TIMELESS Valentine’s Dinner for a Cause

By Sr. Jen Nicolas, FMVD

On February 8, 2026, the youth of Verbum Dei Pasig, together with missionaries and lay missionary disciples, held a Valentine’s fundraising dinner at the VD Catholic Center of Formation in Pasig City. This event marked the beginning of our efforts to prepare for World Youth Day 2027, which will be held in Seoul, Korea. The VD youth are now working toward this dream of participating in such a global gathering of faith, the second time that World Youth Day will be held in Asia. 

The theme, “Timeless,” was inspired by the truth that authentic love transcends time. In our relationships, when we are rooted in Love—God Himself—what we build carries an enduring and eternal dimension.  The event began with the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Michael Cheong, FMVD. The youth actively participated as members of the choir, commentator, lectors and altar servers. 

An intimate dinner followed after mass, with a sumptuous meal prepared by Chef Franck, a young and aspiring chef.  The meal was accompanied by a concert program that enriched the evening’s atmosphere. Our special guest, Vanya Castor, singer, composer, and musician, shared her gift of music, accompanied by Lorenzo Torres, a talented professional pianist who filled the night with beautiful melodies. Adding to the warmth of joy of the evening, Kristel M. Lachica, Fr. Michael, and Sr. Angela Gomez, FMVD, also offered musical performances.

One of the key highlights of the event was the active involvement of the youth who collaborated in the planning and decoration, and served as the emcees of the program. Jhoanna Kapangyarihan, one of the aspiring WYD participants, shared her testimony about her journey in Verbum Dei and her desire to attend World Youth Day 2027.

Sr. Dolly Tan, FMVD, also shared her experience of WYD 2016 in Kraków, Poland. She spoke about how the encounter strengthened her faith and eventually helped her discover her vocation. She emphasized how transformative this rare opportunity can be: to experience the universality of the Catholic Church, to deepen one’s faith, to broaden one’s horizons as a young person, and to dare to dream big with God.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt performance by the youth as a gesture of gratitude to all who supported the event. They sang “Standing on Eternal Love” written by Sr. Maeve Louise Heaney, FMVD.

As a community, we are deeply grateful to all who generously supported this fundraising event. It marks the beginning of our journey of preparation and fundraising toward World Youth Day 2027, carrying with it the hope that more young people may encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and experience the beauty of belonging to the universal Church.