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 | 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
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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 |