And I rode my bicycle 52 kilometers each time to honor his cheerful giving…
House of Hope
The Journey Lives On
In the mountains there are so many kids like this boy, born in poverty, deprived of even the very basics of life. They are so innocent of the world outside and education is something most of them haven’t heard of. In their very young age suffering has became their norm. But norm as it is just like their parents they know something is wrong -something is lacking but just can’t define it. Most of them are clueless of the causes of their life’s miseries, and has succumb to the belief that “one who is born in poverty will remain in poverty, and will soon end in poverty”.
True as it seems to them but we know there’s something better, these kids deserve something better, and we believe education is one of them. But to them education is an elusive dream, a fantasy for the ludicrous. But if someone will only care enough, who will walk the extra mile for these desolate kids of the mountain, then education will be feasible, will be a reality.
There is hope. Yes there is, because someone will respond to God’s call -not many but there will be. Will you be one of them? Today we have a handful of kids who were able to beat the odds and have stepped into the door of opportunity to make the dream come true. They are the few blessed Kalingang Kapatid Program Scholars who started the journey with us from the grass-root level and now in the junior high and even a couple have entered college. 
For them being a KKP Scholar, as we use to call them, is a blessing for their future. But for us who dream and journey with them it is not simply about their future but their tribal communities’ future. In enabling them to catch their own fish we also enable them to feed their fellowmen with fish. Yes, in building their lives we are also building their communities. Our scholars are the promising youth of the land, our scholars are the heroes of the land.
“ANG KKP SCHOLAR AY BAYANI NG PAMAYANAN”
This school year we are stretching our faith in opening the door to more aspiring kids from the tribes who are applying if not pleading for the opportunity to be part of the KKP Family. We can only do so much, unless others extend our wings by helping us help them. And we thank God because there are some who responded to the call, they are the beautiful hearts who partnered with us. Dear KKP Sponsors, we are forever grateful and we pray that may God return the favor to each and everyone tenfold.
On that day our KKP Scholars will one by one march the isle in their togas and will receive their much sought after diploma. On that day the chains of poverty will end as they begin to walk on the new horizon, on a leveled ground; and will look back to reach out to their own, and will start doing what they have learned best from the beautiful hearts that once reached out to them… their sponsors.
Today we have 18 Iraya Mangyan KKP Scholars from Kalansan, Pinagbayanan and San Pablo. We are currently looking for sponsors for them this SY 2017-18.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS. CAN YOU BE ONE?
Below are the breakdown of sponsorship details:
June Expenses (upon enrollment): Php 3,500.00/child
During opening of classes (month of June) we provide new set of supplies like uniform, bags, shoes, school materials, ID’s and for other requirements from the school. Also, we provide basic clothings, beddings, hygiene and personal storage depending on what is lacking and needed in the beginning of the school year. These provision will incur more budget than the succeeding nine months in the school year.
For Monthly Expenses (July to March): Php 2,500.00/child/month
- Food @ 20 pesos/meal = 1,800.00/child
- Hygiene Kit = 100.00/child
- School projects = 300.00/child
- Snack money in school = 200.00/child
- Utilities = 100.00/month
“HALINA, SAMAHAN NINYO PO KAMI. TULUNGAN NATIN SA PAG-AARAL ANG MGA BATANG ITO.”
Dear partners… THANK YOU SO MUCH and we will never forget your kindness.
United Drops for the Cause of Christ
The Bible says in Galatians 6:2,
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
This scripture talks about the spirit of “bayanihan” (communal unity). This is the Filipinos’ concept of helping one another in times of need without expecting anything in return. Also, in the Bible Jesus shared the parable of “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37) where He explained who is our neighbor whom we need to love as ourselves. Being one of the “drops” we share our own God-given talents and capacities to a greater cause of flooding the lives of our desolate brothers and sisters in the tribes with faith, hope and love. And we believe that on the spirit of unity there will be no desert too dry, nor mountain too tall, nor ocean too wide for us to conquer all for the glory of God and for the benefit of our fellowmen.
We are not blessed for ourselves alone, but we are blessed to be a blessing to others too!
Rivers without outlets will all die, so as with our lives. If we do not know how to share our blessings in life soon we will loose our purpose, and without purpose we will find it hard to find sense in living. We are living rivers and not dead swamps, it means that we are not to live alone but to live to share a life, that we are all blessed to be a blessing to others.
