Kariton ni Kiko Goes to CTK
by: Bing Del Rosario
Kariton Ni Kiko (KnK) is a Cubao Diocese initiative to symbolize its concrete effort to support social programs, especially those that relate to “buhay,” representing the human person’s fundamental right to life, and “bahay,” representing the person’s basic need of shelter. “Kiko” refers to the two inspirations—Pope Francis and Saint Francis of Assisi, both advocates of going to the periphery, living with the poor, and smelling like the sheep. For forty-seven weeks, the pushcart moved from parish to parish, a week at a time, within the Cubao Diocese. It was pushed by no less than the parish priests themselves during the early hours of Saturdays.
Last September 7, CTK’s Fr. Steve Zabala, Fr. Larry Garces of San Roque Parish (where the Kariton ni Kiko had just come from), and Fr. Robert Reyes, parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Parish and originator of the Kariton idea, pushed it from the Jollibee restaurant at the corner of Greenmeadows Avenue and C5. After a welcome Mass, Father Steve wheeled the Kariton to the Parish Formation Center where the Legion of Mary had set up for their 2000 Hail Marys.
At 5 a.m. on September 9, Saturday, Father Steve and the CTK entourage pushed KnK to the Barangay Libis community center despite a downpour. Mass followed where the barangay captain and her kagawads attended. The kariton stayed there until September 12, when it was moved to St. Ignatius Village chapel, and the next day, to White Plains Chapel. On September 14, Father Steve helped push the Kariton all the way to Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish in Project 4 for its next stop, together with parish priest Fr. Nelson Orqueta and Fr. Robert Reyes.
Among the touching moments in the KnK visit was the interaction of Father Steve and CTK parish pastoral council members with the “reformists” at Libis and the villagers-kasambahay activities. The inspiring stories of hope and rehabilitation and the pre-Christmas sharing of the kasambahays and the villages showed that God’s love is inclusive and for all.
