Youth solidify anti-RH Bill stand during Mt. Samat pilgrimage

Following the Annual Mt. Samat Pilgrimage, the people, especially the young people of the diocese of Balanga and from other diocese in the Central Luzon Region solidifies their stand against the proposed RB bill last Nov. 26, in Mt. Samat, Balanga, Bataan.

Jerome Tuazon, a 4th high school student and former staffer of the school paper, Extra, was one of the marshals who went around getting signatures for the anti-RH bill signature campaign.

In our school, Tuazon said, we also had a signature campaign for the RH Bill.

“Minsan nahihiya din kasi may mga nakikiargue na tao. Pag nag-sign naman po, may mga nagtatanong din”, Tuazon also said.

He raised that first of all, as a Christian, people must follow the teachings of the Church about the issue. “In my own opinion, RH bill is one way of killing”.

Why the RH bill shouldn’t be passed? Tuazon asked.

“Minsan din kasi nasa disiplina ng tao. Kung ayaw nilang lumaki ang pamilya nila, dapat matuto sila ng natural family planning. Useless din naman ang RH bill kung pwede naman disiplinahin ang ating sarili (Sometimes it is all about discipline. If they don’t want that their family will grow big, they must learn natural family planning. RH bill is useless if we can discipline ourselves)”, answering his question.

On why and how he knows about the issue, Tuazon said that as a blogger, he always checks the news and as of now, the bill is still a hot topic among bloggers.

As far as collected signature matters, there are only 256 signatures collected, but Fr. Joshua Santos, MMHC, the Diocesan Youth Director of Bataan diocese estimates the number of signatures collected to be near 2,000.

“It's a difficult time for us, especially to the youth. Kapag naapprove ang RH Bill, ‘yung mga values na pinaglalaban natin like purity, chasity, lahat ‘yun maiisantabi at mababali wala (If the bill will be approved, the values that we are teaching like purity, chastity, all of those will be disregarded). The values of the youth will change”, Santos said.

Mayor Jose Enrique ‘Jo-et’ Garcia of Balanga City expressed that the city and the government is anti-RH.

“These pills are under group 1 in the list of drugs that are carcinogenic. Galing 'to mismo sa WHO biennial report of 2005”, Garcia emphasized on why contraceptives are bad.

In his message to the youth on the RH bill, Garcia said that “Lahat ng dapat ipatupad ay ipatupad, it can't just be the rule of the majority but has to be based on the truth and it should uphold the dignity of man”.

Garcia also shared that there are 7 barangays have already passed an ordinance banning the use of contraceptives in their barangays

Banning the use of the contraceptives in the city level is still up for approval with the city council.

The mayor also mentioned that last March, there were 7000 people gathered around the Plaza for the ‘March for Love, March for Life’ rally.

On the other hand, Jay Quicho, a seminarian at the San Carlos Seminary and a former youth minister in the vicariate of Our Lady of the Pillar said that those youth who are pro-RH must weigh the issue and it is a good point if they will listen to both sides.

“Kung Katoliko ka, panindigan mong Katoliko ka. (If you’re a Catholic, you must firm in your faith)”, Quicho said.

The signing of the campaign started at 9AM until the program finishes. (Jandel Posion)

Balanga honors outstanding youth during pilgrimage

n a first for the diocese, the Diocesan Youth Ministry (DYM) of Balanga officially recognized outstanding youth leaders during the annual Mt. Samat Youth pilgrimage last Saturday.

Models to 'look up to'

Following an encouragement from the CBCP – Episcopal Commission on Youth to honor young, inspiring leaders in celebration of the CBCP – Year of the Youth, Balanga recognized Jay Quicho, Allen Bangug, Terry Suba, Anthony Bliss, Mary Anne Carbonilla, Amelia Reyes, Jiji De Villa – CYM, Sr. Ruby Rita Linsangan CYM, Tristan Ralf Pacheco and Shiela Salangsang as the ten 'Most Outstanding Youth Leaders' in the diocese.

Fr. Joshua Maria Santos, MMHC, the Balanga Diocesan Youth Director and chairperson of the Mt. Samat pilgrimage this year explained the reason for the awards, “We recognize them so that the [other] young leaders can look up to someone..[So that the can see] they are not alone in the ministry.”

Fr. Santos called the awardees “shining examples”.

