January 28, 2026 — The National Youth Assembly 2026 officially commenced its first full day on Wednesday, January 28, at Stella Maris Academy of Davao (SMAD), gathering youth delegates from various schools and dioceses to prepare for a week centered on faith, formation, and community building. 

The day began with a wake-up call at 5:00 a.m, which was followed by breakfast at the school canteen. At 7:30 a.m., delegates then gathered at the Sky Gym to prepare for the eucharistic celebration. The Mass was presided over by Rev Fr. Yeongmin Andrew Kang. Readers, altar servers, choir members, and offerors were composed of representatives from the different F.I. schools, while the liturgical preparation was overseen by the SMAD Pastoral Office.

Following the Mass, participants took part in an official photo-taking session at the Sky Gym to document the opening day of the assembly. A short health break was then observed before the Opening Ceremony commenced at 10:00 a.m.

The Opening Ceremony formally welcomed the delegates through cheers and introductory activities led by student emcees Sophia Hiteroza and Aeddan Zapanta from SMAD. This was followed by an opening cultural performance presented by Stella Maris Academy, which featured four distinct segments showcasing different cultures from various parts of Davao. A welcome message was then delivered by Sr. Georgita Hormillosa, F.I., representing the school administration. A getting-to-know segment facilitated by Keyshia Monteiro and Timothy Zamora from Manresa School followed, allowing participants to interact and become familiar with one another through an engaging ice breaker game.

House rules and general guidelines were discussed by Mr. Jouard Jayson Tasic to ensure order and safety throughout the duration of the event. An overview of the NYA program and its objectives was also presented by Mr Jouard, outlining the schedule, expectations, and key themes of the assembly. The session concluded with an earthquake and fire drill orientation conducted by Ms. Rhodora Edullantes.

Lunch was served from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., after which the afternoon sessions began with an energizer both led by Manresa School's Myreen Patrimonio and Carlos Gatbonton, as well as an introduction of the first speaker at the AVR by Keyshia Monteiro. From 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., Talk #1 entitled In the Father’s Love, We Are One Family was delivered by Atty Shemelyn D. Gamorot-Bilbao in the school's AVR. The talk highlighted themes such as family, acceptance, and faith in the Lord, emphasizing the role of family in building unity among young people.

A question-and-answer segment followed, allowing delegates to raise questions and share insights. Words of gratitude were then given by Enzo Gunayon from Manresa School, along with the presentation of a certificate and a token of appreciation to the speaker.

A guided reflection followed from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m., allowing participants to process the activity individually. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., the delegates took part in group sharing sessions in mixed groups, encouraging dialogue among participants from different schools and areas. Selected representatives later shared their reflections during the big group sharing held at the AVR.

Dinner was served from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m., after which the Creative Expression Festival took place at the Sky Gym. The festival featured performances from all the different F.I. schools, showcasing cultural expressions aligned with the theme of the assembly. The activity was guided by specific mechanics emphasizing cultural identity and faith-based messaging. After the Creative Expression Festival, lights-out was observed at 11:00 p.m.

The successful completion of Day 1 marked the official start of NYA 2026. With faith as its anchor and unity as its message, the official commencement of the National Youth Assembly 2026 laid the groundwork for a meaningful week of growth, reflection, and active youth engagement.

Article by: Sabina Alejandro of Manresa School