Update! November 29, 2009.
We now have a facebook advocacy group. Please click, join and spread the news so that everyone will contribute into providing awareness for all filipinos and let this scamming be stopped! I’ve already encountered one of them last week and they still seem to be going at it this year. Let’s make sure they don’t profit from their scamming this year and hopefully we can stop it for good.
Old post
Most of the people in Metro Manila, (Philippines) have encountered this scenario: you ride a bus/jeep to school or work or anywhere else, a while later someone comes in and hands out these ‘envelopes/brochures’ with the words ‘United Christian Mission’ before you know it, it starts, you know what’s going to happen next… “good morning, mam/ser… kami po ay volunteers ng United Christian Mission…”…. you just got UCM’d.
Sorry for anyone who’s a supporter or volunteer for this organization but I’d just have to say that it has come to a point where this modus operandi has gone beyond annoying, it has become Real-Life SPAM.
I don’t have anything against donations to charitable institutions and volunteer work, but I do find it disturbing that the brochure states somewhere (not accurate word-for-word) that ‘our operations are so broad that we need your donations in order to fund them’ sadly, all the operations that I have seen is this city-wide money run and I’ve heard they went another step further and improved to door-to-door operations. I’ve yet to see the good works (im not sure if they do, maybe they just don’t publicize it as much) When I first encountered these volunteers a couple of months ago, I though… “okay…sounds nice enough.” but until now it has turned into a plague that seems to annoy the people of metro Manila.
Why? because there’s this one thing that I find more disturbing than any other. Disrespect. They force their envelopes to people, if you dont want to accept it they still would place it on your lap/bag. (even sleeping ones, what’s the point??) and even though they try to speak politely(rehearsed), you can see that they don’t listen to the passengers because at times, there have been cases where a jeep I rode encountered 3 of these volunteers in one ride, and even the passengers said “tapus na, nauna na ung kasama mo.” they still continue to hand out these envelopes, at times causing some tempers to flare. I’m not saying all of them are like this, I’ve just encountered it one too many times.
I’m not saying this isn’t effective, by all means they still get some donations, and them continuing this for months shows that it has somehow worked. Because I think there are only two ways this would stop:
1. They get enough money.
2. They don’t get money anymore.
go figure.
If they did want to help people out, it comes at the cost of annoying a lot of other people. (which I don’t think is a great idea). I just hope that they find other ways to raise funds because this way has already become a negative image for them overall. They do claim to have a good cause but it seems they are just abusing people with real life spam.
and I really don’t like it when they just use the euphemism of “It’s Christmas, share you blessings” just to say “Give us money.”
I’d want to end this saying that I do sincerely hope they would be able to help a lot of people with the money they were able to collect. But I don’t think I’d be giving them a cent. I’ve be giving it to other charities. And thought it may seem like this is mean, It’s just expressing a personal opinion.
I’m not telling others not to give, I’m just saying “i’m annoyed with this sh*t.”
If you happen to stumble by this post by searching UCM, please post your comments below.
[UPDATE]
It seems more and more likely that this United Christian Mission is all a scam by a syndicate in the Philippines. I have yet to see what works they have actually done and there have been reports that the cellphone number on their brochure is fake. As a post I’ve read said : “If they are really an organization, why don’t they have a landline for their homebase and only use a cellphone?”.
It’s starting to look really suspicious and for those who have read this, well if you want to donate your money, it’s better to give it where you know it’ll help people instead of giving freely without knowing where it’ll go. I strongly prefer if someone from that organization come and defend their cause and ready to prove it with facts about their work. I for one, am convinced that this is all a scam.
http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=United+Christian+Mission
December 18th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Just like you, I have been encountering this group for a very long time, so I decided to search their group out. Although I had an inkling that they were fake because like what you said, they only post a cellphone number, with no office address.
So I checked if they were registered with SEC, they are not. They do not have any press release, no banners. You cannot see their name except on the paper that they give out.
Hopefully there will be others who will try to see if this group is real and if they are not, then we all should stop funding them, since they are lying to us.
In the end, this could simply be another form of white collar mendicancy.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Thanks for the info Richard!
I hope this would create awareness for people because it’s really going to be a shame if people exploit other people’s kindness just to solicit money. It’s like stealing from the poor because the money was originally intended for them. I’ll continue to tell people to avoid supporting the group until we see proof of their work.
