MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER FOUNDATION OF THE PHILS.

Official Name Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.
Other Name or Acronym MEFP, INC.
Vision “Couple-Communication and mutual understanding, through empathy, reconciliation and marital unity.”
Mission “To witness to Christ’s gospel of reconciliation to individual, conjugal, family and community life.”
Year Established October 3, 1969
Year Accredited w/ Laiko 1992
History

In 1962, Fr. Gabriel Calvo brought together 28 couples from the workers of the factories in Spain for the first “Encuentro Conjugal” The movement grew within the structure of the Christian Family Movement (CFM)

In 1966, The Marriage Encounter (ME) spread to Latin America through Mexico.   The Marriage Encounter was brought to Miami, Florida, U.S.A. Mexico in 1967. During the summer of 1969, Luisito & Asuncion Sison were delegates to the convention of the International Confederation of the Christian Family Movement (CFM) at Soutbend Indiana. They attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend a week later.   Meanwhile, Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J joined another ME Weekend in Michigan U.S.A.   The three of them brought the Marriage Encounter to the Philippines. The first ME Weekend in the Philippines was held at the Loyola Retreat House. At Angono Rizal on Oct. 3-5 1969, with Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J, as Team Priest & Sito-Sony Sison as Team Couples, 11 couples and 4 priests joined Class # 1 ME.   Among the Priests were Fr. Jess Fernandez, S.J, Fr. Pat Lim and Fr. Aureo Nepomoceno, S.J. Until 1976 Marriage Encounter Weekends were held under the auspices of the Christian Family Movement as one of their apostolates.

The Marriage Encounter Foundation (MEF) was organized by CFM in 1976, as the funding arm of the CFM programs. The ME Program was under the supervision of Marriage Encounter Foundation (MEF) and the Marriage Encounter of the Phil. (MEP).The first Marriage Encounter Series were organized by the priest who attended the ME Class # 1. The Tuklasan Series was organized by Fr. Jess Fernandez, S.J. from which evolved several of the current ME Communities and sectors.

Fr. Pat Lim organized the Villa Adelaida Series, which was then handled by Fr. Ruben Tanseco, S.J. when the former was transferred to the Sta. Maria de la Strada Parish. The SWDCAP Series was organized by Fr. Aureo Nepomoceno.

Today, the Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines is the umbrella organization of more than 100 transparochial & parish-based sectors, chapters communities around the Philippines. The official ME format was adapted to Filipino culture and the Total Program for Couple and Family Spirituality created by Fr. Ruben M. Tanseco, S.J.

Organizational Structure Composed of 15 couples from the various members communities who are elected from the members. Members of the Board elect among themselves the Executive Committee (EXECOM) who govern the MEFP according to the By-Laws of the Foundation.
Composition of Membership MEFP is composed of different communities all over the Philippines.
Main Activities Marriage Encounter Weekend Seminars, Counseling and Shepherding 1 & 2 Seminars, Team Training Seminars, Marriage Encounter 2 Seminars, Spiritual Deepening Retreat, Christian Parenting for Peace and Justice Seminar.
Areas Present Antipolo, Bataan, Benguet, Bicol, Cagayan, Cebu, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Pampanga, Tuguegarao, La Union, Masbate, Marinduque and Olongapo.
Affiliations Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas -CBCP
Official Contact Address Spiritual-Pastoral Center Bldg., Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola Heights, Diliman, Quezon City
Official Contact Numbers Telefax: + 63.2.426.4206
Website www.mefp.info
Email Address Mefp2006@yahoo.com.ph
Logo

logo_mefp

The color red & white

Red     – Signifies blood of Jesus giving life to one of us

White – for his pure love.

2   lighted candles  – to each one with his & her own unique worth of goodness.

Each one enclosed with a ring as symbol of love for each other with no beginning and no end.

The Dove signifies the Holy Spirit guiding & keeping over the couples.

Current Officers

 

Spiritual Director:    Fr. Ruben M. Taseco, S.J.

President:    Robert & Tinette AVentajado

Executive Vice-President:    Eduardo-Corazon Depano

VP-Internal:    Stanley-Stela Santos

VP-External:    Amado-Myrna Fernandez

Secretary:    Sabas-Yolanda Bergantinos

Treasurer:    Elmer-Virginia Sy

Board Member:    Porfirio-Josefina Dimarucut

Board Member:    Fred-Rosalina Magpily

Board Member:    Lorenzo-Mercedita Cinco

Board Member:    Mario-Vanessa Monsalve

Board Member:   Jorge-Evelyn Tadena

Board Member:    Merardo-Soledad Samonte

Board Member:    Oscar-Cecilia Baluyot

Board Member:    Mario-Patria Zamora

Board Member:    Monchito-Cristina Mossesgeld

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