The Iraya Mangyans are one of our 100 upland tribes who have been considered as dry weary lands. They seemed to have been neglected if not forgotten by modern society. They have been suffering in many ways in the longest time and their outcry has been swallowed by the deafness of our vanities. Drops of Faith Christian Missions is bayanihan where we work together, shoulder-to-shoulder helping those in need. Drops of Faith Christian Missions is a true lover of neighbors, Drops of Faith Christian Missionsa is a funnel to every drop for one cause and one calling.
We are small drops that create ripples of positive change. We are small drops pouring out love in action to God’s children. We are Drops of Faith Christian Missions.
One Less Hungry Tribe in the World
by: Rev. Ernie Catanghal
April 17, 2017 (Monday)
The day that we have been long praying for, the day the northeast wind have totally subsided and the sea is calm safe for transporting the rice mill machine and engine that we are donating to the Iraya Mangyan tribe of Kalansan in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro. Kuya Bong Suarez and I left on a borrowed truck from a friend to transport the “blessings” from Manila to the Port of Calatagan, Batangas where the tribesmen’s two boats are waiting for us. After the cargos has been safely unloaded from the truck kuya Bong left me and headed back to Manila to fetch the rest of the DFCM team for the following day’s journey to the tribe.
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April 18 (Tuesday)
Hey! It’s my birthday! And there’s no better way to celebrate the day that the Lord has made than to help our beloved tribe make everyone’s dream come true. Just barely after the sunrise our mission team are all in the port with me with some more boxes of blessings for the people. Immediately we loaded everything on the boats and headed straight to the island of Mindoro where the Iraya Mangyans of Kalansan are eagerly waiting.
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From a distance we can see the people building up waiving their hands in great anticipation for us and the arrival of their rice mill. It seemed like it was the usual warm welcome from the tribe but this time their sweet smiles were mixed with tears of so much joy as they joined hands together in unloading the cargos from the boat.
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As soon as we were able to bring the rice mill set on land the tribesmen unboxed them and started working on set-up process, foundation forming, engine break-in until the test run.
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Before we called it a day we called for a tribal leaders meeting to take up different matters of the community and to plan for the upcoming big event, the dedication service of the new Multi-Purpose Center and the new Rice Mill.
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April 19 (Wednesday)
The day started with our mission staff (Ate Ahlie and Ate Grace), ladies from the tribe (Teresa, Rona, Vilma, Olay, Leni, Malise and others) and the whole KKP Scholars (Neneng, Liway, Ange, Bibeth, Beverly, Rhea Mae, Cecil, Icel, Maeng, Rael, Mati and Utoy) preparing for the feeding program. In this visit we were able to provide solid meals for everyone for three full days.
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Part of the day’s activities is the registration for KAKAMPI membership which was participated by two communities, Kalansan and Agbalite. The response of the people was overwhelming that we ran out of forms to provide for all the applicants, we will continue this registration on the next mission trip as we bring more forms in the multipurpose center.
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April 20 (Thursday)
THE TRIBAL DEDICATION SERVICE for the RICE MILL and MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER
4:00pm in the edge of the rice field
The moment we all have been preparing for and waiting for, the time when we as one tribe and family lift up to the Lord in thanksgiving the biggest blessing in their lives. We all gathered on the unfinished elevated drying floor where our new barn is constructed. One by one we came, filled with excitement and gratitude in our hearts.
The ceremony started with prayers and songs, messages of thanksgiving from the youth, the elders, the tribal leaders and the pastors were shared to inspire everyone. Then it was followed by the oath taking ceremony of the elected and appointed KAKAMPI Officials. After I shared a message taken from the book of Matthew chapter 5 in the Bible which the candle and salt ceremony was inspired. This moment was the most solemn part as everyone held lighted candles and pinches of salt in their hands as we all sing Tagalog Hymns to the Lord and offered the dedication prayer. Then Ate Ahlie, Ate Grace joined me in the ceremonial cutting of ribbons as the KKP Scholars, KAKAMPI Officals, Tribal Leaders and the communities of Kalansan and Agbalite watched and applauded the moment.
The ceremony was concluded with giving away Bawat Butil Program shirts and bags of rice. We also have prepared food and refreshments for everyone plus apples ass highly requested by the children of Kalansan.
