The FRASTORAL DISCIPLINE of the CONDISCIPVLOS By: Ambassador Roy V. Señeres
Founder
What is the meaning of the CONDISCIPVLOS or CONDISCIVLARISM?
The CONDISCIPVLOS is a fellowship of men and women regardless of Ideology, Ethnicity, Nationality, Diversity, and Status for the purpose of promoting world peace; Charitable and Humanitarian Services especially to the Homeless, Orphans, Widows, Sick, Aged, and the Distressed; and the Conservation of life and the Environment for the Advancement of Nations.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Why FRASTORAL and why DISCIPLINE?
FRASTORAL is a combination of the words Fraternal and Sororital. The CONDISCIPVLOS is not an exclusive boys’ club. It does not discriminate against women and persons who may have different amoral orientations. It is a DISCIPLINE because it is a way of life of the members pursuant to the threefold objectives of the condiscipvlos as stated in sections 1 and 6.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Where was the word CONDISCIPVLOS derived from?
The word CONDISCIPVLOS is spanish, meaning “classmates”. It was adopted as the name of the fellowship by the founders because in effect, the members of the CONDISCIPVLOS are classmates, comrades, friends, co-disciples, and co-adherents of the three noble objectives of the CONDISCIPVLOS.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Does each letter of the word CONDISCIPVLOS have a significance?
Yes. Actually it is also an acronym. Each letter is the beginning of 13 different words which briefly explains the meaning and objectives of the CONDISCIPVLOS or CONDISCIPVLARISM:
Coexistence
Of Nationals of Diverse Interests and Status Committed to
Inhabit the Planet and the Universe with Love, Orderliness, and Selflessness
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
How do members address each other?
Members address each other as Condes or Condessas. They are derived from the first two syllables of (CONDI)SCIPVLOS.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
What are the objectives of the CONDISCIPVLOS?
As can be gleaned from the meaning of the CONDISCIPVLOS and the elucidation of the acronym “CONDISCIPVLOS” (sections 1 & 4) its threefold objectives are:
a. Fellowship Regardless of Ideology, Ethnicity, Nationality, Diversity, and Status (FRIENDS);
b. Charitable and Humanitarian Services (CHS) to the Homeless, Orphans, Widows, Sick, Aged, and the Distressed (HOWSAD); and
c. Conservation of Life and the Environment for the Advancement of Nations (CLEAN)
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
What does ‘Distressed’ in the acronym ‘HOWSAD’ mean?
Distressed is the Philippine Foreign Service Parlance for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are stranded, abandoned, or maltreated by their employers; or jailed, etc. The 757, however, is not confined to this definition. A distressed person may be an OFW or a member of his family back home or a neighbor ,whether he is a Filipino or a foreigner.
The author being a former Ambassador and Labor Attaché utilizes his easy access to embassies and consulates general to help OFWs in distress through his foundation, the OFW Family Club. The club also provides free pre-employment orientation seminars to persons intending to work overseas that they may avoid being victimized by illegal recruiters. The club also offers free legal assistance, medical consultation, psychiatric counseling to victims of rape, maltreatment, abandonment, and other forms of abuse. On meritorious cases, it provides financial assistance to members such as OFWs who are deported by their abusive employers without any single centavo in their pockets; those who are in need of immediate medical attention as a result of physical abuse by their employers; Children who are abandoned by their OFW parent; and other similar cases.
The OFW Family Club does not collect any membership dues. Its operations are supported by the voluntary contribution of its members, such as the voluntary payment for their identification cards. Presently, the OFW Family Club has close to 400,000 card bearing members already. An average of 250 persons sign up as members everyday. Their welfare is the main concern of the OFW Family Club in line with the spirit of CONDISCIPVLARISM.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Does the CONDISCIPVLOS have other names?
Yes. It is also known as the:
a. 757,
b. DCCLVII, c. the FDC; and d. the CHS.
a. 757 because some of the letters in the word CONDISCIPVLOS are Roman Numerals, i.e.
C
=
100
O
=
0
N
=
0
D
=
500
I
=
1
S
=
0
C
=
100
P
=
0
O or V
=
5
L
=
50
O
=
0
S
=
0
________________________
Total
=
757
b. The roman numeral equivalent of 757 is DCCLVII and in line with CONDISCIPVLARISM it is an acronym for:
Defenders & Courageous Champions of the Lowly and of the Victims of Injustice and Inequity
c. FDC stands for FRASTORAL DISCIPLINE of the CONDISCIPVLOS.d. CHS stands for CONDISCIPVLAR Heart and Swords, or charitable and humanitarian services (Sections 6b, 8).
