CYA Annual Report 2021

What

A message from the CYA Manila Director

Our heartfelt gratitude to you - our Action Partners, alumni, partners in mission, students and staffers - for your faithful contribution in evangelizing and training our young people for the service of the Church and society.

First of all, thank you for all your support. This has made our work of evangelization and discipleship effective even during the pandemic. Support from you and new ideas from our student leaders have kept our work relevant to the youth.

In the book of Isaiah, a few chapters were written during the Babylonian exile. For the Israelites, this was a period of uncertainty as well. They experienced a disrupted way of life, disrupted worship to God, and their entire lives were changed seemingly for the worse. Yet the Lord was steadfast to them and even encouraged them:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

- Isaiah 43: 18-19

The Lord led us to the verse of Isaiah during our 2021 planning.

I believe this message struck us in the same way that it did the Israelites many millennia ago. The Lord gave us the reassurance of His love and guidance as we remain sensitive to what He has planned for CYA.

Some of these new things being a continued focus on our Digital Evangelization efforts, to become more involved in the voter's registration and preparation for face-to-face activities.

Online Reach

The year 2021 allowed us to continue our efforts to try different and creative ways to evangelize using digital means. We were able to launch a Leadership podcast for student leaders called 'Ain't a Boss'. We’ve also started gaining traction on our YouTube channel and other social media platforms. In just a year of digital evangelization, we have conducted major online programs that were critical to our young people. Programs such as initiation courses, training households, and a sexuality conference. We even started a few socio-political initiatives to keep our youth involved in advocating Christ-centered candidates.

A message from the CYA Manila Director

National Involvement

CYA unexpectedly got elected as the chair-organization of the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO). This chairmanship gives CYA the opportunity to lead the movement of different organizations for the service of the Catholic Church for the next three years. This has placed our organization in a strategic place of influence and has given us an opportunity to share our resources with more young people and youth organizations. One of them being a program with a goal to encourage more young people to register to vote in preparation for the 2022 National Election. We believe that all these opportunities are set to prepare us for what is happening now and what will happen ahead of us.

Contingencies in 2022

Many universities and colleges have begun the transition towards hybrid or even face-to-face classes. We consider this development a good sign that we in CYA will be able to go back to our physical meetings and evangelistic programs in 2022. We now look forward to a “new normal mission work,” applying all our learnings this pandemic season and combining it with our pre-pandemic best practices.

As a movement, we are called to proclaim the gospel in any circumstance through evangelization and discipleship as we continue to press on in this new season. In the same manner, we remain vigilant in our fight for truth and justice keeping in mind our call towards nation-building. We are confident to say this, knowing that we have you, the Ligaya ng Panginoon community, our Action Partners, and all CYA alumni. All of you have been part of this journey with us and support us.

Kay Kristo Buong Buhay Habambuhay!

Christian Life Series

Behold, the Holy Spirit moves through Zoom. The Lord has blessed CYA with its CLS program that has easily adapted online. Almost double the number of students, around 175, have made their commitment and were brought closer to the Lord. This ran across the hubs from Feb 2021-May 2021.

Becoming Series: Sisters Event

A sense from the women's staff planning was to be bolder in evangelization and build deeper connections with one another as sisters. This led to a 4-part women’s series called “Becoming Series” in Feb 2021. The topics covered were on confidence, Christian identify, self-worth and leading as a woman.

Online Summer Household

The online household had kept the basics: maintaining regular prayer time, committed relationships, building up practical skills, leadership, and spiritual nourishment. This new digital household has allowed even more young people to join and be given the opportunity to be raised up as young leaders while receiving the support needed.

Socio-political Initiatives

Sambitla: Nation Building Forum - CYA led national events to invite the youth to register to vote in Jul 2021. CYA then has been developing and cascading more programs towards voter’s education for the modern christian youth.

2021

Highlights

As a ministry, CYA Manila is blessed with growth and grace in this pandemic. We rejoice in the areas in which the Lord has been working in the past year.

