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ACTIONUPDATE

CHRISTS YOUTH IN VOLUME 17 ISSUE # 1www.christsyouthinaction.com

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The door of faith (Acts 14:27) isalways open for us, ushering us intothe life of communion with Godand offering entry into his Church.(Apostilic Letter, Porta Fidei by

Benedict XVI)

A student once told me, I want tobelieve in something. I envy peoplewho believe. My years of workingwith young people have opened myeyes to the deep yearnings of theyouth. One of the deepest needs of manis to believe in something. Believinggives you a comfort to an uncertainextent, knowing that in good times orbad, there is something for you to holdon. In good times, you can be thankfulfor what youve been given. And in badtimes, it gives you hope that there isa purpose behind what youre goingthrough. Belief helps us have somekind of focus in life. We end up givingourselves to something or someonewho will give meaning and direction tolife. Benedict XVI would want us to bereminded that door of faith is always

open. It never closes onanyone. This open doorsummons to an authenticand renewed conversion tothe Lord, the One Savior

of the world (Porta Fidei6).

In other words, it is anopportunity for Catholicsto experience a conversion

to turn back to Jesusand enter into a deeperrelationship with him.

The door of faith is opened at onesbaptism, but during this year Catholicshave been invited by Benedict XVIto recognize, open it again, walkthrough it and rediscover and renewtheir relationship with Christ andexperiencing the life and gifts of theChurch. We in Christs Youth in Actionhave never stopped in helping theyouth recognize that open door of faithin our lives.

Countless of youth have found whatto believe in through CYAs work ofevangelization.

Let us respond to the invitation of ourPope to enter the open door and bringin as many as we can through the opendoor...

Raoul Roncal, President

The Philippine Foundation of Christs

Youth in Action

No calamity can stop them.

This is what the members of CYAproved as they conducted reliefoperations for Habagat victimslast August 9-10, 2012. The reliefoperations were conducted at 4Barangays across Quezon City andPasig City.

On the move

The CYA volunteers divided intoteams to respond to the differing reliefneeds of the 4 barangays.

The rst day of the relief operations

included: contacting CYA membersto ensure their safety and inquiringif they need help or supplies; aidingin the procurement of relief goods

such as medicines, water and foodand repacking of relief goods. Afterthe procurement and repacking thevolunteers immediately proceeded tothe Parish of the Holy Family wherethey helped in food distribution andinventory of relief goods and clothing.

On the second day the majority of

the volunteer work was comprised ofrepacking and distribution of reliefgoods in Brgy. Kanyugan in Pasig andSulyap ng Pag-asa Housing, Brgy.Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

Operation linis

There were some brothers whosehouses were submerged in ood water.

The volunteers helped BJ Pareno(CYA - UST) and PK Felongco (CYA-

UST), in cleaning up their respectivehouses.

Speaking on the dangers that nightPK said, Initially, there was nofear. But as the waters kept risingto the point of reaching our secondoor, terror kicked in. Things were

different from that time as storms

are predictable, monsoons are not. Wewere very scared as we dont have anyidea of when the rain would stop. Allwe could do is sit tight and pray,

I was glad when the brothers andsisters arrived to provide assistanceOur place was a wreck, and CYAhelping us clean our humble homewas a blessing indeed. My wholefamily appreciated their help andcare. Felongco concluded.

CYA Conducts Relief Ops for Habagat Victimsby Marc Joseph Alejo

Typhoons Cant Shatter The Spirit of Service

FOREWORD

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Sembreak with a dif ference

Instead of spending the vacation athome and other places, the Christs

Youth in Action (CYA) members choseto be sent to places and held the annualMission Trips (MT) last October 23-27.

Themed Planting the Seeds of Faith,this years Mission Trips revolvearound the Parable of the MustardSeed (Mt. 13:31-32).

Different provinces, differentactivities

The CYAers were sent to differentplaces namely Floridablanca inPampanga, Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija,Marinduque, Naga City in Bicol andBatangas.

The Pampanga Team was able toreach 300 families, consisting of Aetacommunities and TIMP community.

Activities included Gospel sharingto Aeta kids in two barangays andTIMP youth in San Ramon, food andgoods distribution, and house to houseGospel conversation with families intwo Aeta communities.

In Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, the Gawad

Kalinga site (133 families) was thevenue of the teams program. Brothersand Sisters Household, communityimmersion, a youth program, farming,and initiating Gospel conversationswere the major activities the NuevaEcija Team conducted

The Marinduque Team launched theCrossroads Retreat and leadershiptraining for the 33 college studentleaders of Marinduque MidwestCollege. The students heard about tolove the Lord more and how to leadothers as a response to Gods love.

We expected just to

serve, but a two-way

process of serving took

place

The Naga Team reached 114 studentsfrom University of Nueva Caceresand Ateneo de Naga. The activitiesconducted include the Christian LifeSeries (CLS), Brothers and SistersHousehold, and Archdiocesan YouthLeaders Training (AYLT).

A Sisters Household program washeld in Batangas for leadership andcharacter formation of 17 sisters from

CYA Batangas and three sisters fromCYA Manila.

How it all went

Red Salva (CYA-UST, PampangaTeam) said, I never expected themission trip to be like this, its so fun

My experience with the Aeta kids wasvery inspiring, especially when wetaught the Aeta kids the sign of thecross. It may be simple but I knowthat God used me as a tool to shareHim to the kids.

I know that God used me

as a tool to share Him

We expected just to serve, but a twoway process of serving took place. Thefamilies there served us, and we felt

like we were served more by themWitnessing and experiencing suchkind of living made us appreciateand acknowledge the beauty andsignicance of living in simplicity

that God has a different way of blessingand giving them the completionin their lives, that the wealthiestman can ever attain, stated Krima

Valenciano (CYA-UMC, Nueva EcijaTeam).

CYA Holds Annual Mission Tripsby Marc Joseph Alejo

SEMBREAK IS FOR GODS MINISTRY

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by Maress Legaspi

Teaching is her passion and this iswhere the Lord has led her.

Mrs. Maila Blanza is a professorat the University of Santo Tomas(UST) where she teaches Theologyand Philosophy specically Christian

Ethics, and Marriage and Family.

She is the adviserof Christs Youth in

Action (CYA) in UST.She is married to Mr.Jojo Blanza and theyhave two kids.

In the rst CYA event

that Maila attended,she was amazed at thesharing of a sister whowas an achiever. Whatwas very striking was

that among all of herachievements, thething that matteredmost to her washaving a relationshipwith God. And thatchallenged me,recalled Mrs. Blanza.

After that event, shetold herself that shewanted to experiencethe genuine joy thatshe noticed in CYA.

Eventually, she became a committedmember of CYA and after college, sheserved as a CYA staffer for four years.Mrs Blanza says her years as a stafferthe time when her desire for teachingyoung people grew.

It was the time when

God planted a seed

in her heart

All the things that CYA taught herpaved the way to what and who she isright now: passionately teaching andbringing God to her students.

When I go to class, I try to besensitive to Gods leading. Sometimes,we do Bible sharing. It helps themexperience that the words of the Lordare very life-giving, Mrs. Blanza said.

Maila is not satised by just givingthem information and lectures. Mailameets the students where they are.She nds it a challenge to respond to

their concerns You open wounds andyou have to nd time to ll the heart of

this young person, she said.

Yet, she sees her work as a privilegebecause she can speak about God andshes able to touch the lives of young

men and women. She is lled with joy

when she sees her students choose theright path, and continue to do gooddespite their difculties, and most

especially when they capture thetruth that having a relationship withGod is important.

When asked about her message tothe youth, Mrs. Blanza said I want

to encourage them to

hold on to their faithand to be steadfastGod can bringsomething good out otheir brokenness butthey have to bring thisto God and respond toHis love.. Allowing andletting God to do thiswill make a differencein their lives.

God can bring

somethinggood out

of their

brokenness

but they have

to bring this

to God and

respond to

His love

It is the work o

the Lord and the Holy Spirit thatenables Mrs. Blanza to keep going

She makes herself available and theLord uses her and her profession in anextraordinary way.

Just like Mrs. Blanza, we shouldallow God to transform our professioninto our vocation and mission, neverfearing to speak to others about hislove for us.

