First, PONDO ng PINOY is a movement, a way of making the Good News of Jesus Christ find concrete expression in the lives of the people, through Catechesis and acts of goodness. (“Love one another as I love you.” John 15:12)
Second, PONDO ng PINOY is a Community Foundation, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.What are the objectives of PONDO ng PINOY?
The objectives of PONDO ng PINOY are born out of a vision for all of God’s people to attain fullness of life in the family, community in the Church. PONDO ng PINOY aims to bring about the total development of people—both the giver and the recipient—of assistance to be rendered by the Church to address widespread poverty caused by material, economic, cultural, political and social starvation.
3. How does PONDO ng PINOY start?
PONDO ng PINOY begins with the individual being educated or catechized, at the person-to-person level or better still in the family.
Catechetical modules have been prepared for the family evangelization. Sunday Mass homilies on PONDO ng PINOY will also help in communal/individual evangelization. There will be school catechesis for students and teachers of Catholic schools, colleges and universities. Non-sectarian educational institutions will also be included upon participation of the school heads.
The Catechetical modules may be obtained from the Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry Office (6 th Flr. Saint John Bldg., Paco Catholic School, 1521 Paz St., Paco Manila).
4. What is at the heart of the Catechesis of PONDO ng PINOY?
The evangelization centerpiece of PONDO ng PINOY’s catechesis is LOVE OF GOD and CONCERN FOR THE POOR and the LESS FORTUNATE. PONDO ng PINOY says that this love can be expressed daily in small but good things done for the others, especially those in need. This Christian practice is rooted in the Theology of the Crumbs whose profound truth and value is safely anchored on the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) and other citations from the Bible.
In the Parable, Lazarus would beg for the crumbs, which fell from the rich man’s dining table laden with sumptuous food. The crumbs would have been enough to answer the paltry needs of Lazarus, and had Dives, the rich man, not ignored the pleas of this poor man, he would not have suffered the torment of hell.
Thus the spirit of PONDO ng PINOY is LOVE and SHARING, done in small things but often, repeatedly, consistently as part of one’s life and values. It says that what is important is not how big the portions given are but how steadily the heart beats for his or her fellowman in need.
Hence the call to action of PONDO ng PINOY is “Anumang magaling kahit maliit basta’t malimit ay patungong langit.”
5. What are the “crumbs” of PONDO ng PINOY?
The “crumbs” are twenty-five centavos or more but not more than one peso. Each individual is encouraged to have his or her distinctive kind of receptacle (an empty softdrink or milk can), which he or she can uniquely label.
6. Who are the source of the “crumbs”?
Literally everyone who feels the love of Christ and wishes to share it with others in a consistent manner can be part of PONDO ng PINOY.
- All individuals—priests and religious, young and old, in or out-of-school youth, professionals, rich and poor.
- Families living out the Gospel in solidarity
7. Can anyone just start filling up his or her own PONDO ng PINOY receptacle?
Only those who have realized the virtue of sharing may give their “crumbs”. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales emphasizes that PONDO ng PINOY is not precisely to collect money, but an evangelization component aimed at formation of the individual. “No one is allowed to give even just 25 centavos if it is not out of love,” Archbishop Rosales said.
8. How will the “crumbs” be gathered?
- Individuals and families may choose any receptacle for the coins they will contribute to PONDO ng PINOY. The parish organization or institution supporting the program may also provide the labeled receptacles.
- Receptacles (cans, envelopes, bottles, baskets, etc.) should be labeled with the words “PONDO ng PINOY” and if possible (but not necessarily) bear the logo. The label may contain such information as the giver’s name and the Parish (and address), where giver belongs.
9. How will the “crumbs” be offered?
It is strongly suggested that the families or individuals make their PONDO ng PINOY offering during the Sunday Mass at their parishes/shrines or chapels, or given directly to the parish office, shrine or convent.
Employees may consign their “crumbs” to their respective companies, provided these are willing to act as conduits of their contributions to PONDO ng PINOY.
Students in schools which are members of CEAP and MAPSA may offer their “crumbs” receptacles in their schools.
Companies and institutions that wish to share with the poor through PONDO ng PINOY may offer their donations through intermediary banks or directly to the Foundation.
Filipinos abroad may make their offerings through institutions or organizations to be identified by the Foundation.
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