Mix of 'veterans', new faces

The awardees were a mix of youth ministry 'veterans' and relatively new leaders from the different vicariates who have shown exemplary dedication and passion in serving the youth.

Fr. Santos described some of the awardees' extraordinary contributions to the ministry, “[Sila ang mga] nagdadala ng thousands of youth to the World Youth Day, sila ang nagbibigay ng Youth Encounter not just in the diocese but in Central Luzon. Sila talaga ang iniinvite.”

Awards, enthusiasm booster

For some of the awardees, being awarded came as a surprise.

One of the awardees, Tristan Ralf Pacheco, 29, from the vicariate of St. Michael the Archangel, said, “Nung sinabi sakin, nabigla po ako kasi 'di ko naman ineexpect. Pakiramdam ko kasi, simple lang ako na youth leader. [When I was told, I was surprised because I didn't expect it. It's because I feel that I'm just a simple youth leader.]”

For Pacheco who had been serving actively in the parish youth ministry since 2005, the award is strengthening his commitment to the service, “Parang lalo na pong na-boost ang enthusiasm ko mag-serve pa, na maging mas responsable pa. [It's as if my enthusiasm to serve has been boosted even more. It also makes me want to be even more responsible.]”

Around 25 nominees from the four vicariates of the diocese and the Campus Youth ministry were initially chosen.

The list was eventually trimmed down by the vicariate councils to ten outstanding youth leaders.

The awardees were recognized in a simple ceremony at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, which was the first program highlight during the Mt. Samat pilgrimage.

Number behind the pilgrimage

The youth-led Mt. Samat pilgrimage this year was the first time young people took the lead in organizing and planning for the event. Take a look at some of the numbers of the pilgrimage.

There are 30,000 pilgrims who hiked up Mt. Samat this year; 8,000 hosts were given during the Holy Mass at the summit; 53 youth animators who danced during the event; 9 committee heads who prepared for the event; it is already 8 years since the start of the pilgrimage which is done yearly; 20 priests concelebrated the Holy Mass; 100 Police personnel (PNP) mobilized during the event; 1 Bishop was present during the event; 10 awardees for the outstanding youth ministers; 2,000 signatures gathered for the Anti-RH Bill signature campaign during the pilgrimage, and the preparation was made for 5 months.

This year's pilgrimage happened last Saturday, Nov. 26. It is annual pilgrimage to the sacred grounds of Mt. Samat that started last 2004. [Nirva'ana E. Delacruz]

25 youth from Bacolod join NYD

Twenty-five pilgrims from Bacolod diocese headed by the Diocesan Commission on Youth (DCY) director Fr. Arnold Deletina participated in the recently concluded National Youth Day held in Manila.

More than 3,000 youth from different dioceses and youth organizations across the country joined the National Youth Day (NYD) in Manila on November 14-19.

The Federation of National Youth Organizations which has 21 active members to date hosted the NYD celebration. Programs were held simultaneously in six Festival/Catechetical Sites. All the participants convened only during the Opening and Culminating programs which were held at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati and the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay, respectively.

This year’s national celebration of the NYD becomes more significant, as the event falls within the year of the declaration of the Year of the Youth by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, alongside with the 25th anniversary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth.

As an event within this celebration, it is hoped that NYD 2011 will leave a lasting impression on the youth and on the Church: for the young to experience God's preferential love for them; and for the Church, having been reminded of the urgency to minister to the young, to express renewed commitment to the youth ministry.

The participants from Bacolod said that the five-day event has met its objectives satisfactorily for it gave a venue for everyone to reflect and celebrate God's love.

The NYD has also been a great way to forge friendship and collaboration amongst everyone from different youth ministries.

To cap the NYD2011, ECY Chairman and Legazpi Bishop Joel Z. Baylon challenged everyone to be protagonists of the new evangelization.

“Let us be planted and established in Him, ever firm in the faith, so that we may become witnesses to the world, transforming it, doing away with what is evil, upholding what is good and life-giving, and preparing everything in it for the full flowering of the Kingdom of God,” he said.

The NYD is an event where the Philippine Church expresses, in very concrete ways, her great love for the young. It is an occasion offered for young people to celebrate and deepen their faith, and a special moment of coming together as one body, united in a journey towards intimacy with Christ.

The last NYD was held in Davao in 2006. (Ma. Lourdes Eudela/ADSUM)

GININTUANG ADBIYENTO: PAGHAHANDA AT PAGHIHINTAY!

