Arrivederci! CCF Bids Adieu to Emanuelle and Elena

Cagayan de Oro City – Emanuelle and Elena Frigo are Italian married couple who stayed in Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF) community for nearly two weeks, that is from March 10-22, 2025. They came to Cagayan de Oro City to visit CCF and spend fruitful time with the children.

Emanuelle, in particular, is not new to the mission of the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence (Calabrians). His parents are affiliated to the congregation as members of the Calabrian Family. In fact, Emmanuelle had been in the Philippines in the year 2018 and he had his immersion in CCF of that same year. By that time, he was still single and he was together with another Italian youth. They were invited by a Calabrian priest who worked in a parish in Verona, Italy to come to the Philippines and stay for some days in CCF.

Coming for the second time around in the Philippines, he brought his wife, Elena. Accordingly, they got newly married and Emanuelle wanted to introduce to her the reality and the beauty of CCF and the Philippines.   

Indeed, their experience in CCF was truly remarkable. They had good memories with the children. They spent time with the children in their tutorial sessions in the evening and they taught them some songs. They also played with them for games in the afternoon.

Furthermore, they were toured around some tourist destinations in Cagayan de Oro City, and they went for an outing with the Calabrian priests and brothers in Camiguin where they enjoyed the white sand and the salty waters of Mantigue Island, the cold and fresh waters of Tuasan Falls, the tasty and delicious sea food of the island and many others.

In a farewell program, organized for them in the evening of 21st of March 2025, they thanked the entire community of CCF for their warm hospitality and kindness. They were touched by the simplicity and joyful atmosphere of the community. It was as if they felt that they are truly part of the family. They will carry the love they received as they will travel back to Italy. But they hope to be back in the future.

With tearful eyes, they said, “Goodbye for now, but we will see each other again.”