 2003, to give the members fresher updates and upcoming Community activities, Carol Jeun, introduced the Sunday Bulletin.

December 8, 2003, marks the tenth year of the Community’s existence. It also signals a need for assessment of a decade of past activities. Hence, a recollection for the Community Governance was conducted by Fr. Danny Huang, SJ for the governance to "look back and forward", on November 1, 2002. This recollection served as the basis for a ten-year planning held on January 25, 2003 at the Sanctuario, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro.

On November 14, 2002, SM Mall-CDO was inaugurated and Fr. Gil Escalante was requested by the SM management through the Archbishop to say the Sunday Masses starting November 17, 2002. The Community and the Singles Choirs were likewise tasked to sing alternately during these masses until December 2003.

As of the year 2003, the Community has conducted a total of ten Christian Life Programs (CLP) for 519 adults (447 eventually became members) and established another community in Butuan City, the Butuan Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community, by first conducting a CLP on November 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25, 2001 under the Spiritual Formation Ministry headship of Man Son and Lucy Liong.

The Family Ministry, headed by Rosa and Roger Go, also conducted six Marriage Enrichment Retreats (MER) as of the year 2003 to a total of sixty-nine couples.

As one of the organizations within the Community the San Lorenzo Ruiz Ladies Circle did their part in the evangelization work too. Under the leadership of their third president, Lucy Liong, the Constitution and By-laws were entire amended to adapt to the mission and vision of the Community and to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Catholic Women’s Organizations, of which, the Ladies Circle is a member organization.

Under her presidency and the chairmanship of Lily Lim and supported by the whole Community, the Ladies Circle hosted the 9th FFCCWO National Convention on March 6-8, 1998. During this convention a new format was introduced to the entire proceedings of the convention aimed toward the spiritual upliftment of the delegates. Succeeding two conventions that were held in Tacloban in 2000 and Bacolod in 2002, followed the format that was introduced. The 9th National Convention has never been surpassed and has become a standard of comparison and model for other conventions that follow.

Like the Community, the Ladies Circle itself became the model too to other ladies’ organizations. In March 2001 during the Chapter Presidents and Secretaries’ Meeting in Dumaguete, it was tasked by Bishop Teodoro Buhain to prepare a program for an Orientation Seminar to new member-organizations of the FFCCWO. So, in May 2001, a group headed by Lydia Ching and assisted by Community members, Man Son Liong and Eduardo Alaba, went to Manila and conducted the first seminar at Lorenzo Mission Institute to three new member-organizations. The whole program was then turned over to Mrs. Evelyn Lo, who was the Federation president at
that time, for the Federation’s own future use.

As of the year 2003, the following were the presidents who were responsible in making the organization dynamic and prestigious:

• Rita Cue 1991 - 1994
• Adelfa Sia 1994 - 1996
• Lucy Liong 1996 - 1998
• Trinidad Go 1998 - 2000
• Lydia Ching 2000 - 2002
• Carol Jeun 2002 - 2004

Incidentally, the Community Choir originated from the Ladies Circle. The original ladies choir was formed on July 1992 and when the Community was organized on December 1993 the men joined the existing choir and formed the Community elders choir.

The Filipino-Chinese Catholic Singles (FCCS) grew to become a very strong and responsible organization. By May 2, 2003, it has conducted a total of nine CLPs and gathered a total 147 (plus two from Iligan) graduates.

The FCCY constitution prohibits young professionals to its membership, therefore, a separate group has to be organized to accept the college graduates, thus the FCCS was formally organized. Aware that Cagayan de Oro has already an existing FCCS, Fr. Peterson Tieng, LRMS, asked the group to host the first gathering of FCCS in Camiguin on April 28 - 30, 2000 for the purpose of assessing the spiritual needs of the singles and organizing other young professionals groups in other parts of the country. During the said gathering, that was given the theme "Singles: Hand in Hand in Renewing the Church", 47 persons from places like Manila (LMI, St. Paul and St. Peter Parishes), Ilo-ilo, Bacolod, Naga, Tarlac, Iligan, Cebu and Legaspi attended and eventually Manila, Naga, Legaspi, Iligan and Cebu FCCS Chapters were organized.

The Second National Gathering attended by 59 persons was held in Tagbilaran, Bohol on June 10 - 12, 2001 to assess the development and progress of the first gathering and to remind the singles of Pope John Paul II’s challenge to the youths to be holy in the face of all worldly temptations. This gathering was appropriately given the theme: "Saints in the City".

