“We’re gonna keep on burning!” This is the battle cry of 851 energetic, motivated and animated Catholic young people, sisters, priests and bishops coming from the Archdioceses of Jaro and Capiz, Dioceses Kalibo, San Jose de Antique, Bacolod, San Carlos, Romblon and the host Diocese of Kabankalan as they get together last April 21-24, 2009 to celebrate the 6th Regional Youth Day (RYD ‘09). RYD is a biennial youth gathering localizing the World Youth Day experience.
With the mounting socio-political and economic as well as familial concerns, today’s youth cannot just dance and sing praise and worship songs and pray. Their knowledge of such issues, plus their reading of the Bible and reception of the Sacraments have to bear fruit in social action rooted in a solid relationship with God. RYD ‘09 zeroed in on that very situation of the youth and incorporated our Diocesan thrust on the Spirituality of Stewardship, coming up with the theme: “Through the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, look after the gifts that have been entrusted to you” (2 Tim 1:14).
The reception was like a warm flame that greeted the participants, who were housed by generous foster families. After which, the whole delegation gathered at Kabankalan Catholic College (KCC) gym for the highly-spirited opening rite and Eucharist, with our beloved Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD as presider. He underscored the graciousness of God in entrusting gifts of various degrees to young people today. He challenged the participants to heed the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As the festivity went on in the grand welcoming program, affectionate salutations from Bishop Buzon, Mayor Pedro Zayco and Governor Isidro Zayco, came one after another. Day one ended with a high note as bailes de luces performers left the vibrant image of the flame, which is also the symbol of RYD ’09. It was indeed a celebratory welcoming of the flame of the Holy Spirit.
Day two began with a discussion on the theme taken from 2 Timothy 1:14. Fr. Rey Zerrudo, a Bible scholar from the Archdiocese of Jaro expounded the textual background, context and its implications for the youth today. He emphasized the presence and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the ordinary events of daily living. Such presence is a guiding presence that directs us to do what is good. His rich exchange with the participants led to a small group dialogue that enabled the participants to identify and probe into their respective gifts, skills, talents or abilities: how these abilities were discovered and how these have grown or stunted.
The day pushed on with various skills and talents workshops, inviting the participants to sharpen up the gifts entrusted. Twenty one generous facilitators shared their talents and skills in encouraging and inspiring the participants to believe in what they can become and do. The workshops in basic acting, dancing, creative movements, writing, monodrama, drawing, income-generating clinics, public speaking and event organizing, among others, made their mark in boosting the esteem of the youth, making them feel that they can be assert and express themselves. But, for what are these God given abilities for? RYD ’09 proposes that these skills and talents are meant to be instruments toward social transformation. Thus, the youth are asked straight on: How can you make use of your skills and talents to effect social change or battle the present social ills? The creativity of the youth came up to the challenge of the present social demands as they made their respective workshop outputs. Not only did these outputs elicit the appreciation of all, but also arouse social awareness and fervor for social action.
A meaning celebration of the Eucharist with presider Bishop Jose Corazon Talaoc of the Diocese of Romblon and a touching Taizé prayer, capped day two. These provided a space where the youth can encounter God in as they make sense of their giftedness in relation to the needs of the society.
The third day was a call for the young people to burn with the flame of the Holy Spirit in the various social issues. Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) Chairwoman former ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta “Tita” de Villa graced RYD ’09 and explicated facts and details of graft and corruption, and the 2010 national elections, respectively. With both issues closely intertwined, each of the two speakers dared the delegates to stand up, to burn and be the hope that Filipino elders have considered the youth to be. It was de Villa’s talk that pumped up the youth in committing themselves in promoting Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) 2010 elections by volunteering for PPCRV, registering and/or assisting those who have not yet registered for the elections. Moreover, she captured the youth with her triumvirate formula – kapwa ko, mahal ko; bayan ko, mahal ko; and sisimulan ko ang pagbabago.
Balancing the morning talks was a faith testimony of an estimable citizen Mr. Carlos “Otic” Benares. Fearlessly, he revealed how he went through the abodes of graft and corruption and how in God’s grace he struggled and fought to burn with the flame of the Holy Spirit amidst this trying episode of his life. His personal exposé drew very interesting questions and remarks as well as admiration from the participants. He beautifully made his point by emphasizing that a solid relationship with God is necessary for one to veer away from the clutches of corruption and be courageous in condemning such.
The participants settled together per diocese and began to discuss what they can concretely do and what qualities they have to develop or strengthen for them to be able to carry out their proposed actions. Together with Archdiocese of Jaro Auxiliary Bishop Gerry Alminaza, these diocesan plans were offered up in the celebration of the Eucharist. Bishop Alminaza accentuated the value of faith and family in the crusade to burn for social change. Coming next was the fellowship night that showcased an outpouring of talents and a clear proclamation of the youth’s commitment to be missionaries of change.
Before the closing Eucharist at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish, the youth delegates assembled for the last time in the KCC gym. They wrote down striking and stirring slogans they wish to proclaim to everyone about themselves and the problems surrounding them. With their catchy and impressive placards, together the verve of the drumbeats, they marched out of KCC to the Cathedral, dancing with and shouting the flame of the Holy Spirit, which they wish to bring home.
Diocese of Maasin (Southern Leyte) Bishop Precioso Cantillas, SDB, DD presided over a touching closing Mass, where he commended the spirit of the youth. He encouraged the youth to sustain the flame of the Holy Spirit by continually gathering as a community, prayerfully sensitive to the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit and creatively responsive to the needs of our nation. The youth delegates went off bringing home the flame of the Spirit and the commitment to keep on burning until the 7th RYD in 2011 in Kalibo, Aklan.