GININTUANG ADBIYENTO: PAGHAHANDA AT PAGHIHINTAY! - HOMILY for the 1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT by FR. MIGZ R. CONCEPCION, III

by Migz Reyes Concepcion III on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 1:09pm

Scriptural Readings: Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7 / Psalm 79 / 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 / Mark 13:33-37

Noong nakaraang madaling-araw ng Biyernes, pinasinayaan at binuksan ang Ginintuang Jubileo ng ating Diyosesis sa pamamagitan ng mga salitang ganito ng ating Mahal na Obispo Luis Antonio G. Tagle: ‘NAHIPAN NA PO ANG TAMBULI, NABUKSAN NA ANG BANAL NA PINTUAN! MGA MINAMAHAL NA KAPATID SA DIYOSESIS NG IMUS, GININTUANG JUBILEO NA NGA.’

• Ang tatlong taong pinaghandaang Jubileo ngayo’y nasimulan at nabuksan na: BAGONG PANAHON, BAGONG PANAWAGAN, BAGONG HAMON ANG HATID NG DAKILANG JUBILEONG ITO! 
• Kahapon nang umaga, pinamunuan ng ating Mahal na Obispo ang pagbubukas ng pintuan ng ating Simbahan bilang tanda ng ‘pagtatalaga’ rito bilang isa sa mga Jubilee Churches.

GANITO RIN ANG DALA AT HATID NG PINAPASOK NATING PANAHON SA KALENDARYONG LITURHIKAL! --- Ang araw na ito ay simula rin ng isang bagong panahon sa ating buhay-pananampalataya bilang isang sambayanan. Panahon na ng Adbiyento kaya’t ito’y hudyat na ang isang bagong taon ay nagsimula na sa ating Simbahan.

Ang diwa at Espiritu ng bagong panahong ito ay nasusuma at napapaloob sa maikling salita ngEBANGHELYO:

‘Maging handa kayong lagi... baka sa kanyang biglang pagdating ay maratnan kayong natutulog! Maging handa kayo!’

ADVENT PERTAINS TO TWO BIG CONCEPTS AND STANCES IN LIFE:

1st: ADVENT MEANS BEING PREPARED.

2nd: ADVENT MEANS WAITING.

Sa ganitong kaisipan at diwa at sa biglaang pagtingin, ang Adbiyento ay para bang isang panahong nakatuon sa hinaharap. ---AT FIRST GLANCE, Advent seems to be future-oriented. It is a looking forward to.

YOU PREPARE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT YET AT HAND.

YOU WAIT FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT THERE YET!

--- Ang isang Nanay na nagdadalantao. SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DAY OF THE BIRTH OF HER CHILD. At ang kanyang asawa: HE ALSO WAITS FOR THE FIRST MOMENT OF THE CHILD’S CRY.

--- Ang isang nag-aaral sa kolehiyo. HE OR SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DAY OF HIS OR HER GRADUATION. At ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay: THEY WAIT IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT DAY.

--- Ang isang bilanggo na nakapiit. HE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN HE IS SET FREE AND ONCE AGAIN BE WITH THE FAMILY. Naroon ang pananabik sa kanyang puso.

Ang Israel ayon sa UNANG PAGBASA mula sa Aklat ni Propeta Isaias ay matamang naghihintay at nananabik sa Pagdating ng Panginoon:

‘Buksan mo ang langit at ika’y bumaba sa mundong ibabaw.’

‘Balikan mo kami, iyong kaawaan,

ang mga lingkod mo na tanging iyo lamang.’

• Israel longs for the day of the coming of the Lord, who is their ‘FATHER, OUR REDEEMER YOU ARE NAMED FOREVER.’
• Naroon ang paghahangad at pangangarap upang matapos na ang kanilang pagkaligaw ng landas.

Israel’s faith in God surfaces through her longing and dreaming for that glorious day of the coming of the Lord.

Ngunit ang kanilang pangangarap, ang kanilang paghahanda at paghihintay ay nakaugat sa kanilang kasalukuyang kalagayan at sa mga pangyayaring naganap sa kanilang nakaraan, sa kanilang kasaysayan. --- KAYA ANG ADBIYENTO AY ISA RIN PALANG PAGBABALIK-TANAW  SA NAKARAAN AT PAGDAMDAM SA KASALUKUYAN.

