Tagaytay Retreat & Training Center: CCT Group of Ministries

The multipurpose hall at the Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center. Section on the left is the
worship/assembly hall. On the right is the dining area with kitchen and restrooms beneath.

The Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center is a testament to God’s greatness. It is an answer to prayer of CCT board and management for a place of its own where the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries could hold retreats, workshops, and conferences of community partners, staff, and board alike. It is borne also of a need for a venue where street dwellers being ministered to would not be rejected for fear that they would vandalize the facilities or that their smell would stick to the furnishings.

This 6.6 hectare piece of land has the following major buildings:

a multipurpose building with a meeting hall capable of seating 1,000, a dining hall, and kitchen
five dormitories that can accommodate a total of 460-500 overnight guests. Each dorm has a session hall on the ground floor.
an administration building
a pavilion with a snack bar on the ground floor

Outdoor facilities are two basketball/volleyball courts, a children's play area, an amphitheater, several native huts, a mini soccer field, and an obstacle course.

This place is a testimony to the faith, generosity, and hard work of His people – the hundreds who gave time, talent, advise, resources, and materials, lent equipment, and in many other ways helped make this place what it is today.

Most heartwarmingly, this retreat center stands as a monument to God’s power to change lives. More than 70 former street dwellers were spiritually transformed as they helped build this place. Once, these men roamed Manila's streets destitute and hopeless. About half of them were involved in vice or crime. Today, they know the Lord, their children attend school, they support their families with an honest living, and they know that the future beckons bright. (Click HERE and HERE for stories of changed lives.)

For Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center rates and booking information, please get in touch with Eva Lope, guest coordinator, at evaranlope@yahoo.com.ph, evamlope@gmail.com, 09192933157, 09232497605, 8066912, and 6542536.
For more information on the work of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries, please visit its website at cct.org.ph. Read the blog of CCT Founder and President Ruth Callanta HERE.

To God be the Glory!

Tall buildings on the left and right are two of five dormitories at the retreat center. The Abraham dorm
on the right is closest to the assembly hall and dining area and recommended for
groups composed of senior citizens. Partially hidden low building on the left is the administration
building. Partially shown low building on the right is the multi-purpose hall.

The retreat center bedrooms can sleep six. These twin beds and the sofa bed each have pull-out sections.

Water bubbles out of the sphere in this fountain, the focal point of the entry to the
retreat center and a popular nighttime picture-taking spot.

Paglikas, a wooden sculpture depicts a family fleeing their home
while the Taal Volcano erupts. It stands in the paseo or
passageway between the worship hall and the dining area.

Rustic seats in the paseo, the middle section of the multi-purpose building.

The administration building receiving area.

Native huts may be used as additional meeting areas by small groups during breakout sessions,
for group devotions or prayer time, or simply for hanging out.

This swing set has a climbing wall, belt swings, a tire swing, rope with disc,
captain's wheel, and binoculars, ensuring hours of fun for children.

Photos by Ciara Tan

The Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center was formally dedicated to the Lord on May 4, 2011 in a joyful thanksgiving and dedication celebration attended by a crowd of more than 1,000, including community partners, Kaibigans involved in its construction, CCT staff from the support office and regional offices, and board members and their guests.

The dedication message was preached by Rev. Kim Sang Youn of the Nanoom Presbyterian Church in South Korea, and translated into Filipino by Pastora Serlina.

Rev. Kim Sang Youn of the Nanoom Presbyterian Church in South Korea.

Mr. Bertram Lim, chair of the CCT Inc. board of trustees, gave the welcome remarks, talked about how the retreat center came about, and acknowledged the many donors who made its construction possible. The main dedication ceremony (responsive reading of Psalm 24 and prayers of dedication by all present) was led by Pastor EJ del Mundo, head pastor of the CCT Group of Ministries. Special music for the day was provided by young people from Nanoom Presbyterian Church, the CCT Choir, the Drum and Lyre Corps of Las Pinas and San Pedro, and the Las Pinas Rondalla. Folk dances were presented by the CCT Dance Troupe.

After the main program, simultaneous ribbon cutting rites and dedication ceremonies were held at the assembly hall, dining hall, at each of the dormitories and at the administration building.

As of May 15,2011 Dormitory Buildings A2 and A3 were ready for occupancy. The retreat center is seen to be fully constructed and landscaped by July.