YFC Bicol experienced the thrill of being one again on its 16th Regional Youth Conference (RYC) held last October 29-30 at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Pili, CamarinesSur. It was attended by 709 delegates from the six different provinces of the region. Inspired by the anchor verse; Philippians 1:27-30, this year’s RYC theme was “LIKE JESUS. Be. Love. Live.”

YFC Bicol – Young people being and bringing Christ wherever they are.
People were being transformed into Christ’s likeness even before the RYC began in actuality. While every member of the service team was preoccupied with rush on how to serve the Lord more excellently for the two-day conference, Alvin Morada, Fulltime Pastoral Worker (FTPW), newly anointed Regional Coordinator of YFC Bicol and YFC Luzon island head, gave a short, heart-moving recollection on setting right one’s posture for the mission. He emphasized how every discomfort, every frustration, every disappointment is an opportunity to love than to be righteous. He allowed the whole group to appreciate the joy of selfless service as he exhorted and led them into a gallant prayer of humble leadership.  After the recollection, the service team went back to their group tasks. The delegates from Camarines Norte, Catanduanes,Masbateand Sorsogon who arrived a day earlier were then anticipating to enter the main venue, but were forbidden to because of the on-going preparations.
The hours passed fast and the first day of the conference began. The delegates were rallied through voice over and canned music. Minutes after nine in the morning, the CBSUA atrium was full of Bicolanos geared up for the opening of their most awaited camaraderie. Noy Templonuevo, Provincial Youth Head (PYH) of Catanduanes led the lively morning worship pointing out how we can shine like diamonds if we simply bask in the Lord’s light. It was followed by a love-filled commemoration of God’s faithfulness in Bicol through the emcees; Oliver Lurica of Camarines Norte, Patrick Catigbac of Masbate and Cha Avila of Catanduanes. Tito Ted Velasco, CFC Provincial Area Director (PAD) of the host province – Camarines Sur formally opened the event and Mark June Despacio, Overall Competitions Head of the event led the Oath of Sportsmanship that came after.

Lucky Pascual, vocalist of the winning band from Camarines Norte.
Simultaneous competitions in Creative, Sports and Special Categories started at 10:45 in the morning within the university’s vicinity. Without formally ending the above-mentioned activities, simultaneous workshops began at exactly two in the afternoon. Rolly Zoleta, former FTPW, delivered the Prayer Workshop focusing on simple acknowledgment of the Lord’s presence through prayers, with an opening worship led by Kevin de Leon of Catanduanes. Nikko Abustan of Camarines Norte also led worship for the Worship Workshop given by Julius Comia, FTPW of Batangas, which ought to awaken the moribund hearts of some YFC members. Sean Jamir Septimo, FTPW of Cavite and a native Bicolano delivered the Webevange workshop to encourage everyone in using the social network as means of bringing Christ to people, with a worship led by Kenneth Navera of CamarinesSur.The provincial ates and kuyas, together with their team, elatedly assembled for the ROCK Workshop given by Lyn Tatad, KFC Mission Volunteer of Camarines Sur with a worship led by Joshua Gulpan ofMasbate. Ryan Ninofranco, SFC Camarines Sur delivered the SFC Crossover Workshop which aimed to show actual growth in a more mature pastoral guidance, with a worship led by Christoper Marco, PYH of Camarines Norte.

ROCK Workshop participating delegates.
From 6:30 until 11 in the evening, the front stage was never vacated. Food was served and new Liveloud songs were taught at the same time early that night. Mark June Despacio of Camarines Sur effectively exhorted the participants into worship as he shared his realization of God’s mysterious plans in everyday’s seemingly disappointing situations. Everyone enjoyed the Rock Concert that came after as an introduction for the first talk.
Nobelle-Princess Senoron, new FTPW of Camarines Sur imparted well the message of the first session: Victory in the Vision. Being the youngest and the only girl among three siblings, she grew up especially attached to his father. Her father’s suggestion did count in her every decision until he died three months after Princess had graduated from college. She testified that God’s love is still true in her life despite the struggles she faced. This, she mentioned, was authenticated through the great relationship she was able to build with her mother and through the victories in the mission that she is now taking on. She called on Jason Boral, Jerard Tulod and Christian Chavez of Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Sorsogon, respectively, to share on their personal experiences of victories in faith, hope and love. Princess then proceeded in tackling the new vision of YFC; “Young people being and bringing Christ wherever they are”, highlighting the call of every YFC to embrace Christ image wherever they go and challenging them to continue withstanding the battle that Christ already won.

