The place...Sai Kung; the dates... 11-18 December 2004; the event...APLYC 7.

Before the APLYC, all these were just details in my planner. It was just an ordinary entry. Then came the big day when we flew in from the Philippines to Hong Kong. We were welcomed with warm smiles and friendly handshakes. Language was not a problem. All it took was a big smile and a common greeting, "Hi! How are you doing?"... the APLYC fire was set...

During the event, I was so happy to finally meet fellow Lasallians from the Asia-Pacific region. We are different in so many ways but I'm glad to know that we all have a common mission. I was moved when we had the immersion activity because it reminds me of my cousin, who joined our Creator already. She was so dear to me because she is a special child. The kids in the special school that I went to look exactly the same as my cousin. The APLYC fire raged wildly in my heart. I will embrace the mission and accomplish my task. After all the activities we went through, I know that I have a group... a team... a family... I'm not alone in hoping for a better future for God's children.

APLYC 7 is over but I have fond memories of everybody. The Haka from New Zealand, dances and songs of Malaysia, Australia, PNG, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Also the tattoo I had from Pakistan, the appetite for spicy food from Sri Lanka, the jokes from Singapore, the mission I'm about to take from India, martial arts from Japan and of course, How to say "I LOVE YOU" in Thai... my heart even went home to Thailand...!

Whenever you dock in the shores of the Philippines, I assure you that the APLYC fire, burning in my heart, will guide you! Mabuhay!
^(Deejay)

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