2021

Highlights

Discipleship of Leaders Online

The Lord has continually raised up leaders to do his mission despite some students only meeting CYA online for the first time. One of them was even led to become a staffer in Aug 2021. Nothing can and has stopped the hand of the Lord during the pandemic to welcome a new batch of CYA staffers.

Christian Sexuality Conference

Sexuality has been a growing area of concern for Christians. With this, CYA made a 6-part series in Oct 2021 discussing the teachings we have; how Christians are made in the dignity of our creator, how this leads to a proper use of our sexuality, and how it leads to marriage.

Highest Anniv Numbers Ever

In Nov 2021, we had 170 students who publicly committed their lives to the Lord. The Lord has blessed us this pandemic with a growing ministry. Christian groups had difficulty ministering this pandemic but CYA was one of the few graced online with a good number.

Fruit of Online Efforts

The online reach of CYA has been nationwide with the different socmed platforms. A good number of new students have gotten in touch with our pages and through their desire were led to commit their lives to Christ. This has become a growing avenue for CYA to build relationships with new students.

Students getting comfortable online

In 2021, Zoom has become the norm for gatherings. Students have gotten used to meeting new people online, playing games, watching movies together, and bringing people to Christ. Evangelization has definitely evolved digitally. Praise the Lord!

Manila Staffers

These are the men and women, the laborers in the harvest of the Lord, for SY 2021-2022.

Hub

Peter Legaspi

Legaspi

Quiring Dale Arconado

Menezes

Carandang

Narciso

Elago Jamela Dabuet

Montelibano

Perez

PinedaMara Narciso

Estrada

Cid Azcarraga

Hanz Labiran

Novie

Jiego

A look into

CYA Manila Hubs

A hub is a grouping of CYA Units in a key strategic geographical area.

How has the new ministry worked on our campuses? Let’s hear from our members.

Rap Oronce

Aganon

Dagelet

Manny Salazar

Lui Tenchavez

Josh Escarro

Franco de Guzman

Custodio

Leong

A look into CYA Manila hubs

South started in May 2015 when a group of students from Malayan Colleges Laguna went through a Christian Life Series. This has opened the doors for CYA to be present in more schools in Southern Luzon such as the University of the Philippines - Los Banos and San Pablo Colleges.

Units

Malayan Colleges Laguna University of the Phils. Los Banos San Pablo Colleges

Camille Narzoles

(CLS Participant/Graduate)

My CLS journey was like a stepping stone for me towards growing a relationship not only with God but also with my brothers and sisters. At first, it felt new to have people who I can talk to about God since I did not have many devout Christian friends before. I was also quite intimidated when speaking in tongues was introduced. But as I continued attending CLS, I’ve learned to journey with my brothers and sisters, accept the gift of tongues, protect my yes to God, and be constant in my presence here in CYA. Through CLS and my AG, I found people who can be my support system in my Christian life. Seeing them continuously serving God and attending CYA events was enough to inspire and motivate me. After committing my life to the Lord, I felt renewed, and little by little, I started to serve Him through CYA. I also became more exposed to fellowship. I felt the love of my fellow brothers and sisters, and I’ve also learned to grow my love for them by being open and spending time with them. Through CYA, I have experienced being loved and loving others.

A look into CYA Manila hubs

Darlene Ganigan (SECO Member)

As I became part of SECO, I experienced what it truly means to serve God and His people. By serving in our hub, I am called to go out of my comfort zone by speaking in front of people that I don’t know, sharing God’s word, leading my fellow students, and doing tasks that I didn’t know I could do well.

It became a challenge for me to serve in our hub, at first, while I balanced my studies and serving my family at the same time. Even though I tried scheduling my activities to manage my time wisely, there are some days that I really can’t do things as planned, resulting in a delay. But through these things, God taught me the real meaning of trusting Him. I began to let go of my plans and expectations including my graduation and thesis. I accepted the fact that I cannot graduate on time but continued serving and studying. Surprisingly, as soon as I let go of myself and let God take control, good news came. I was able to finish my thesis as scheduled, thus I would also be able to graduate on time. He has only asked for my time and trust and as soon as I responded to Him, he gave me all my undeserved blessings.