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
What is the meaning of CONDISCIPVLAR Heart and Swords or CHS?
The emblem of the 757 has the heart in the vortex with 12 swords circling it all pointing outwards from the heart. We refer to this as the CONDISCIPVLAR Heart and Swords. The heart stands for benevolence and the sword stands for courage or boldness.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Does the DCCLVII have a motto?
Yes. In Latin it is “audentes et benevolentis fortuna juvat” or fortune favors the bold and benevolent.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Is the FDC an ancient organization?
It was founded by 12 filipinos led by the author in
Abu Dhabi
,
United Arab Emirates
on May 8, 1988. Its name, structure, essence, constitution, and by-laws are all original, not mere copycats. No other fraternity or sorority is known to exist in any part of the world which has the same name, essence, structure, etc.As the CHS unless they are chapters duly recognized by the supreme leadership of the 757.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
What motivated the founders to organize the DCCLVII?
This author was Executive Labor Arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission.
I in 1983 when he was appointed by then Secretary of Labor Blas F. Ople to be Labor Attaché to
Abu Dhabi
,
United Arab Emirates
. He was posted there without a staff except a driver in the person of Napoleon Llacson, who was his friend and townmate from Mambusao, Capiz.
During his incumbency as Labor Attaché from 1983 to 1990, He and wife Minnie and 6 children Jay Thomas, Christian,
Roy
Jr., Hannah, Hazel, and Christopher provided shelter, food, and clothing to countless of runaway housemaids in their three bedroom apartment. Frequently, their two young daughters Hannah and Hazel slept in their parents’ room to provide space for the runaway housemaids in their room. there were times when even the corridors, the dining and receiving areas of the small apartment were occupied by young Filipinas who were maltreated by their employers.
This came to the attention of Filipino community leaders, some of whom offered to shoulder the return tickets to manila of the runaway housemaids, contributed food, clothes, money, counseling, etc.
On may 8, 1988 at around 6:00pm, the author met with the leaders at his office. It was during this meeting when Edgar Pardo, an Embassy Officer and one of the founders, suggested that they organize a fraternity whose principal objective would be to serve humanity especially the distressed. Galicano Agustin, a certified public accountant and President of the Filipino community association, observed that “individually, we can achieve less, but together, we can achieve more.” Artemio Diokno, Vice President of the same association suggested that “if we could be charitable to others, there is no reason why we should not be charitable to each other as members of a brotherhood, after all, charity begins at home.”
The other founders are Zoilo Alberto, Consul General who proposed the motto; Dr. Rex Arcenio, Optometrist; Raffy Gonzales, Philippine Airlines Manager; Engr. Meinardo Leonor; Eengr. Roberto Hermoso; Napoleon Lacson; Engineer Romeo Paragas; and Santiago Brigola, a Businessman.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Is the CONDISCIPVLOS a religion or a cult?
No. The CONDISCIPVLOS does not require its members to worship a common god, or to adhere exclusively to a common religion. Rather, all members are admonished to continue to be faithful to their respective religions. an atheist or an agnostic is also welcome to join and would be respected for what he believes, or does not believe in.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
How then can the members of the CONDISCIPVLOS coexist as members of one fraternity/sorority and treat each other as brothers and sisters when they belong to different religions, backgrounds, etc?
They are required to focus on three common grounds, to wit:
1. Fellowship (FRIENDS)
2. Service to Humanity (HOWSAD)
3. Environmental Awareness (CLEAN)
No member has the right even to suggest to another that his religion is better or is the best. No evangelization or proselytization is allowed within the 757. This would be a sign of disrespect to a fellow member and is contrary to the principle of CONDISCIPVLARISM.
Until now the major religions in the world debate and even go to war against each other on matters of faith, which the CONDISCIPVLOS believes is not the true will of the Supreme Creator or of mother nature, as the case may be. It is significant, however, to note that all major religions agree on one thing: The brotherhood of all human beings regardless of religious affiliations.
