‘One Mission, One Walk’: 25,000 gather for CFC-Ancop scholars
CFC leaders are among the 25,000-strong participants in the charity walk.
MANILA, Philippines — Around 25,000 participants recently gathered at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park for the annual Couples for Christ’s Ancop Global Walk, united by a shared mission to answer the cry of the poor through education, compassion, and service.
Before sunrise, thousands of families and friends gathered for the walk, filling the grounds with a spirit of faith and solidarity. Ancop-sponsored students brought added energy to the event as they danced to the official Ancop Global Walk theme, while fur parents joined the crowd with their pets, making the gathering a celebration for the whole community.
Held under the theme “One Mission, One Walk,” the event brought together members of CFC, Singles for Christ, Youth for Christ, Kids for Christ, and Ancop scholars, who walked together carrying banners bearing messages of hope and solidarity.
Ancop, or Answering the Cry of the Poor, is CFC’s outreach ministry, supporting underprivileged communities through educational sponsorships, shelter, livelihood opportunities, health services, and disaster assistance. The event coincided with World Mission Sunday, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926.
A heart for the poor
CFC Chairman and President Arnel Santos challenged participants to respond to poverty with a heart shaped by Christ and expressed through concrete acts of service.
Ancop scholars carry messages of hope as they pursue their dreams despite life’s challenges.
“We have seen, we have heard the cry of the poor,” Santos said, describing their calls to rise from poverty, gain human dignity, and be free from injustice, particularly for children who deserve to be seen, respected, and loved.
“What is our answer to the cry of the poor, brothers and sisters? … The answer is a heart for the poor,” he said.
Education that transforms lives
Boyet Rafael, CFC Ancop executive director, emphasized that behind every beneficiary is a life with potential and a future worth investing in.
“Behind every number in our reports is a human story. Behind every student, seminarian, or beneficiary is a life that God loves and a future full of possibilities,” Rafael said.
Ancop supports approximately 10,500 underprivileged students and seminarians, helping them pursue education despite financial difficulties. Several Ancop scholars have recently graduated with Latin honors, demonstrating how educational opportunities and sustained support can help students achieve academic excellence.
Through the support of sponsors, partner schools, volunteers, and Project Implementing Teams (PITs), students are given opportunities to complete their education and build better futures. All in the hope that they will eventually support their families, serve their communities, or help other students gain access to the same opportunities.
CFC North B walks for a cause.
“This is how hope is passed from one generation to the next. This is how we build the Church. This is how lives are transformed,” Rafael said.
Beyond education, Ancop’s programs seek to restore dignity, strengthen families, and provide opportunities for people to improve their lives.
Becoming instruments of hope
In his homily, Fr. Christian Angelo Limbaring, OAD, of the Diocese of Daet, invited participants to reflect on why they support students and seminarians who struggle to afford their education.
“Is it simply because I am blessed, or because I still see hope in our country and in the lives of those who face difficult circumstances?” Limbaring asked.
Arnel Santos, Couples for Christ chairman and president
“Perhaps it is because we are blessed not only to receive, but also to become instruments of hope for others,” he said.
His message underscored the event’s call to move beyond personal spirituality and become instruments of social transformation in the Philippines by helping others learn, improve their circumstances, and build better lives.
The event began with the praying of the Holy Rosary and concluded with a Holy Mass celebrated by Limbaring. The walk was led by the CFC International Council Board of Elders and the CFC Ancop Board of Trustees, with participation from the organization’s North, Central, East, West, and South sectors, as well as institutional and school partners.
Boyet Rafael, CFC Ancop executive director
Through the annual gathering, CFC reaffirmed its commitment to making faith tangible through service and extending opportunities to families and individuals in need.
Under the banner of “One Mission, One Walk,” participants carried forward a shared message: answering the cry of the poor begins with a heart willing to care and a commitment to help transform lives, one opportunity at a time.
Doing their part in answering the cry of the poor.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