Help out by spreading this article to people you know =)
December 30th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
yeah well, i thought it was just for the spirit of christmas, missionary stuff on the street, well the only thing that we usually see on the streets are street boys , persons… individuals… brothers… and sisters.. begging for a sum in envelopes, well for new year this UCM knocked on our door, and what?! i cannot believe there is such a thing as a new year donation… well okay its a donation .. for new year?! so i typed it in the net while the lady was still outfront and i see your blog and im convinced its a scam… how could they?!!thanks for sharing this anyway.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I can’t belive that the art of begging has already gone up to that level. You get to hear same spiel from each “volunteer” everyday, same rehearsed manner, same annoying speech…
Surprisingly, these voluinteers have already multiplied exponentially. I can’t believe a lot of people would actually have the heart to spend their tuime on the street and beg for a cause… no, I don’t think so.
So from the very first time I experienced this United Christian Mission thing, I certainly did not believe them. I had an idea it’s absolutely a scam so I have always ignored them, paid no attention and donated not even a cent. The reason why this activity has continued is that, apparently, there are still some people out there so naive you could knock them out with a carefully drafted dramatic script.
Here’s the spiel:
MAGANDANG ARAW PO MGA SIR, MA’AM… LALONG LALO NA SA ATING MABAIT NA DRIVER. ISA LAMANG PO AKONG VOLUNTEER SA UNITED CHRISTIAN MISSION AT LAYUNIN PO NG AMING GRUPO NA MAKATULONG PO SA MGA BATANG NASA BAHAY AMPUNAN PARA PANTUSTOS PO SA KANILANG PANG-ARAW-ARAW NA PANGANGAILANGAN AT PATI NA PO SA KANILANGPAG-AARAL. KAHIT KONTING BARYA LAMNG PO, BASTA’T ITO’Y GALING PO SA INYONG MGA PUSO, MAKAKATULONG NA PO KAYO SA MGA KABATAANG KAPUS PALAD…..
BLAH…BLAH…BLAH… BLAH…
It’s definetely so pathetic.
So, please don’t tolerate these liars.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I’ve always thought they’re suspicious because they only ask for these donations during Christmas season. Plus of course, there’s no address & office number on the leaflet. It’s kinda annoying that they take advantage of people just because it’s the holidays. I hope that the authorities will look into this matter because they deserve to get punished for this fraud. They actually use the name of God & those innocent children just to get money. They should be ashamed of themselves!
March 15th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Apparently, they decided to do this EVERY DAY (not just the holidays). I encountered two of them last Saturday on my way to Robinsons Galleria (one near Rosario, another one near Robinsons). Why don’t we report them to XXX or Imbestigador (Kapamilya vs Kapuso)?
Or better yet, BITAG!!! Hehehe…
I’ve also got this desire to scream “MGA KASAMA, MODUS-OPERANDI LANG YAN! WAG KAYO MANIWALA SA KANYA!!!” whenever they board the jeepney…
April 8th, 2009 at 12:47 am
hello…
i thought Christian is rich.. even Jesus never doing this things… i hope so… they are doing a right thing… God bless us…
April 8th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
i really hate missionaries. i hope they all die. If they really wanted to help people it wouldn’t be a christian organization it would just be a charity, but all they want to is convert people the same barbaric ways they did in imperialistic times. how would you feel like it if someone tried to convert you to their religion? you wouldn’t? thought so. so how about you give people some respect and let them keep their own religion.
You’re not saving anyone, God doesn’t exist fools.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
It is the coolest site,keep so!
May 15th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Thanks for the info Richard!
thanks anyway.
