The Rural ARM of the Knights of Columbus

Title

Language

English

Year

1958

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

It undertakes projects for the farmer’s economic, social and spiritual well-being.

Fulltext

BARRIO Sapang Bato-is a small village sprawled at the foot of a mountain. Al though quite distant from its mother town, a dirt road lay between the two places. The dust-filled road has not been passed on by a motor vehicle since the village was visited by a stumping politician before the last election. But one Sunday morning, the people curiously watched a rising column of dust smoke as two jeeps sped to their village. When the jeeps arrived, some of the vil lage people, who went to the town some times, recognized two physicians, a-den tists, a lawyer and a few other respected members of the town community. They al so greeted the parish priest of the town. What important business brought these prominent people to their insignificant lit tle barrio, they wondered. Soon, everything 'became clear as the teniente del barrio announced that the group were Knights of Columbus from the town, who would like to give the people free medical and dental treatment and free legal advice, after holy Mass was celebrated by the priest. At the end of the visit, the people were very thankful for the material help. But they were specially grateful for the Sun day services, which before took place in their barrio only during special feast days. The priest could not come every Sunday, be cause of lack of transportation. This story of charity is now repeated every week-end in many barrios, thanks to the Columbian Farmers’ Aid Association. The CFAA is an auxiliary organization of the Knights of Columbus in the Philip pines dedicated to rural amelioration work. For its membership, it counts with rhe Knights of Columbus throughout the coun try. It depends on the various KC coun cils for the implementation of its objectives. Fortunately, the projects promoted by the CFAA have been found suitable by many KC councils. Every KC council which chooses to adopt the CFAA organizes a spe cial committee to take charge of implement ing the association’s objectives. The CFAA has geared its projects for farmers to a self-help policy. When neces sary, it has extended outright assistance. But as much as possible, it undertakes pro jects by which the farmers will be taught The RURAL ARM of the Knights of Columbus It undertakes projects for the farmer’s economic, social and spiritual well-beinsr. how to use the resources at his disposal, to improve his life economically, socially and spiritually. Thus the farmer is taught how to obtain better yield from the soil. He is taught how profitably to utilize his idle hours with cottage industries. He is taught how to form a cooperative together with his fellow farmers, in order to protect their in terest. He is taught rules of hygiene and sanitation, in order to reduce disease and death in his family. The “traveling free clinic” is the project that has made a hit among many KC coun cils. And as shown in the story about Barrio Sapang Bato, it is a project that has also made a hit among the barrio folk. Easy to organize, CFAA committees in the var ious KC councils have found that it is very helpful to the farmers not only materially but psychologically. ,To see the prominent members of the town coming to visit and help them is a great boost to their spirits. No doubt, it helps them better to resist Com munist propaganda. Seven years ago, Communist influence was still very strong especially in the rural areas. With their little initiative suppress ed by the abuses of unscrupulous landlords, many farmers were unable to climb out of their miserable rut of bondage and poverty. They began to turn their heads when the Huks painted on their imagination the fa bled classless society where every farmer owned the land he tilled. With this state of affairs, the Columbian (Continued on page 18) July, 1958 11 THE RURAL .. ..(Continued from page 11) Farmers’ Aid Association was propitiously organized by Manila Council 1000 in 1951 to extend practical assistance to small farm ers and tenants throughout the country. The CFAA, as envisioned by the organizers, would help to erase the ignorance of the farmers, so that they could better resist the onslaughts of red propaganda. The associa tion would also promote social justice and implement Catholic social doctrines with a program that would redound to the material benefit of the barrio people. Specifically, the objectives of the associa tion set down by the organizers are as fol lows: 1. To take such steps as the circumstan ces may require to further promote the gen eral welfare of the Filipino farmers and tenants. 2. To help elevate the condition of the farmers and tenants throughout the country by increasing their crop yields through ins truction and the proper use of fertilizers, lime, treatment of soil, the adoption of mo dern methods of farming, the use of irriga tion and diversification of crops. 3. To solicit and receive donations of real and personal property for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the associaHOW I WON... (Continued from page 8) afternoon of May 25, 1958, and there were many prominent people among the spectatators, one of them being Prince Akihito. The pairings for the tournament were carefully made to provide a good match. All foreigners — Filipinos, Chinese and Ko reans — were given Japanese opponents of the same weight class and grade, each win ner to be awarded the Asian Games gold . medal. The results for the Filipinos were as fol lows: — Eduardo Ignacio and I defeated our Japanese opponents. Frank Robles fought his opponent to a draw. Ramon Mon tes, Chito Gavieres, Ramon Padre and Cri santo Quindoy, Jr., lost. I was able to counter one of my opponent’s attacks and pin him for the required time when he fell on his back. Mr. Hirose, our coach and ins tructor, remarked later that I shortened his his life by five years when my struggling opponent almost escaped from my hold! The general consensus of opinion among the Japanese players was that we had put up a good showing. They appreciated our aggressiveness and the way we played judo. After the tournament, the foreign judo players were entertained at a dinner recep 18 tion; and generally to do and peifoim all acts ’and things reasonably necessary and proper for the carrying out of these pur poses. After its initial success, the CFAA ceas ed to be a local group sponsored by Manila Council 1000. It was incorporated and made a national auxiliary organization of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines. The association is ably headed by Sen ator Oscar Ledesma, who was recently re elected as -president for the eighth term. Senator Ledesma is chaiman of the Sen ate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. This committee is presently gathering data on how the government can better develop the country agriculturally with the cooperation of the people them selves. Following an established practice where the CFAA coordinates its activities with those of government and other agen cies engaged in rural amelioration work. Senator Ledesma has asked the help of the Knights through the CFAA to help his Committee gather information. The CFAA offers a vast field of opportu nity for service to our rural masses. It is hoped that all KC councils, which have not yet done so, will lend their cooperation soon gv adopting the CFAA as a project. tion given by Mr. Risei Kano, president of the Kodokan Judo Institute. Through the influence of our coach, Mr. Hirose, who stood high in the good graces of the Kodo kan, we were very well received at the Ko dokan and given special coaching every af ternoon during our stay. Their best instructors were assigned to answer any questions we had and also ins tructed us in the latest techniques of sportjudo and of self-defense. It was not all work and study, however, for they also took us on sight-seeing tours, invited us to dinner parties and made certain that we returned to Manila laden with gifts and souvenirs. Our short stay in Tokyo had been an enjoyable and memorable one. From my observation of judo, I believe that this is a sport ideally suited for our people. It promotes mental alertness as well as physical development and a keen spirit of sportsmanship. With serious train ing and study, there is no reason why we should not rank among the champions of this game not too many years from now. It was an honor for me to win a gold me dal for the Philippines and I felt especially glad that in this field the Knights of Co lumbus had also been represented. THE CROSS

Media