Cainta Community Center: Now Open

CCT Community Center Dedication: (left to right) Mike Salili, microfinance operations head,
Alice Pineda,  Business Development head,  and Episcopal Bishop Dixie Taclobao
 prepare to cut the ribbon at the formal dedication of the  CCT Cainta community center. 

CCT management representatives, Rizal community partners and staff, and Episcopal church leaders gathered for the blessing and formal dedication to God of the CCT community center at the Igorot  Village in San Juan,  Cainta, Rizal on December 17, 2011.

The newest CCT community center houses a pre-school, a microfinance office, and a clinic. It is a three-story building under a usufruct agreement with property owners Bishop Dixie and Rev. Juliet  Taclobao of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines.

CCT has been serving the Igorot community of Cainta, the largest Igorot community outside of Mountain province, in partnership with the Episcopal church for the past 11 years.

The unfinished residential building  of Bishop Dixie and Rev. Juliet Taclobao,
 long-time supporters of CCT work in Cainta,
 was completed and converted into this new center under a four-year
usufruct agreement with CCT.  

CCT Rizal staff hold corporate worship every Saturday  at the Episcopal church
 in Cainta's Igorot village.  The church  is next door to the new community center.

Pre-school students coached by Teacher Grace Pailona
 do a dance interpretation of Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin ang Pasko.

"Magbalikatan tayo, magbayanihan tayo, magtulungan tayo.
We find meaning in service because we have faith, hope, and love.
 These are the marks of a Christian," said Bishop Taclobao
 in an inspirational talk. 

Alice Pineda, representing CCT President Ruth Callanta, tells of how the Cainta community center
 is part of the fulfillment of a vision of a network  of Christ-centered faith communities
where Jesus Christ  is honored and worshipped and where people live with dignity
and sufficiency in accordance with God's plan  for a just, humane, and caring society. 

Pastor Raffy Salonga preaches a message
 on peace of mind and gladness of heart  based on Psalm 127:1 - 5. 

A community partner sings Keith
Green's Romans 7: 

I want to love them all, the way you do,
I want to serve them, by serving you.
Yes, I want to be like you; Jesus I do.

Men involved in the construction of the new building attend its dedication ceremony. Most of them
are former street dwellers being ministered to by CCT's Kaibigan Ministry.

Pastor Raffy Salonga reads Solomon's prayer of
dedication on the top floor of the building.