Youth service for mankind’s servant

CEBU, Philippines - After grueling hours spent during the weekdays in school, most people their age would want to spend their spare time at home or with friends. But for one group of students, the thought of engaging into wholehearted work of service and unselfish act of volunteerism is something to look forward to.

The upcoming commemorative celebrations of the 450th Kaplag Festival next month is what keeps a group of five students busy nowadays as they offer their serving arms for an endeavor that is unpaid.

“Do your work with love,” this was according to 18-year-old Katrieno Bennit Jorda, a Marketing Management student of the University of San Carlos.

He is one of the volunteers under the Committee on Commemorative Events which facilitates all the lined up events for the commemorative celebrations.

“Volunteerism is a kind of service that you don’t expect something in return, diha makita kun unsa ka ka-dedicated sa imong trabaho,” he said.

A native of Leyte province, Jorda has grown up involving himself into religious groups and activities.

At a young age, he was a member of Kids for Christ and was an altar boy of San Antonio de Padua Parish in his hometown.

When he transferred to Cebu City to attend college, he decided to join the Augustinian Vocation Promoters.

Jorda said that his aunt, who is the secretariat of the directors of the different committees for the Kaplag Festival, encouraged him to join.

He decided to give it a try since he also had some vacant hours from school and wanted to allot his time into volunteer work and as he expected, he enjoyed his experience while managing his studies.

He has also befriended some of the other volunteers and some religious people, who had shared with him their own learning.

“Lingaw man, daghan ko og nakaila nga friends while working with religious people,” said Jorda.

Keneth Edillon, 30, a first year Education student of the University of  Cebu, is also another volunteer for the Kaplag event.

“Dugay na ko nag-ingon nga kun dunay opportunity nga mo-serve sa lain, mo-grab dayon ko especially when it’s God’s call,” he said while reiterating the quote, “opportunity comes only ones.”

Edillon is also one of the facilitators of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in Central Visayas.

Having trained on medical care, he and his associates decided to join the Medical Team for the commemorative celebration.

“Accidents could happen anytime, so we are tasked to ensure the safety of the visitors and other participants during the event. We will be assisting on looking out in case untoward incidents occur,” he said.

Edillon shared that he visits the Basilica every day to pray the rosary and attend Holy Mass.

One instance while passing the church, he and his associates noticed the information board about the need for volunteers for the upcoming event.

“I learned that they needed volunteers so we decided to join since we don’t have any activities (for BSP) for this whole year,” he said.

Being an education student, history for him is not different and is likewise “significant.”

“Having the knowledge of the history made me appreciate it and take part of one of the considered significant historical event,” Edillon said.

Laurice Klaire Rago, a 21-year-old third year Information Technology student of the University of Cebu is one of the members of the Kaplag Fun Run committee while she is also assisting other committees.

She admitted that she was only presented with the application form by her cousin.

“Gipaapil man ko niya unya gaduhaduha ko og apil. Unya kay daghan man ko og free time, ni-join na lang pud ko,” she said.

Rago shared that the Basilica Minore is close to her heart since she was also a graduate of Santo Niño de Cebu.

She confessed though that she has not been visiting the Basilica since she attended college, however, had realized that being a volunteer was a clear sign for her.

“Karon gipabalik ra pud ko niya (Sto. Niño) diri. Kani siya nga opportunity maoy nagpaduol nako diri, nga nabalik ko diri,” Rago said.

Twenty-two-year-old Ginbrey Cayao, a fourth year Hotel and Restaurant Management student of UC, is also among the volunteers under the Kaplag International Conference Committee.

“It is a fulfilling encounter to be a volunteer knowing that you are doing the things for the glory of God,” he said.

Two days after hearing the announcement following the Novena Mass on a Friday, he decided to inquire at the Kaplag office.

“Ma-consider nako akong self nga devotee ni Sto. Niño while during that time, I was looking for something, it was a more personal reason on why I joined,” he said.

He said he found some people who he was able to confide his struggles in life.

He also shared that he learned to balance his responsibilities in school and other activities he is involved in.

“While I know that I am still learning, through volunteering, I am able to manage my time and to know my priorities,” he said.

For Kennith Alvin Lariosa, 24, a second year Psychology student of the University of the Visayas assigned under the Executive Committee, he saw the importance of volunteer work.

“Nakaplagan nako ang essence sa volunteerism nga dili lalim kay dili baya ka suweldoan, kinasingkasing nga paglihok para sa Ginoo,” he said, noting that his participation serves as an offering to the Holy Child.

“Tig-volunteer na jud ko sa una pa since my high school days and until now,” he said.

He is also into community work such as outreach programs while also involved in school organizations. He is also a volunteer in Basilica del Santo Niño Museum.

Lariosa said a friend encouraged him to join and he was up to the challenge of learning more through new experiences.

“Daghan ka og makat-onan. Daghan ka og masugatan nga bag-ong experience like unsaon nimo pag-deal sa ubang tawo nga naay nagkalainlain nga batasan,” he said.

His priority for now is the upcoming Kaplag Festival, which he said he annually attends.

“Karon maoy pinaka-importante sa akoa kay usa ni ka historical event. I’m looking forward for this year since it’s different from the simple celebrations during the past years,” he said.

Kaplag Festival is an annual festivity honoring and remembering the historic and providential discovery of the icon of Señor Santo Niño. The year-long (2015-2016) Santo Niño Feast adapted the theme, “Santo Niño: Hope of the People.”

It is as well anticipated to strengthen the religious fervor of the faithful to the Holy Child who has favored the country and its people with abundant graces since the miraculous finding in 1565. — /ATO (FREEMAN)