YIFI National

30/06/2025

SA MGA MAHAL
A statement for Pride Month 2025

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13: 34-35, NRSV

Pride is a protest, mga mahal.

Pride Month will always be part of a longstanding struggle for inclusivity amid diversity, an observance that is especially relevant and necessary in a country like the Philippines where conservative ideologies trump the guarantee of rights and dignity for all. Many people, especially youth, still become victims of circumstance, born into and raised in spaces inhospitable to life-affirming changes and inclined to protect the “traditional,” even if they are demeaning and harmful.

Detractors say Pride marches are a mere parade, but the “celebration” belies LGBTIQ+ people’s determination, courage and hopefulness. These gatherings motivate q***r people to continue fighting, and remind the world of the beautiful place that we can transform into when people do not shame and discriminate and violate others for a presence and a being that is not patriarchal and heteronormative but is good, just and nurturing. They challenge all people to come together in radical love and build a world that allows a dignified life for people of all sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

With a long way to go until that vision of an accepting country and world becomes a reality, the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente applauds the efforts taken by q***r people and allies, including those who profess a Christian faith, to push societies toward the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people — belonging we all deserve. We recognize that this progress still needs to translate into policy. We also know that this progress is threatened by conservative views, among others, that tend to weaponize the Holy Books and other faith resources against our God-ordained diversity and God-given dignity. These wrong values have created a culture of shame and self-loathing among q***r people, and violence, discrimination and impunity in society at large.

Amid the struggle, and beyond Pride Month, YIFI waves the banner of equality and inclusivity as we acknowledge every individual as God’s creation. We celebrate the radical parenthood of IFI, a Church that has sought to confront its historical inadequacies, embrace people of all SSOGIE and renew itself for the greater work of gender justice, for the Reign of God. As we endeavor to co-create a culture that affirms q***r identities in Church, we pray that God may inspire in our congregations more q***r witnesses to Their love that is beautifully unconditional and universal.

God’s children deserve to be protected against harm. God’s children deserve opportunities for sustenance and development. God’s children deserve every ounce of love and respect.

Magpapatuloy ang YIFI sa pagsama sa LGBTIQ+ community sa laban patungo sa mundong pantay para sa lahat! Mga mahal, pride is a protest, araw-araw!

12/06/2025

TUNGO SA TUNAY NA KASARINLAN
Pahayag sa ika-127 na Araw ng Kalayaan

Sa pag-alala ng sambayanan sa ika-127 na Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas, kasama nito ang Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (YIFI) sa pagpupugay sa kabayanihan ng ating mga ninunong nagpursigi upang itatag ang ating bansa, at sa pangangarap at pag-adhika sa tunay nating kasarinlan.

Sa araw na ito, nagbabalik-tanaw ang Pilipinas sa kanyang pag-alpas mula sa mapanupil na kamay ng kolonyalistang Kastila. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan ang mga hamon at suliraning nagpapatuloy at umusbong mula noon, mga dahilan kung bakit nagsimula ang Iglesia Filipina Independiente at napapanahon pa rin ang kanyang mapagpalayang misyon, misyong mula kay Kristo.

Nararapat pa ring harapin at lipulin ang kolonyal na legasiya ng patriyarka at piyudalismo, na nagdudulot magpasahanggang ngayon ng di pagkakapantay-pantay at diskriminasyon. Dapat pa rin nating lutasin ang neokolonyalismo at kapitalismo, mga hadlang sa ating tunay na pagsasarili at pag-unlad.

Huwag sanang maging walang alam, pakikiramay o kibo sa paghihirap at pakikibaka ng maraming kababayang hindi maranasan ang pangako ng kanilang pagiging bahagi ng “nakapangyayaring sambayanang Pilipino,” at sa mga ugat nito. Nariyan ang pagsasawalang-bahala sa karapatang-pantao at malalim na katiwalian sa gobyerno.

Ikinababahala din ng YIFI ang pagyurak sa Saligang Batas, ang pinakamataas na batas ng Pilipinas, na sinalamin ng mga nakaraang desisyon ng Senado bilang impeachment court sa pagsasakdal kay Vice President Sara Duterte. Maaari na nga itong maging pagsuway sa batas, tila pagpapakita pa ito na marami sa mga senador-hukom ay may pagkiling o kulang ang pag-unawa sa kahalagahan ng talakayin.

Iwaksi natin sa ating mga indibidwal na isip at sa ating pambansang kultura ang mga kolonyal na ideyang humahadlang sa ating pagiging pantay. Patuloy nating itatag sa pamamagitan ng may prinsipyong pagboto at matapang na pagdaing ang isang pamahalaang ramdam at tinutugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan. Depensahan natin ang ating Saligang Batas, representasyon ng ating danas, pagpapahalaga at mithiin bilang bayan.