PROFESSION ASVocation and Mission

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by Fatima Mae Hermo

Its a different joy to accomplishsomething for yourself, to accomplishsomething for the kingdom of God.But the grace of God transforms those

joys into something transcendent: youand the kingdom of God being one.

How can someone like

me be able to share

something about the

Lords work?

I always thought that doing the

work of God would mean being afull-time missionary and giving upeverything. So it was an eye-openerfor me to know that I can do the workof the Lord through my normal life,in simple ways; and one of these is

evangelization.

Evangelization is such a very big word.With just a thought of it, I go back tomy unworthiness and hide away inshame and fear. How can someonelike me, who sins day in and day

out, who does not even have a stablerelationship with the Lord, be ableto share something about the Lordswork? With all my incompetence andfear, I struggled with that big word.I ran away from it, yet the Lord ran

after me, caught me,and held my hand all

the way.

On my third yearin college, the Lordintensied that

desire to share Hisword. Of course, Ifought back and hidbehind the pile ofuncertainties I havebut He was not takingno for an answer. So,grudgingly I said yes to His request,on the condition that He will be with

me every step of the way.

When I take another step

towards the Lord,

I take another step

towards being

best person I can be

With that decision, I thought of thepeople I wanted to invite to CYA andstarted praying for them everyday.

I also scheduled my days such thatI would be able to introduce themto the other brothers and sisters aswell. As time passed by, academicload became heavier at those timesall I could do was pray for them. But

the Lord blessedthose efforts withone of my friendsattending theChristian LifeSeries.

It didnt matter

to me that onlyone person wasable to attend andreally get to hearGods word. At theend of the day, shewas able to givemore to the Lordand it brought mea sense of joy.

As time progressed, I becamecomfortable bringing people to Christ

so much so that I was beginning tothink I was doing the converting andtransforming part, not Christ.

This was evident on one of my chancesto become a discussion group leaderand handled someone who alreadyknew alot of things about Christbut was unresponsive to Christ. Istruggled with it because I thoughtall along that I was brought into thatgroup to change that person. I wasshocked to know that she was not putthere because the Lord needed her

to hear things from me. I was placedin that situation to hear things fromthe Lord. That experience humbledme before the Lord, and I was able totrust His promises and power.

The path towards the Lord is nevereasy and will never be. As I chooseto know more and do more for Him, Iexperience things that transform meto be the person He wants me to beThose experiences may not be beds ofroses, but knowing that they sprung

from the love of Christ, I know theyare the best for me.

When I experience that joy ofaccomplishing something for Godskingdom, I sense a certain joy as anaccomplishment for myself as wellFor when I take another step towardsthe Lord, I take another step towardsthe best person I can be, and such isthe grace that the Lord lets us able toexperience.

The of stepping up for the LordJoy

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&

I am Ali David Biboy Leong,currently taking up BS-InternationalHospitality Management in De LaSalle College of Saint Benilde.

I went to the LSS retreat; with meare two sheets of paper which wasa sharing of mine. I had practicedreading it several times to be surethat I can keep within the 8-minutesharing time limit.

I never had the idea that all theguilt, loneliness, depression anddisappointments I had would allactually be felt again as I went onwith my sharing. Suddenly, I felt theoverwhelming love of God and cried,

not out of sadness, but out of thestriking realization that despite howmany times Ive hurt my parents, theywould always welcome me home.

The LSS refreshed me spiritually.Every nook and cranny of my heartthat needed and longed for God, waslled up once again. When I got home,

I decided to tell my dad about mysharing specically all the things

I have done, that I have kept hidden

from him for so long. Again, he reactedwith love rather than anger. He wasgrateful that I told him, rather thanbeing appalled at what Ive been doingwith life. It felt as if a huge, invisibleblock of cement, Ive been carryingaround for several years have beenlifted off my chest. I know have amuch closer relationship with my pop.I would like to believe that this is thestart of the most radical and signicant

personal change I will undergo inmy life, and I am very much lookingforward to it.

A glimpse of the past, a testimony

Ill be honest with you, brothers

and sisters, and say Ive done a lot ofthings that I truly regret doing. It was

through those actions and occasions

of utter disobedience towards my

parents, that I hurt them to the core.

