SYM Activities

CHILDREN’S FEST

by Richard Roy Tañada

Last August 29, the Salesian Youth Movement held its first CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL. The event was an initiative of the SYM Council to gather all elementary members of the different sodalities affiliated in the movement as well as the kids coming from the catechism classes of the youth centers and parishes. Over 400 participants coming form 13 settings – both Salesian and Non-Salesian, gathered in Don Bosco Youth Center, Tondo for a whole day of fun-filled activity for the kids. The Federation of the Catechists facilitated the games with the help of the Savio Friends Club who acted as marshals together with the youth of Don Bosco Tondo. The Federation of the Choirs and Musicians, Knights of the Altar, namely, & other youth members of the different sodalities affiliated in the SYM joined together to make the gathering a successful one. With the theme: “Batang Salesyano Araw Mo’To, At Home Ka Dito”, Fr. Ian Rosal, SDB gave his inspirational message citing “Santino” of the ABS-CBN TV Program,”May Bukas Pa” as an example how important a child is in the eyes of God. The gathering turned out to be a successful one and is likely to be continued next year.

SYM FORMATION PROGRAMS

by Richard Roy Tañada

As a respond to the request of most of the lay animators / moderators especially in the school settings, the Salesian Youth Movement came up in organizing a series of formation program intended to assist them in animating their respective youth groups in their particular setting. It is a half day seminar which introduces the new animators in the fundamentals of youth ministry and a refresher course for the old ones. The program is likely patterned in the Animator’s School conducted before by the SYM.

The series of formation started with an orientation last July 25 held at the Audio Visual Room at the SJB Parish Makati City, facilitated by the SYM Council. The first in the series of formation focused on the Basic Approach in Youth Ministry – offering the participants a learning process of how we are to journey with the young as well as the necessary skills for journeying with, to, for and by the young. It was held last August 15 at the SYCAmore Office SJB Parish Makati City with Fr. Noel Sumagui, SDB of DB Batulao as the speaker. Fr. Eduardo “Duds’ Hila, SDB of TVET Tondo with his prowess in the topic of Animating Youth Groups facilitated the forty participants who attended 2^nd formation last September 19 in SJB Parish Makati City. Participants had the chance to get to know of the nature and purpose of youth groups and how to animate them. The third and last of the series will be conducted by Fr. Favie Faldas, SDB, Rector of DBTI Tarlac on October 17 in San Idelfonso Parish, Makati. The seminar offers Skills and Strategies in Youth Ministry of how to make formation program designs for the youth groups as well as the different strategies needed in animating.

Lots of formation programs and more topics will be offered next year to assist animators in ministry of the young.

Bayanihan

“Bayanihan… damayan… malasakit sa kapwa… kawang gawa.” All these Filipino words capture what volunteerism is all about and the spirit behind it.

Volunteering is the practice of people working on behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain. Volunteering generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. People also volunteer to gain skills without requiring an employer's financial investment.

The Salesian Commission on Youth Ministry (SYCAMore) has always been at the forefront of volunteerism and volunteer work as it is staffed by youth volunteers in their desire of youth serving youth. Youth volunteers staff who give their time, talent, resources and even at times to the detriment of their health for others.

Furthermore, the office would not function without the presence of many youth volunteers whom we call youth animators and club leaders in the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) who run our various activities for the growth and development of your young people. The movement is 4,000 strong. Through the years, the youth serving youth concept has grown in order to involve a wider movement of young people and of youth activities.

Furthermore, the FIN province has brought youth volunteerism to another level – volunteers as servant leaders for social transformation of church and society. The recent typhoon calamities that have struck the country brought out the best in our young people through volunteer work in packing relief goods and distributing them.

Truly, we can say that the vast movement of young people envisioned by Don Bosco which started 20 years ago with the concept “youth serving youth” has grown to what it is now because of the countless young people and Salesians who believe in the cause that we are all called to serve others.

“This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you, John 15:12-14.”

Bro. Mon Callo, SDB

Urgent Appeal for Assistance to Typhoon Victims

October 1, 2009

Report of Bro. Raymond D. Callo, SDB
Delegate – Youth Pastoral/ Head – Commission on Youth Ministry
FIN (Manila) Province

The Commission on Youth Ministry has raised 300,000 pesos from various benefactors which is equivalent to USD 6,000 dollars. With USD 1,000 dollars, we can prepare relief goods (ready to eat food) for 100 families good for 3 days. That is very minimal. Hence, there is a need for more funds to buy food and other immediate items needed.

