Feb 12., 2020 / General, News & Announcements

Fruits of Year 2019 in Cebu

Surrenderees’ Completion Ceremony

The Tindog Recovery Support Group for drug surrenderees culminated with a completion ceremony held on December 17, 2019 at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Tindog, Medellin, Cebu.

The program started in 2017 in response to the request of the barangay chairman for some kind of intervention to deal with the “tokhang” initiative. This was a government mandate for drug users to surrender to authorities or get arrested. Since there were no readily available rehab facilities, the Cenacle and an experienced drug rehab volunteer designed a recovery support module intended to illustrate the nature, causes and consequences of drug use versus a healthy lifestyle without drugs. Experiential activities and personal testimonies of participants’ struggles with addiction, punctuate concepts and theories to provide a deeper awareness and understanding of the dynamics and challenges of recovery.

Seventeen surrenderees accepted their certificate of completion accompanied by their family members. The ceremony was highlighted by the inspirational message of Dr. Russel Makiling, clinical psychologist, who emphasized that recovery is a precious gift from God and should be treasured with a lot of gratitude. The group also decided to elect a set of officers as they move to continue to a deeper level of formation in collaboration with Fr. Dan Mata, parish priest.

After their completion the group will move into the re-entry phase in recovery where they are expected to reintegrate as productive members of the community and positive role models of a drug-free lifestyle.

Straight from the Heart

(Translated and edited by Joe L.THE HEART)

The following are excerpts of the personal experiences of participants of the Tindog Recovery Support Group in Tindog, Medellin, Cebu.

I started smoking marijuana in 1989 but did not realize it opened the door for me to get hooked deeper into drug use. I learned in the group that drug use is progressive and addicting. True enough, I lost interest in working and eventually lost my good job in a 5 star hotel due to my preoccupation with drugs. My temper became very explosive and I was in and out of jail so many times. My wife never gave up on me and kept praying for me to change. Thank God, I’m clean now and I have learned so much from my bad experience with drug use. – Randy Y.

“The biggest loser in the drug epidemic other than the user are the family members who always get manipulated and taken for granted by the users’ bad temper, lies and denials. I know because I’ve been there.”- Ronel Y.

My drug history started with an innocent but immature curiosity to “just try it”. With no knowledge about triggers and the mood-altering effects of drugs , I got pulled into the madness of addiction. It got worse when I associated with a local drug lord.I forgot about my family and got stuck in getting high daily. Addiction does not discriminate.(ang pagka adik way gipili.) I had drug- using peers who were OFW’s, educators and even from the church. Drug use is indeed a useless and aimless journey. – Ronald I.

Having friends who use drugs was the main reason I started using. Their influence was very strong and persuasive that even my parents’ advice had no effect. Now that I’m clean I’ve learned to stay away from drug-using friends to avoid negative peer-pressure. – Alvic B.

At the age of 13, I got initiated into drug use mainly because of lack of parental guidance. Drug use was a convenient excuse for me to fit into the group in my desire to belong. It was also a distraction for me not to finish high school. When I got married, I quit using for a while but got pulled back into it because of the influence of my friends who also use. As a former addict, I can associate lying, manipulation and bad temper as common traits of drug users. – Noel J.

I thank God that despite my involvement in illegal activities in the past, I’m still alive. I’ve hurt many people and probably destroyed many lives not only because of my drug use but also my drug-dealing activities. I look back with a lot of remorse and regrets at the many bad decisions I’ve made that caused so much problems and suffering to my family.Drug use is the worst experience in my life. – Jerome Y.

I was a drug user for 19 years. I started using at age 16 and was good at lying and manipulation, especially with my parents.’Barkada’ was the primary motivator of my drug use. It is so hard to resist the peer pressure of a drug-using group that you associate with. It was not until a motor accident resulting from my drug use that I finally quit. My long stay in the hospital was a positive awakening and led me to clean up my life with my family’s support. – Elmer P.

In Gratitude

The Cenacle is grateful and deeply appreciates the generosity of its donors and volunteers for sharing their time and resources to keep the mission of the Cenacle vibrant and alive.

We have received this year:

2 sacks of rice for distribution to indigent families during Christmas

Jollibee and ice cream treat for 150 children in Tindog, Medellin, Cebu

Equipment, food, and prizes for the Surrenderees Support Group volleyball tournament in November and athletic t-shirts

Catered lunch for the Completion Ceremony catered lunch for the surrenderees and their family

Donated cash for 2 ministries – the newly formed Youth Empowerment, Leadership group and the continuing formation of the Tindog Surrenderees Support Group in collaboration with Fr. Dan Mata, Parish priest, Tindog, Medellin, Cebu.

To all who continue to support us in one way or another, THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!

If you would like to participate in our mission for year 2020, and/or make a donation, please use this online form or email us at cenacle.philippines@gmail.com and the Sisters will connect with you directly.

Ministry Updates

On-going:

Bible Groups — meets 4 times a week (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri) discovering one’s everyday reality in the context of the Word.
Parenting and Family Development – alternating monthly sessions for fathers and mothers from Inayawan Dumpsite, Pardo, focusing on the roles of parents in creating the foundation of a healthy and God-centered family life.
Spiritual direction, individual and group retreats – (by appointment only)
Christian Meditation – on Wednesday evenings for a quietreflection and respite from the distractions of everyday life.
Recovery Support for Drug Surrenderees – monthly sessions for the continuing formation of participants who are now in the reentry and reintegration stage of becomingproductive members of the community.
Youth Empowerment and Leadership – monthly sessions for therecently organized youth ministry in search of spiritual connection, meaning and direction intheir personal lives.
Silent Prayer – once a month session from Grades 2-10 at St. Benedict Childhood Education Center.

Upcoming:

Lifestyle Management and Intervention – (in its planning stage) This is a psycho-spiritual approach to individual and group processes intended to assess and understand the link between choices and consequences, explore options and alternatives and provide early intervention for problematic life situations.