By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANILA — The family and youth plenary roundtables held on the second day of the First Asia-Pacific Family Peace Leadership Conference empowered the more than 700 delegates participating in the historic event at the Manila Hotel.
On the second day of the First Asia-Pacific Family Peace Leadership Conference, the more than 700 delegates joined the Family Plenary with the theme: “Building a New Civilization of God-Centered Families”.
Kyung Myung Yoo, Vice President for Family and Education of the Family Peace Association (FPA), taught that God’s purpose of creation is a God-centered ideal family full of true love.
Yoo noted the “Blessing Movement” wherein the first blessing is “Be Fruitful”, the second blessing is “Multiply, and next was the third blessing.
He stressed that the purpose of the “Blessing Movement” is to fulfill the three great blessings.
Yoo expounded on a new covenant such that men and women, along with their families, are living under one family under God with God-centered values,
He ended with a call to action with the law of diffusion of culture wherein 2.5 percent are innovators.
“Let’s build a new civilization — one family under God through the Blessing Movement,” Yoo stressed.
Dr. Michael Zablan and Dr. Samuel Salvador, Co-Chair and Chair of the First Asia-Pacific Family Peace Leadership Conference, respectively, awarded the plaque of appreciation to the speakers in the Family Plenary Roundtable.
In the Youth Plenary Roundtable with the theme, “Empowering the Future: Youth Driving the Vision of New Civilization of One Family Under God”, Dra. Mercedes P. San Pedro, Active Pastoral Council Member of the Basilica Menor and Parish of La Purisima Concepcion, said “With the advancement of technology, there is a need to educate the youth on the new civilization where there is one family one God.”
Dra. San Pedro also served as the moderator in the Youth Plenary Roundtable.
Dra. San Pedro noted “a study which showed that 90 percent of the youth aged 13 to 19 years old are now using high technology devices in the social media.”
“The greatest commandment of God is to love your neighbor as you love yourself,” Dra. San Pedro stressed.
Mark Roy Boado, national president of the Eagle Scouts of the Philippines and president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, shared the values of scouting such as upholding the advocacy of nationalism as manifested by national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
“The Knights of Rizal teaches us community service and patriotism,” he said.
“At Tayo Awards, the youth is the future,” he added.
Boado highlighted the values of loyalty, integrity and service to God and country.
He emphasized that the positive values his father taught him which he is now teaching to his son.
Gabrellie Faith Catabay, student leader at the Bulacan Polytechnic College (BPC), asked the question: “What is your purpose in life?”
“There is an expanse of possibilities waiting to be explored,” she said.
She wanted a “transformative youth” who will define and understand the purpose in life.
Catabay maintained the high standards of purity and virginity.
She found her purpose in life.
Jayson P. Villacin, national director of the Family Peace Association Philippines, Youth, together with the other speakers, will explore more possibilities such as the Bayanihan spirit towards world peace and unity.
“A paradigm shift must take place in order to achieve one family under God. Living for the sake of others is the highest value of Bayanihan, or community or cooperation, performing a heroic act for the sake of others without expecting anything in return,” Villacin said.
The FPA in the Philippines is working hand in hand with the Bayanihan Youth Movement.
“We wanted a Global Bayanihan Movement through the New Civilization of One Family under God,” he said.
Chungduk Yoo, Organizational Development Manager of the FPA, said “We live in a fast-changing environment.”
Yoo cited that in South Korea there is a decline in family values with the advancement of technology such that some families are eating together on the table.
He mentioned the successful undertakings of the FPA in the provinces of Cagayan and Tarlac despite the challenges and differences in diverse culture, tradition and religion.
“As convenors of FPA, we are dedicated to empower the youth,” Yoo said.
“One family under God, one at a time,” he added.
The youth was asked “As we strive for the ideal of one family under God how can we inspire and equip the youth to become catalyst for positive change?”
Catabay replied that the positive change originates from the parents whose influence cascades to their children.
Villacin responded that his parents inspired him to aspire for a higher goal rather than stop studying and just work and help his parents through the “vision of a new civilization of one family under God.”
Conference Chair Dr. Salvador and Co-Chair Dr. Zablan awarded the plaque of appreciation to the speakers.