At present, there are already 300 confirmed dead and 500,000 persons displaced and are living in evacuation centers.

Chronology of Events:

During the typhoon last Saturday September 26, 2009
As what was mentioned in the previous Australasia newsclasp, Don Bosco Technical College Mandaluyong gave temporary shelter and meals to 300 college students trapped by flood. Savio Parish also in Mandaluyong became a temporary shelter for the parishioners. Settings in Makati areas were flooded at the ground floor. Books and paper got wet. Some mission areas in San Ildefonso Parish were also affected by flood waters. Don Bosco Center of Studies and Seminaryo ng Don Bosco became temporary shelter for students and had to sleep over. Tuloy became a temporary shelter for 800 persons living in the mission areas. All the rest, no news.

After the typhoon
From the National Disaster Coordinating Council, several cities in Metro Manila were declared to be in the state of calamity such as: Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Quezon City as well as the provinces of Rizal and Laguna.

There were approximately 300 dead and 500,000 persons living now in evacuation areas. Evacuation areas are usually government schools, gymnasiums, multi-purpose halls or barangay halls.

Some SDB families were also affected especially those living within the areas mentioned to be in a state of calamity as well as our lay mission partners and students.

The rains that poured on that day were very unusual. The rains for the day were equivalent to the total rainfall for the month. The last time such an event occurred was 40 years ago. So the down pour flooded homes up to waist deep and even up to the rooftop. While the rampaging current swept houses, persons and vehicles away. School days for the calamity areas were suspended for a week.

What is being done by our Salesian communities:
Don Bosco San Jose collected relief goods and cash from their students.
DB Pampanga also is collecting relief goods and cash from their students for Pampanga areas.
Savio parish in Mandaluyong started distributing relief goods to affected families in their areas. Now the young people of the youth center are volunteering to other church and community organizations to pack relief goods.
Don Bosco Technical College was doing the same thing of bringing relief goods to their lay mission partners and students, to other parishes and communities affected by the floods. The students and employees are doing volunteer work.
Our parishes are raising awareness from the parishioners in raising more relief goods and funds for this matter.
The Tuloy kids are also helping out Rotary Alabang to repack goods.
Don Bosco Youth Center Tondo, Seminaryo ng Don Bosco, Post Novitiate and Pre Novitiate are helping out as volunteers in different church agencies to repack relief goods.
The Commission on Youth Ministry is raising funds, buying relief goods, asking volunteers from young professionals working in the Makati area to devote after office hours to repack relief goods specifically volunteers from YUPPEAC (Young Professionals for Peace) and TULOY volunteers.

The Commission on Youth Ministry is coordinating and animating the province thru:
1. appeals for relief goods an cash donations here and abroad
2. matching volunteers with needs
3. raising awareness through volunteerism from young professionals who do volunteer service after office hours
4. spreading the donations to reach out to as many affected communities

At present, all efforts are into rescue and relief operations. Recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction will still take some time especially that there is another impending typhoon coming in. We are praying that it diverts its course or do as little damage as possible. Otherwise it can be traumatic for those already affected.

Challenges:
1. Some areas not being reached by relief and rescue efforts because they are not passable by foot or by vehicle.
2. There is an impending typhoon coming which might bring more rains
3. There is a need to sustain efforts to bring more aid

Immediate need:
1. ready to eat food
2. potable water
3. toiletries for men and especially for women
4. sleeping mats
5. slippers
6. cleaning materials
7. pail to gather water
8. medicines
Future concerns:
1. Disease outbreak. Medical mission will be needed
2. Clean up
3. Recovery, rehabilitation, reconstruction

Ondoy

The underestimated typhoon with public storm signal no. 1 named “Ondoy” had brought the Island of Luzon in a drastic devastated state. It was a big shock for us to see Metro Manila drowned in the brownish water, which was enough to kill hundreds of lives and destroy hundred thousands of homes, vehicles, establishments and businesses which had estimated property damages of worth billion pesos.

This rare occurrence was not normal for us to see especially in more developed areas of Metro Manila, although these phenomenon were usually experienced by our country men in remote areas and provinces of the country, whenever we saw them on T.V, we usually tend to become their spectators as we, who lived in a more advanced lifestyle and exists in the world of convenience had developed callous eyes to barely saw them with compassion.

