YUPPeace 2.0 (Youth's Unwavering Partners for Peace)
Yuppeace Beginnings:
The story of YUPPEACE began during the World Youth Day of 1995. The Salesians were tasked to organize the Youth Vigil of the 10th World Day here in Manila, and gave the job to the Don Bosco Mandaluyong community. The Don Bosco Mandaluyong Community then headed by Fr. Rolo Alcasid, SDB tasked Fr. Armand Robleza, SDB (who wa
s supposedly on leave) to direct the event. As early as September of 1994, Fr. Armand called on his friends, former retreatants and some from Don Bosco Mandaluyong to help him organize the Vigil Night. This core group, convened on October 7, 1994 at a Conference Hall of the Planters Development Bank Building. They saw that they needed about ten thousand volunteer facilitators to animate the millions of young people expected to encounter the Pope during the Vigil Night. Their numbers were not enough. Thus, posters, flyers and announcements in the churches, offices and on the radio were made to advertise for volunteers. Hence, just like the multiplication of the bread, the core people of 30 grew exponentially to more than 7,000 volunteer facilitators. All these volunteers underwent proper orientations, trainings and formation seminars to equip them for the event. However, they needed a name. Well, thanks to a climb up the stairs and the slogan on the posters; “be volunteers for peace…”, Fr. Armand came up with YUPPEACE – the Young Upbeat Professionals for Peace. In fact, that was just the beginning. After the World Youth Day 1995, many of the volunteers were looking for something more permanent in nature and structure. Plus a letter, asking what’s next, addressed to the then president of the group, Perfecto O. Bernad, Jr., awakened many. Surveys were made; feedbacks taken. People were asking for everything—from sexual formation to Biblical and spiritual deepening. It wasn’t just one soul searching for ways and means to channel the enthusiasm generated by that great event. Consequently, the heads of YUPPEACE were once again summoned. They all agreed something must be done. Thus, YUPPEACE was institutionalised. So the leaders gathered and discerned for months. Meetings were often held after office time to discuss… and pray… and it was finally discerned that the Spirit was leading the group to put up a faith community of young professionals meant to live the ideals of the World Youth Day. Thus, after months of brainstorming, prayer, and discernment, YUPPEACE was eventually launched on May 24, 1995, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, as a new community of young professionals gradually maturing along the lines of the Salesian youth spirituality. From the group that was 7,500 there remained 500 hungry souls. After 30 years the story of YUPPEACE continues as Youth's Unwavering Partner for PEACE……