Thus, Judaism and Christianity teach their faithful to “love thy neighbor as you love yourself.”
in Islam, helping a fellow human being “zakah” is one of the five pillars of Islam, to wit:
1. Declaration of faith (shahadah)
2. Prayer five times a day (salah)
3. Welfare due to the needy (zakah)
4. Fasting during ramadan (sawm)
5. Pilgrimage to makka (hajj)
The Hindus adhere to the principle of “ahinsa” which means protection or non-injury to fellow human beings and to all living creatures.
Buddhism teaches the doctrine of “mahayana” which means broad love for a fellow human being, compassion, charity, and altruism.
In short, while the five major religions teach different and conflicting versions of who the true god is, all five have one common denominator, to wit: love their fellow human beings. thus:
Judaism
5 Common Denominators (CD)
Plus
Christianity
5 CD
Plus
Islam
5 CD
Plus
Hinduism
5CD
Plus
Buddhism
5CD
Equal
5/5 or 1
The number 1 says that we are all but one notwithstanding our differences. The number 1 here signifies CONDISCIPVLARISM.
CONDISCIPVLARISM aims to lessen the friction and conflicts between Catholics and Protestants as in Ireland; between Hindus and the Muslims; the Tamils and the Sinhalese; the Sunnis and the Shiites; the Jews and the Arabs; the Orthodox Serbs and the Bosnian Muslims and the Catholic Croats, and among each other.
Even in a non-religious setting, CONDISCIPVLARISM aims to reduce if not entirely eliminate the frictions and violence between rival fraternities especially in college campuses. Fratmen of various fraternities can coexist in the CONDISCIPVLARISM without leaving their respective fraternities.
In the field of politics and economics, it aims to foster cordiality and civility among political parties, capitalists and communists, employers and workers, etc.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
What about the followers of satan or those who practice satanism and other forms of evil worship? Can the CONDISCIPVLOS coexist with them?
No, the CONDISCIPVLOSs believes in charity, benevolence, and goodwill to all men. The cCONDISCIPVLOS dwell in the light, not
in darkness. The CONDISCIPVLAR hymn is very empathic about the CONDISCIPVLOS’ abrogation of “dark and oppressive forces”.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Does the 757 have a hymn?
Yes, t was composed by this author. It encapsulates the objectives, the essence and the soul of CONDISCIPVLARISM, to wit:
CONDISCIPVLAR HYMN
Courage, harmony, and service. One in spirit and ideals we cherish. Never selfish but ready to sacrifice or perish, Defending the weak, the unfortunate, and helpless. Insist we must on truth and righteousness Spare no quarters to dark and oppressive forces. Charitable though we must to those who mend their ways, International brotherhood in our minds be imbedded always. Power to the CONDISCIPVLOS! Ofainto! Nlenore! United be the peoples of the world!Ofainto! Nlenore! Let love reign in the universe! Ofainto! Nlenore! Over all the seas, peaks, and countries, Steadfastly shall coexist and lead the condes. One century or millenniums may come, Forever the condiscipvlos shall overcome Adversities, perils, or challenges, In the light of truth, we shall defeat all these. New frontiers and horizons we will explore Together as we journey from shore to shore Orderliness, charity, and love we shall proffer evermore. No matter how high the peak nor rough the terrain, Lush forests, clean air, rivers and seas we shall maintain. Ever conscious of the importance of our natural food chain Never renege condes and condessas on your threefold task. Onwards and be brave, be it dawn or dusk. Rest assured of the nobility of our goal, Every person in the world is our brethren after all.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
How often does the CONDISCIPVLOS meet?
As often as they wish. However, members of the chapters are required to report at least 12 accomplishments each along the three objectives of the CONDISCIPVLOS or 36 accomplishments all in all, every 12 months. They are encouraged to meet at least once a month to submit their reports personally or in writing.
However, subject to the discretion of the chascon or chapteral summa conde, they may meet in various frequencies such as once every six months or even once a year provided that each conde or condessa would be required to report the totality of their accomplishments as above-stated.
The chascon is authorized to impose a fine on each non-accomplishment.
The chachron shall keep a detailed report of all the accomplishments and non-accomplishments and fines for submission to the General Summa Conde (GESCON) at the end of every calendar year. The totality of the fines shall be retained by the chapteralsy for its operations along the three objectives of the 757.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Will membership with the CONDISCIPVLOS conflict with family life, job, religious commitments, or civic duties of a member?
No, the following are considered as basic CONDISCIPVLAR priorities:
a) religious commitment
b) duty to country/host country
c) family
d) job/business
e) compelling personal reasons.
