The Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP) National Secretariat held the first Student, Chaplain, Animator Formation Exchange (SCAfe) for 2025 on January 24–26, 2025 at the Bahay-SCAn Formation Center in Tagaytay City. The event was attended by 14 participants, including SCA alumni, animators, and a student leader from the Diocese of Iba.
The three-day training program focused on establishing and strengthening SCA units. It was divided into three key components: discussions on SCA’s role in youth formation, a run-through of SCA modules, and a facilitation workshop to prepare participants to lead these modules in their own communities. Through this structure, SCAfe aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to form and sustain SCA groups in schools and parishes.
With a deep commitment to shaping the Filipino youth through the See-Judge-Act methodology, the program encouraged meaningful discussions and knowledge-sharing. The sessions shed light on the realities faced by today’s youth, further igniting the participants’ dedication to evangelization. They not only reflected on the mission of bringing Christ to students but also strengthened their own faith in the process.
One of the animators, Dr. Floyd Aquino, emphasized the significance of SCA in youth formation, stating:
“As an educator and a believer in the core value of being Maka-Diyos, I recognize that Student Catholic Action (SCA) plays a vital role in shaping the values and character of young people today. Through activities like SCAFE, students deepen their faith, develop a sense of moral responsibility, and strengthen their spiritual foundation. My experience with SCAfe has shown that it nurtures students’ relationship with God by promoting prayer, ethical decision-making, and service to others. This aligns with the Maka-Diyos principle, as it encourages students to embody Christian values in their daily lives, making them more resilient against negative influences such as peer pressure and social media distractions.
Moreover, SCA contribute to strengthening the Bawat Bata Bumabasa, Bawat Bata Butihin program by fostering discipline, perseverance, and a love for learning. Through values formation, leadership training, and outreach initiatives, SCA instills in students a sense of purpose and dedication to both their education and their moral growth. SCAfe activities, such as peer mentoring and community service, provide meaningful opportunities for students to apply their faith in action, inspiring younger learners to strive for excellence and personal integrity. In a time when many young people face uncertainty and challenges, SCA serve as guiding lights, empowering students to become faith-driven leaders who positively contribute to their schools and communities.”
Similarly, John Paul Roque, a student leader present, shared how SCAfe deepened his understanding of Christ’s love in leadership:
“Christ's love already exists from the beginning of everything. We experience it in many ways that we know and those that we do not. But SCAfe made it clear how I, as a student leader, need to make it the heart of my service to others, especially to the young.
SCAfe made me realize that it is still possible to experience Christ’s love even during the difficult time as a servant leader; that Christ is present in these young people who are hungry for His word and thirsty for His love. This mere fact fueled my desire to share Christ’s love to others.
My capacity and my being were molded by SCAfe and through this, I was able to deepen my faith in a way that will help me understand more and be a student leader who will serve others just as how Christ washed the feet of His apostles.
I reflected that a true leader must be a servant, and as part of SCAfe, my cross is to help and offer my being and talents like Christ offered His everything on the cross. This is my cross, my mission, and my goal: to make SCAFE known and help the young and students become Christ-like.”
The SCAfe is designed to train participants in establishing and sustaining SCA units. The program follows an experiential learning methodology, allowing participants to engage in hands-on workshops, guided discussions, and structured reflections. With an emphasis on active participation, SCAFE ensures that each participant is well-equipped to lead, serve, and evangelize within their respective communities. Additionally, it highlights the role of SCA in supporting both government and Church initiatives for youth development, reinforcing its mission to form faith-driven leaders dedicated to service and transformation.
Interested in establishing SCA in your school or diocese? Contact us at mail@scaphilippines.org or 0943-401-13142 to join one of our SCAfe schedules this year!
Dr. Floyd Aquino, an animator from SCA Iba Zambales, currently serves as the Education Program Supervisor for Values Education at the Schools Division of Zambales under DepEd. Meanwhile, John Paul Roque is a third-year college student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Filipino, at St. Joseph College in Olongapo City.
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