With very minimal supervision from the Community Ministry Heads for the Singles, Edu and Linda Alaba, they were able to do a lot of projects and activities like:

1. Organized their choir on February 1998 to alternately sing with
   the elder’s choir during Sunday Masses;
2. Organized and hosted the Weekly Bible Study Program starting May 1,
   1998 until the last quarter of year 2002 when it was converted to
   twice-a-month teaching nights starting on January 1, 2003;
3. Some leaders and members attended the Asian Youth Day gatherings in
   Bangkok on August 1, 1991 and in Taiwan on August 11, 2001;
4. Conducted the first FCCS CLP in Iligan on November 10, 2000;
5. Started a Scholarship Program on June 1, 2003
6. Have their own regular activities:
   1. Attend Annual Spiritual Retreats at the Monastery of
      Transfiguration starting November 1, 2001 in three batches;
   2. Do the Way of the Cross during the Lenten Season at Malasag
   3. Observe Monthly General Assembly in various forms and
      activities:
   • Sport fests for physical fitness & closeness among members;
   • Outreach program for the orphans and abused children, during
     Christmas and summer at the Cannosian Beach House and gift-
     giving for the indigents "Sa Ilalim ng Tulay"

The FCCY, on the other hand, experienced a leadership crises for a time since some of its leaders moved up to the FCCS after graduating from college. Also, Christopher Tan, the first Chapter Head, became the FCCY National President. Christine Liong, the next Chapter Head who was requested to stay with the youth for two years after graduating from college, had to move on to the singles group.

There was likewise change of Community Ministry Heads for the youths. Rudy and Beth Uy replaced Robert and Malou Kho on January 8, 1998. In July 2003, Mansueto and Edna Uy Ang replaced Rudy and Beth Uy, mainly because Rudy Uy also headed the Construction Committee that took up most of his time.

In spite of all these adversities the FCCY was able to do a lot of accomplishments:

• Conducted a Mission Trip to Cebu for the Sacred Heart Youth Circle on May
  29 to 31, 1998;
• Leaders & some members attended the National Steward Jubilee Camp on
  April 3 to 8, 2000 in Mt. Makiling, Laguna;
• Conducted the First Youth Camp for the Butuan FCCY Chapter on January 7,
  2000 and the Second Youth Camp on July 21 to 23, 2000;
• Conducted the First Youth Camp for the Iligan FCCY Chapter on November 17
  to 19, 2000;
• Conducted the First Youth Camp for the Ozamiz FCCY Chapter on January 2001;
• Hosted the First Summer Leaders’ Training Seminar on May 22-24, 1997
• Hosted the First National Leadership Training Seminar on April 1998
• Hosted the First Regional Leadership Training Seminar on April 4, 2002;
• Spearheaded the Annual Christmas for the Lord, a gift-giving project for
  the indigents that started with 100 families in 1996
  until it reached 350 families in December 2003.

After conducting the twelfth Youth Camp in November 7 to 9, 2003, FCCY Cagayan de Oro Chapter has a total of 384 members, excluding 24 from Butuan, Iligan and other FCCY Chapters.

The FCCK also experienced some changes in the ministry leadership. It was supposed to be handled by the ladies but because of some internal problem within the Ladies Circle, the supervision was given to Lydia Tan and Susan Yeo in 1995 to 1999 until the couple, Roger and Lydia Tantiongsa, was assigned to the Mission Ministry. This move left Susan Yeo alone up to the first quarter of 2001. Mila Rodriguez took over the Kids Formation Ministry on May 2001 until she asked to be relieved in early 2003 for health reason. Fr. Escalante felt that the supervision should be given appropriately back to the ladies. So, under the presidency of Carol Jeun, the Ladies Circle took back the FCCK supervision.

Even under these many changes in leadership, the FCCK continued to received Saturday teachings. Without missing a year since 1995, the kids observe the Flores de Mayo during the entire month of May. This celebration ends on the last Sunday of May where they honor Mother Mary by offering her flowers, songs and prayers and crowning her with a floral diadem.

Fifth Sunday of the month, if there is one, is set aside for the FCCK to sponsor the Sunday Mass. They take care of scriptural readings, sing the responsorial psalms and serve as altar boys.

C. The Community Leaders (as of January 2004)

GOVERNING COUNCIL:

Ministry Heads

Spiritual Formations: 
   Man Son and Lucy Liong - Adults
   Eduardo and Linda Alaba - Singles
   Mansueto and Edna Uy Ang - Youths
   Nelson and Georgie Tan (assistants)
   Carol Jeun - Ladies Circle - Kids
   Madelyn Ang - Music
   Roger and Marlyn Tan - Liturgy
   Rose and Ceres Chua - Love
   Lydia Ching & FCCS - Readings
   Lydia Ching - Secretariat
   Joaquin and Rosita Tan-leh - Finance
   Roger and Rosa Go - Family
   Santiago and Lily Lim - Bldg Admin
   Roger and Lydia Tantiongsa - Mission
   Fr. Gil Escalante - Spiritual Director
   SLRLC President (Carol Jeun) - Ex-Officio Member

COUNCIL OF UNIT HEADS (CUH):

   Gonzalo and Trining Go - Unit 1
   Santiago and Lily Lim - Unit 2
   Henry and Betty Dy - Unit 3
   Tony and Virgie Reyes - Unit 4
   Man Son and Lucy Liong
   Fr. Gil G. Escalante 

CARE (PRAYER) GROUPS :

