National Youth Commission to award 10 outstanding youth orgs

Ten exceptional youth organizations across the country which have contributed to the development of their local communities, schools and work place, through innovative and valuable projects are set to be recognized in awarding ceremonies later this month.

Started in 2002, the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) has recognized and supported the outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the country. This year, awards will be given to ten new outstanding youth organizations, groups, clubs and societies that have made a difference in their communities.

According to the national youth commission’s website, the 9th Ten Accomplished Youth Organization awarding ceremonies will take place at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall on October 27 at 10 a.m.-12 noon, with President Benigno Simeon Aquino as guest of honor.

Finalists include NCR- Ateneo Special Education Society, Linangan Sa Imahen Retorika at Anyo, UP Junior Marketing Association, Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders & Advocates International, Inc., and Indak Kabataan.

Finalists from Luzon are: University of the Cordilleras-Hapiyoh’ Mi Cultural Group, Kairos Band, Philippine Junior Jaycees Inc., AUL-Stage, and The Mountain Collegian.

From the Visayas, the finalists are Abellana National School Rescue Group Inc., Aklan Catholic College, Hayag Youth Organization; Incorporated, AKMA – RESBAK and Industrial Engineering Council.

Youth groups from Mindanao made it as finalists: Young Mindanawans Peace Builders, Youth Solidarity For Peace, UP Omega Alpha Fraternity and UP Omega Alpha Sorority, Association of Locally Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao, and Maco Youth For Peace.

The 20 finalists will undergo final screening on October 25, 2011 and from which will emerge the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations. Panel of judges include Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Mr. Bam Aquino.

Aside from the recognition, the winning organizations will receive a trophy and a grant of Php 50,000.00 intended to fund new projects or continue their long -term programs.

TAYO 9 is presented by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc., and organized by the National Youth Commission in partnership with the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Also supporting the search are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Philippine Information Agency, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, and the Philippine Center of Young Leaders in Governance Foundation, Inc. (Jandel Posion)

Families advised to keep Saints, Souls’ day solemn

A priest reminded people going to cemeteries to light candles and pray for their beloved dead on All Saints and All Souls Day to express their Christian faith meaningfully.

(Photo Courtesy: photonurseeng.tumblr.com)

La Loma Cemetery chaplain Fr. Leo Gilbero said he is proud of this unique Filipino tradition of gathering the whole family during this time of the year to pray for their loved ones, but he also stressed the importance of keeping the faith within character.

“We should also set boundaries to keep with our faith, like for example the bringing of food [and partaking of meals] in the cemeteries. What is that for?” he asked.

Filipino families traditionally gather in cemeteries every All Saints and All Souls Day to light candles and pray for their deceased family and friends.

But the gathering involves not just about lighting a candle, it also serves as a kind of small family reunion among family members and friends, where they not only pray but also eat together.

“All Saints’ Day is a family tradition. In a sense, it helps the family,” Gilbero said. “Even though it is because of a death of [a] loved one, [but] it helps bring the family together.”

“According to Church teachings, every time we visit the tomb or grave, and every time we pray for the dead, we gain a partial indulgence,” Fr. Gilbero pointed out.

“For us, there is a meaning to each visit that gives us indulgence. Maybe there is significance for the family — the reunion that happens around the tomb — but the Church teaches us that when we visit the dead we can gain partial indulgence with the conditions that we visit the grave or pray for the dead,” he explained.

The priest said efforts had been done to address the practice of bringing food in the cemetery but to no avail so far.

“Maybe it is due to the culture and the influence of other cultures,” he pondered. (Ana Valenzuela)

NYD 2011 Count Down

Planted in Christ:
Jesus our Friend compares the Reign of God to “yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Built-up Christian life:
Living in God’s grace does not have to be something grand, earth-shaking. As Jesus said, it can be like yeast, very small, but when mixed with flour can make it expand. Show the world, through a simple deed, that God reigns in your life:

Visit the NYD2011 Facebook page <http://www.facebook.com/National.Youth.Day.2011> and share an affirmation to the organizers or about your Group Leader! Or write about your excitement for the coming NYD!

Firm in the faith:
Let us remember in prayer the NYD2011 Diocesan Youth Director/ Diocesan Youth Coordinator /Youth leaders and delegates and all their preparations.

Catholic families celebrate All Saints' Day with a twist

MANILA, Oct. 29, 2011—While many Filipino families will be going to Halloween parties and festivities with their kids dressed up in ghoulish or gory costumes these days, a small group of Catholic families will be celebrating the season in a different manner.

(Photo Courtesy: pinaykeypoint.wordpress.com)

In a desire to keep the “hallow” in Halloween, the ROCKERS – which stands for Roman Catholics Keeping Education Real – will be holding a post-All Saints’ Day party on November 4 at the Medela House in New Manila, Quezon City.

Halloween actually means “the eve of All Hallows” or the eve of All Saints’ Day.

The ROCKERs are a group of Catholic parents who are homeschooling, interested in homeschooling or advocates of homeschooling primarily based in the Philippines (though some members are based elsewhere, such as the United States and Kuwait).