What makes Ondoy’s experience different from the others? Our family, friends, relatives and people who are close to us were now the victims of this typhoon. This time, our connection to the victims was not something to be ignored as their spectators, but rather something need to be responded as their rescuer. The coldness of water that had chilled their bodies was being felt by our own feet, their shaking voices were now heard directly from our cell phones and their situation was seen in our own computer screen.

The information overflowed on Facebook and YouTube was directly attributed to the youth. They used the internet to send information, actual footages and videos, to show to the people how serious the situation was. This involvement of our young people had created big fuss to the cyberspace where immediate responses from different people and sectors boomed. Even the Media had resorted to the internet to gather news and information because floods narrowed down their information sources. They also launched telethon for those who were in need of rescue and a call for the sponsors to help out.

There were also young people opted to be volunteers in the relief operations done by both government and private sectors. They are the ones who opted to be perspired than to be inspired. They were able to prepare food packages for the hungry stomach, gave comfort for the homeless people and most of all, they touched not only the hearts of the victims but also the hearts of the Filipino. These Filipino youth are worth considered as the special treasure of the Philippines that is something to take care and to be proud of. Yes, despite of the “psyche” about being “Impersonal” and “virtually minded” of the Filipino youth today, there are still Filipino youth who are willing to walk out from the cyber-world. They are the one who leave their endanger virtual farms and hungry luxurious pets just to take the challenge of the drowned reality of our country. We must learn not to spoil ourselves to be complacent in helping others by just stretching our fingers in the keyboards, but rather need to shake our comfort zones to move with open arms to those who are in need.

Dondie Bernardino

Y-Fi (Youth First) 2nd Student Leaders Forum

Don Bosco Philippines – North Province cordially invites your school to send five (5) participants from your 3^rd and 4^th year high school student leaders preferably Student Council members and a teacher adviser to the 2^nd Student Leadership Forum entitled “Y-Fi!” (Youth First) Student Leaders Connected. This event will be held on Friday, November 13, 2009 at Le Pavillon, Metropolitan Park, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

The event aims to create a new breed of leaders by providing a venue for the different student leaders from both Public and Private schools to listen to talks on leadership in the campus, public service, society and media; participate in workshops and share their leadership secrets. We believe this event will be beneficial to both the school and your student leaders since this can serve as an avenue for networking and getting fresh and innovative ideas on how things are done in other schools. We have invited youth oriented speakers to grace this event.

Click here to download registration form

Highway: Dare to drive?

MANILA: 6th August 2009 -- The Feast of the Transfiguration seems an apt occasion for pointing out an interesting transformation that has happened in FIN Province in the Youth Ministry Sector. Under the capable leadership of Bro. Mon Callo, who has swapped a 'formation' role for an active 'youth' role, an earlier, by now pretty much defunct paper mag has taken on digital form. Vol 1 edition 1 July 2009 arrived as a set of 8 or so jpeg files, but together they make up 'Highway' (with the 'dare to drive' subtitle).
Actually, the jpeg format is clever enough for most computers these days, which will simply link them together if they are sitting in the same folder, so you can 'read' the magazine in your image program. It was a bit of a challenge to work out how best to put all of this into SDL (in the 'region' collection you will find an increasing number of these newsletters if they are at all preservable), so we chose to convert the jpeg's into a single PDF. The downside there is the size of the PDF! We'll try to find a way to cut that back if possible, but if you are happy to wait for the for the download, then you'll have 'Highway' in all its glory!
One senses, from reading this first edition, that YM in FIN is very much alive. Highway seems to have a good involvement of younger people in its preparation, under energetic guidance from its leadership. The final page lists a range of YM activities available: SYS Retreats, Formation, Camps, Servant Leadership Training, Spiritual Direction, Vocation Camps.... and more. No doubt every province is doing these things, but it is always good to share the successful moments with others - and 'Highway' seems to be one of those!

Click here to download the Highway in JPEG file format

Basic Course on Youth Ministry

Youth representatives from San Sebastian Cathedral, Tarlac were being sent to attend in the Basic Course on Youth Ministry; a two-day seminar which facilitates better understanding about the many aspects of youth ministry present in different sectors such as schools, parishes, and communities. I was fortunate to be chosen as one of them.

