Some 350 real estate people attending an all-day team-building activity and 120 men on a two-day retreat were the first guests to use the newly renovated Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center when it re-opened on August 15.
The retreat center had to be closed for a month after suffering extensive damage due to Typhoon Glenda in mid-July. Included in the work done was the repair of caved-in ceilings, and the replacement of shattered glass panelings and blown-off roofs.
"We are overwhelmed by God's blessings and happy to be accepting small groups of guests again," said Doris Cuaresma, general manager. "This is actually just a soft opening because two of the towers (each with ten bedrooms) are not yet fully repaired. We hope to be completely operational by October 1."
"It looks as if no damage was ever done," said one recent guest.
Opened in May 2011, the Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center has been an ideal, welcoming venue for youth convocations, couples' retreats, missionary and Bible translators' conferences, and similar activities.
It is owned and managed by the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries which ministers to the poor. Many of the buildings were built by former street dwellers undergoing spiritual and social transformation.
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Busloads of guests arrive at the Tagaytay Retreat
and Training Center on the day it reopens after being
heavily damaged by Typhoon Glenda in July. |
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Generous meals are served at TRTC's newly-repaired
dining hall. |
