By Glezyl Benbi Montecillo

The author is in Fourth Year high school at Kabankalan Catholic College (KCC) where this year’s Regional Youth Day (RYD) took place.

Regional Youth Day is one of the traditions of the Catholic Church in which the youth are given a chance to be together and be united as one. It reflects World Youth Day which was established by Pope John Paul in Rome in 1986. After the previous RYD in Romblon in 2007, it was decided that the next RYD would be held in Kabankalan.

The theme for this year’s RYD, held from 21 to 24 April, was ‘Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, keep the good things that have been entrusted to you.’
21 April, first day – ‘Welcoming the flame of the Holy Spirit’

At 8am: the arrival and the registration of the delegates from the different vicariates of the Diocese of Kabankalan. At around 1:30pm: the arrival of delegates from the different dioceses and archdioceses of the Western Visayas. The delegates from the Diocese of Kabankalan did the welcoming. After lunch the delegates were assigned to their respective foster parishes and foster families.

The RYD was participated in by 860 delegates:

127 From the Archdiocese of Jaro, 16 from the Archdiocese of Capiz, 17 from the Diocese of Romblon, 49 from the Diocese of Kalibo, 37 from Diocese of Antique, 71 from the Diocese of San Carlos, 46 from the Diocese of Bacolod and 219 from the Diocese of Kabankalan.

That night the program began with Holy Mass, celebrated by Bishop Patrick A. Buzon SDB of Kabankalan together with the other priests from the different dioceses and archdioceses. After Mass we were able to roam around and make friends.

Governor Isidro P. Zayco of Negros Occidental and Mayor Elpidio Zayco of Kabankalan City gave their messages of welcome to the delegates.
22 April, second day- ‘The flame of the Holy Spirit in us’

We grouped ourselves and had some talks about the theme and we were given some questions to answer and share in our group. In the afternoon we had different, simultaneous workshops that focused on developing our skills and talents. These were followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Jose Corazon T. Tala-oc of Romblon and the other priests. At night we had a Taizé prayer service with the theme, ‘Praying with the Flame’.
23 April, third day – ‘Burning with the flame of the Holy Spirit’

We had a talk about the elections in 2010 with National PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) Chairperson Henrietta de Villa as our guest speaker. She emphasized ‘CHAMP’ (Clean Honest Accurate Meaningful and Peaceful elections) and its purpose, ‘For a change’ and that ‘election’ is not for a term of money but an act of choosing. Pelagio Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas, gave a talk on graft and corruption.

In the afternoon, we had our sharing and gave reactions to the talks. Holy Mass then followed, celebrated by Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza, auxiliary of Jaro. Later we had our fellowship night and we did enjoy ourselves because that was the last night of RYD 2009.

24 April, the last day – ‘Bringing home the flame of the Holy Spirit’

There was a parade from KCC to St Francis Xavier Cathedral followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas SDB of Maasin, with Bishop Jose F. Advincula Jr of San Carlos and Bishop Patrick A. Buzon SDB. During the Mass we had the turnover of the banner to the Diocese of Kalibo, Aklan, the next venue of RYD in 2011.

You may email Glezyl at bhabiegul@yahoo.com