April 21 (Friday)
This is the last day for the DFCM Team but not for me. And before they head back home our team maximized the time with the tribe as we enjoyed games with the kids one last time and the highlight of the game lineup is the “apple eating contest” where our kids had their very first experience playing this game. We also had some interviews with more aspiring applicants for KAKAMPI membership and few more round-ups in the tribe.
After packing-up our team headed to the shore where their service boat is waiting to take them back to Calatagan Batangas. The kids found it hard to say goodbye for now as much as the adults too. There may be tears in our eyes but we are sure these are of great joy. As the kids wave their hands to the team slowly sailing away all we can say is “THANK YOU LORD FOR ANOTHER VICTORY!”
TRIVIA AND PHOTOS:
KALANSAN (“salansan” in Tagalog) – is Iraya Mangyan’s word for “pile” because this community on the foot of Mt. Calavite is established over pile of rocks. We can notice that well from the shore where there is almost all flat rocks and pebbles and a very scarce amount of sand. Also, right around the limited area for rice fields are boulders of solid rocks where soil is not very much established.
DID YOU KNOW that the people of Kalansan, Agbalite and other neighboring Iraya Mangyan communities are very industrious?
They work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months per year just to provide food for their families which is just enough for 3 months. But with BAWAT BUTIL PROGRAM, our livelihood projects for the tribes we are hoping to multiply their production and in two years time they can feed their families 12 months per year, HUNGER BUSTED!
Below are photos of our “FIRSTFRUITS” in rice milling.
One Less Hungry Tribe in the World…
Our DFCM Team…
(left to right: Kuya Bong Suarez, Kuya JR Pinga, Ate Ahlie Catanghal, Ate Grace Suarez, Kuya Anthony Misarez and Pastor Ernie Catanghal)
(not able to join this mission trip: Ate Jheng and Ate Marlyn)
(in photo: Bernabe Cabcaan of Kalansan Tribe)
To God Be The Glory!
Drops of Faith Christian Missions
April 2017
An Impossible Dream Came True
For the Iraya Mangyan tribe there are many dreams that seems to be meant just to be a dream, like seeing their kids finish school, having a decent and stable livelihood for the family, having a community that can provide at least their basic needs daily. These are just some of their “impossible dreams”.
But we believe nothing is impossible with God and with His favor all things can work together for the good of His people. Drops of Faith Christian Missions is just one of His tools in reaching out to them and making them see the impossibility turning to possibility.
We are so much honored to be used and do these things for them. The work after 18 years have just begun. Focusing on holistic ministry and community development the people’s limited belief is now being opened to the horizon of God’s vast goodness. The blessings are pouring in through brethren, families, friends and partners.
DFCM has initiated the tribe’s community organization KAKAMPI (Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mangyan na Pinagpala) and strarted providing them with tools and training for effective stewardship of every project we are doing with them. Under KAKAMPI we created a livelihood program which we call Bawat Butil Program (BBP) where our goal is to establish livelihood projects on land (farming) and water (fishing). We also aim to produce livestock project under this program.
Today, we are so happy to share to you that one of our major projects has turned to reality as we acquired the RICE MILL with engine and complete set-up. This farming equipment will be installed in our pre-constructed rice barn inside the tribal community. It is truly a very emotional moment for our tribal leaders, Pastor Manny Cabcaan and KAKAMPI Chairman Randy Parisan when we awarded to them the blessing.
To everyone who believed and who took part to this very meaningful project, those who shared their blessings to complete the work… THANK YOU SO MUCH! The work has just started and we are praying to continue this until we reach the mark the Lord has set for us. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
So happy to share to you the photos below, and more photos to follow as Pastor Ernie Catanghal delivers the equipment to the tribe in days to come.
DFCM and Community Development
Drops of Faith Christian Missions (DFCM) is an independent Christian missionary work to the tribe. Our work since 1999 has involved volunteers and partners, individuals and people group alike, from different walks of life that has expressed their desire and commitment to cooperate and reach out to the tribes through the inspiration of the Spirit of God in them. These people have been rendering their invaluable service and resources through cheerful giving for the love of God and fellowmen, and under one vision which God has given through the foundation of the mission work of DFCM.
Under the cooperation of DFCM and our Partners we have initiated different self-sustainable programs that will attend to the holistic needs of the tribal community. These programs which started small evolved through God’s wisdom and grace into a diverse community development program. DFCM is committed to pursue this divine direction by exploring advance methodologies and partnerships to achieve our ultimate goal -to see the tribe for the tribe, Mangyans ably helping Mangyans.
