“Childlike Faith”: 57th GKK Sto. Nino Chapel, Lanzona Fiesta

Last year’s content focused on the history and foundation of our Chapel. Through this article, I want to express the hardships and sacrifices that are often hidden and rarely spoken about. To our ever-active and loving PSK—Mrs. Remy D. Chan and Mr. Erning Chan, together with Mr. and Mrs. Marcelo, the Maranon, Aliviado, and Corro families; to our beloved GSLs and Chapel volunteers; and to our Zone 7 Youth Apostolate who never run out of joy in celebrating the fiestas—all the sleepless nights, the moments filled with fear and doubt, yet here we are, still serving and faithfully showing up for the community.

As Msgr. Julius Rodulfa said in his homily, we must have a Childlike Faith—a faith that surrenders all our struggles, confusion, and discomfort to our Father. A faith that brings us closer to the One who sacrificed His life for us, a faith that keeps us young, courageous, and willing to serve Him wholeheartedly. For five decades and seven years, “thank you” will never be enough for everyone who has served this community, from the youth leaders, coordinators, and past servants. Seeing the Chapel still alive and open to the people keeps the spark of hope burning.

To our GKK Servant Leaders who never fail to visit the Chapel—to practice for the choir, to clean, to prepare for fellowship, and to wake up early the next morning, your quiet sacrifices have made a great impact, especially during fiesta celebrations. What is the Chapel without these loving people? What would it look like without their dedication, their service, and their Childlike Faith that formed us, the youth apostolate—teaching us to stay humble and to serve without counting our efforts? Without our leaders and volunteers who continue to guide and inspire the youth, the Chapel would feel empty, dull, and unmoving. I thank Christ for placing me in a community that serves Him with grace and wholehearted devotion. I honor Him for gathering people whose Childlike love makes us, the youth, feel welcome and eager to serve.

To our benefactors who have passed on, especially Mrs. Noemi Aliviado, and to her son, Atty. Chalm Aliviado, who continues to support us quietly—you have shown us that service does not need recognition or praise. To the Santos, Ongkingo, Aliviado, Corro, Marcelo, and Maranon families who helped build the Chapel from a small wooden structure to what it is today—words will never be enough to express our gratitude, but our prayers always will.

To our former parish priest, Rev. Fr. Allan T. Rodriguez, who visited our Chapel during the Synod in October 2021 to listen to the community’s struggles during the pandemic—thank you, ‘Dre, for being approachable and for teaching us to listen with compassion rather than criticize.

We are also deeply grateful to our current parish priest, Rev. Fr. Dioscoro R. Saniel, who continues to ask how we are, who listens and guides us. Father, words may not be enough to express our appreciation, but your presence whenever we call truly means a lot to the whole community.

To everyone who has brought us closer to Christ and helped strengthen our Childlike Faith, thank you for celebrating our 57th fiesta with us last January 17, 2026. (Sophia Beatrice V. Sison | GKK Sto. Nino Chapel, Lanzona—Pangulo Sa Batan-on)