I’ve been very bothered about this UCM people. They kept on asking for donations every time I ride on a jeepney. And now i decided to search for their validity. But now i knew that they are fake. It’s good to know so that this malfeasance of theirs would be stopped if all of the innocent sponsors would only know.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:02 am
I was very shock when one of the UCM came into my store to ask for a donation. the womwn was an ilonggo speaking, and i really dont know that my ionstinct told me not yo give, so i said sorry, maybe next time i will give, but the woman bad mouthed, and said your store will bankrupt, becoz God will punish me. Nakakatakot
at nakakaloka. may God bless her.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:56 am
katatapos lang po… nagyun lang kausap ko isang lalaki.. nagbabahay siya… hiningian ko sya ng permit wala sya maibigay…. nag iinternet ako ng siyang dumating sabi ko may i.d. ka ba ?? may pinakita naman, kaso kahit aKO pede ko gawin yung id nya… hinanapan ko ng iba i.d. tapos sabi ko i’ll give you 500p!!
ang ganda ng ngiti nya….pero sabi ko ibibigay ko sayo yan kung makakuha ka ng permit ngayun… nagsimula na siyang mag uutal at parang inaasnan ang puwit!!!
sabi ko sandali ill check your name UCM sa internet waaaaaaaaaaaa ang dami lumabas ba its a scam!!!!
SABI KO HINDI KA BA KINIKILABUTAN SA BALAT MO GINAGAMIT MO ANG PANGALANG HESUS PARA MAKAGAWA KAYO NG KALOKOHAN…..parang nangangatal na ang kawawang mama….
sa bandang huli.. aking nasabi umalis ka na dito sa lugar namin baka mapahamak ka sa ginagawa mo… umalis syang nakatungo..
October 20th, 2009 at 10:50 am
“Bisaya Money Maker“
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Yeah, and they become more rude if no one would give any money. They don’t even apologize if they hit you while they’re on their way out of the jeep/bus. I also believe that this UCM is a scam.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I think they’re starting to do their modus operandi. AGAIN, this year.
If any of them come up to you, dare to ask them.
“Nasaan po kayo pagkatapos ng ondoy?”
There have been A LOT of groups and organizations participating with relief operations for our fellow countrymen but I’ve yet to hear from UCM. So unless they can come up with solid proof that they have used what they got last year to help others, especially after the flood, then I think our money would be better off donated to charitable organizations in which we know uses the money for a good cause.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:51 am
I also have a doubt about this UCM..just a week ago there this girl who rode on our bus and gave leaflets of UCM. I noticed that their leaflet now has LUZON chapter written on it. Dati Mindanao Chapter. I searched this before s net kse duda din ako and the only United Christian Mission is located somewhere in Europe and there’s non here sa Philippines. So, for those na nagbibigay pa rin, better think kase we’re giving money sa di dapat pagbigyan..
November 12th, 2009 at 9:21 am
lapit na nman ang Pasko at heto na naman sila. naifeature na kaya sila sa Imbestigador? pati fastfood pinasok na rin nila. last Tuesday lang eh nanghihingi habang kumakain ang mga customers. hay!
November 15th, 2009 at 2:22 am
grabe pala sila. pati paglilibot sa mga bahay-bahay pinatulan na nila. may iniabot sa aking sobre kanina. kinuha ko lang ang details: United Christian Mission, Luzon Chapter, Bauang, La Union, 09176909729, Brother Charlie Nerona, Regional Director.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:44 am
kuya send me beta key d2 sa ameil ko huh loroiano00@yahoo.com
November 28th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Yes!!! 22o po na merong organization na kung tawagin ay UNITED CHRISTIAN MISSIONS!!! Subalit, ayon na poh mismo sa kanilang website ay “a NON- DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATION in the United States that serves as linkage for the people and the Church. And yes!!! totoo po na meron silang charity works.
Kasalukuyan po akong nag-email sa kanila para iassure kung totoo ba na meron cilang chapter dito sa ating bansa… eto po ay for clarification only..
But, sa aking pananaw, eh mukhang ginagamit lang ng mga manlolokong ito, na sa tuwing sumasakay tayo ng jip eh nag-aabot ng sobre ang UCM. Huwag po naten hayaang maloko tayo o ang ating mga kapatid sa pagkakalinlang!!!!
Sa mga susunod pong pagkakataon na tayo ay makasalamuha ng ganitong mga tao, gumawa po tayo ng ingay at ipagduldulan sa kanilang pagkatao na isang uri ng panloloko ang kanilang ginagawa!!!
Magpakatapang po tayo mga kababayan! hindi po ang pisong inaabot natin sa kanila ang tamang paraan para tayo makatulong! Opo!! 22o na CHARITY is a CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY subalit diba isa din pong kasalanan ang patuloy tayong magpauto sa mga taong ito, kasalanan pagkat hindi naten ginagamit ang ating mga pag-iisip upang malaman ang tuwid sa baluktot.