As a new staffer, one of the challenges I faced is reaching out to people online. Because of the pandemic, face to face meetups were limited and communications were only available in the online setting. It was difficult to communicate online because of

the internet issues we were experiencing and the limited resources of our students. It became more difficult to build stronger relationships because of the challenges in communicating.

Despite all these challenges, God is faithful. During this pandemic, although it was harder to build relationships online, we were still able to evangelize more students. More students were able to graduate in our Christian Life Series (CLS)- more than what we had pre-pandemic. Online gatherings had also allowed us to gather more people which is favorable to us who are in different locations. Indeed, as long as we stay faithful and choose to walk with the Lord, we will continuously bear fruit for in Him all things work together.

Novie De la Torre (New Staffer)

A look into CYA Manila hubs

It was in 1980 that the outreach efforts began in the universities in this area. Eventually, they became known as the UPMAT area, corresponding to the units under it: UP Diliman, Miriam College, and Ateneo de Manila. In 2005, the name QC Hub was established. Jim Orbe was the chapter head at the time.

Units

University of the Philippines Diliman

Ateneo de Manila University

Miriam College

University of Asia & the Pacific

Janina Ligon (CLS Participant/Graduate)

Going through CLS was like rediscovering God and who He is in my life. It was a time that helped me reflect on how I want my relationship with God to be like, and what steps I should take to get there. One of the best parts about it was that I went on this journey with people who were seeking the same things, and they made the journey much less daunting. After commitment, I’m more capable of getting up from low points in my life and deeply appreciating the high ones. When I would have a hard time in school or life in general, I had the tendency to shut down and lose hope quickly – going through CLS and committing to God taught me how to swim in these turbulent waters.

Stephen Zagala (CLS Participant/Graduate)

CLS for me was a perfect blend of education on faith and a concrete experience of what it meant to live it out through the people I encountered.

Committed Members

Groups

Members

Post-CLS life was a really, really crazy ride; I was involved in more services and experienced the grace of the Lord in ways that I hadn't previously thought possible. After CLS, I began to find God's grace in everything, and felt His love in all of the grand and mundane things alike; every day felt like a new chance to experience and respond to His love and mercy!

A look into CYA Manila hubs

Josie Doromal (SECO Member)

The most difficult challenge I've experienced in my service as SECO is overcoming my feelings of inferiority. As I witnessed my fellow SECO members do their tasks almost all so perfectly, I felt like my service was very lacking. However, I realized that service is a learning process, and rather than feeling inferior to those who do good in service, I should see them as my inspiration to become better in my service for God and for others. The Lord does not need me to become the perfect servant, rather He calls me to become more loving in service despite my own shortcomings and limitation.

Dan Aganon (New Staffer)

As a new staffer, there were plenty of challenges that I had to face. Some included the adjustment to the workplace, remembering that I’m not a student-leader but a full-time missionary, and adjusting to a different lifestyle. This includes a life full of prayer, spending most of my energy relating with students, attending trainings, participating in prayer meetings, organizing events, and many more. Although it has been difficult, I find the challenges helping me in building relationships in the unit that I am serving in now. At present, I am able to understand the different likes and interests of the students I am getting to know and I am also able to connect and have deeper understanding of their CYA experience. The fruits that I have been experiencing during my first year as a staffer are an outpouring of God’s grace and faith. I am able to trust in the Lord that he will use me as an instrument and that he will hear my prayers for the young men that I’m taking care of. I’ve experienced answered prayers as seen when young men committed their lives during the CYA Anniversary. Due to God’s faithfulness, this has given me a deeper conviction in our mission of evangelization, that we can change our country and the

A look into CYA Manila hubs

In the 1980s, 3 prayer groups were already existing. Thomasian Christian Brotherhood (TCB), Association of women in Theos (AWIT), and Ang Ilaw ng Panginoon (ILAW). These three groups formed under one umbrella into the now CYA UST. In 2020, the hub-unit extended their efforts outside of UST, reaching out to students of colleges and universities from the university belt area like PUP, CEU, FEU, UE, and was then named the CYA U-Belt Hub.