Formed just two months ago on the first Friday of September, the group is composed of some 30 families, mostly Filipino, though an American is part of the group. Members stay connected with each other primarily through their Facebook group (ROCKERs Philippines) and e-mail group (rockersphilippines@googlegroups.com).

The group’s blog – http://rockersph.wordpress.com  – aims to provide useful tips for Catholic parents, especially those who are homeschooling.

The ROCKERs based in Manila and the nearby provinces have a monthly get-together every First Friday, through which parents can receive support and get tips on homeschooling and parenting.

The group’s October meeting, however, provided the kids a chance to interact with each other and had them enjoy a creative interactive storytelling session courtesy of My Masterpiece Movement.

At the November 4 post-All Saints’ Day ROCKERs event, both children and parents are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Catholic saint or “icon.” The meaning of All Saints’ Day will be explained through a simple storytelling session, and Catholic saint-themed games will be played. Among other interesting plans are the serving of Saint-themed snacks and drinks.

Through all these, ROCKERs hope to instill in their children a greater appreciation and fondness for All Saints’ Day rather than focusing on the over-secularized Halloween festivities that abound during this time. As parents intent on preparing their children for eternity, the ROCKERs plan to conduct more activities in the future that celebrate the richness and beauty of the Catholic faith.

For more information about the ROCKERs post-All Saints’ Day event, please send an email toteachermamatina@gmail.com. (Tina Santiago-Rodriguez)

Quotes of the Day

The desire to be in eternal peace is good and holy, but you must moderate this with complete 


resignation to the divine will. It is better to do the divine will on earth, than to enjoy Paradise. 


To suffer and not to die, was St. Teresa's motto. Purgatory is sweet when one suffers for love 


of God. 

NYD 2011 COunt Down

Planted in Christ:
Jesus our Friend compares the Reign of God to “yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Built-up Christian life:
Living in God’s grace does not have to be something grand, earth-shaking. As Jesus said, it can be like yeast, very small, but when mixed with flour can make it expand. Show the world, through a simple deed, that God reigns in your life: Visit the NYD2011 Facebook page <http://www.facebook.com/National.Youth.Day.2011> and share an affirmation to the organizers or about your Group Leader! Or write about your excitement for the coming NYD!

Firm in the faith:
Let us remember in prayer the NYD2011 Team leaders and sub team leaders and all their preparations.

27 October. 18 days to go to the NYD2011!

‎27 October. 18 days to go to the NYD2011!

‎27 October. 18 days to go to the NYD2011!

Planted in Christ: Today, Jesus gives us an example of determination: “Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day.” Even with the threat to His life, He lived His purpose. Built-up Christian life:

How are you doing in your NYD2011 preparations? Is it turning out as expected, or are there unforeseen challenges arising? Keep on! Talk this out with a fellow pilgrim or better, with your Group Leader. Also, decide, with your Group Leader, when will the whole group undertake the NYD2011 Preparatory Formation Sessions (prepared by the FNYO, our NYD2011 host) which will surely support your determination and strengthen your excitement to be NYD2011 pilgrims.

Firm in the faith: Let us remember in prayer the NYD2011 Program Team (together with its Sub-Teams) and all their preparations.

NYC @ Parish of the Holy Sacrifice

Palo youth commission spearheads tree-planting activity

The Commission on Youth of Palo archdiocese is spearheading a tree-planting activity in celebration of the CBCP-Year of the Youth.

(Poster Courtesy of the Commission on Youth, Archdiocese of Palo)

Archdiocesan youth director Fr. Manuel Baybay Jr. said the youth commission wants its young people to be conscious of the beauty of God’s creation and become aware of their responsibility to care and preserve the environment for the future generations.

Baybay estimates some 500 young people from 70 parishes in the archdiocese to participate in the activity.

The Youth Commission aims to plant 1,000 seedlings the whole day of Oct. 29 at three planting sites in Tacloban City: Baspera in Apitong, Nula-Tula and San Jose.

Dubbed as “TREEP TAYO”, the activity has three main objectives: (1) to show care for the environment; (2) to joyfully start the communal journey towards the 10thArchdiocesan Summer Youth Camp on April 17-21; (3) to encourage all young people to discover Jesus in their youthful pilgrimage.

All arch/dioceses in the country have been given a tree planting orientation based on the module in view of the activity.

Baybay added that the module for tree planting will be explained in the morning of Oct. 29 at Liceo del Verbo Divino before proceeding to the planting sites at 3 p.m.

Aside from TREEP TAYO activity of the archdiocese, the Central and Eastern Visayas region also have an event on the same date.

Fr. Baybay assures the region that there will be young people from the archdiocese that will attend the Youth Forum in Naval. (Jandel Posion)

TERESIAN ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 100 YEARS! (1911-2011)

TERESIAN ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 100 YEARS! (1911-2011)

Teresian Association presents a MEDITATION CONCERT on selected writings of
St. Pedro Poveda

Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord - SM Megamall
12 November 2011 - 2:30pm

Featuring commentaries by Fr. Froilan Briones, SSS and
Songs by KORO MADRIGAL (Alumni of the UP Madrigal Singers)

ADMISSION is FREE!!! Pls. come and join us in prayer and in song!

NYC @ CLRYM