Inaanyayahan ang bawat mamamayang Pilipino na makisangkot sa mga usapin nang may pagtanaw sa ating kapangyarihan sa ating demokrasya at may pananagutan sa isa’t isa, lalo na sa mga pinaka-aba sa atin. Hanapin natin sa ating mayamang nakaraan ang tapang, wais, malasakit at bayanihan sa ating paghugis sa isang maunlad at payapang Pilipinas, nasyong nakabatay sa kalayaan, pagkakapantay-pantay at pagkakapatiran.

Ama, sumilang nawa ang aming pagsasarili. Amen.

07/06/2025

“We need to appear in these spaces, bravely sharing the truth about the realities in the Philippines,” said NYEC president Koko Alviar. “Silence and inaction — departure from our Christian mandate — should not be our answer to intimidation.

04/06/2025

The NYEC president met with church members currently working as volunteers for the Deutsche Seemannsmission (DSM), a ministry of the Evangelical Church in Germany.

They are Eula Carlota Montealto in Hamburg and Joshua Frio in Kiel. They belong to the Dioceses of Maquebaca and Masbate, respectively.

The NYEC is soon to open applications for the next batch of youth volunteers for Germany.

03/06/2025

There are 5 ecojustice farm demo sites in this project cycle. These are in the Dioceses of Northern Isabela, Dagupan, Masbate, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, and Cagayan De Oro.

There, young people and their faith congregations are endeavoring to meet four characteristics: resilient farm systems, sustainable community farms, empowering kubo and brace ecojustice advocates.

16/05/2025

Isang mainit na pagbati sa iyong kaarawan, Bishop Victor Palero! Salamat sa iyong paglilingkod bilang National Youth Chaplain. Aming ipinapanalangin na ikaw ay mabigyan ng magandang kalusugan at marami pang biyaya upang iyong maipagpatuloy ang iyong paglilingkod sa Diyos, sa Simbahan at sa Bayan.

11/05/2025

A STATEMENT ON ELECTION DAY 2025

“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” — Proverbs 14:15

As many of our members cast their votes in these midterm elections, the National Youth Executive Council asks its constituents to exercise their constitutional right to vote, and to use their ballot as a prayer for meaningful change and a reign of Shalom in the Philippines.

During diocesan youth camps prior to May 12, many members of the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente were already invited to think deeply about their choices through numerous voter education campaigns. On this day, we again ask YIFI — and other voting Filipinos — to reflect on their votes and ensure that these stand firm on our commitment to promote the common good and uphold human dignity.

The IFI has, for years now, implored its members to “vote for dignity.”

D - Defense of human rights and sovereignty
I - Independent foreign policy and protectionist economy
G - Good governance and moral leadership
N - National industrialization and genuine agrarian reform for just and lasting peace
I - Integrity of creation and national patrimony
T - Truth, transparency, and accountability
Y - Youth-oriented development and nation-building

Let the above agenda points serve as guidelines for you as you make your choice, changes that should lead us to a better nation. “Dignity” can help you glean whether — and how deeply — those who seek positions of power value righteousness, courage and sustainability.

Consider platforms and consistency above and beyond personality and rhetoric. Shun mis- and disinformation. Reject any effort to buy your vote, whether through money, ayuda or favors. Do not succumb to threat.

Do not vote for candidates who show no integrity or track record, who run on the merit of utang na loob and intimidation, who seek only aggrandizement and self-preservation.

Choose those who will create a dignified and better country, where citizens enjoy justice and peace. Choose those who are ready to be Christ-like in their leadership.

Finally, be reminded that your citizenship does not begin or end in elections. Whether your candidate wins or loses, you remain a citizen. Our officials must remain in the service of the people, not of their voters only or of the rich and powerful. When they do deviate from their duties and responsibilities, you have a right to engage policy

Remember today and always what our Church invites us to live for: For God and country.

22/04/2025

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) marked three years of the unjust incarceration of faith-based development worker Aldeem Yañez last April 10, 2025, through a tribute concert featuring songs composed by Yañez himself.

The concert, “KAPAYAPAANG GANAP: Mga Himig ni Aldeem Yanez,” featured songs from a recently launched songbook and album, both titled “Gawasnon.”

The event was co-organized by the Free Aldeem Yañez Movement and the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (YIFI), where Yañez was national president from 1999-2002.

He was arrested on Palm Sunday in 2022 during a sham search of their family home in Iponan, Cagayan De Oro, by state operatives looking for evidence to support charges that Yañez violated RA 10591 (Comprehensive Fi****ms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 9516 (Possession of Explosives).

The operation resulted in the confiscation of fi****ms and explosives, which witnesses and critics have since held were planted.