Paano po ba naten mawawakasan ang ganitong uri ng mga panloloko!!!!
isa lang po ang sagot “HUWAG TAYONG MAGPAKATANGA, SURIIN NATING MABUTI KUNG ANG ISANG TAO AY NAGSASABI NG TOTOO. HUWAG TAYONG MAGBIGAY NG KAHIT SENTIMONG DONASYON SA MGA ITO!!! DAHIL HABANG MAY ISANG JUAN DELA CRUZ NA MAGDIDILIG SA HALAMANG MABANTOT, PATULOY ANG PAGSIBOL NG BULOK NA SISTEMA!
OPEN FOR ANY COMMENTS
Inuulit ko po! eto po ay alang-alang sa isang organisasyong, patuloy na nadudungisan ng pangalan dito sa ating bansa!
November 29th, 2009 at 7:30 am
@Pio Victor Basilla - Thanks for doing the research, now we know for a fact that they are using the money for their own gains. Please help spread the word through email and word of mouth to help all filipinos and Christians alike!
December 4th, 2009 at 12:35 am
to GTR::::: hold your tongue there, not all missionaries are trying to convert people. what you said was so mean.
and God do exists..i feel sorry for you.
i really hate missionaries. i hope they all die. If they really wanted to help people it wouldn’t be a christian organization it would just be a charity, but all they want to is convert people the same barbaric ways they did in imperialistic times. how would you feel like it if someone tried to convert you to their religion? you wouldn’t? thought so. so how about you give people some respect and let them keep their own religion.
You’re not saving anyone, God doesn’t exist fools
Read more: http://www.coffeedrunk.com/2008/12/17/united-christian-mission-hate-post-p/#ixzz0Yh93UTa0
December 14th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Yeah, you’re all right guys. I am a TRUE christian and I understand the tights and the offerings but what I did not understand is WHY THESE UCM (United Christian Mission) VOLUNTEERS ARE FORCING THE PASSENGERS to DONATE something. I gave a lot of donations before but of course not all the time that any of their volunteers ask people for donations because i am not rich person. STOP THE CRAP UCM! We understand and respect your mission but YOU DONT NEED TO FORCED PEOPLE TO GIVE DONATIONS! try to UNDERSTAND WHAT DONATIONS MEAN! are you registered in Securities and Exchange Commission? How will you be able to manage your CHURCHES if you cant even manage your FEW MEMBERS? Dont give donations to these people guys! They should have some churches where we can give donations rather than giving donations anywhere.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Tinago ko ang leaflet na ipinamigay sa bus kagabi. Maraming maling grammar at spelling, hindi rin nag-eexist ang url na nakalagay. Nakakainis pa yung paulit-ulit na “Salamat pooo” para himukin kang magbigay pero nakapikit ang mata ko at pilit kong hindi buksan hangga’t andun yung lalaki sa harapan ko.
“UNITED CHRISTIAN MISSION
http:www/christianmission_un.com
Mindanao Chapter
La Verna Hills, Buhangin, Davao City
Cell 09202644958/09182063829
Minahal Naming Kapatid,
Ang samahang ito ay binubuo ng mga MISYONARYO na nakikiisa sa lahat ng mga Kristianong nagmamahal sa Gawain ng Diyos. Ang layunin ng aming samahan ay ipadama ang pag-ibig ng Panginoong Hesus, sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa mga kabataan upang maipadama sa kanila ang pag-ibig na hindi nadama sa kanilang mga pamilya.
Ito ang pangunahing layunin na mabigyan natin ng pag-asa at magkaroon ng direksyon ang kanilang mga buhay sa ating mga kabataan na walang mga magulang.
Higit sa lahat ang hinahangad natin na mangyari ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa at sa buong mundo, ginagawa natin ang mga PRAYER RALLY o (overnight prayer) sa buong kapuluan upang makamit natin ang tunay na kapayapaan.
Sa pamamagitan po ng inyong pagbibigay donasyon, buong puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa kagandahang loob ng inyong walang sawang pagsuporta sa gawaing para sa Panginoon.
Pagpalain po tayong lahat ng Poong Maykapal.