At first, we expected that this seminar will be another typical seminar like those which we have previously attended. I describe a typical seminar as being bombarded with ideas by listening to the talks, Yet in the end, we participants find ourselves out of focus, not accomplishing our objectives, and finding it hard to fish out ideas and lessons from the seminar, which we think are necessary to our community. First impressions don’t last. As the program went on running, my companions and I found ourselves regretting our previous expectation about this seminar, especially when we discovered ourselves appreciating, participating and enjoying every activity.

We listened and participated starting from the animations, instructions and game activities up to the speakers’ inputs and reflections. The BCYM seminar broadened our view of the issues and questions arose from the activity to clarify things about the youth ministry. This serves as a good point for the facilitators’ effort to make the activities lively and responsive.

We will not forget the Basic Course in Youth Ministry as we have found its importance to us youth ministers. This seminar affirmed the role of the youth, that in due time they will no longer become recipients and spectators of change in this generation, but they will also become agents of social transformation, The call of the great Father of the World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II lives to this very day to affirm and encourage the young: “You are a special treasure of the Church!”

Jaypee M. Lopez

bABBAd, Immersing in Life’s Fullness

For many outdoor enthusiasts, summer is a season for beach bathing, out of town trips, hiking and meeting different people. But for me, all of these activities could be summarized in the context of an immersion camp. And that is Salesian Lay Volunteer Philippines’s (SLVP) bABBAd ’09. The SLVP, headed by Fr. Ramon Borja S.D.B. and Ms. Reggie Medalla as the Executive Officer, together with other volunteers, decided that bABBAd ’09 would be held at Brgy. Mabato, Calamba City Laguna, one of the upland communities that belong to the Parish of Mary Help of Christians, Mayapa. Brgy. Mabato is known for its coffee beans and breathe taking scenery.

May 16, 2009, at around 5:00 pm, right after our overnight pre-camp at Don Bosco Canlubang, we traveled for an hour and a half to reach our immersion site. It was already getting dark and our foster parents were still not in the Baranggay Chapel. So, the 2 S.K. kagawads decided to take us to our foster homes. The way to our foster homes already became a challenge for us. The rough and steep road, slowly enveloped by darkness, made it difficult for us to see our footholds. It took us about 30 minutes walk from the Baranggay Chapel to our foster home. Halfway through our strides, I, together with my buddy Gabby, a graduate of Don Bosco Sta. Cruz, met our foster mother, Mrs. Tonet Laurel and her only child, Emmanuel. She approached us with a smile and led us to their home. While she was leading us to their home, she immediately introduced herself and her son, and we started getting acquainted with each other.

At last, we reached our foster home! The Barking of their dogs echoed and Nanay Tonet rushed forward for us to safely enter their home. As I sat down on their sofa, I realized how tiring that 30minutes was. Tired and hungry, Nanay Tonet prepared a squash soup with galunggong for our first dinner together. The squash soup tasted fresher compared to the squash soup from the city. One can savor the flavor very well in their cuisine, even if Nanay didn’t use MSG. After eating dinner, my partner and I decided to wash the dishes. But we have to conserve the water very well because they have no faucet. Their primary water source is the rain, while, they have to go down a steep hill to for drinking water. My foster father came late at night because he got stuck a bit in a Bingo game. He shared a number of funny stories that night; making us feel very welcome in their home.

After our light talk, it is time to sleep. They provided a mosquito net, a blanket and a covered pillow for each of us. Both beddings smell newly bought. That night, I felt not just the Filipino hospitality, but the warm welcome of having acknowledged us as one, or two, of their family members.

The next morning I woke up to the cock’s crow, with the cool breeze still rushing through my veins, giving me Goosebumps. This was my very first time to see my surroundings, since we arrived dark the other day. I lived in a 2 storey, cement founded house with a window made of “capiz” in the front and right sides. It was then that I realized that it was only our foster home that stood within the area. That morning, I tasted their home made brewed coffee, with beans fresh from their backyard that serves as their small coffee plantation.

In the following days, I was able to get used to their way of living such as long distance walks, somehow I was able to chop wood, the tiring up and down hill walks just to take a bath and fetch drinking water. All these and many simple things made me be one of with the community, and a brother and friend to my fellow ka-bABBAds. We became one with the community because every time we passed by somebody, they would not hesitate to give us a smile, a smile which signifies that we are very much welcome in their place; a place not just for an immersion, but a place where you can return to every time you want to… a HOME.

