Joan of Arc in the Cooperative Movement: Cebu CFI COOP Celebrates 92nd Birth Anniversary of Late Ret. Judge Esperanza “Inday” Fiel Garcia News & Articles
The Cebu CFI Community Cooperative marked the 92nd birth anniversary of its beloved founder and long-time visionary, the late 𝓡𝓮𝓽. 𝓙𝓾𝓭𝓰𝓮 𝓔𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓷𝔃𝓪 “𝓘𝓷𝓭𝓪𝔂” 𝓕𝓲𝓮𝓵 𝓖𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓲𝓪, with a solemn mass and heartfelt tributes on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Angelicum Garden of Angels in Mandaue City.
Described by many as the “Joan of Arc in the Cooperative Movement,” Judge Garcia’s legacy was remembered with reverence and gratitude as family and friends gathered to honor the life of a woman who transformed Cebu’s cooperative landscape.
Judge Garcia founded the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative in 1970 with a simple vision: to empower court employees and their families through financial independence and community solidarity. Under her leadership, CFI COOP grew to become one of the most respected and successful cooperatives in the country.
To this day, the Cebu CFI Coop remains a towering example of how community-led financial systems can change lives, a testament to Judge Garcia’s tireless advocacy and pioneering spirit.
As the cooperative continues to expand its services and reach, leaders vow to uphold the principles that Judge Garcia championed — transparency, inclusivity, and empowerment.
More than a founder, she was a mother, a mentor, and a movement. Her vision of a just and equitable society through cooperative empowerment remains deeply etched in the hearts of thousands.
In every step CFI takes today — in every member it helps, and in every challenge it overcomes — the indomitable spirit of Judge Inday echoes with clarity and strength.
Even in her absence, she continues to lead.
And so, on what would have been her 92nd birthday, the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative does not simply remember her — it continues her revolution.
𝐀 𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫, 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞. 🤍
Happy Birthday in heaven, Ma’am INDAY!
