by: Karen
CEFAM - Center for Family Ministries
(Address: Seminary Drive, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City)
We attended the CEFAM last September 20 and 21, 2008. At first, it was just to fulfill our Church requirement but eventually, became a very good and marveling experience for both of us.
September 20, 2008 7:30AM
Still sleepy and haggard, we arrived early (via taxi) in the CEFAM seminar place. As we waited for the seminar to start (8:00am), we were given handouts that would be our guide for the entire seminar as well as our name tags. The seminar room was very cold (so those planning to attend please bring your sweaters, jackets with you!. I won't bore you with the details and also to provide the element of surprise to those who are planning to attend. But basically, the first day was mostly knowing the basics of the relationship and each one's readines/compatibility. The MEI (Marriage Expectation Inventory) was the real deal for the day. Believe me there is such a thing as knowing that you are not ready for the marriage or even for the relationship! I love the one-on-one session with our coordinator Amy Muga; it opened alot about us, our differences and our relationship. The seminar ended at 5:00pm with a homework to check on family history. And yes, we are still a perfect match!
September 21, 2008 8:00AM
The seminar started at 8:30am. For me, this day was the highlight of the entire seminar since it tackled deeply on the roots of the relationship (family history, love language, family planning, etc) and it basically discussed the husband-wife roles. It was funny at times, since some of the girls in the seminar would comment out that the husband should "make patay the ipis" and that chores is "what yaya is for". Oh well, different strokes for different folks indeed! The sharing provided by older couples was really touching and at the same time was an eye-opener on what to expect after years of married life. A mass was celebrated and the seminar ended at 5:00pm and we all received 2 certificates (Completion of Pre-Cana Seminar and Family Planning). My Sweety and I left the seminar feeling so in love again and refreshed. We were so happy to know that coupled with the right tools we are really ready for marriage. I would recommend CEFAM to anyone, if you thought that you already knew what they will say and that its corny.. then think again! It's a totally different experience and a definite must have prior to Marriage.
Ratings
(1 as lowest - 5 as highest)
Seminar Place - 4
Although the seminar place was a bit hard to find, it was very peaceful, solemn and clean. The room was very cold though (but its better than very hot right?).
Seminar Food - 5
Seminar Food was surprisingly great! Lunch, a.m. and p.m. snacks were provided. They served an ample amount of food (buffet style) and I cannot complain about the food as it was delicious!
Contents - 4.5
The contents of the seminar was very thorough and it hit the right spot for couples like us. The only thing I wished was that they should slightly touch on the home economics part. Let's face it, most of the marital problems also comes from household stuff like the wife doesn't know how to cook, husband cannot provide for the family, etc. which I believe should be talked about especially for the couple so they would know how to gauge their capability not only as couples but "parents" and set expectations early. Mahirap yun iniaasa na lang sa kasambahay ang pag-aasikaso ng pamilya. Mas maganda ang bunga kung ang couple mismo, may hands-on experiences sa pamilya at sa mga anak. Normally, nagiging materialistic ng isang pamilya kung hindi prepared sa ganito.
All in all, I would higly recommend that couples do take the pre-cana seminar; it worked for us and gave us a better outlook as well as understood more each other. It will open the venue for positive communication and tools for marriage. The seminar may be a bit pricey (Php4,000 per couple) but the experience I can say is priceless.
CEFAM - Center for Family Ministries
(Address: Seminary Drive, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City)
We attended the CEFAM last September 20 and 21, 2008. At first, it was just to fulfill our Church requirement but eventually, became a very good and marveling experience for both of us.
September 20, 2008 7:30AM
Still sleepy and haggard, we arrived early (via taxi) in the CEFAM seminar place. As we waited for the seminar to start (8:00am), we were given handouts that would be our guide for the entire seminar as well as our name tags. The seminar room was very cold (so those planning to attend please bring your sweaters, jackets with you!. I won't bore you with the details and also to provide the element of surprise to those who are planning to attend. But basically, the first day was mostly knowing the basics of the relationship and each one's readines/compatibility. The MEI (Marriage Expectation Inventory) was the real deal for the day. Believe me there is such a thing as knowing that you are not ready for the marriage or even for the relationship! I love the one-on-one session with our coordinator Amy Muga; it opened alot about us, our differences and our relationship. The seminar ended at 5:00pm with a homework to check on family history. And yes, we are still a perfect match!
September 21, 2008 8:00AM
The seminar started at 8:30am. For me, this day was the highlight of the entire seminar since it tackled deeply on the roots of the relationship (family history, love language, family planning, etc) and it basically discussed the husband-wife roles. It was funny at times, since some of the girls in the seminar would comment out that the husband should "make patay the ipis" and that chores is "what yaya is for". Oh well, different strokes for different folks indeed! The sharing provided by older couples was really touching and at the same time was an eye-opener on what to expect after years of married life. A mass was celebrated and the seminar ended at 5:00pm and we all received 2 certificates (Completion of Pre-Cana Seminar and Family Planning). My Sweety and I left the seminar feeling so in love again and refreshed. We were so happy to know that coupled with the right tools we are really ready for marriage. I would recommend CEFAM to anyone, if you thought that you already knew what they will say and that its corny.. then think again! It's a totally different experience and a definite must have prior to Marriage.
Ratings
(1 as lowest - 5 as highest)
Seminar Place - 4
Although the seminar place was a bit hard to find, it was very peaceful, solemn and clean. The room was very cold though (but its better than very hot right?).
Seminar Food - 5
Seminar Food was surprisingly great! Lunch, a.m. and p.m. snacks were provided. They served an ample amount of food (buffet style) and I cannot complain about the food as it was delicious!
Contents - 4.5
The contents of the seminar was very thorough and it hit the right spot for couples like us. The only thing I wished was that they should slightly touch on the home economics part. Let's face it, most of the marital problems also comes from household stuff like the wife doesn't know how to cook, husband cannot provide for the family, etc. which I believe should be talked about especially for the couple so they would know how to gauge their capability not only as couples but "parents" and set expectations early. Mahirap yun iniaasa na lang sa kasambahay ang pag-aasikaso ng pamilya. Mas maganda ang bunga kung ang couple mismo, may hands-on experiences sa pamilya at sa mga anak. Normally, nagiging materialistic ng isang pamilya kung hindi prepared sa ganito.
All in all, I would higly recommend that couples do take the pre-cana seminar; it worked for us and gave us a better outlook as well as understood more each other. It will open the venue for positive communication and tools for marriage. The seminar may be a bit pricey (Php4,000 per couple) but the experience I can say is priceless.
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