And we hear this as a lamentation on Israel’s part: NANANAGHOY ANG ISRAEL:

‘Bakit ba Panginoon, kami’y tinulutang maligaw ng landas, at ang puso nami’y iyong binayaan na maging matigas?

‘Nagagalit ka na’y tuloy pa rin kami sa pagkakasala, ang ginawa nami’y talagang masama buhat pa nang una. Ang lahat sa ami’y pawang nagkasala, ang aming katulad kahit anong gawin ay duming di hamak.’

Sa kabila ng kadiliman at ng kanilang mapait na karanasan at kalalagayan, ang Israel ay namamanhik at naninikluhod sa Panginoon na dumating na at baguhin ang kanilang buhay.

THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF ADVENT. --- Sa kabila ng ating sitwasyon sa buhay, ano mang dilim at bigat ng buhay ---WE PREPARE AND WAIT FOR THE LORD. WE HOPE THAT HE DOES SOMETHING TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER. And so ADVENT IS A SEASON OF HOPE, hope that springs from trust in the promise of God: ANG BAYANG NAGLALAKAD SA DILIM AY MAKASISILAY NG LIWANAG.

Hope is acknowledging that things are not right and well at all but amidst the darkness and shadow that we see, we do not lose sight of the light that comes from faith in the promise of God.

After all SOMEBODY IS COMING TO RESCUE US, TO SAVE US. --- Si Jesus ay darating upang tayo ay iligtas at ating masilayan ang liwanag na kanyang dala.

Sa madaling salita, ang paghahanda at paghihintay  ay mga tanda ng pag-asa at pananampalataya.ITO AY MGA TANDA NG ADBIYENTO.

In the SECOND READING (from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians): Binubuhay ni San Pablo ang loob ng mga taga-Corinto na manatiling tapat kay Kristo:

Huwag kayong susuko. ‘Hindi kayo nagkulang  sa anumang kaloob na espiritwal, habang hinihintay ninyong mahayag an gating Panginoong Jesukristo.”

St. Paul’s encouragement is a timely reminder for all of us. There are so many manifestations in our experience that we are in troubled and challenging times. ---- MAY KRISIS SA EKONOMIYA SA IBA’T IBANG DAKO NG MUNDO. NARIRIYAN NA NAMAN ANG BANGAYAN SA PULITIKA. AT TIMES, WE DO NOT ANYMORE KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE AND WHOM TO BELIEVE.

-          Marahil nariyan ang problema sa isang anak na hindi nagiging mabuti.

-          Nariyan ang sakit na kailangang harapin at dala-dalahin.

-          Nariyan ang sapin-saping problema sa ugnayan sa pamilya, sa pamemera.

St. Paul tells us: YOU ARE NOT LACKING IN ANY SPIRITUAL GIFT AS YOU WAIT FOR THE LORD. May mga kaloob na biyaya ang Diyos. At ang bawat isa ay may biyayang tinanggap.

OUR WAITING FOR THE COMING OF JESUS WOULD ONLY BECOME MORE MEANINGFUL IF WE WILL WAIT AS A COMMUNITY. Samasamang naghihintay at nagbabahaginan ng mga biyayang tinanggap mula sa Diyos.

AND SO, ADVENT IS A SEASON OF WAITING which does not only mean ‘paghihintay’ but also means ‘paglilingkod.’ AS WE WAIT, WE SHARE THE GIFTS WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD.

The spiritual gifts that St. Paul is talking about in the SECOND READING are not meant only for ourselves: WE OUGHT TO SHARE THESE GIFTS TO OTHERS SO THAT THEY MIGHT ANTICIPATE AND EAGERLY AWAIT THE LORD AS WELL AS WE DO.

At ito ang hamon ng Dakilang Jubileo: TAPOS NA ANG TATLONG TAONG PAGHAHANDA! TAYO AY MAGSASAYAW NA NG KARAKOL: It is time to walk the talk! It is time to dance --- in repentance, in forgiveness, and in loving one another!

Ito ang paghahanda na nararapat gawin ng mga mananampalataya ni Kristo. This is the kind of waiting that every Christian ought to do. --- TO WAIT IN HOPE AND IN FAITH!  TO WAIT IS TO HOPE IN FAITH, TO SERVE  --- TO SERVE JESUS WHO IS THE TRUE JUBILEE!

