25/06/2026
READ: FCCY Iloilo’s very own Krystal Shayne Kee shares her experience about the recently concluded 32nd FCCY National Convention held in Cebu City this year.
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𝗙𝗖𝗖𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠
Fresh from this year’s National Convention, delegates returned home carrying lessons that continue to shape their faith journeys. Among the many moments that made this year’s National Convention meaningful, one lesson stood out for Krystal Shayne Kee of FCCY Iloilo: 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.
__________________________
“Sometimes, the answers we seek are not found in grand moments, but in the people we meet, the experiences we embrace, and the faith we choose to deepen.”
In Chinese, 家 (jiā) means “home,” 人 (rén) means “people,” and 家人 (jiārén) means “family,” not just by blood, but the people who become your home. Looking back on my journey of faith and my experience at the 32nd FCCY National Convention, I realized that what I had been searching for all these years was not simply a deeper understanding of Catholicism, but a place where I truly belong. A place where faith is lived out, friendships are nurtured, and strangers become family. A place I now proudly call my 家人.
I have always been curious about faith and its role in shaping one’s identity and purpose. Growing up in a Catholic family, attending Mass and praying were part of my life, but I never truly had a deep understanding of what it meant to be Catholic. Despite practicing the faith, there was always a sense of longing within me, a feeling that there was something more I was searching for but could not quite define.
That search slowly began when my sister, Kathleen Kee, who is also a member of FCCY, invited me to join her. Through her encouragement, I started attending Mass regularly at Santa Maria Filipino Chinese Parish in Iloilo City and observing the activities within the community. Then the pandemic came. During that period of uncertainty, I made a personal decision to return to the parish and continue my journey of faith. I received my First Communion and Confirmation, becoming the oldest in my batch and proudly receiving the sacraments.
Since then, I have actively participated in FCCY Iloilo through both online and face-to-face activities such as Fun and Friendship Day and other chapter events. Through these experiences, I realized that FCCY is not just another organization. It is a second home, a place where faith, fun, friendship, and food come together to create a welcoming community.
In 2024, I was chosen to serve as the Secretariat of our chapter. At first, I doubted myself. Questions filled my mind. Why me? Am I really ready for this responsibility? I hesitated because I felt unprepared. However, my achis and ahias saw something in me that I could not yet see in myself. They believed in my potential even when I struggled to believe in myself. Because of their encouragement, I accepted the role. Through this experience, I learned that growth does not require perfection. Growth requires trust in God, courage to try, and willingness to learn along the way.
For years, I had heard stories about Youth Encounters and National Conventions, but I never had the opportunity to attend because of the challenge of balancing academics, responsibilities, and other commitments. This year was different. For the first time, I was given the chance to participate in the 32nd FCCY National Convention held in Cebu from May 24 to 28, 2026.
At first, it seemed I would be the only participant from our chapter who could attend. Thankfully, more delegates were able to join. Alongside Siote Gelo and Patrick, we had the opportunity to represent Iloilo in Cebu. Everything felt new and exciting. We stepped outside our comfort zones, ready to embrace unfamiliar experiences, meet new people, and discover new perspectives.
The convention theme, “STRONGER: Sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” was deeply fitting. Throughout the five-day experience, I witnessed how the Holy Spirit worked through every activity and every person we encountered.
One of the most memorable aspects of the convention was the opportunity to form new friendships. Despite coming from different chapters, backgrounds, and life experiences, everyone shared the same desire to grow in faith and become better versions of themselves. What began as simple introductions became meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and genuine connections.
The team-building activities challenged us to collaborate, communicate, and trust one another. They taught me that being stronger does not always mean standing alone. True strength is found in working together, supporting one another, and growing as a community.
The praise and worship sessions were deeply moving. Seeing hundreds of young people gathered together, singing and praising God with all their hearts reminded me that faith is alive and thriving among the youth. In those moments, my worries faded and were replaced by gratitude, hope, and peace.
I also deeply appreciated the opportunities for confession, reflection, and sharing sessions. Listening to the stories of others reminded me that everyone carries struggles, doubts, and challenges. Yet through faith, community, and God’s grace, we continue moving forward.
