Significant sacrifice

Members of a mostly evangelical Catholic movement founded in the
Philippines called "Couples for Christ," the Andranedas and Hermanos
share a dream of replacing shantytowns with new homes.

The Andranedas, both in their 50s, met while studying for
financial planning degrees on the main island of Luzon decades ago. The
Hermanos, raised in a middle-class community on the southern island of
Panay, also met at college, married and came to America to make a new
life.

Longtime
Lisle resident Manny Hermano, left, a Philippine immigrant, prays with
other members of a group called Couples for Christ at the Marianjoy
Rehabilitation...

Significant sacrifice

Members of a mostly evangelical Catholic movement founded in the
Philippines called "Couples for Christ," the Andranedas and Hermanos
share a dream of replacing shantytowns with new homes.

The Andranedas, both in their 50s, met while studying for
financial planning degrees on the main island of Luzon decades ago. The
Hermanos, raised in a middle-class community on the southern island of
Panay, also met at college, married and came to America to make a new
life.

Longtime
Lisle resident Manny Hermano, left, a Philippine immigrant, prays with
other members of a group called Couples for Christ at the Marianjoy
Rehabilitation Center in Wheaton. The group raises funds to help build
homes in Philippine slums.

"My uncle told us the roads are like ribbons in America," Manny Hermano says. "He told me about the opportunities here."

The two couples lived in the suburbs and worked to achieve affluence but now have given much of it up.

The Andranedas sold their Woodridge home and raffled off their
1997 E320 Mercedes Benz last year. They now live in a son's home in
Romeoville until they can find someplace inexpensive. The sale of their
most valued possessions garnered more than $50,000, which will build
dozens of homes.

"We call it simple living because we can continuously
contribute as much as possible, not just this one-time deal," says Esok
Andraneda, who works as a Downers Grove financial planner. "We both
felt we had to do this if we are going to follow the Gospels."

The task seems insurmountable given the sheer number of
Philippine slums. An estimated 5 million families need permanent
housing. Around Manila alone, about 3.4 million people live in slums,
according to the Asian Development Bank. That's about the same number
of people who live in Chicago