Learnings from the National Youth Day 2025

DO NOT GET FOOLED BY MY IMAGES POSTED ABOUT THE NATIONAL YOUTH DAY! This is not how it perfectly looks like during my NYD of 2025.

To our World Youth Day delegates of Seoul, Korea (2027) and National Youth Day delegates of Cagayan de Oro (2028): Maybe you are one of the youth who are thinking: “Oh, how beautiful it is to be a delegate of such a pilgrimage! It looks fun!” or maybe you are imagining how “hayahay” (laid-back) we were during our 4-day stay at Caceres.

Dearest delegates, before I became part of the San Pablo Youth Apostolate Core Group just a year ago, I was—and still am— the Pangulo sa Batan-on (Youth Leader) of GKK Sto. Niño in Lanzona, Matina, Davao City and also the Zone 7 Youth Coordinator; Yes, the same place where Fr. Ritzchild Cariaga grew up, one of our young priests in Davao.

Back then, I carried a heavy load of responsibilities. I went through a lot of silent battles in school, parish, and chapel that left me feeling exhausted and defeated. There were times I wanted to give up completely. I even begged my mom, and Ate Aiko, our Parish Youth Coordinator— to let me step down.

I’ve also experienced being scolded in front of others by elders in the chapel and church ministries, even by some of the older youth. I’ve been disheartened and disappointed so many times.

Before I was chosen as one of the NYD delegates, I had all the reasons not to join. My heart was unsure, and I felt weighed down. But eventually, Jesus unloaded all my unnecessary baggage—the emotional and mental burdens I knew I couldn’t carry on this pilgrimage. That was a turning point. The “luggage” I left behind represents the people, situations, and feelings I had to surrender in order to move forward.

DURING the NYD, there were so many inconveniences that happened! There were countless moments when our situation became difficult—and to top it all off, we were even caught in heavy rain! SLEEPLESS nights to go on, EARLY mornings to wake up, and you won’t eat your lunch by 12NN! Mud on your shoes with the burning rays of sun stinging your skin.

But why? Why did God allow it to happen? Well.. It’s a pilgrimage, not a vacation. When you’re walking with Him, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows.

Let me tell you this: take the risk to LEAVE all baggage to journey with Him, listen to the older people when they nag you. From there, you will get to understand how beautiful it is to endure and persevere.

Let the rain pour on you, allow your hunger to rumble in your stomach, feel the pain of your feet of long traslacions, face all the inconveniences and tiring times because those are the blessed moments of you encountering Him.

Amidst the struggles, EMBRACE IT! Because when I did, I felt His unending mercy.

Cry if it comforts you. Be true to what you feel (but don’t go overboard) because He is always close to those who are in need of Him.

To our beloved delegates of the next WYD and/or NYD, never expect a perfect life—don’t. Take it from me: expectations can easily lead to disappointment. I’ve been there. But instead of expecting, choose to hope. Hope for a life lived with Him, in Him. As Romans 5:5 reminds us, “Hope does not disappoint,” because God Himself is our hope.

Dearest delegates, prepare your hearts—and even your jaws—to drop out of amusement! BUCKLE UP! For you are about to witness a life you never imagined you’d be part of… a life so full of grace, surprises, and purpose that only He could have written for you. (Sophia Beatrice V. Sison | SPYA Asst. Formation Ministry Head)