During our care group discussions, we shared glimpses of our lives, our fears, our struggles, and our aspirations. What amazed me was how strangers could become family in such a short time. By the end of the convention, I had not only gained new friends but also new achis, ahias, siotes, and siobes. They welcomed me with open hearts and made Cebu feel like home.
In Chinese, 家人 (jiārén) means family, not just by blood, but the people who become your home. Through FCCY, I realized that family is not defined only by blood but by the people who walk with you in faith, who encourage you in your struggles, and who celebrate your growth. For me, FCCY has truly become my 家人.
Throughout the convention, one Bible verse remained close to my heart and served as a constant reminder of God’s presence in every moment:
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV): “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
There were moments when I felt exhausted from the packed schedule of Masses, talks, team-building activities, animations, praise and worship, confession, and sharing sessions. Yet despite the exhaustion, I felt fulfilled. Every activity had a purpose. Every encounter taught a lesson. Every prayer drew me closer to God.
When the convention came to an end, I realized something profound. I had truly come out stronger.
Stronger in faith.
Stronger in friendship.
Stronger in service.
Stronger in purpose.
As I returned home to Iloilo, I felt a peace I had long been searching for. The longing in my heart had finally found its answer. What began as a personal search for meaning became a mission to inspire and guide others in their own faith journeys.
I also realized that the answer to the longing I had carried for so many years was not something I could find on my own. I found it in God, in FCCY, and in the people who became my 家人. What began as a search for meaning became a journey toward faith, belonging, and purpose.
Now it is our turn to echo the spirit of this convention within our own chapter. The lessons, friendships, experiences, and faith we gained in Cebu should not end when the event concludes. They should continue to grow and bear fruit wherever we are called to serve.
The 32nd FCCY National Convention may have ended, but its impact will remain with me for years to come. This is not the end of my journey. It is the beginning of a deeper one.
If given the opportunity to experience it again, my answer will always be yes without hesitation.
If given another chance to strengthen my faith, create new memories, and meet more people who could become part of my journey, I would gladly do it all over again.
Because sometimes, the journey we never expected becomes the very journey that changes our lives.
If the Holy Spirit has already gifted each of us with strength, courage, and purpose, what is stopping us from using these gifts to make a difference in the lives of others?
__________________________
Want to share your FCCY story? We’d love to hear from you! Send your articles and testimonies to: [email protected]
𝗙𝗖𝗖𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠
Fresh from this year’s National Convention, delegates returned home carrying lessons that continue to shape their faith journeys. Among the many moments that made this year’s National Convention meaningful, one lesson stood out for Krystal Shayne Kee of FCCY Iloilo: 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.
__________________________
“Sometimes, the answers we seek are not found in grand moments, but in the people we meet, the experiences we embrace, and the faith we choose to deepen.”
In Chinese, 家 (jiā) means “home,” 人 (rén) means “people,” and 家人 (jiārén) means “family,” not just by blood, but the people who become your home. Looking back on my journey of faith and my experience at the 32nd FCCY National Convention, I realized that what I had been searching for all these years was not simply a deeper understanding of Catholicism, but a place where I truly belong. A place where faith is lived out, friendships are nurtured, and strangers become family. A place I now proudly call my 家人.
I have always been curious about faith and its role in shaping one’s identity and purpose. Growing up in a Catholic family, attending Mass and praying were part of my life, but I never truly had a deep understanding of what it meant to be Catholic. Despite practicing the faith, there was always a sense of longing within me, a feeling that there was something more I was searching for but could not quite define.
That search slowly began when my sister, Kathleen Kee, who is also a member of FCCY, invited me to join her. Through her encouragement, I started attending Mass regularly at Santa Maria Filipino Chinese Parish in Iloilo City and observing the activities within the community. Then the pandemic came. During that period of uncertainty, I made a personal decision to return to the parish and continue my journey of faith. I received my First Communion and Confirmation, becoming the oldest in my batch and proudly receiving the sacraments.
Since then, I have actively participated in FCCY Iloilo through both online and face-to-face activities such as Fun and Friendship Day and other chapter events. Through these experiences, I realized that FCCY is not just another organization. It is a second home, a place where faith, fun, friendship, and food come together to create a welcoming community.