Ang Inyong Lingkod,
(sgd) BRO. MELCHOR P. CORBO
Area Coordinator”
December 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am
FYI: I sent an email to: ucm@unitedchristianmissions.org
I got this email from the website of the organization.
I wrote: > Dear Sir/Ma’am:
>
> There’s a group of individuals here in Metro Manila,
> Philippines who hands out envelopes/brochures/leaflets to
> people riding a bus or other public transportation saying
> that they are volunteers representing United Christian
> Missions and are asking for money/donations. I would like to
> clarify if these people are legitimate and if there really
> is a Luzon or Mindanao Chapter here in the Philippines or if
> this is just a scam.
>
> Your reply would be much appreciated.
I just got their reply:
“Thank you very much for your request. We do not have any group associated with United Christian Missions in the Phillipines. I cannot say for certain that another organization by the same name exists somewhere in the world or not. However, we do not have a chapter associated with our organization. In fact, I would appreciate it if you get more information if you would let me know. If in fact they are claiming affiliation with our organization they should be reported so that they can be investigated.
David Webb”
December 27th, 2009 at 5:33 am
this is helpful guys. thanks for the info… beware na lang ang lahat… wag na po tayo sa kanila paloko.
January 10th, 2010 at 7:11 am
all i though this church organization was a legit , just yesterday at noon time, a lady came to our house , knocked on the door and eh , she gave me like a leaflet of their Church Organization . At first , I was hesitant to entertain the lady because I think I already have learned my lesson when the MUSIKA NG KABATAAN scammed me twice last year . And now another organization is spreading to scam people again and again and again … I really hate myself of being so trusty to what these fake organizations were saying . That time , I got my courage to like confront the lady that i was already scammed like this before and I will never fall for it anymore , but yeah , as usual the lady still insisted and said any amount would be of great help to their organization . As much as I would want to like palayasin na lang ung babae sa bahay namin , eh i don’t have enough courage to do it and what i did , i gave her again an amount of money ( 100 ) para lang umuwi na .. but before that I saved the number of the Church Organization kuno . here it is … 09164397123 - just beware of these organizations claiming to be a legitimate organization …
January 12th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Hay salamat nalinawan na ako ngayun hindi na ako mag aabut kahit singkong duling sakanila kadalasan kasi lagi akong may lakad papuntang may nila kaya lagi akong nakaka encounter ng ganito nag aabut ng mga sobre at nang hihingi ng donasyon ang nakasulat ay united christian mission kung hindi ako nakakamali.
madalas pa naman akong mag bigay pag may nanghihingi salamat d2 sa info samga donation boxes sa LRT stations nalang ako mag huhulog.
January 24th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Very interesting idea, i bookmark your site. I used google translator
February 6th, 2010 at 3:38 am
thank you for this website and the concerned people behind it atleast now I know they’re fake and scam. From the past weeks I encountered this people giving envelope and asking for donation door to door and I was able to give 3x. Today another man came while I was in front of my computer and since i start getting irritated with these people i came to the idea of searching their website and I did’nt find any but i found this site and i’m so thankful for it and now they can’t fool me anymore.I will spread this news to the people i knew to help stop this kind of operation. thanks!
February 6th, 2010 at 4:57 am
hi, Someone came in here po sa office… with the same lines and modus operandi.
sa first visit i just declined the offer. I said, di ko kilala ung org nu and Im an active christian…and I politely declined.
Then Pumunta n naman sila… kanina… So what I did was print this article and showed him….
Umalis na nga xa….
thanks sa pag post
February 7th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Hi! Salamat sa post na ito. Siguro kailangan ding kausapin ang mga taong ito, maaaring pinangakuan sila ng kung ano. Para sila mismo ay matauhan. Kung mayron tayong marangal na trabahong ma-i-i-offer sa kanila mas maganda…
February 7th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
naranasan ko rin d2 sa mamatidcabuyao laguna me nagpunta d2 binigyan ko. hiningi yung sobre nila. pag kaalis nya search ko sa internet nabigla ako sa mga nabasa ko n SCAM pala ang UNITED CHRISTIAN MISSION. BRO. MELCHOR P. CORBO DAW ANG AREA COORDINATOR. TINAWAGAN KO ANG CP # NA NKALAGAY SA PLIERS NILA OUT OF COVERAGE AREA.