Cebu inaugurates Archdiocesan Youth Center

A solemn blessing and inauguration was held last Nov. 12 for the Archdiocesan Youth Center for Spirituality and Skills Development in the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The celebration was led by His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu and His Excellency Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortes, who represented Archbishop Jose Palma, who was in Rome during the inauguration.

More than a hundred invited guests, benefactors and friends were in attendance during the event.

Cardinal Vidal narrated that a little more than a year ago, Msgr. Arthur Navales, the Archdiocesan Youth Director, showed to him and to the young people in the archdiocese an artist’s perspective, still a drawing on a paper that has now become a reality.

“I, an old man, am still able to dream dreams. Their vision allowed me to see possibilities which were far-fetched before, but the reality you see today is more than enough proof of their uncanny ability to realize their vision,” Vidal said.

Vidal also thanked Msgr. Navales and the youth along with the youth ministers of the youth commission for their vision.

“Now this building was the fruit of pure hard work,” Vidal said. “Young people had to beg, literally, with their empty water bottles and cans, from house to house, from parish to parish.”

He added, “I know that one time, one of our youth coordinators was crossing Escario Street while carrying a bottle heavy with coins, until weight was too much and the bottle, along with its contents, spilled onto the busy street. No one helped our youth volunteer. The onlookers merely looked, while a few pocketed the bills that flew in their directions.”

The cardinal thanked the benefactors for believing to the young people of the archdiocese.

“This building was built with the tears and sweat of young people. But it would not have been possible without the support of those among you who believed in our young people,” he said.

“Even as my sight maybe a bit dimmer now, I can still see a bright future for our young people. May this youth center be the vanguard of that future, the citadel where young sentinels will announce new dawn for our Church,” he added.

According to its website, www.coycebu.org, the Youth Center will serve as a study hub for the youth, a school for the out-of school and a sanctuary for young people to encounter God through spiritual activities.

The Youth Center is located along P. Gomez Street beside the Cebu Cathedral. (Jandel Posion)

Bataan youth go on pilgrimage at Mt. Samat

Young Catholics from all over Bataan will once again gather on the sacred grounds of Mt. Samat, as they celebrate life through the Annual Mt. Samat Pilgrimage in this momentous occasion of the Year of the Youth.

In line with the celebration of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Year of the Youth (CBCP-Year of the Youth), the diocese of Balanga in Bataan will hold its 8th Diocesan Mt. Samat Pilgrimage together with the other young people of the province on November 26.

Fr. Joshua Maria Santos, MMHC, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, in an invitation letter sent to YouthPinoy!, said that year 2011 is not only a gift to our young people but also to the youth ministry.

“The diocese of Balanga made use of this opportunity to gather once again the youth of our province, inspiring them and energizing them in order to bring life not only in the Church but also in our society making them potent agents of renewal at this springtime,” Santos indicated in the letter.

The procession of pilgrims will begin at 1 p.m. followed by different presentations of the youth and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Shrine’s quadrangle.

A candle lighting ceremony and fireworks display at around 8 p.m. will cap the event.

Other activities for the event include animations, praying the rosary and video presentation. (Jandel Posion)

source:http://youthpinoy.com/#en

Climate crisis tackled in national youth forum

More than 200 Filipino children and youths from across the country gathered recently for a national forum to address the issue on climate change.

The youth workshop dubbed as Pinoy+Youth+Power in a Changing Climate was part of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week with the theme ‘Creating Convergence on Climate Change’.

The climate forum aimed to mainstream the participation of Filipino young people and children in addressing the challenges of the climate crisis.

Nobel Laureate and former United States Vice President Al Gore lauded the youth forum saying that ‘it is events like yours today that will empower our youth to reach new heights and take on the challenge of climate change.’

‘As you know very well, climate change will have significant impact on the Philippines. It’s important for young people to learn about the science and prepare to action. As an island nation, you are vulnerable to rising seas, intense storms, and the loss of ocean resources that provide food and economic opportunities to all Filipinos,’ explained Gore in a message sent for the national gathering.

Gore heads the global climate campaign The Climate Reality Project that has more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide.

Commissioner Lucille Sering, Vice-Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission said the Commission makes it a priority to involve young people since they are “more vulnerable to the effects of climate change in which they face today making their future at stake.”

The young delegates had a series of workshops and interactive inputs enabling them to understand the basics of climate science, simple solutions and advocacies to secure their future.