With right hands raised high up, YFC Bicol declared their conviction to live out Christ’s victory in their individual lives.
A creative dance tableau hyped up everyone as it mirrored each one’s experience of suffering, sorrow and disappointment. The lights and audio effects segued and readied the attention of the crowd for yet another jump-packed session: Gain in Pain given by Gerol del Pilar, FTPW of Albay.
Talking about being weighed down despite of our victories in Christ, Gerol pointed at his cleft lip and narrated how he himself experienced immense pain since childhood. He sought comfort in alcohol and pornography, but later realized that in his search for freedom he was even more enslaved to sin. The struggle to see Christ image in himself remained even after he had entered the community. By God’s grace and by God’s time though, Gerol learned to see how he was suffering because of vanity in pain and that if he had looked closer, he would be able to recognize sacrifice in suffering, hope in sorrow and compassion in disappointment.
Gerol called on eight sharers who also underwent difficulties through their individual scuffle in vices, short-term relationships and self righteousness. They were Nelvin Andes, Louie Belgica, Prince Dominic Calmada and Cherry Betiz of Albay, Carlo Bruno of Camarines Norte, Kevin Caganda and Bana Banaag of Camarines Sur, Norin Giana of Catanduanes. The sharers flipped their boards to reveal how God altered their struggles with His unconditional love. Gerol then allowed the participants to evoke their own hurts and lightened up their burdens by saying that “to suffer for Christ is a privilege”.
A prayer was opened. The crowd painted a number of white boxes red with their left hands as they reflected on how Christ demonstrated acceptance on both the agony of passion and the victory of resurrection. These boxes then formed a cross. Glenn Paul Oliver, FTPW of Camarines Norte carried on into a pray over. He then led the participants into a praise fest of willingness and confidence to let go and entrust everything for the greater glory of the Lord. The first day of the conference ended with both hearts and minds yearning for dependence to the only One who can save.
The delegates geared up early for the second and last day of the conference. A mass started at exactly 8:30 in the morning. It was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Romeo Donacao, parish priest of St. Therese in Pili, CamarinesSur.His homily revolved around the idea of charity and service as best expressions of love. After the Eucharistic celebration, Jecho Bajar ofMasbateled a spirit-filled opening worship as he shared his experience of being guided by the Lord in his discernment to attend the RYC.

Alvin Morada, YFC Bicol Regional Coordinator delivering the third session.

Alvin Morada yet again delivered a powerful talk, this time for the whole crowd. He conveyed, with hilarity, the message of the third session; Like Jesus. He cited concrete examples of when and where can we be like Christ.Alvinasked the participants to recall God’s victories in their lives. He let the delegates look and express gratefulness for the persons who invited and took care of them pastorally in the community. He led the participants into a prayer. The delegates stamped their hands colorfully on a billboard as a declaration of living out the battle cry like Jesus. When revealed in front, the handprints on the billboard artistically bore Christ face.  The activity then segued to an exultant praise fest whenAlvinheartened the crowd in being and bringing Christ wherever they are.

The visible excitement of the next Bicol RYC host province – Masbate.
More of Christ’s victories were experienced through the awarding of winning provinces for the competitions. And even more excitement was felt in the atrium when the venue of next RYC was announced —island of Masbate.
This article was written by Anabel J. Britanico, YFC web correspondent for Bicol. Photo credit by Sara Grace C. Fojas.

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