MANILA, Nov. 4, 2011?After the first successful run of the Youth Forum in Malolos City, the second run that took place in Naval, Biliran last Oct. 29 ended with a blast.
The youth forum, dubbed by the region as a ‘regional youth forum-Love Rocks!’ was held at Naval Gymnasium and attended by 951 participants.
Participants were composed of young people from 12 parishes and three youth organizations from Naval diocese and from the regional youth coordinating council of the Archdioceses of Cebu and Palo and the Dioceses of Catarman, Calbayog, Borongan, Maasin, Dumaguete, Tagbiliran and Talibon.
Fr. Cornelio Amante Jr., regional youth director of the Central and Eastern Visayas region welcomed the participants and guests.
“In behalf of the region, of the host diocese and the diocesan clergy of Naval, we are happy that you responded to our invitation to gather here as part of our solidarity in celebrating one of the highlights of the CBCP Year of the Youth, which is Love Rocks! forum. We are happy that you are here [to join] us for this wonderful event,” Amante said.
Unlike in the first run, the guest sharers for the 2nd love rocks forum came from the region.
There were three categories of panelists, consisted of a married couple who were active in the youth ministry during their days, a single lady and young professionals who are in their two-year relationship.
Members of the panel were Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Borrinaga who are married for 23 years and were active in the youth ministry during their younger days; Juve Neduelan and Elizabeth Ybanez who are young professionals and in a relationship; Vina Jayubo, a lady who had no boyfriend since birth and Marner Samson, who is still single.
There were three segments, the ‘kilig moments’, ‘heartbroken moments’, and ‘the original love story’, where these three coincided with a real love story that is shared by two individuals but also offered to God.
Sharing in small groups was done after each segment. Participants said their commitment after the last segment emphasizing that love can wait and an individual must be serious when it comes to the issue of love.
Fr. Marvyn Maceda, the vicar-general of the diocese said the mass.
In his homily, Maceda explained that the youth must know how to value faith when it comes to love and also to have faith in God in everything that an individual must do.
The commitment card used by the delegates was offered during the mass. (Jandel Posion)