   Unit No. 1 : 
   Care Group 1 - Loloy and Susan Lui
   2 - Roger and Marlyn Tan
   3 - Abet and Ella Yu
   4 - Samson and Nelfa Go
   Unit No. 2 :
   Care Group 5 - Eduardo and Josephine Chan
   6 - Rudy and Beth Uy
   7 - Vicente and Fe Gaw
   8 - Danilo & Ma. Consuelo Tan
   Unit No. 3:
   Care Group 9 - Robert and Helen Ching
   10 - Tony and Marilou Uy
   11 - Christopher and Sheuling Yin Lim
   12 - Victor and Emilia Añana
   Unit No. 4:
   Care Group 13 - Tony and Virgie Reyes
   14 - Sandy and Loreta Flores
   15 - Nelson and Georgie Tan
   16 - Ardexis and Rose Mijares
   

SPECIAL PROJECT GROUPS:

   Construction Committee
   Chairman - Rudy Uy
   Vice-chairman - Santiago Lim
   Treasury/Finance - Rosita Tan-Leh
   Members - Roger Tantiongsa
   - Roger Go
   - Richard Tan
   - Roger Tan
   - Man Son Liong
   - Fr. Gil G. Escalante
   
   Tan Poe Memorial Awards Committee (for Outstanding FCCYer) 
   Chairman - Roger Tan
   Vice-chairman - Rudy Uy
   Members - Man Son Liong
   - Fr. Gil Escalante, SSJV
   - School Representatives

D. The Community Vision and Mission

Community Vision

A Filipino-Chinese community of Christ’s disciples united by Christian faith and living the gospel values centered on the family as a truly domestic church actively participating in the church’s mission.

Community Mission

To make every Catholic Christian Filipino-Chinese family in Cagayan de Oro and its neighboring towns and cities a truly domestic church responsive to the call to social transformation and Christian presence through strengthened Christian values and family ties.

Specific Objectives: (For the first five years, 1994-1998)

• Help make every Catholic Christian Filipino-Chinese family in Cagayan de
  Oro and neighboring towns & cities a truly Domestic Church.
• Work to achieve closeness among Community members.
• Make the Community grow in faith and in number.
• To answer the call to "Social Transformation".
• To answer the call to "Christian Presence" through the strengthening
  of Christian values and ties in the family.
• Send missionaries to neighboring towns, cities and when possible, to foreign
  lands, especially China.
• Help Community members develop a prayerful life.

Strategies to achieve the above:

• Evangelize oneself and our family first.
• Conduct basic catechism to members’ kids.
• Existing members to invite at least one Filipino-Chinese each month to hear
  mass with the Community.
• Provide a Chapel & a Formation Center for the Community.
• Organize a Community Choir.
• Organize various religious groups within the Community.
• Provide opportunity for members to know each other well through fellowship
  and other group activities.
• Provide religious magazines & newsletters to all members.
• Encourage family to pray together.
• Reach out and help charitable institutions.
• Organize prayer groups.
• Conduct Christian Life Programs, Marriage Retreats, Pre-Cana Seminars &
  other related teaching programs.
• Study and understand the PCP2 on the laity’s role in the Church.
• Organize Bible Study and Bible Sharing groups.
• Finance the study of a seminarian from China.

Specific Objectives: (For the next five years, 1999-2003)

• Do all the continuing objectives of the first five years.
• To educate/train and strengthen the Mission Team.
• To grow in faith through the strengthening of Christian values and ties
  in every Filipino-Chinese family.
• To work toward a self-reliant community.
• To inculturate Christian values into Chinese practices and traditions and
  vice versa if they are not in conflict with Christian
  practices and doctrines.

E. The Spiritual Director:

Behind the San Lorenzo Ruiz Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community is its Spiritual
Director, Fr. Gil. G. Escalante, SSJV. Born in Bobontugan, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental on May 15, 1948, Fr. Gil is the 9th child in a family of 14 siblings of Mr. Numeriano (Go) Escalante, Sr. and Mrs. Maria Ganzan.

Fr. Gil finished his elementary schooling in Bobontugan Elementary School and attended the Mary Immaculate Academy of Jasaan for his high school education. It was about this time that Jack, as he is fondly called by family members and friends, developed his keen interest in the Christian faith. This concern was heightened through the spiritual guidance and encouragement of Sister Consuelo Pineda of the academy and Father Alejandro Mejia, then the parish priest of Jasaan.

He entered the San Jose de Mindanao Seminary for his formal Christian formation and at the same time pursued his college degree in Xavier University graduating with a degree of Bachelor of Arts, major in Philosophy and English. He then proceeded to Davao City where he finished his Theology on March 1976 at St. Francis Regional Major Seminary.

Following his ordination on April 22, 1976 in his home barrio, he was assigned as parish priest of Lagonglong and then Claveria, Misamis Oriental. He also served in the Archdiocese as Pastoral Coordinator, Archdiocesan Bursar, Acting Chancellor and Priest In-Charge of Religious Education. Aside from being the Spiritual Director of the San Lorenzo Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community, Fr. Escalante also administer the St. Patrick’s House, a home for priests.

From the very start, Fr. Gil was well received by the Chinese community, for they saw in him the perfect image of a spiritual leader. Under his stewardship, the Community grew in spirit and in numbers in no time.

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