2011

TRIVIA
30TH ANNIVERSARY

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

1981. Front Row L to R:  Tito Collantes, Tony Espiritu,
and Manny Gaddi. Second Row:  Pete Cambel, Fely
Cambel+, Baby Collantes; Tuding Collantes, Shirley
Borja+, Cora Espiritu+, Remy de Guzman+, Josie
Gaddi, and Chito Borja+

OUR SERVANT GENERAL, FRANK

PADILLA, WITH HIS WIFE GERRY
IN THE 1970S

From the heart of CFC,

Gerry Padilla (taken

How did Couples for Christ start? from the 25th

When we joined the group that was to
become Couples for Christ in 1981, we
only had two children, two boys. Frank
was an impossible man to be married
to, so every day, I would cry out to
God, “Lord, I think I made the wrong
choice. I want to return him to his
mother but she won’t accept him
either. I want our marriage to last, but
how will I do it? I know I’m not bad
looking, but the problem is I don’t
know where he’s looking.”
God heard me. In January 1981, Tony
Ganal, a friend of mine, came over. I was
already in the charismatic renewal but
we were all “desperate housewives”.
There were around 15 of us who went
to regular prayer meetings every
Wednesday and all of us were praying
for our husbands. Tony said “Gerry, why
don’t you bring Frank to the Life in the
Spirit seminar?” I told Tony “Let’s make
it a party. I’m sure Frank will go if it’s
dinner.” And so he did. When we went
to that dinner, we were about 16
couples.
I was surprised when the leaders there
asked who among the group would like
to return for the next talk and I saw
Frank’s hand raised! That started our
walk with the Lord as a couple.
Anniversary CFC Book)
To my amazement, it was Frank who
began to really be passionate about our
involvement in CFC (the group decided
to call themselves Couples for Christ).
He would even choose to fast and not
eat at all than be late for a household
meeting.
And so from that initial year, we
continued on in CFC, experienced the
love of more people in more
households, went on to more activities
and more missions and saw the Holy
Spirit working not just in our lives and
our families but in our country and the
whole world.

ROMY AND IRENE & FAMILY TONY & FAMILY FRANK AND GERRY & FAMILY
 MORE OF B ATCH 1

Manny and Ditas & Family Danny and Eggie & Family

Jimmy and Malou & Family Jojo and Hedy & Family

Pete & Family Jun and Auring & Family Tito and Tuding & Family

The first 16 couples were a diverse family, and are presently based in

Where are they now? group of people, and they ended up in Manila.
diverse places - 30 years later. Pete Cambel is now based in
LIST OF THE 16 COUPLES
Frank and Gerry Padilla, Romy and Garland, Texas and part of the
1. FRANK & GERRY PADILLA
2. DANNY & TESS AVIADO Irene Arguelles & Tony Espiritu are all Families for Christ community in
3. ROMY & IRENE ARGUELLES still members of Couples for Christ. Dallas.
4. CHITO & SHIRLEY BORJA Frank is the Servant General of CFC Danny de Guzman is pastoring
5. TITO & TUDING FFL and Gerry is a leader in Pro-Life Christ’s Commission Fellowship
COLLANTES circles. Romy is retired (Irene is Marikina with Eggie’s support.
6. PETE & FELY CAMBEL almost retired) and their family is
7. TONY & CORA ESPIRITU based in Australia. Tony is a leader of Tito and Tuding Collantes are now
8. DANNY & EGGIE DE CFC Servants for Family and Life. members of the Light of Jesus
GUZMAN community with Bo Sanchez.
Manny and Ditas Garcia are part of
9. LARRY & BRENDA DE
GUZMAN CFC Global. Jun and Auring Tan are now based in
10. MONCHING & BABY Jojo and Hedy Villegas are part of the California and are in a Parish
RAMIREZ Ligaya ng Panginoon community, and charismatic prayer group and the
11. MANNY & DITAS GARCIA Jojo did fulltime mission work for Lord’s Vineyard.
12. REY & DIDAY SAAVEDRA Familia - an outreach of LNP. Larry and Brenda de Guzman, Chito
13. BOY & ELMA SANTILLAN
Monching and Baby Ramirez in and Shirley Borja, Cora Espiritu & Fely
14. JIMMY & MALOU TAN
Washington & Danny and Tess Aviado Cambel are now enjoying God’s
15. JUN & AURING TAN
16. JOJO & HEDY VILLEGAS in Toronto are also members of LNP. company in Heaven.
Jimmy and Malou Tan spent 5 years as We are waiting for updates from the
missionaries to China with their Saavedras, and Santillans.