Zamboanga is ready for Nat’l Youth Day— are you?

MANILA— Young people are invited to set sail to “Asia’s Latin City” for the National Youth Day as the registration for the largest gathering of Catholic youth kicked off this week.

Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz of Zamboanga said the goal behind the NYD is to come to know God better and for the pilgrims to be able to share with others their relationship with Him.

“It is my hope that with the NYD will serve more and more young people from other places and for then to know how beautiful our young people are,” de la Cruz said.

“Our youth are really alive and and that is something that young people from other places can learn from… the vitality of the youth,” he said.

Thousands of youth from different dioceses across the country are expected to attend the gathering that will held in Mindanao again after 11 years.

The last NYD in southern Philippines was hosted by the Archdiocese of Davao in 2006.

Zamboanga archdiocesan youth coordinator Mark Anthony Saavedra said they are excited to host the event which echoes the theme of the World Youth Day 2017, “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:49).

“What went with that dream is that aside from bringing the NYD to Zamboanga is that we also would want the youth who have not experienced NYD before to finally experience it in our own archdiocese,” he said.

“Brace yourselves! We are ready to give you the best and we hope you enjoy the ride as you sail on to the NYD,” Saavedra said.

Organizers said they are also coordinating with the city government and other agencies.

Zamboanga City is famous for its iconic colorful small boat or more commonly known as vinta.

Also known for its Hispanic culture, the city bears the name “Asia’s Latin City” because of its Spanish-tinged Chabacano language, which dates back to the 1600s.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar called on young people to visit the city and “journey with us in faith”.

“Come visit Zamboanga City and discover family, discover friends, discover fun, but most importantly find your faith,” she said.  CBCBNews