HOME in the Community

*this piece was the whole content of my sharing during the 23rd CYA Anniversary (May 9, 2015) at Fiesta Buffet, Cabaguio. As requested by ate Tianne and ate Harly, I'll be posting this :) It was a privilege to share in front of the CYA brothers and sisters, with the alumni, kuya Bogart and wife and other guests.

(non-verbatim)

"Good evening brothers and sisters! My name is Regina, 18 years old, an incoming 4th year Human Resource Management student. I've been in CYA for three years now and I was invited by ate Harly. Tonight I will be sharing how I found home in CYA. Let me share to you brothers and sisters that before I entered CYA, I used to be a very quiet and very shy person. I always tend to stay on my comfort zone- to stay away from the crowd and avoid mingling. Being such, I  realized that I limited myself from the possible opportunity of discovering myself and meeting and knowing people. I was also less vocal and expressive of how I felt and thought back then, brothers and sisters. 

One time, my ate invited me on their prayer meeting. She was an active CYAer that time up until now that she's working. Every invitation from her was always a rejection from me. It's clearly out of my comfort zone! And I proudly thought at the back of my mind that "I don't really need to join such. I can practice my faith by myself". But ate's consistent persuasion got me in to joining CYA. 

The more I involve myself in every CYA activities, the more I appreciated and adapted the CYA culture, counter-culture. CYA has made me feel very welcome, secured, and comfortable. CYA is my home away from home. We are accountable of each other. One's concern is the concern of all. One's happiness is the happiness of all. I have also appreciated how the ate's and kuya's served and have taken care of us, the younger. And I somehow felt the responsibility of doing the same to my younger brothers and sisters not only in the community but most especially in our home. 

The Lord has helped me get out of  my shell thru the brothers and sisters. My character and attitude slowly developed thru their loving and gentle correction and reminder. Aside from that, I gained a lot of friends from different levels and professions. I've discovered some of my talents which I could use to honor the Lord. 

I will say brothers and sisters that those 3 years of mine in CYA was so far the most meaningful and fruitful years of my life. This whole involvement of mine in the CYA was also a correction from God that I CANNOT LIVE MY FAITH IN ISOLATION, that FAITH is NOT an ISOLATED ACT. No one can be a believer alone just as no one can live alone. That is why brothers and sisters, I will be forever grateful that God has found me and has placed me to where I belong. Thank you. To God be the glory!"