They discussed and approved a national youth climate change agenda to mainstream their significant participation in implementing the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

The Climate Reality Project’s presenter and international environment youth speaker Alec Loorz of Kids vs. Global Warming and Hamzah Ramadhan of Inconvenient Youth Indonesia shared their climate crisis advocacies through less-carbon video messaging and online video conference.

'Indeed, the young people are vulnerable to the effects of climate crisis which may burn their future. It is their future which is at stake and together through this event, they would be able to mold this future and make the world a better place to live in,' said The Climate Reality Project's Philippine District Manager Rodne Galicha.

Held November 22 at the SMX Mall of Asia Convention Centre in Pasay City, the national youth workshop was part of the first carbon neutral event in the Philippines.

The event was organized by the Climate Change Commission in partnership with Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project, National Youth Commission, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Council for the Welfare of Children, UNICEF-Philippines and USAID-Philippines. (CBCPNews)

Metro kids harvest rice in Luneta Park

More than 500 students from elementary and secondary schools in Metro Manila experienced harvesting rice in an event led by PhilRice at Luneta Park, Nov. 18.

The event, co-sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, was part of the series of activities for the National Rice Awareness Month this November.

Established in 2003, the rice garden showcases the art and science of rice farming for the residents, especially Metro Manila youth, to know more the production stages of rice and its importance to the Philippine culture and heritage.

The event also aimed to familiarize the metro dwellers with different rice varieties. PhilRice cultivated Sinampaguita, a traditional rice variety; NSIC 160, inbred; and Mestizo 20, hybrid, which the kids harvested using a sickle.

PhilRice executive director Eufemio Rasco, Jr. said in a press release that the rice garden is the only rice field in Manila.

“We hope to replicate this garden in major cities in the country through our collaboration with the local government units,” he added.

Rasco also encouraged the participants to consider taking agriculture courses when they enter college.

“Many young individuals no longer want to farm. It is a cause of worry. Who will be the future food producers?” Rasco said.

To encourage students to enroll in agriculture courses, PhilRice promotes the career opportunities in rice industry in its series of forum being conducted across the country.

Vicente Raguindin, a teacher from A.C. Herrera Elementary School expressed that the ceremonial rice harvesting is a good opportunity for the kids in the metro to learn more about staple food as many of them have yet to see a rice plant.

The pupils from seven schools also learned that every Filipino wastes 2 tbsp of rice daily. When not wasted, the said amount of rice could have helped the country save PhP 5.3 billion in rice exports and fed about 3 million hungry Filipinos.

Highlighting the event was the recitation of the Panatang Makapalay, a pledge on rice conservation.

Anagene Pelayo of the Lakandula Elementary School said she will eat all the rice she placed on her plate as response to the call of reducing rice wastage.

The 11-year-old kid added that she will also diversify her diet by eating corn as alternative to rice.

Meanwhile, PhilRice rice chemist Joy Bartolome Duldulao emphasized the importance of diversified diet for better health.

Duldulao said that diversified diet is a healthy option as other carbohydrate sources like camote, banana, potato, gabi, and corn has more complex carbohydrates and high fiber content than rice.

“Half of the typical Filipino plate contains rice despite recommendations to eat more fruits and vegetables. New dietary guidelines recommend that fruits and vegetables should occupy half of our plates and about ¼ by grains,” Duldulao added.

Providing more alternatives to rice, event partner The Old Spaghetti House presented a 30-minute Rice-less cooking show, featuring easy-to-cook carbonara and kid`s spaghetti.

The Rice garden in Luneta was put up in partnership with the Bureau of Plant Industry, the National Parks Development Committee of the Department of Tourism, and the Asia Rice Foundation. (Jandel Posion)

National Youth Day 2011 (Diocese of Novaliches)

National Youth Day 2011

                                               by Roy Wilson Villafania 

The National Youth Day is a great celebration of faith by Filipino young people coming from different parts of the country. In fact, this year’s national celebration of the NYD became more significant, as this event falls within the CBCP Year of the Youth on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth. It is also an echo and a follow-through of the recently concluded 26th World Youth Day in Madrid. This year’s NYD celebration is hosted by the Federation of National Youth Organizations under the auspices of the CBCP-ECY.