It was definitely sad that the 5 days of being with them has gone through very quickly. But it the time has come for us to process ourselves as to what learning we have acquired during the 5 days of stay with the community of Brgy. Mabato. The processing took place at Bulabod, Puerto Galera, in a private beach resort with a mesmerizing view of the sea and sky, a perfect way for us to recollect our experiences of Baranggay Mabato.

To sum it up, bABBAd ’09 made me realize how generous and hospitable Filipinos are. We share with the ones we acknowledge as friends and family, and sacrifice for the ones we love. For 5 days we were able to become part of the community who have shared and sacrificed much for us. That sacrificial love, expressed in the daily lives of the people of Baranggay Mabato has captured my heart, not as an immersionist, but as a fellow Christian, whose goal in immersing with a community is to be in deeper communion with Abba, our Father and Creator.

Jeudiel S. Maunahan

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE SUMMER

I was one of the lucky participants who were picked to join the Hope Illustwriters Youth Aspirants (Hi-Ya) Summer Camp at Bansud, Oriental Mindoro. I was very excited. In this camp, I met new friends, learned new things, and discovered something amazing. I never thought I could change in a week. I must say last April 24 to 29, 2009 were the best days of my summer.

I got the hype built up the night before we left for Mindoro. I couldn’t sleep. Once we were on the bus, the RORO, and on the road again anticipation increased. At the first day when we arrived at St. John Bosco Camp, we were given a challenge right away. All of us were surprised. But it’s a good move that the so called “Amazing Race” really made us closer to each other. Especially when I had an injury, all of my teammates worried about my condition. However, we still managed to finish the whole race.

The sessions we had were very intense. The lessons that they taught struck me. It touched my heart and my soul with every activity we had. We had an immersion. Each group has an assigned family to visit. I was moved by the story of Nanay Helen and her family. They have a simple lifestyle but as far as what I have seen they are happy. I wish I could have that life – a simple yet contented life.

The first two days were handled by the SCYM staff. So at the third night, we put on a little presentation for them. This is our small way of saying our thanks to Kuya Sandy, Kuya Dondie, Kuya Jeff, Ate Janette, Ate Dinvah, and Bro. Raymond, for sharing great lessons and wonderful words to inspire us to continue working on our book and in living our lives.

The next days were handled by Fr. Richie, where we had beautiful sessions and masses with him. On the dawn of the third day, we were all assigned into different groups. It’s hard to walk through the dark with our eyes blindfolded. Some of us grew afraid because they didn’t know what to expect. But I did not feel scared, for I know something good will happen. They made us sit on the sand and asked us to take off our blindfolds. What a relief! We waited for the beautiful sun to rise. Before our mass on the beach, some of us had confession. It was the most beautiful mass we ever had, with scenery like that, it will be unforgettable.

The next hours were spent sharing. As the hours passed, we finally came to the fun part of the day . . . Swimming! Everyone felt refreshed, dipping down the cool waters of Mindoro.

On the fourth day, we did more sharing and finally started constructing our stories for the book. It was hard to make stories and illustrations right away, especially when time is your enemy. The mentors didn’t like what we have in mind about our stories, so we kept on changing our concepts. The night, we had a healing mass, we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit coming to us and that made us a lot better. All we needed was Divine inspiration.

The fifth day came; we didn’t have any sleep at all because we had to finish our stories before we go home. Leaving Bansud was the saddest part. I came here with great expectations, and I was overwhelmed with the things that occurred in just a week. Before leaving the camp Fr. Richie gave us a seed of a plant. Maybe someday when we can get a chance to go back, and there, we will see the plant that blooming with beautiful flowers from a seed that we planted.

Before, I was a complete stranger to these people. But as the days went by, sessions got deeper, paper and ink were used more, the bond got richer, and of course our relationship with God became greater, I am now surrounded with people whom now I trust and know so well. It’s like we have stayed at Bansud for years. I must say God has a funny way of bringing us all closer together. Through the ups and downs of this camp, I have developed a friendship that I will surely treasure and a very special relationship with God. It is truly worth saying that, “This is the best summer of my life!”

Marijoyce Patricia Serrano

BATANG SALESYANO ARAW MO 'TO, AT HOME KA DITO

Venue: Don Bosco Youth Center- Tondo
Date: August 29, 2009