Braving the rain and Manila’s congested streets, more than 11,000 young Filipinos assembled at Ateneo de Manila University for the World Youth Day (WYD) Manila to Madrid Overnight Vigil on August 20 and 21, 2011. Most of them came from Catholic schools, parishes and organisations, and for many, this was their first WYD event.
“I have no idea what will happen,” said Hershey Siodela of the Youths of Missionary of Charity of Antipolo. “Maybe others will show their talents. We can also socialize, know God more and then apply what we learned in our lives.”
Not only the young came to be part of the historic event. Older delegates such as teachers, parish workers and nuns came with their wards.
“We want to be one with the church in supporting the youth,” shared Sr Mary Immaculate of the Missionaries of Charity. “This will bring abundant graces and gifts for the youth and the church.”
Betty Andres, a 59-year old delegate, is the oldest of 24 delegates from the Chapel of the Mother of Divine Providence in Payatas. “It’s not only the youth who want to come, even older ones like me want to observe what World Youth Day is about,” she said in Tagalog. “We want to see the good plans they are making for the youth and take this experience back to our families.”
Many young Filipinos could not go to Madrid because the cost of the trip was prohibitive for them, so the Campus Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Manila tapped Jesuit Communications to help it organise a parallel event to complement the World Youth Day event in Spain.
For the first time, Ateneo de Manila University opened its doors to such a large gathering of youth in the country. Bishops of nearby dioceses, especially Cubao, which is headed by Ateneo alumnus Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, gave their support. There were also “delegates” from Northern Luzon, Cebu, Davao and Cotabato. Christian Lina, for example, travelled six hours with 31 delegates to attend the vigil. “On our way to Manila, we were already preparing ourselves for the vigil through songs, worship, fellowship and other mind-setting activities,” said Lina, who is the Diocesan Coordinator in Cotabato and a youth leader of Student Catholic Action Philippines. “Being at WYD makes me feel that I’m not alone in fighting for God’s kingdom. It gives me hope.
“Many youth also volunteered to help, happy to have the opportunity to serve.
“In spite of the rain and hard work, it’s still a pleasure to serve. If given the opportunity, I would volunteer again,” said volunteer marshal Fredolyn Varquez, a B.S. Electrical Engineering student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
“We were moved by what the Filipino youth did today because rain or shine they came,” said Fr Nono Alfonso SJ, Executive Director of Jesuit Communications.
For his part, Fr Jose Cecilio Magadia SJ, Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, was elated. This, he said was part of the mission of the Jesuits – to be of service to the local Church.