The NYD is an event where the Philippine Church expresses, in very concrete ways, her great love for the young.  It is an occasion offered for young people to celebrate and deepen their faith, and a special moment of coming together as one body, united in a journey towards intimacy with Christ. It is experiencing faith with other youth with the presence of the National Youth Cross and the bishops and priests which made it more significant and meaningful.    

The activities within the festival sites were centered on the theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith,” which is the same theme of the recently concluded WYD in Madrid. As this year marks a special celebration, the activities also delved on strengthening the youth ministries and organizations helping them to be sensitive to the realities and signs of our times, and to be more organized, involved and committed in the mission of bringing the Church closer to the youth and the youth closer to the Church. It is not only about encountering Jesus Christ through the various activities, workshops, and the presence of each and everyone but it is more of sharing the message we had received. It is also about effectively sharing the good news to the others by bringing Christ to them through our lives. The Church and the young ministers who were gathered in the NYD Celebration were mindful of the modern-day challenges to evangelization but expressed their commitment in effectively and consistently making Christ known to everyone through their personal lives and the unwavering works of the youth ministries and organizations all over the country.   

The Diocesan Commission on Youth of Novaliches was one of those who responded to the Church’s call of participation in this year’s NYD celebration. We had a total of 20 pilgrims coming from 9 different parishes who represented our Diocese to the NYD celebration. The Diocesan delegation was assigned to Claret Festival site wherein we had our activities, plenary sessions and workshops. The boys of the Diocese of Novaliches together with the Diocese of Romblon were placed in the Postulancy House of the Claretian Missionaries just nearby the festival site for the accommodation while the girls were assigned to their respective foster families within the area of Holy Cross Parish, Krus na Ligas.  

The Diocesan pilgrims consist of the ff:

Roy Wilson Villafania- Parokya ng Kristong Hari (Assistant Group Leader)

Darwin Lomentigar- Parokya ng Kristong Hari (Group Leader)

John Rey Esmedia- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Jason Esparza- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Maria Cherrie Esparza- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Khim Berce- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Clara Madrid- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Dottie Sison- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Dave Quiseo- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Eggie Garcia- Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish

Robert Pareja- St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Ronnel Campued- St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Kim Siloue Siaboc- Mary Mother of the Church Parish

Runel Lagrimas- Mary Mother of the Church Parish

Kenny Gonzales- Mary Mother of the Church Parish 

Francis Arwin Abreo- Holy Spirit Parish

Eric Estrada- Holy Spirit Parish 

Jay Udtohan-Holy Family Parish

Arlene Villamor- Holy Family Parish

Eula Robes- Sta.Cruz Parish

Gladys Amaba- Sagrada Familia Parish

The NYD Celebration in each festival site became more meaningful because the activities for the day were concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the presence of the Bishops, priests, religious brothers and nuns. In fact, our very own Bishop Antonio Tobias concelebrated in the Opening Mass for NYD at Don Bosco Makati on November 14.  He also visited us at Claret Festival Site on the second day. The pilgrims of our diocese made Novaliches and Jesus shine through their vibrant, youthful energies and active participation all throughout the NYD celebration. In fact it is our Diocese who had left a lasting impression at Claret Festival Site because of our vibrant and active participation through our cheer and shout: “NOVALICHES BATTI LE MANI” while waving the white banner. Moreover, most of the volunteers at Claret Festival site are from our Diocese.

The NYD celebration was concluded with the Marian Pilgrimage walk to Cuneta Astrodome where the Final Mass and the Grand Festival Night was held. The Marian pilgrimage walk was spent in prayerful mood as the pilgrims carry their banners and placards with slogans. The Cuneta astrodome was filled with a rainbow of colors representing the festival sites. After the final mass, the program started with the John Paul II Youth Ministry Awards. The night was filled with joy, dancing, singing, and the NYD Tsunami Wave that rocked Cuneta Astrodome. There were also special guests and celebrities such as Makisig Morales and the soul siren Nina. After the grand festival night, the pilgrims went home to their respective accommodations and foster families. A send-off mass or liturgy were held the next morning in each festival sites and host parishes to conclude the NYD celebration.

Nova cheer:

What name? NOVA! What name? NOVA! What name? NOVA! 

NOVALICHES BATTI LE MANI! Clap clap clap!!

 By becoming planted and built up in Jesus Christ, we can be firm in the faith 

 May we continue to stand firm in faith and do all our works in love!