Bryle leads members of Parish Youth Council during a praise and worship session.
(Contributed)
Bryle Tabanao used to spend nights drinking with friends at the Dalaguete town plaza in southern Cebu.
In 2008, his life changed radically after attending a youth camp.
The transformed 27-year-old Tabanao said the youth camp invitation opened doors to him which inspired him to seek out fellow youths and motivate them to be civic-minded.
He said a facilitator during the youth camp inspired him. The speaker used to be like him in his younger years. Tabanao was able to empathize with the speaker. He recalled that feelings of warmth and well-being grew inside him.
From that day on, he said he started rebuilding his trust in God and committed himself to helping others in his journey in answering God’s call.
Currently, Tabanao leads more than 500 youths in sharing the Word of God as one of the sector heads of the Parish Youth Coordinating Council.
Tabanao is also the chairman of his parish church’s Committee on Worship, president of the Barangay Poblacion Youth Federation, and head of the Youth Federation Council.
“I can see the Lord in the people I reach out to. I believe that when I help others, I can inspire them to also do the same,” he said.
He led the youth in conducting community work like Bible sharing, praise and worship, and prayer meetings, among others.
“Magdala ko og Bible unya ingnon ko sa akong mga nakainom sa una nga nabuang na kuno ko. Those friends who went with me during the camp did not continue the service they committed to,” he said.
“Gibawi naku unsa ang wala naku nabuhat sa una kay na busy ko sa sige og inom ug pabadlong. Your life will change in due time with the grace of the Lord (I made up for my indifference by doing the things that I haven’t done before because of being hooked to vices,” he said.
In 2009, Tabanao was appointed as youth council chapter head, which enabled him to lead a bigger group. It was also in that year when he became the sector head of the organization. Every weekend, he dedicates his time meeting with the different leaders of the cluster to plan out community activities and team building programs.
“Nabantayan man gud nako wala kaayoy mga programs for the youth diri. Mas maayo man gyud na, kay matagaan og higayon ang youth sama nako nga ma-engage sa mga ingon ani nga mga activities aron dili sila maligoy sa laing kalingawan,” he said.
Tabanao said they also hold feeding, cleanup drives, tree planting and tutorials to kids every summer.
Being active in apostolic works, Tabanao has been to places like Baguio City, Makati City and Surigao to attend leadership workshops.
Tabanao is also an alumnus of the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., where he learned leadership and communication skills.
“One of the challenges is to how bring Christ to the youth. Some might not believe you, but you’ve got to let them believe that answering others’ needs is answering the call of God. Even a random act of kindness makes a difference,” he said.
Tabanao wants to finish his studies. He is now in third year of college taking up Political Science at the University of the Visayas-Dalaguete.
“Kon maka-graduate ko, mas malig-on ko nga leader. I also want to tell others not to lose hope in their studies. Bisan sa ka-pobre namo, apan naningkamot ko makahuman aron mamahimo pod ko nila nga role model,” he said.