The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) spearheaded a new national campaign that calls on Filipinos to hold on to their faith amid the crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, acting president of the CBCP and also bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan, shared CBCP’s new advocacy called Yakapin ang Bagong Bukas (YBB) on Monday afternoon through the initiative of its Commissions on Health Care, Social Communication and Youth.

The launching was also highlighted by a virtual interfaith gathering coinciding with the commemoration of the National Heroes' Day, as the church also paid tribute to the modern-day heroes in these trying times. 

An audio-visual production of the YBB advocacy was presented by Bishop Marcelino Antonio Malabanan  Maralit, Jr. from the Diocese of Boac, wh  shared the concept behind the campaign during the virtual gathering. 

CBCP collaborated with Filipino firms Unilab, Inc. and RiteMed Philippines, Inc. in producing the AVP, which will soon be distributed to Catholic churches, schools and civic organizations to help spread the advocacy’s message nationwide. 

The event is also part of CBCP’s ongoing dialogue with the government, private sector, and civil society groups to seek better ways to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Filipinos. 

In his message, David called on the public to help turn the ongoing global health crisis into an opportunity by responding together and to “rise above the personal interests and transcend our differences for the common good.”

“Instead of just focusing on the usual health standards and protocols, this advocacy will give flesh to the value of love, compassion, and patience and a call to action that is motivated by holiness and heroism,” the bishop said. 

The minister who also participated in the community prayer include Bishop Reuben Abante, Senior Pastor of the Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church; Elder Taniela Wakolo, of the Philippine Area Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Timuey Lito S. Palma, Tribal Chieftain of the Langkat, IP Traditional Worship in Cotabato, Mindanao; Imam Ebra M. Moxsir, AL-HAJ, President of the Imam Council of the Philippines and Venerable Miao Jing Shih, Head Abbess of the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, who all prayed as one for the Filipinos’ physical and spiritual healing.  

Government officials from different agencies, leaders of civic organizations, including those representing the medical community, elderly, youth, education, family and the marginalized sectors, also attended the event.

“We, in the Department of Health, are very glad to be part of this Yakapin ang Bagong Bukas advocacy,” Department of Health (DOH) director for Health Promotion and Communication Service Dr. Beverly Ho said in a message.

“After all, surviving this pandemic does not lie just in the hands of our frontliners alone. Each and everyone of us has a role to play and we are called to be the solution. We know how challenging the last few months have been but there is nothing we Filipinos cannot overcome together, especially guided by our faith in God,” she added.

The interfaith gathering was also made more meaningful by the simultaneous one-minute ringing of church bells at 6 p.m. nationwide to symbolize the call for faith and unity.