“Look for the spaces that are available for us and fill out those spaces.” This was the encouragement posed by Atty. Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo, Chairperson and President of Angat Buhay and Former Vice President of the Philippines, to student-leaders during her keynote address on the second day of ‘Tayo-Tayo: The Youth’s Involvement in Solidarity and Social Transformation’ (Tayo-Tayo).
Tayo-Tayo is Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines (ACUP)’s first ever youth gathering held on 23-24 July 2024, at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall and Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen – Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA), Saint Louis University Main Campus.
Schools as agents of change
Recognizing that schools are agents of change, the former Vice President of the Republic also challenged schools to provide for more spaces for students to be involved in issues they are passionate about. This is also in consonance with Atty. Robredo’s strong belief that youths play a paramount role in social transformation. “We have to view education from a holistic perspective, not only focusing on academics,” she said.
Robredo emphasized the importance of creating opportunities within schools for youth engagement in social change, acknowledging that while building a better educational system will be a gradual process, initiating these efforts with available resources is crucial. Her address also underscored the need for ongoing commitment and innovation to foster meaningful progress in education.
Further, Atty. Robredo invigorated the audience with her vision for transforming the country’s educational system. She called for a shift away from bureaucratic constraints, advocating for increased autonomy and an improved school framework.
She also encouraged student-leaders to move beyond the notion that they can change the world; instead, they need to seek out opportunities and platforms where they can actively contribute to meaningful progress.
Following her address, an open forum was held where participating schools had the opportunity to ask Atty. Robredo questions and even shares their insights. This interactive session allowed attendees to engage directly with Robredo on various issues.
ACUP’s mission towards synodality and social transformation
Organized by the ACUP, Tayo-Tayo seminar-workshop focused on the role of the academe and the youth in fostering synodality and social transformation. It brought together student leaders, academic staff, organization advisers, and Student Affairs Officers from ACUP member-universities namely: SLU, Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University – Manila, Holy Name University, Holy Trinity University, La Consolacion University, La Salle University Ozamiz, Notre Dame of Marbel University, Saint Mary’s University, San Beda University, St. Paul University Manila, St. Paul University Quezon City, University of La Salette, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of Santo Tomas, University of St. La Salle, Inc., University of St. Louis, University of the Immaculate Conception, Colegio Anunciata, Our Lady of the Pillar College – Cauayan, Inc., Saint Louis College – La Union, and Saint Louis Schools, Inc.
Aside from Atty. Robredo’s talk, the two-day seminar workshop also featured a keynote address by Rev. Fr. Jason H. Laguerta, PhD, Director of the Office for the Promotion of the New Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Manila who discussed “The Youth’s Role in Synodality and New Evangelization”. This discussion was also highlighted by Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, President of ACUP and SLU, in his welcoming remarks, where he characterized the seminar-workshop as both a challenge and an opportunity.
Additionally, valuable insights were shared by Ms. May Parsons, the Filipina nurse who administered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine and established a charity to support nurses from disadvantaged backgrounds, Mr. Rodne Galicha, Executive Director of Living Laudato Si’ Philippines, and student leaders also had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Gab Billones, Jr., founder of Break the Fake Movement.
Meanwhile, Prof. Joselito C. Gutierrez, PhD, the 2022 Catholic Heroes Awardee of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and SLU’s Executive Assistant to the President, discussed “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Journey of the Louisian Community.”
The participating schools also engaged in workshops on missionary discipleship, breakout sessions on youth’s call to action and then plenary youth sharing.
After the closing remarks by Rev. Fr. Sales, a cultural show presentation by SLU Glee Club, SLU Dance Troupe, SLU Concert Orchestra, Tanghalang SLU, Holy Name University, University of the Immaculate Conception and Adamson University wrapped-up the seminar workshop.
Article by Mae Janica Palkit (UIO Volunteer)
Photos by Antonio Lim Jr. (UIO Volunteer) and CK Valeriano (UIO)
