MANILA, July 28, 2011?At a recently held Love Rocks! Forum last July 23 in Malolos, Bulacan young people expressed their views and standpoint on the ever tricky topic of love.
During the forum, young people asked the guests of the forum questions on love, commitment and even sex. The enthusiasm of the participants was evident through the candid questions, which included questions like “How important is love-making in a relationship?” and “Is courtship still relevant nowadays?”
The two hosts and the five guests who have varied experiences on love took their time to share their personal stories and learnings to answer the questions asked by the participants.
Aside from the guests, members of the audience shared their opinions, specifically on pre-marital sex, stressing that sex is meant for marriage.
Waiting for the “special person”
During more in-depth interviews after the forum, some of the youth talked about their deeply-held beliefs about love.
Bon Demetrio from Vicariate of Meycauayan said that love is God.
“Kasi sa isang relationship, kung wala silang strong faith kay God, sa tingin ko hindi magtatagal ang relationship nila,” he explained. Demetrio further added that a love for God would necessarily translate into respect for your partner.
On the other hand, William Tiano from the same vicariate, said that aside from love for God and family, there is a love that means waiting for “a special person”.
“Kung maaring mahintay mo s’ya sa tamang oras, hihintayin mo ‘yung tamang oras na ‘yun at sa tamang lugar,” he said, explaining that this sums up what he learned from the Love Rocks! Forum.
Double blessing for Malolos
Fr. Angel Santiago, Diocesan Youth Coordinator of Malolos, said in an interview that Malolos is enjoying a double blessing by hosting the Love Rocks! forum as well as the National Youth Cross at the same time.
He also added that the forum would help the youth to be more open to service and “attain love”.
Succeeding youth forums will also focus on the experience of love for the young person as well as on misconceptions that young people have about love, commitment and relationships.
The Northern Luzon region is scheduled to host the next Love Rocks! Forum.
Around 450 young people from the Central Luzon region comprised of the Archdiocese of San Fernando in Pampanga, the Dioceses of Malolos, Iba, Zambales, Balanga, Bataan, Cabanatuan and San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac attended the pilot run of the Love Rocks! Forum. (Jandel Posion)
