OBU at its 50

The smiles of the Operation Build Up Katipunan ng Diwang Sambayanihan officers and members alike warmed the ambiance of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish where a mass was offered to celebrate its golden jubilee.

From 1969 to 2019, OBU has continued to help build young generations into becoming Christ-like leaders.

The Holy Mass was presided by Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla and concelebrated by many others, including Rev. Fr. Joel Caasi, an OBU affiliate and the parish priest of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

In his homily, Fr. Caasi reminded the audience, mostly affiliated with OBU, “to serve God in every way we can.”

According to Fr. Caasi, it is just right to celebrate an anniversary through “thanking the past, celebrating the present, and moving forward with joy and hope.”

The OBU continues its mission in organizing a 40-day Summer Youth Camp.

The first one was led by the late Fr. Paul Cunanan. Now, it has evolved into a movement composed of OBU graduates, acolytes, and supporters inspired by Fr. Paul’s maxim “Bloom where you are planted.”

Accordingly, the men and women of OBU have become notable in their own society in this country and abroad, and in their respective field of endeavor.

As a testimony on the work OBU has done to the lives of its graduates, Cleto Bravo Gales, Jr., who is a 1981 graduate and is now connected with the United Nations Development Program, recalled how the Summer Youth Camp changed his life.

“Our batch was called the Majestic 22, just as the first batch was named the Famous 22. That was very significant for me because I was just 15 that time. That time, my father just died, so, I was searching for a deeper meaning in life then,” said Gales.

According to him, OBU provided him with the proper perspective on how to approach the different challenges in life, not just by looking at the spiritual, psychological and physical level, “but also by looking into the self and the society.”

OBU provides a holistic approach to citizenship building, Christian formation, and leadership training.

“It has really provided me with the basic ingredients that has helped me in my journey in my life that led me to where I am right now,” said Gales.

In time for its Golden Jubilee, the OBU as well as the priests, including Archbishop Emeritus Capalla, recalled the remembrance of its founder, Fr. Paul Cunanan as his gift for words is continually remembered up until today.