University of Santo Tomas 10 9

Members Action Groups SECO Members

During my CLS, I could say it wasn't easy for me. May hiya pa ako at di ko pa alam kung belong ako. It was a new environment and new set of people. But then I said, I'll try one session. And the first session was about God's love. I realized many things there. And there was a good overwhelming feeling finding people with such a huge faith, and having all of us altogether worshipping the Lord. I felt the love of the Lord in the next session, especially from the brothers in my small group. I was inspired by their sharings. Nung natapos ang CLS, akala ko hanggang dun nalang ako. When I decided to commit myself to the Lord, then I really changed personally. I felt eager to know more about the Lord, the importance of reading the bible, having personal time with the Lord, and serving others even in small ways. It wasn't easy leading to the commitment but with the help of the Lord and with the people in CYA, I felt special in the eyes of the Lord. At yung hiya na naramdaman ko nung una, nalampasan ko na yun dahil ngayon isa na din ako sa nagseserve. Masasabi ko na nag grow talaga ako at mas lalo pang mag gro-grow dahil kay Kristo buong buhay Habambuhay.

Marjol Pontillas

A look into CYA Manila hubs

Brix Sala (SECO Member)

Leading is about serving others for the Lord and not being served. Having the privilege to lead, thoughts flooded my mind on how to plan for events, leaving little to chance. Throughout the process of planning, the Lord made me realize that delivering a great experience for others involves trusting in Him and the people that He has surrounded me with. Hence, trusting the Lord and my colleagues, meant relying on their abilities and being patient with their efforts in coming up with better plans. This semester, balance and discipline have still been the theme for me. Coming into this semester, I prayed to the Lord whether or not I could continue to engage in the same amount of service as before. Considering other things, the Lord has helped me to realize that stepping back from some service would allow me to revisit the opportunities that I have had in order to grow. The Lord

As a new staffer, some challenges I had was having multiple meetings throughout the day, which meant having to look at a computer screen for long periods in the day due to our several activities. I also had doubts at the start of the pandemic whether we would ever be effective missionaries in the online world. One highlight for me was our recent Christian Life Series. University students still accepted and committed to the Lord as their Savior even though everything was conducted online. The Lord never ceases to amaze me! All my doubts are one by one being assured by the Lord and it made me respond with trust in the coming challenges of a staffer.

Joshua Escarro (New Staffer)

A look into CYA Manila hubs

The first CYA school in this area was established in 1984. Soon after, these schools were formed in the 90's as Intramuros Taft (IT) Area. In 2000, it was called the Taft Triad (UPM, CSB, EAC) & Intramuros Schools. It was then named as the Mega Hub in 2008, and from 2010 to present, we now know it as the Unified Manila Chapter (UMC).

Units

De La Salle University Manila

College of Saint Benilde Manila

University of the Philippines Manila Intramuros-Makati-Manila Schools

Nikki Lacuna (CLS Participant/Graduate)

Going through my CLS journey, I came to unlearn and relearn things about my faith in a time when I was having so many doubts and questions during the pandemic. Whenever I would listen to the sharings of CYA members and my discussion group, I was able to resonate with their experiences and it inspired me to not give up on my own faith journey. The sense of community I found in CYA brought me to also being more concrete and intentional in the actions of my faith—through personal prayer time and reading Scripture, I was able to find refuge and a safe space in the Lord. After committing my life to the Lord, I’ve noticed God working in my life through the blessings I receive, through each challenge I overcome, and through each person that has made me feel His love. I’ve become more grateful for all the simple joys and small successes because I’m able to see God’s presence in my life through His grace. Even with all the uncertainties of life, I feel a sense of relief knowing that I can always turn to the Lord who is constant.

