Young Asian Leaders Turn Mission Formation into Service in Southern Philippines

Young Catholic leaders from seven Asian countries turned a three-week formation program into community immersion, intercultural exchange and service during a Mission Project in the southern Philippines.

The project, held from September 17 to October 4 in Zamboanga City, Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay, brought together 12 participants, an intern and three staff members from South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines as part of IFFAsia Batch 17.

The southern Philippines, a culturally diverse region that includes Muslim-majority areas such as Basilan, provided the participants with opportunities to encounter communities affected by different social, cultural and peacebuilding realities.

Carried out under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope. Walk with Christ in Love and Service” and the program focus “Hope in Action: Go, Inspire,” the project was organized in partnership with the Claretian Missionaries of the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province and its provincial SOMI Team.

Fr. Arvin B. Bellen, CMF, and Br. Joseph Roy D. Villarin, CMF, accompanied the delegation.

The participants began in Zamboanga City with a visit to the city government, where Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary Celso Lobregat introduced them to the city’s heritage, culture and history. They also met Archbishop Julius S. Tonel of Zamboanga, whose welcome offered an introduction to the local Church and its engagement with the people.

At Claret School of Zamboanga City, the young leaders joined the Claret Youth Ministry for cultural exchange and reflection on the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The participants reflected on differences in their backgrounds and the Christian call to recognize grace rather than compare personal journeys.

The immersion continued in Basilan, where the delegation spent time with young people at San Vicente Ferrer Parish in Tumahubong. Games, personal sharing and an “Asia Tour” encouraged intercultural dialogue and friendship.

At Claret School of Tumahubong, participants visited classrooms and shared with students about youth leadership and keeping hope alive. Similar activities at Claret School of Maluso included a painting and slogan contest, soccer and a skit on hope, love and service.

The Mission Project also exposed the participants to peacebuilding efforts in Basilan. They visited the 32nd Infantry Battalion headquarters in Tumahubong and discussed the province’s peace and security situation with military personnel. They later met Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman at the provincial government center in Lamitan City.

The participants also addressed safeguarding and child protection. On September 26, they joined young people and guidance advocates from Claret School of Zamboanga City for a seminar-workshop on protecting children, vulnerable adults and elderly people. They discussed how communities could respond to abuse and refer cases to appropriate authorities, while developing action plans for their own parishes and dioceses.

The project also included reflection on youth leadership, environmental action, service, faith formation, interfaith dialogue and encounters with local and indigenous communities.

“Formation becomes meaningful when it leads us to encounter and service,” the organizers said.

The project concluded with a call for participants to carry the experience into their communities and continue living the program’s message: “Hope in Action. Go Inspire. Go Serve. Go Witness.”