The CONDISCIPVLOS will not tolerate a member who neglects the welfare of his/her family or his/her job because he/she wants to be charitable to a fellow member or because he/she wants to be more active in the charitable activities of the CONDISCIPVLOS.T he latter believes in the maxim “charity begins at home.”
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
As a fraternity/sorority, does the 757 engage in hazing as a form of initiation?
No, the initiation towards membership is designed to inculcate into the minds of the jadeeds (neophytes) the ideals of the CONDISCIPVLOS. The jadeeds shall not be made to undergo any form of physical harassment. Instead they are required to do some activities along the three objectives of the CONDISCIPVLOS, i.e. FRIENDS, HOWSAD, and CLEAN.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Who comprise the supreme leadership of the CONDISCIPVLOS?
The supreme council (supricoun), which is composed of the founders and former gescons (general summa conde/ssa) is the supreme leadership of the 757. The supricoun is presently headed by the author who acts as the chief executive officer (or CEO). He holds the positions of Tribune and P.R.I.N.C.E. or Protector of the Rights, Iinterests, and Names of the Condiscipvlos Everywhere. He is directly assisted by his two daughters Hannah Señeres, a condessa who has the title of Senior’s Surrogate I, and Hazel Señeres, also a condessa who holds the position of Senior’s Surrogate II. He is also directly assisted by a troika of Senior Counselors along the three CONDISCIPVLAR objectives.
F
functioning as chief operating officer (COO) is the general summa conde (or GECSON) presently held by Engr. Romeo Geron based in
Abu Dhabi
, UAE and he is assisted by
a general magna conde (or GEMCON),
a general conde seneschal (or GECOSE),
a general conde chronicler (or GECHRON),
a general conde chamberlain (or GENCH),
a general conde ombudsman (or GECOMB),
a general conde knight (or GECK), and
a general conde continuator (or GECTOR).
As their titles suggest, they supervise their namesakes in the chapteralsies, (chapters) or chasconries.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
How does one become a member of the CONDISCIPVLOS?
There are three ways, to wit:
a. Organize your own chapter
b. Become a member of an existing chapter; and
c. Through the process of exceptional CONDISCIPVLAR Admission (PECA) whereby a person may be granted membership by the supreme leadership of the CONDISCIPVLOS due to his or her proven track record along the three CONDISCIPVLAR objectives.
At least 8 persons are required to start a chapteralsy to fill up the following positions:
1. Chapteral Summa Conde/ssa (CHASCON) (acts as president)
2. Chapteral Magna Conde/ssa (CHAMCON) (acts as vice president)
3. Chapteral Conde/ssa Seneschal (CHACOSE) (acts as business manager)
4. Chapteral Conde/ssa Chronicler (CHACHRON) (acts as secretary/ scribe)
5. Chapteral Conde/ssa Chamberlain (CHAMB) (acts as treasurer)
6. Chapteral Conde/ssa Ombudsman (CHACOMB) (acts as auditor)
7. Chapteral Conde/ssa Knight (CHACK) (acts as sgt. at arms)
8. Chapteral Cconde/ssa Continuator (CHACTOR) (acts as adviser)
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
Are the members of the CONDISCIPVLOS obliged to vote for a politician who happens to be a conde or condessa?
No, politics and/or elections are a divisive exercise. Members are free to give their votes to anyone who they believe is more deserving of their votes. They must however refrain from verbally attacking a fellow member who is a candidate, either publicly or privately, except on issues that have nothing to do with personalities.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
What benefits can one get out of being a member of the DCCLVII?
John F. Kennedy, echoing the words of Khalil Gibran, exhorted his countrymen to: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” in the same vein, “ask not what the CONDISCIPVLOS can do for you; ask what you can do for world peace, charity and universal orderliness.”
But on the other hand, condes and condessas are members of an entity that has, unlike a country, no borders. Their territory is not just one country but the whole universe; The 757 provides them with the vehicle to make their existence on earth and the universe more significant and pleasing in the eyes of their creator or faith; They may network or coordinate their preoccupations, projects or businesses with fellow members in various parts of the world; and they can rest assured of the love, protection and support of a huge universal family known as the CONDISCIPVLOS. Wherever they meander, there is family at hand. They can proudly say, the universe is their home, mankind their fellow residents, the CONDISCIPVLOS their proximate, next to their, immediate, family.
Back on Top ____________________________________________________________________