In August of that same year, just months after his arrest, the Department of Justice charged Yañez with multiple counts of violations of Section 8(ii) of RA 10168 (Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012), the government saying he made “available any property or funds, or financial services or other related services” to terrorists. The case also included nuns from the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.

Yañez has been a longtime development worker, volunteering for the Visayas-Mindanao Regional Office for Development (IFI-VIMROD), EFI's
longest-running development program and ecumenical advocacy group, the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP).

Before his arrest, Yañez survived political persecution, including red-tagging during the Duterte presidency. The attacks on development and humanitarian workers, as well as peace advocates and activists, did not let up when Marcos Jr. assumed the country’s highest executive position in June 2022, under which the terrorism financing charges were brought before the court.

Among the attendees were national leaders, including Kathleen Yañez, the president of the national board of the Women of the Philippine Independent Church (WOPIC) and mother of Aldeem.

The concertgoers also participated in the White Ribbon Campaign, launched by progressive groups on April 6 to express solidarity with the families of victims of drug war killings and urge the Philippine government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its ongoing investigation on former President Duterte and others for crimes against humanity.

22/04/2025

YIFI, in collaboration with YIFI Noon, WOPIC and Free Aldeem Yañez Movement, is running a fund-raising campaign that will make it possible for you to contribute to the historic ordination of Bro. Aldeem Yañez into the sacred order of deacons of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente!

Help feed some 200 persons deprived of liberty at Lumbia City Jail in Cagayan De Oro City, who will witness the ordination of Bro. Yañez on April 25.

For just P200, you can sponsor a meal for a PDL — and, in spirit, join those who celebrate a milestone in the life of Kuya Aldeem, a former youth leader and passionate advocate of peace and social justice.

Kuya Aldeem is in jail as a political prisoner, facing trumped up charges of illegal possession of fi****ms and explosives, as well as terrorism financing. Savings from the proceeds of this campaign will support him in his legal battle.

You may send your donations to GCash number 09088954911. Just leave “for Aldeem” in the optional message.

19/04/2025

Chirst is Risen!

A Prayer for Easter Hope and Commitment
Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
O Risen Lord, source of life and light,
Today, we rejoice in Your victory over death.

You are our Living Presence, our anchor in action and reflection.
As we face the struggles of our time—poverty, injustice, violence, and the climate crisis—
Strengthen our resolve to act with courage and reflect with compassion.
Inspire us to walk with the poor, to seek justice for the oppressed,
To labor for peace, truth, and the healing of creation.
As Easter people, may we be pilgrims of hope,
Sowing justice, reaping mercy, and living in joyful witness.

May the power of Your resurrection sustain us,
Guide us in the coming elections, and lead us to choose leaders who serve with integrity.
Unite us in love and mission.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Be with us now and always. Amen.

Chirst is Risen!

A Prayer for Easter Hope and Commitment
Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
O Risen Lord, source of life and light,
Today, we rejoice in Your victory over death.

You are our Living Presence, our anchor in action and reflection.
As we face the struggles of our time—poverty, injustice, violence, and the climate crisis—
Strengthen our resolve to act with courage and reflect with compassion.
Inspire us to walk with the poor, to seek justice for the oppressed,
To labor for peace, truth, and the healing of creation.
As Easter people, may we be pilgrims of hope,
Sowing justice, reaping mercy, and living in joyful witness.

May the power of Your resurrection sustain us,
Guide us in the coming elections, and lead us to choose leaders who serve with integrity.
Unite us in love and mission.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Be with us now and always. Amen.

07/04/2025

𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃!

On April 10, 2025, we mark three years since the unjust arrest of Bro. Aldeem Yañez, a former national president of the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and a faithful member of IFI.

The Free Aldeem Yañez Movement, in collaboration with YIFI, will hold a tribute concert, “KAPAYAPAANG GANAP: Mga himig ni Aldeem Yanez,” at the National Cathedral of the IFI from 4 to 8 pm.

The concert is free. Sama ka!

Catch performances that reprise songs from songbook, “Gawasnon: Songs of struggle, freedom and hope,” written by Aldeem himself, and join IFI as it pays tribute to the church leader and calls for his freedom.

23/03/2025

Tayo na at sumunod sa mga yapak ni Hesus!

Our Year 3 logo is here!

We are extending our warmest congratulations to Engr. Jun C. Abitong from the Parish of Christ the King, Manapla, Diocese of Negros Occidental, for having been chosen as the winning entry for our Year 3 Logo-making Contest.

Our heartfelt gratitude to the rest of the active and creative YIFI who have participated in this year's contest.

Together, let us march forward and create a positive change in the lives of the people around us, just like Jesus did.

Link to the logo file: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HY2ec1AL5ekiPUjXTBHgBc9PeNRG3glK?usp=sharing