by: Cindy Castigador
NATIONAL YOUTH DAYS DELEGATE (NOVEMBER 14-19 2011)
YOUTH ANIMATOR, DON BOSCO - PASIL
This year's National Youth Day is very significant because this prestigious event falls within the CBCP's declaration of this year as the year of the youth. The event was held at Manila, from November 14-19, 2011 with the theme of "Planted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the faith." I am very grateful that I had taken part of this event. During the one week long activity,I had learned much! I enjoyed every moment with my co-pilgrims, facilitators and animators. We can distinguish three images on the theme of NYD namely: "PLANTED" - calls to mind a tree and the roots that feed it; "BUILT-UP"-refers to a construction of a house; "FIRM"-indicates growth in physical or moral strength. During the first plenary session with "Planted" as our topic, I learned a new version of the song Magtanim ay di biro. And it goes as follow:
"Matanim ay di biro, matuto kang yumuko, kung gusto mong matuto wag matakot mahulog.
(Magdusa, mamatay kung gusto mong mabuhay)2x"
The first image which is obviously the content of the song explains that of a tree which is firmly planted thanks to its roots, it would be blown away by the wind and eventually die. For me, the tree is referred to as person and the root is GOD. If you don't have faith in God, you will not eventually succeed. The second image is "BUILT-UP". Just as the roots of a tree keep it firmly planted in the soil, so the foundation of a house is going strong. Through our faith, we have been built up in God! In this topic, I realized that we should respond positively to God's call, trust him and put his words into practice. On the third topic, "Firm in the Faith", I was deeply touched with our group sharing. The topic was all about the issues and concerns of the youth and how can we solve it.
The youth is the hope our nation. As a youth animator, I encourage all the youth out there to strengthen your faith in God. We are the future of the society as well as the church. Let us make our life meaningful and fruitful not only today but also for the rest of our lives. Let's stand firm in the faith, Do all works in love! Together, let's make a stand.