Committed Members

Groups

A look into CYA Manila hubs

Abby Abellera (SECO Member)

As a student leader of CYA, one of the personal challenges I experienced in service was balancing my time. Apart from academics and orgs, I also run a business which made it challenging for me to manage my time to the point that sometimes I wouldn't have time for myself. However, I was able to face this challenge by making an effort in having an organized schedule and allotting a certain time for myself to rest so that I could do more. Despite the challenges of serving, there are also a handful of things that I've learned from this experience. Through serving as a core member, I've realized how the Lord can move us to do things that we never thought we could do. I personally didn't think of myself becoming a core member back then but here I am, serving as CYA DLSU's secretary. I would say that the Lord truly does amazing things, we realize our potential and we go places we never thought we would be. I am grateful for saying yes to this service and I've come to love what I'm doing.

I thought I already knew and had everything there was to reaching out to students, having served for a good number of years as a student-leader in CYA. I realized I was wrong when I started doing staff work in a hub that was different from the one I came from. It was a challenge for me to understand what worked best and didn’t work in reaching students. There was difficulty in being patient with myself in learning the ropes of doing staff work. I thank God for the assurance that it was perfectly fine not to know everything there was in becoming a missionary. That gave me the freedom to do more, be creative, and take initiative in getting to know the men I was reaching out to, knowing that it is God I proclaim and not myself or the event or the activity. I was able to be there in bringing them the Good News when they needed it the most. This bore fruit when I witnessed the men I was reaching out to commit their lives to Christ. I look forward now to even more opportunities to learn and be surprised by what God will teach me in doing mission work.

David de Guzman (New Staffer)

strong leading towards reaching out to even more young people while spreading light and truth

continued to create content that helps build up young leaders by seeking the help of existing

members

share what they've

college

of course their Christian journey.

studying tips to org life

What to look forward to in 02

2022

Empowerment

impact the course of the May 2022 Election.

Along with this program is supplementary digital content to be released on our social media accounts that will spread values-based voter’s empowerment materials.

FNYO Chairmanship

CYA has been nominated as the chair organization in the Federation of National Youth Organizations and we truly see this strategic blessing from the Lord as a way for us to build our ties with other youth organizations through events, conferences, and even training.

What to look forward to

Digital Transformation

CYA continues to work towards bridging the online world with existing programs that CYA has. We are striving towards a more seamless process wherein we can fully integrate all the young leaders that we’ve met online to transition well into the existing programs of CYA.

Our CYA Prayer

All these stories continue to lead us forward in the mission and towards new evangelization. Let’s continue to pray for the mission.

Let’s pray the PRAYER FOR NEW EVANGELIZATION

Father in Heaven and Lord of all, we approach your throne as Your young people, called to belong to you, and to share in the mission of our Redeemer.

We pray for our nation. Establish now Your reign among us. We pray for peace in our land, provision for our needs, justice, and freedom. Grant us grace to repent from our individual and collective sins, and bring us to genuine conversion. May Jesus be Lord of this renewed nation.

We pray especially for the youth. Send forth Your Spirit like a mighty rushing wind, and awaken the young people of this land. We dedicate ourselves to preach Your word, unweary in well-doing, that more young people might offer their lives to You. Let Your youth build up the Church. May Jesus be Lord of this renewed generation.

We pray all these through Christ our Lord. Hail Mary... Glory Be...

If you want to know more about this prayer from the writer himself take a look at this video

WATCH HERE

As we continue to try to evangelize more young leaders for the service of the Church and society, we want to invite you to join us by becoming an Action Partner.

you are led to support the mission today, you may visit our website and fill out the form.

If you have any questions, simply get in touch with us and we will be glad to answer them via our email:

Kay Kristo Buong Buhay Habambuhay

Let’s get in touch!