CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – Close to 7,000 youngsters gathered during the World Youth Day-Laguna (WYD) 2023 on August 5 and shared stories of faith and acts of service.

To Sophia Isabel Dapilaga of San Agustin Parish, Poblacion, Bay, Laguna, attending the World Youth Day made her more devoted to serving the church and her fellow youth.

“Dahil po sa World Youth Day-Laguna, nagkaroon po ako ng mas malalim na dedication na maglingkod sa simbahan at sa mga kapwa ko kabataan,” she said.

Dapilaga was a first-time participant of World Youth Day-Laguna with the theme “Tumindig, Humayo, Arats Na” held on August 5 to 6, 2023 at Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba.

World Youth Day-Laguna is a pilgrimage, a youth celebration, a representation of the universal Church, and a deep evangelization opportunity for the youth.

The once in every three years event, organized by the Diocese of San Pablo and San Pablo Youth Commission, brought together the youth from Laguna and neighboring provinces.

Dapilaga said her first WYD experience was the best, despite having the responsibility of leading her fellow youth as the delegation head in their parish.

“The best po yung naging experience ko sa first time kong pag attend sa WYD [Laguna]. Although kabado and pressured ako… (dahil) paano ko po imamanage ang mga bata and the preparations before the program,” she said in an interview with PIA Calabarzon.

“Grabe po yung dedication ng mga participants na mag lakad kahit gaano pa po kalayo [pilgrim walk]. Ang daming daing na mainit, pagod na ako, at di ko kaya. Pero still, nag-enjoy po ako personally pati na rin po yung mga bata sa experience po na yon,” she added.

Calamba City Councilor Moises Morales acknowledged everyone involved in the activity and encouraged them to set a positive example by taking quick action to improve the lives of their fellow youth.

“Sana maging aral ‘yan [WYD-Laguna] sa inyong mga kabataan, [na] you must be a good example because kayo ang mga susunod na henerasyon at yung pagtugon nyo sa misyon na agaran at mabilis. Kagaya nung tema nyo na “Arats na, Arats na” ibig sabihin mabilis. Sana mabilis rin ang mangyayari na mababago nyo ang takbo ng buhay ng mga kabataan at kayo ang mangunguna lalo [na] ang mga participants dito sa 5th Word Youth Day-Laguna,” Morales said in his video message during the WYD-Laguna.

He added the Laguna youth were lucky for being chosen as servants of the Lord and having experienced the local WYD.

“Napaka-blessed nyo because for so many [youth] you are chosen. Ibig sabihin, kung ang pag-uusapan ay kabataan, napakaraming kabataan sa Laguna pero napakapalad nyo kasi isa kayo sa mga bumubuo at gumaganap at sumama dito sa ginaganap na Local WYD-Laguna,” he added.

Michael Angelo Valencia, event director, cited the importance of WYD-Laguna as a coming together of the youth as the instruments of the Lord in supporting the Catholic Church.

“It’s very important na magkaroon ng World Youth Day local celebration, kasi hindi lamang ito pagtitipon ng mga kabataan sa buong Laguna. Tayo ay mga kabataan na may magagawa in the future. The Church really needs us [youth] at napakahalaga na maintindihan ng mga kabataan na ang local celebration ay hindi lamang pagtitipon kung hindi ito ay pagsasama-sama ng mga kabataan na may iisang adhikain, ang magmalakaya at magpakalat ng salita ng Diyos because we are all instruments of God,” Valencia said.

Valencia encouraged the youth not to be afraid of their missions because it will lead them to grow as a person and as a servant of the Lord.

“Ang mensahe ko sa mga kabataan ng Laguna ay wag matakot umoo sa kanilang misyon, every day is a mission to succeed. God does not want us to fail but God really want us to grow, as a person and as a servant,” he added. (AM, PIA-4A)