Our Community Development Four Step Process
Community development is a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Community well-being (economic, social, environmental and cultural) often evolves from this type of collective action being taken at a grassroots level. -United Nations
Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people with the skills they need to effect change within their communities. These skills are often created through the formation of social groups working for a common agenda. Community developers must understand both how to work with individuals and how to affect communities’ positions within the context of larger social institutions.
Programs for the Tribal Community Development Program:
Community economic development (CED); an alternative to conventional economic development which encourages using local resources in a way that enhances economic outcomes while improving social conditions.
Community-driven development (CDD), an economic development model which shifts overreliance on central governments to local communities.
Asset-based community development (ABCD); is a methodology that seeks to uncover and use the strengths within communities as a means for sustainable development.
Participatory planning including community-based planning (CBP); involving the entire community in the strategic and management processes of urban planning; or, community-level planning processes, urban or rural.
Community organizing; a term used to describe an approach that generally assumes that social change necessarily involves conflict and social struggle in order to generate collective power for the powerless.
Sustainable development; which seeks to achieve, in a balanced manner, economic development, social development and environmental protection outcomes.
To be able to secure a continues stewardship for the program DFCM has established the local community organization for the Iraya Mangyan tribe which is KALIPUNAN NG MGA KATUTUBONG MANGYAN NA PINAGPALA (K.A.K.A.M.P.I.). The leadership of this organization is decided through an exclusive Mangyan election process. Once the leadership positions has been established a special program for proper teaching and training will be conducted under the ministry of DFCM. This will equip every community leader on their respective roles and responsibilities and how to work effectively as one unit for the benefit of the community. Along this process DFCM will provide and assist the community in raising relevant, strategic, self-sustaining projects for livelihood which is under BAWAT BUTIL PROGRAM. Once the leadership and the community mature in this collaborative process the organization can secure government registration as a legitimate Cooperative Organization.
Our Tribal Multi-Purpose Hall and an Mission Ambulance Boat
We are so happy to share to you the growing fruit of our prayers and unity for this pioneering tribal project, the Tribal Multipurpose Center which will be established in the strategic location of Kalansan. This holistic project will be the first ever of this kind that will address the need of the communities in the field of education, health, livelihood, faith and community development. Right now we are in the 40% of the building development.
THE BOOK AND TOY LIBRARY will address both the intellectual, emotional and social growth of the children of the tribes through a wide variety of section of books and through educational toys both for indoors and outdoors. We will provide a library system with a trained Mangyan librarian.
TRIBAL HEALTH AND RESCUE CENTER will also be the very first for the Iraya Mangyans in in this remotest region of Mt. Calavite. This project will address the very poor health condition of the tribes and will target to provide a regular program that will attend to their general medical needs through partnership with doctors and other medical professionals who have the heart to reach out to desolate communities like this. This center will also provide AMBULANCE BOAT and BASIC LIFE SUPPORT for transporting people in critical condition to the provincial hospital which is about 80-90 kilometers away.
THE KAKAMPI COOPERATIVE STORE is the business center inside the tribes for their farming and fishing needs. Its objective is to provide a variety of commodities and services that has a very reasonable cost or price for the tribes. Its generated income will be entirely allocated for the community development projects and other vital needs of the community.
SOUP KITCHEN is the area where the regular feeding program preparations will be done. This will help facilitate our program that will address the vital need for balanced meal and nutrition specially for the children of the tribes.
THE WAREHOUSE will house all the produce and other supplies of the community. It will be adjacent to the proposed rice mill behind the multipurpose center.
THE KAKAMPI OFFICE (Kalipinan ng mga Katutubong Mangyan na Pinagpala) will serve as the session hall for the elected tribal leaders and the administrative office for the tribal organizations economic and ministerial functions.
STAFF ROOM is the small quarter allocated for missionaries and other guests of the tribes. It will be provided with a small bed and is situated near the kitchen and toilet and bath area.
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The functional Multipurpose Center of Kalansan today.
Our humble beginnings.
