The Heroes of my Youth Camp

This site will not be complete if I don't post something about my well-loved family. Well, that's apart from my biological family, of course. This is the family God has generously introduced to me: Youth for Christ.

For so many years, YFC never failed to enlighten me in every activity we had. It has always been and always will be the family I will be looking back to. This is the family I shared my whole life with. This is the family who always knows how to make me smile. This is the family who never failed to strengthen me and my faith when I feel so down, from the very first time I stepped into this family (during my youth camp), until now  (even though we don't see each other very often (kinda sad)). I have a lot of memories to share but I will start with the people I so love; the people who made me what I am today; the people who introduced me to God; the people who never failed to inspire me; the people who taught me the ways to serve God; the people who believed in me; the people who shared their life to me and to the rest of the YFC family; and the people who I will not forget and never be tired of saying "thank you" to.

Let's start with...

Quite a pose, eh. With matching "abaniko" fan. Not to mention the fashionable eyeglasses. And oh, is that a chopstick? There, at the back of her head. *<giggle>*

This is...do I need to introduce her to you? Oh, ok. For formality's sake, this is Ate Rhea Sauro, also known as, Angel R-7. Well, she really is an angel, no doubt about that. In my opinion, she is the best ate in the whole wide world! You could never, ever find anyone like her. I tell you why. 

I met her during my youth camp. That was in my third year in high school. At first glimpse, she, in my opinion, had a don't-make-any-unnecessary-noise-or-else kind of attitude. *<laugh>*. But I had proven otherwise when I got to share my life with her and became so close to each other. She was strict during the camp, but in the most right sense of the word. I could never forget her 'coz she made me cry at the very first reflection I had just after Kuya Mel's first talk. How I could I not when we were made to reflect on all the things we did (things that are not really that good). And she never failed to make me cry again and again as the camp progressed. *<sigh>*

If I were to describe her, 1 gazillion good things are not enough. She's a superwoman. Even beyond that, I think. Her devotion in serving God cannot be destroyed by any means possible. As I recall it, she once told me that this is her 7th life. Imagine that. She really is an angel!

She's my source of inspiration in serving God through YFC. And I am really grateful for entrusting me the responsibility of being a Household Head just after our Household Training. Though, I had hard times. And I owe her all the happiness and satisfaction I felt in serving God. Thank you ate Rhea.

Now, now. This is Ate Ellen Cabacang. How I could I ever forget her? She made me tremble during our camp. *<giggle>*. Well, I'm kinda afraid of her the first time I saw her and had had an encounter with her (we were kinda scolded during the team empowerment just before our baptism). And that was the first time the whole session room fell silent! She really knows magic. Hogwarts graduate, perhaps? 'Coz I really thought that it would be impossible for our batch to not make noise.

Nonetheless, she's still one of the people I will be saying thank you to. She may be strict, but I learned a lot from her. And let me add, she has an enchanting voice. You really will fall into nothingness when you hear her sing. You'll even forget who you are! I'll never forget her rendition of Ogie Alcasid's "Nandito Ako" during our first reflection. It made me cry 350,000 gallons of tears!

Don't know anything about those two at the back. But I really know this man in front. Kinda serious, eh. 

This is Kuya Radji Magloyuan. He, I think, was the head of the Music Ministry during our camp. Simple, he's always there when music is needed. He's a good singer, too. And together with his guitar, you really will sing out loud! Ate Ellen and Kuya Radji are partners, Kuya Radji on guitar while Ate Ellen sings. Thanks a million, Kuya.

What a big smile, huh. I think this was shot in a basketball stadium. Araneta, perhaps. The guy at the back is Kuya Radji. And the one in red T-shirt is Kuya Jaypee Magloyuan. They, somehow, share the same facial features, eh. Don't think about that too much. Their brothers.

Kuya Jaypee is one of my idols during the camp. He was our speaker during the 2nd talk: Who is Jesus Christ to Me. And a lot more after the camp. He introduced me to Jesus Christ. Of course, I knew who Jesus Christ is even before the camp. But he made me realize how much I don't know about Him. And that's why I'm so thankful.

Another big smile. And this time, from Kuya Mel Saluib. We are, of course, blood related. He's supposed to be my uncle. But that's awkward. Calling him uncle. So I stick with Kuya.

I want to thank this guy for a lot of things. First, he was our speaker during the first talk: God's Love and His Plans for Us. A great speaker. And a great leader. He also happened to be the camp's Head. See, that's how devoted he was. Second, I learned how to pray spontaneously through him. I always feel God's presence when he leads the prayer. But, of course, I do feel God's presence every time we pray. But there is something in him that intensifies God's presence for us to feel. Well, I can't really put that into words.

An inspiration. That's what he is. Not just to me but to all  leaders of this family. And he loves taking care of things. Aside from YFC, he's our Chapter Head then. By the way, he was also the SSG president at the same time. Now I know who he really is, he's Clark Kent's reincarnated form!

