Cebu City, Philippines – A total of 513 youth delegates from across Asia gathered in Cebu City to participate in the Augustinian Youth Encounter (AYE) 2015, held from November 15–19, 2015. The majority of the participants came from various Augustinian-run schools and parishes in the Philippines.

AYE is a youth event sanctioned by the Augustinian Provinces of Asia and the Pacific (APAC), held every two years. In 2014, the previous AYE was hosted in Ketapang, Indonesia, with 250 delegates including their teacher-companions. This year’s encounter was given special significance as it coincided with three major celebrations of the Augustinian presence in the Philippines: the 450th anniversary of the finding of the image of Santo Niño, the 450th anniversary of the Augustinian mission in the Philippines, and the 50th anniversary of the elevation of the Santo Niño Church as a Basilica Minore.

Guided by the theme “Augustinian Legacy @ 450: Proclaiming the Word, Empowering the Poor, and Sustaining the Mission,” the five-day encounter featured various spiritual, educational, and social activities. On the second and third days, keynote talks were delivered by four international speakers:

• Fray Richie Mercado, OSA, a Filipino-American from the Province of Chicago, spoke on Youth and Evangelization.
• Fr. Edward Daleng, OSA, Assistant General for Africa and Chairperson of the International Commission on Youth, addressed Youth and the Poor in Our Mission/Apostolate.
• Fr. Tony Banks, OSA, Assistant General for Asia-Pacific and Chairperson of the International Commission on Vocations, shared insights on Youth Sustaining the Mission: A Vocation Paradigm.
• Fr. Henry Sunguti, OSA, from the Province of Nigeria and member of the International Commission on Vocations, presented on Corporate Social Responsibility: An Integral Part of Our Mission.

On the third and fifth days, participants engaged in meaningful outreach activities, including a feeding program for 500 students at Tejero Elementary School, a “Tornaviaje” (Walking Tour) to retrace the Augustinian roots in Cebu, and a community clean-up drive near a public market in the city. Cultural showcases through dance and music allowed each delegation to share their rich heritage and traditions.

The following schools, parishes, and communities were represented at AYE 2015:

• University of San Agustin – Iloilo (Elementary, High School, and College Departments)
• Sta. Ana Parish – Burgos, Surigao del Norte
• Colegio San Agustin – Biñan
• La Consolacion College (LCC) – Deparo, Bacolod, Daet (Camarines Norte), Mendiola (Manila), Liloan (Cebu), Iriga, and Tanauan (Batangas)
• Colegio del Buen Consejo – Pasig City
• San Jose Catholic School – Iloilo City
• San Jose Parish – Iloilo
• Sto. Tomas College – Danao, Cebu
• Divino Amore Academy – Talisay City, Cebu
• Colegio San Agustin – Makati, Bacolod, and Mati (Davao)
• Mother of Good Counsel Parish – Chrysanthemum, San Pedro, Laguna
• Colegio del Santo Niño
• Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish – Socorro, Surigao del Norte
• San Agustin Center of Studies – Quezon City
• Indonesian delegates

The Augustinian Youth Encounter 2015 marked a vibrant and faith-filled gathering, strengthening the bonds of unity, service, and Augustinian spirituality among the youth of Asia.