We need your support for us to complete this project for the Iraya Mangyan tribe in Kalansan, Agabalite and Pinagbayanan of Occidental Mindoro. We are still in need of the following:
- funding for the remaining 60% cost of the building project
- thresher, hand tractor and portable welding machine
- ambulance boat with portable oxygen tank, stretcher for patient transport
- 100 watts solar panel, battery with electrical layout for lighting
- generator for back-up power source
- basic dental chair (non powered)
- nebulizers, weighing scale, etc. for the clinic
- books and toys for the library
- kitchen utensils for feeding program (450-600 children capacity)
For sending support you may contact:
Pastor Ernie DV. Catanghal (DFCM Mission Director)
Email: edvcat@yahoo.com
Contact Number: +63(02)6411656 -landline / +63927-8684899 -mobile
Who “Thrive” from the Tribe?
Farming rice is the main source of livelihood for the Iraya Mangyans. But with the very limited land area left to them by the foreign settlers of the island (and mostly marshlands and forestland) their harvest for a year is just a fraction of what they need in a year, worse it would still be exploited by the businessmen who thrive on their little (and crude) farming.
The answer.
DFCM through its community development organiztion, KAKAMPI is launching “BAWAT BUTIL PROGRAM (BBP)” – a program that caters to the indigent Iraya Mangyans in their farming needs. It’s goal is to provide system and resources that will make the community self-sufficient and self-sustaining. We are reaching out to three (3) communities in the north-eastern edge of the island namely, the Kalansan, Agbalite and Pinagbayanan communities.
We can help them increase their produce and be self-sufficient.
Want to know how? Just reach us at:
+63 (02) 710-9550 landline / +63 (02) 927-8684899 mobile
Email: edvcat@yahoo.com
Building Hope, Making History
The Iraya-Mangyan community in Kalansan have expressed their unanimous intention of not only supporting this very first Multi-Purpose Center Project but of contributing through the best of their capacity and means by providing a lot with a structure where the center can start with.
This structure is an old Mangyan house which is unusually big for a commoner in the community, which is owned by a visually impaired old man, Tatay Guding Tungkarawin, who then decided to give up the house for the better use of the community.
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Also, the tribal leaders have convened and committed all the families of the tribe to contribute to raise a carabao (water bufalo) or an equivalent amount of a carabao to payback the expenses of the old man. They also expressed their commitment to share whatever indigenous materials they can produce for this project. They will also render their service in building this multi-purpose center.
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Our role now is to help providing the rest of the building materials, the supplies and equipment we will be putting inside the children’s library, the health clinic, the cooperative office, and also providing the tribesmen the proper education and training they need, to facilitate and maintain the functions in this multi-purpose center. We also need to provide them with the self-sustaining programs that will lead them to self-reliance and progressive life.
To all who have shared their blessings and are continuously helping us work on this very meaningful project for the Iraya-Mangyan tribe in behalf of the people we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
THE WORK IS NOT YET DONE.
WE NEED HELPERS.
WE NEED PARTNERS.
What else do we need?
We also are praying for medicines for the pharmacy, solar panel system, a generator, a rescue/ambulance boat, a basic dental chair (used/unused), and livelihood projects.
For inquiries kindly email us at edvcat@yahoo.com
Or to send support kindly click this link for info:
https://dfcmtribalmissions.wordpress.com/contact/
This Multi-purpose Center will be first and only in this side of the northern part of the island. There are many other adjacent communities who will surely benefit from this project.
Will you join us make a history and build hope in their lives?
A Mission Station in the Tribe
Due to the very remote location of the Iraya Mangyans in Kalansan the people hardly receive any form of aid and services coming from both the local and national government. And since the mission work of DFCM recognizes the predicaments of the situation of this community a series of projects are being raised up for them and the mission sees the importance of proper stewardship of the blessings which are being brought to them. In line with this DFCM is now providing teachings and training for the people on how to make the projects self-sustainable. Also, DFCM found the necessity of putting up a station that will house all the vital and long-term projects for the community.
Below is an architectural presentation of a proposed mission station that will be built inside the tribal community of Kalansan (Iraya Mangyan). This structure will serve as the health clinic, library, lounge area, cooperative office and store, stockroom for the lighting project, emergency management system (EMS), pharmacy, and a missionary quarter with toilet & bath and a small kitchen/dining area.
This project will be situated in an area duly designated by the tribal community leaders for the specific purpose. The community committed to provide the space and the materials while the DFCM will help on producing other construction materials.
Most of the materials and finish to be used for this structure will be from the indigenous materials the tribe uses for their houses. This will preserve the natural look and culture of the community.
Drops of Faith Christian Missions 