I hate to ask this, but, did Kris Aquino just passed by? She wasn't in focus. I like the place this photo was taken. It reminds me a lot of a place where chickens are attended to. A chicken pen? *<laughs>*

Anyway, this girl, now a woman, is none other than ate, *<drums drums drums>*, Reza Magdaraog. She's a comic relief! She laughs a lot. And, most of the time, we laugh with her. How could you not? She has 30 million tons of sense of humor! But despite this jolly appearance comes a great leader. She was our Chapter Leader that time, and the camp's leader during our youth camp. Quite a superwoman, too. You betcha.

Well, she also happened to be our speaker during the fifth talk. She's a good speaker, too. With her wit mixed with her sense of humor, you would hang on every word she'll say.

Before I introduce her, I would like to drink coffee first. What I mean is, I would like to extend my deepest longingness to that shirt she's wearing. I lost mine! That's a shame. I really love YFC shirts.

Now this ate of mine, is Ate Vanessa Ann Pernito. Ate Vanie, for short. A great leader, too. She said something to me that I'll never forget, "a leader: first to arrive, last to leave". Nice one there. She's fun to be with, but I guess she's sometimes shy. But I heard she shared a piece of her life during the Provincial Youth Conference in San Antonio. Wow! Something I haven't done yet. Awesome!

Oh my gosh! He's wearing Hogwarts robes. I envy him! Oh, he's not you say? Then what's he wearing? Oh, graduation gown. Thanks.

This is Kuya Kevin Cabatingan. He was my Facilitator during the camp. Well, he facilitated us with all he can. But with the group I had, I think he had hard times. Nonetheless, he is good. He taught us how things are done in YFC. We were innocents, man. And I'll not forget the first sharing we had, just after the first talk. I was asked to lead the prayer! Well, I led the prayer with the The Lord's Prayer. I don't know how to pray that time.

He's pointing at something. Reminds me of a controversial photoshoot along a highway in Manila. *<laugh>*. Oh, and that legs belong to Yvonne (also a YFC). I love that smile.

This is Jerson Al Castillo. The first one I didn't have to call Kuya or Ate. He's my batchmate. And to my great shock, he happened to be our Assistant Facilitator. Well, as the name says, he assisted Kuya Kevin on managing our group. Quite hard to handle, that's us. But they managed.

Anyway, I have to thank him, too. He's one of those people who stayed with YFC even after high school. And I would not forget that once in my life, this guy assisted me. Yeah, man! 

                           

What a nice shot. I particularly love the smile she got there. Oooh.

Jancee Ann Ortego's the name. She was part of the service team during our camp. She's my batchmate, too, by the way. But I never knew she had this great devotion to YFC. She knows how to hide things, eh.

I have to thank her, because if it weren't for her, I'll never be a YFC.

You see, we were, uhm, tricked into joining the youth camp. I never was interested in joining. I was just at the house the first day of the camp. Not even thinking about it when they came. Jancee and another one who will be introduced later. They told me that Leonel, Julius and other friends of mine were already at the camp. They asked me to join. I did not hesitate that time, I didn't want to be left behind. Not knowing, that at the same time, my friends were told that I, with the other friends of mine, was already at the camp. Nice plot, eh. And then we were shocked to see each other at the gate of the school. And just before entering, I promised not to cry! But I failed, of course.

I wasn't angry with that. In fact, I'm so much thankful!

Whoah, story-telling?*<laughs>*  

I don't know what's happening above, but she's staring at something above her. Probably, stars. I love that hair do. I always do. I hope all girls will do that.

Well, this is the girl Jancee was with when she went to our house. So, she receives equal amount of "thank you" from me.

Jan Jan Magloyuan. But I don't know the guy at the back.

Edd Julius Tortoles. What a shot. I hate to think about it, but is this taken inside a C.R.? Quite unique.

Leonel Gordo. I love that smile. And, gosh, I miss this guy. 

Louie Jay Congzon. Oh, I remember this. Just outside Jollibee Catarman. Nice!

These are the people I am with during the camp. There are a lot others, of course, but these were my closest friends. And these were the guys I mentioned just above. Oh, I miss them so much.

Nah, I'm here to thank them. And I'll sure do. Thanks, guys! You are all great! I will never forget you. And I'll never forget the moments we were together, especially during the camp, even though most of them are "kalokohan" (I don't know how to translate this). 

I also would like to thank Ate Ethel Magdaraog. Sadly, I don't have any picture of her. Anyway, she was the speaker of our 4th talk. Very useful. That's the time we were prepared for the baptism. She's funny. I never felt sleepy during her talk, even though that was quite late. I heard she recently passed the Nursing Licensure Examination. Congratulations and thank You!

Of course, I'll have to extend my sincerest gratitude to all the members of the service team. From the camp servants, facilatators, kitchen people (especially), sharers, singers (Music Ministry) to our Tito's and Tita's in Couples for Christ... thank you, thank you, thank you!

All right. Those were the people I'm so thankful with. There are others, of course (I'll  just give special post for the other people). But these were the HEROES OF MY YOUTH CAMP. These were the people, without whom, my youth camp wouldn't be perfect. These were the people I so love!

Wherever these guys are today, I'll never forget the day they, in one way or another, helped me become a good son of God. And I'll always look back to those days we were together. And if ever we met someday, I'll never stop saying "Thank you"!