In 2024, I was chosen to serve as the Secretariat of our chapter. At first, I doubted myself. Questions filled my mind. Why me? Am I really ready for this responsibility? I hesitated because I felt unprepared. However, my achis and ahias saw something in me that I could not yet see in myself. They believed in my potential even when I struggled to believe in myself. Because of their encouragement, I accepted the role. Through this experience, I learned that growth does not require perfection. Growth requires trust in God, courage to try, and willingness to learn along the way.
For years, I had heard stories about Youth Encounters and National Conventions, but I never had the opportunity to attend because of the challenge of balancing academics, responsibilities, and other commitments. This year was different. For the first time, I was given the chance to participate in the 32nd FCCY National Convention held in Cebu from May 24 to 28, 2026.
At first, it seemed I would be the only participant from our chapter who could attend. Thankfully, more delegates were able to join. Alongside Siote Gelo and Patrick, we had the opportunity to represent Iloilo in Cebu. Everything felt new and exciting. We stepped outside our comfort zones, ready to embrace unfamiliar experiences, meet new people, and discover new perspectives.
The convention theme, “STRONGER: Sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” was deeply fitting. Throughout the five-day experience, I witnessed how the Holy Spirit worked through every activity and every person we encountered.
One of the most memorable aspects of the convention was the opportunity to form new friendships. Despite coming from different chapters, backgrounds, and life experiences, everyone shared the same desire to grow in faith and become better versions of themselves. What began as simple introductions became meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and genuine connections.
The team-building activities challenged us to collaborate, communicate, and trust one another. They taught me that being stronger does not always mean standing alone. True strength is found in working together, supporting one another, and growing as a community.
The praise and worship sessions were deeply moving. Seeing hundreds of young people gathered together, singing and praising God with all their hearts reminded me that faith is alive and thriving among the youth. In those moments, my worries faded and were replaced by gratitude, hope, and peace.
I also deeply appreciated the opportunities for confession, reflection, and sharing sessions. Listening to the stories of others reminded me that everyone carries struggles, doubts, and challenges. Yet through faith, community, and God’s grace, we continue moving forward.
During our care group discussions, we shared glimpses of our lives, our fears, our struggles, and our aspirations. What amazed me was how strangers could become family in such a short time. By the end of the convention, I had not only gained new friends but also new achis, ahias, siotes, and siobes. They welcomed me with open hearts and made Cebu feel like home.
In Chinese, 家人 (jiārén) means family, not just by blood, but the people who become your home. Through FCCY, I realized that family is not defined only by blood but by the people who walk with you in faith, who encourage you in your struggles, and who celebrate your growth. For me, FCCY has truly become my 家人.
Throughout the convention, one Bible verse remained close to my heart and served as a constant reminder of God’s presence in every moment:
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV): “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
There were moments when I felt exhausted from the packed schedule of Masses, talks, team-building activities, animations, praise and worship, confession, and sharing sessions. Yet despite the exhaustion, I felt fulfilled. Every activity had a purpose. Every encounter taught a lesson. Every prayer drew me closer to God.
When the convention came to an end, I realized something profound. I had truly come out stronger.
Stronger in faith.
Stronger in friendship.
Stronger in service.
Stronger in purpose.
As I returned home to Iloilo, I felt a peace I had long been searching for. The longing in my heart had finally found its answer. What began as a personal search for meaning became a mission to inspire and guide others in their own faith journeys.
I also realized that the answer to the longing I had carried for so many years was not something I could find on my own. I found it in God, in FCCY, and in the people who became my 家人. What began as a search for meaning became a journey toward faith, belonging, and purpose.
Now it is our turn to echo the spirit of this convention within our own chapter. The lessons, friendships, experiences, and faith we gained in Cebu should not end when the event concludes. They should continue to grow and bear fruit wherever we are called to serve.
The 32nd FCCY National Convention may have ended, but its impact will remain with me for years to come. This is not the end of my journey. It is the beginning of a deeper one.
If given the opportunity to experience it again, my answer will always be yes without hesitation.
If given another chance to strengthen my faith, create new memories, and meet more people who could become part of my journey, I would gladly do it all over again.
Because sometimes, the journey we never expected becomes the very journey that changes our lives.
If the Holy Spirit has already gifted each of us with strength, courage, and purpose, what is stopping us from using these gifts to make a difference in the lives of others?
__________________________
Want to share your FCCY story? We’d love to hear from you! Send your articles and testimonies to: [email protected]
