MFC solidifies support for Buhay Party List. In photo (below): Mark Brian Paz (Buhay second nominee), Von Valdepeñas (Buhay first nominee), Xavy Padilla (Buhay third nominee), Dino Badilla (MFC). In photo (above row): Homer Nievera (MFC Singles Area Coordinator, NCR South), Cris Gabion (MFC Mission Volunteer), JC Arevalo (Live Pure Movement), and Daryl Aloya (MFC Full-time Pastoral Worker).
Catholic Piligrimage PH | by Homerun Nievera | Catholic Organization MFC Solidifies Support for Buhay Party List to Defend Families and Life in Congress | Missionary Families of Christ (or MFC) has once again reiterated its full support for Buhay Party List during the latter’s Christmas Party held at the historic Rizal Park Hotel.
Xavy Padilla, who is Buhay Party List’s third nominee, said that MFC’s pro-life and pro-family stand has always been aligned with the core values of Buhay. Buhay Party List, which was founded by Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, who was then Manila Mayor, has been a staunch defender against anti-life bills such as those that push for divorce, same-sex marriage, and abortion, among others. The Missionary Families of Christ, led by its servant general Frank Padilla, has been a hard-line Catholic organization that has actively rallied against anti-life bills, even going to the streets to join other Catholic and other Christian organizations.
In his remarks to hundreds of guests during the Christmas event, Buhay Party List’s first nominee Von Valdepeñas said, “We assure you that Buhay Party List will be the guardians of Family and Life, and we will continue to fight for what is right.”
Mark Brian Paz, Buhay Party List’s second nominee, chimed in agreement and thanked the guests from other organizations and affiliations who came to the celebration and offer support.
ABOUT BUHAY PARTY-LIST
BUHAY Hayaan Yumabong is more popularly known as ” Buhay Party-List” is primarily Pro-life, Pro-family, and Pro-God. BUHAY has always been a strong advocate for God, family, and life in Congress, and has consistently spoken out against issues that go against their beliefs. Their efforts in Congress halted the passage of important bills as well as bills that degrade the Filipino people’s morale.
Buhay Party List is pro-life and recognizes the sanctity and value of human life as the most fundamental element of society. It believes in every child’s right to be born and live.
To protect and support the unborn, sick, disabled, and others unable to protect themselves alone, the party-list pledges to observe their basic right to live in the Philippines.
Cong. Lito Atienza (then Manila Mayor) founded it in 1999. After that, Cong. Atienza invited Bro. Mike Velarde to help lead and champion the Buhay party list’s advocacy. As its pillar and guide. Bro. Mike Velarde and then-Mayor Lito Atienza worked tirelessly to spread the BUHAY Advocacy.
These are just a few of the specific issues they represent in the Philippine Congress:
- Waging war vs. poverty, promoting livelihood
- Working to increase jobs and livelihood for all
- Better education and healthcare for marginalized sectors
- Equitable, sustainable inclusive economic growth
- Exposing Corruption in Government
ABOUT THE BUHAY NOMINEES:
First nominee Von Valdepeñas is a businessman, politician, and service-oriented volunteer, who aims to balance his time in the pursuit of social entrepreneurship. Von’s turn to charity focus was mainly influenced by Ateneo while his entrepreneurial mettle was formed at Harvard University in Boston, USA. Moreover, the influence of his father in law Deputy Speaker and former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza, who is a fierce fighter for the pro-life, pro-Catholic movement, has served to sustain and inspire Von to remain steadfast and true to his principles.
As such it is not surprising that he manages his companies with compassion, avoiding the mistakes and pitfalls that far too often leads to capitalism inequality. With humility, as well as the right guidance from a stint as councilor in Laguna. His socio-civic organizations such as JCI, he is president of Rotary Aseana, Director Buhay Partylist, Von has forged his company culture leaning towards charity.
Von Valdepeñas is currently the owner of V1 Corporation, a company that operates in industries such as real estate, transportation, construction, and trading. He also spends his time supporting campaigns that helped save the environment, devoting hours to other Non-Government organizations, whose efforts are focused on increased job creation. He has demonstrated selflessness through his devotion to helping the public at large through his numerous collaborations with his wife Chi Atienza Valdepenas‘ orphanage: Home for the Angels, which works closely with street children, the LA dance troupe, and senior citizen P.O.
In addition, he helped attend rallies against legislation that runs anathema to his pro-life stances such as the death penalty, and extrajudicial killings. Some of his personal programs in Laguna, his home province include anti-drug campaigns, sports programs, job fairs, and training and seminars for the youth.
In 2019 he has accepted yet another undertaking: to work full-time as President of Goodwill Philippines, championing the cause of the PWDs. He is humbled and honored to be chosen to take on such an important responsibility. He has selflessly agreed to do so with no salary, nor deriving any benefit from the organization. Armed with just his fellow member volunteers, and the generosity of its magnanimous donors, Von has now taken on the mission of making Goodwill’s vision of a PWD inclusive Philippines a reality. In October 2021, Von Valdepeñas was voted First Nominee for Buhay Partylist.
Mark Brian Paz is the second nominee and is a prominent young businessman, debater, philanthropist, and civic leader. Mark graduated from Ateneo de Manila with honors in Business Management. He is the President of Zap Cove Development Corp., Director of family-owned Rizal Park Hotel and Hotels of Asia chain, Director of Easy Pay Inc. and Inewvation Inc. He is a patron of the Fr. Vincenzo Children’s Home, an orphanage in Batangas. He is an active JCI Manila and Youth for Christ since his younger days. He is very active in community service and the Christian movement for good government and governance.
The third nominee Xavier “Xavy” Padilla, is an active leader of Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) and Live Christ Share Christ Movement (LCSC). He is a staunch advocate of pro-life causes. He is a product of Don Bosco High School and a cum laude graduate of Ateneo de Manila in Humanities. He is the Chairman of the Family Rosary Crusade, International Coordinator of the Live Christ, Share Christ Movement, Chief Communication Officer of the Youth for Christ and Chairmen of Signs and Wonders Shoppe. He is the representative of the Youth Forum in the Vatican. Xavy is a very successful executive, family owner of the well-known PADI’S chain of restaurants, and very active in voluntarism and missionary work all over the country and the world.
