The Regional Youth Day (RYD) is a journey of faith, which aims at creating an atmosphere for the youth of the Central-Eastern Visayas Region to articulate significantly the role of the young people in the Church. The activity hopes to foster real and better appreciation of its rich Visayan cultural heritage.

It was during the 21st Regional Youth Coordinating Council (RYCC) meeting held at Naval, Biliran, that the Archdiocese of Cebu, under the leadership of its Diocesan Youth Director Fr. (now Msgr.) Arthur Navales, with the consent and encouragement of His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, the Archbishop of Cebu, formally accepted to host the first-ever Regional Youth Day for the Central-Eastern Visayas region.

The 1st Regional Youth Day was doubly considered special because it had also been marked as a “Tribute to His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal” who was then celebrating his “Year of Jubilees.” This also served as an event for our dear Blessed Pedro Calungsod to be declared as Patron and Model of the Youth for the region.

On April 6-9, 2006, the 1st Regional Youth Day celebration was centered on the theme taken from the Book of Psalms 119:105, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” The participation was truly inspiring coming from all the 10 arch/dioceses in the region, namely: Palo, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Talibon, Maasin, Catarman, Calbayog, Borongan, Naval and Cebu as the host diocese. Ten foster parishes around the city accommodated all the delegates.

The first day was comprised of the registration of the delegates and settling down at their respective foster parishes. The COY Volunteers and some members of the host parishes' PYCC enthusiastically welcomed the delegates at the lobby of the Patria de Cebu Building. The second day kicked off with a Eucharistic Celebration at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral officiated by Bishop Julito Cortes, Auxilliary Bishop of Cebu. It was followed by a Youth Forum with Bishop Joel Baylon, Bishop of Masbate and Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth, as the distinguished guest speaker. The afternoon was spent at the different Immersion Sites in Cebu, such as the Inayawan Dumpsite, Gasa sa Gugma, Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center and the Juvenile Delinquent Center.

On the third day, the late Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, celebrated the Eucharistic Celebration at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. One of the highlights of the day was the “Symposium on Pedro Calungsod” in preparation for the proclamation of Blessed Pedro as Patron and Model of the youth for the region. Right after the symposium a pilgrimage tour around Cebu proceeded. The last stop was a visit to the Holy Door at the Cathedral. Then the delegates assembled at the parking lot of the Cathedral to prepare for the Parade to the Cebu City Sports Complex.

The RYD finished off with a simultaneous celebration of the 21 Local World Youth Day at the Cebu City Sports Complex. Over 8,000 youth leaders from all over the Archdiocese joined the RYD delegates. All through the Vigil with the Cardinal, the delegates didn’t only look forward to the “Dialogue with the Cardinal” but on his annual “Message for the Youth.” The reading of the decree proclaiming Pedro Calungsod as Patron and Model of the Youth in the region subsequently followed.

The 1st Regional Youth Day was indeed very remarkable and grace-filled because of the messages that were imparted, the friendships that were built and the whole memorable experience itself. His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal was indeed very grateful for the tribute initiated by the young people, being overwhelmed by the number of participants who came by waves. He said, “... this gathering of youth will show to the whole world that the Visayan young people still have a strong and vibrant faith.”

The Diocese of Dumaguete accepted the hosting of the 2nd Regional Youth Day during the 23rd Regional Youth Coordinating Council Meeting held in Palo, Leyte. The newly designated Diocesan Youth Director of Dumaguete, Fr. Roland Omatang, accepted the challenge.

The 2nd Regional Youth Day was held last October 24-26, 2007 in the Diocese of Dumaguete. Following the theme given by the Holy Father for the celebration of the 22nd World Youth Day, the entire RYD celebration reflected on this theme, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another (John 13:34).” All Arch/ Diocese were represented.

The arrival was definitely joyous because the delegates were greeted with a band by the foster parishes. Then the delegates were separately taken to their foster families. Later that afternoon is the commencement of the 2nd regional Youth Day. It began with a Eucharistic Celebration at the Cathedral headed by the Bishop of Dumaguete, Bishop John Du. Following the mass was the Welcome Program wherein the delegates from all over the region had their dinner and socialized with each other. The delegates also had the chance to share their talents during the presentation of delegates. The Diocesan Directors who were present also had their share of merriment during the night.

What took place on the second day was quite profound. It started off with a Catechesis by the host parish. There were Group Sharing, Animations and Workshops. After lunch, the delegates had to transfer to the next Catechetical Site at St. Paul University Gym. The speaker of the Catechesis was Bishop Joel Baylon, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth. After his talk, Bishop Baylon joined in the RYCC Meeting together with all the Diocesan Directors, Diocesan Youth Coordinators/ Leaders and representatives, while the other delegates continued with their group sharing, snacks and the Taize Prayer. The night concluded with a Cultural Presentation from all Arch/ Diocese. There, the delegates presented their talents through dancing, singing and acting. All Arch/dioceses had the opportunity to showcase their talents. The Archdiocese of Cebu displayed their prowess in dancing the very famous Sinulog. It was fabulous and well applauded.

A Eucharistic Celebration launched the third day. It was simultaneously held at the host parishes. Their foster families accompanied the delegates. In the Parish of St. James the Greater where the Archdiocese of Cebu was accommodated, the delegates offered a miniature replica of the Magellan's Cross as their token of gratitude.