Pwede Pala Pinoy draws 2,000 crowds

CEBU, Philippines -  The Dilaab Foundation gathered yesterday about 2,000 youth from different universities, street children, and policemen to listen to “faith-impelled stories” that highlight the virtues of the new Filipino Saint Pedro Calungsod.

The event dubbed as the “Pwede Pala Pinoy 2012” was held at the Blessed John XXIII Seminary.

Pwede Pala Pinoy was coined by Dilaab Movement to popularize its Heroic Christian Citizenship and Leadership Program (HCLLP).

It is a once-every-three-years event that aims to showcase fruitful faith-impelled collaboration between and among different individuals, sectors, geographical groupings, and religious denominations for the common good.

Dilaab executive director Fr. Carmelo Diola said that Pwede Pala Pinoy is a gathering, particularly for the youth, to remind them that being a good Christian is to be a good citizen.

Dilaab invited guest speakers or story tellers who shared their inspiring life experiences to the participants.

Among the invited speakers yesterday were 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Dr. Romulo Davide, 2012 Lead PNP Norman Nuez, and Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayanihang Filipino Awardee, Dr. Roel Cagape.

Davide shared his inspiring life experiences to the youth. Davide said he believes in the formula KKAA or kugihan, kusog, antos, ampo in Cebuano or hard work, strength, sacrifice, and prayer.

 “Ang mga bata, kinahanglan magtuon gyud og maayo, di magsimang-simang, focus gyud sa mga damgo nga sila ma-professional” (Children should work hard, study hard, focus to their dreams of becoming professional), Davide said.

A song number was also presented by Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe together with the street children. They sang the song entitled “Libod-Suroy” which Buenafe himself composed. Libud suroy is a colloquial term for street children especially.

According to Buenafe, he composed this song and sang it in order to create public awareness and to invite people who have the capability or capacity to contribute to the upliftment of the lives of the street children.

The stories of the speakers inspired education student Rayjie James Nardo of the University of Cebu.

He joined the event because he knew about the speakers’ achievements and he wanted to learn from them.

The voters’ value campaign with the Laser Man was also launched during the event.

LASER stands for Lifestyle, Action, Supporters, Election Conduct and Reputation. It consists of specific questions corresponding to each letter in the acronym. It is a tool designed by the Dilaab movement to help voters discern and make up their mind, and for the candidates to check if they are really the right ones for the job.

The event ended with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Archbishop Jose Palma. —FPL (FREEMAN)