I had a very heated argument with

my own dad or pop as I would call

him at home. I ran away from my

home and that was the rst time I

smoked marijuana.

Eventually, I went home. Ive never

felt so guilty, so scared, and so down

I apologized, Im sorry. I didnt mean

what I said. He walked towards me

and I thought he would hit me but

He pulled me closed, hugged me and I

could hear him sobbing quietly, saying

I love you. Son, Im glad youre home.

I felt God through my parents patience

and ever-enduring love for me.

Ive turned my back away from God so

many times already but all the times

that Ive asked for Gods forgiveness

He never hesitated to forgive me

and always assured me of His love

and care for me. Because of my love

for God, I now strive to do better asa person. Ive lessened and moderated

my drinking, Ive completely stopped

smoking drugs.

We need Gods help. His grace

the afrmation of his love, and his

forgiveness as all of these strengthen

us spiritually we will evolve into the

Christian men and women that God

wants us to be.

by Ali David LeongflashbackrealizationsAnLSRetreatExperience

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by Marc Joseph Alejo

Jarold Franco, Electronics andCommunications Engineeringstudent, and committed CYA memberfrom UP Diliman was not interestedto join CYA. He rst encountered CYA

in his dormitorywhere two resident

assistants were CYA members.

There were lots of things I wanted todo but CYA/any religious activity wasnot yet part of that. I just acceptedthe invitation out of courtesy to ourresident assistants, Jarold confesses.One of those two resident assistants,a CYA member, was also our coach andsports handler. We were joining theirmonthly basketball events so I got toknow many CYAers and I attendedtheir activities, he adds.

I attended the Christian Life Series(CLS) when I was a freshman andmade my public commitment lateron. Matagal nila akong hinabol-

habol. Thank God they did not giveup on me! Jarold recounts. After Iattended the CLS I found myselfwanting to attend more of their eventssince I learned a lot from their talksand I experienced from my everydayroutine. My relationship with the Lordgrew deeper than ever. I decided tobecome active in CYA. When Jaroldwas in his junior year, he became partof the Service Council for the CYA-UPD Chapter.

Being part of the Service Councilwas really a test of my faith in God.The real challenge was how I wasgoing to balance my studies with myservice. It was a tough time since Iwas taking our most difcult subjects

including my thesis. Things werebeyond my capacity and control. Butthis was when I got to know God, andmyself, even more. Through servicemy relationship with the brothers andsisters in CYA strengthened too. saysJarold.

Tiwala lang

Faith is the condence in what we

hope for and assurance about what wedo not see. (Hebrews 11:1).

When asked where he is now in termsof his faith to the Lord, Honestly,I still have fear and doubts but all Iknow is that God is the source of mycondence right now. I have no other

options but to put my trust in the

Lord, says Jarold.

He then narrates a story about himalmost failing to march this semesterand how being faithful to God hadhelped him.

In one of my subjects, 50% of ourgrade is based on making a machinework. The thing is, your machinemust be functioning according to thespecications of our professor or youll

get zero and a sure subject failureand no graduation. The project wasexpected to be done in a month andwas divided in three phases.It wasas difcult as my thesis. I was in the

nal week and all of my classmates

were nishing the third phase while I

couldnt even nish rst phase. I was

already convinced that time that Imnot going to make it since I couldnteven proceed to the second phase.

And he adds, I started complainingto God. I was so frustrated and aboutto give up. I just wanted to rest, and Iprepared myself for the worst. But theLords message for me that time wasto trust Him more. With just enoughtime, I was able to x one very crucia

part. And boom! Almost everythingworked perfectly and smoothly. Itsfunny because at the end of the day, Iwas the rst one to submit.

This experience assured Jarold thatGod is a faithful God. Even if we are

unfaithful, He remains faithful (2Timothy 2:13).

Jarold comes up with a piece of adviceIf you ever nd yourself in a very

difcult situation, always remember

this popular phrase: Tiwala lang! Itsa simple phrase but it means a lot tome and Im sure it will also be to youGod bless you!

best

W H E N

T R U S T I N G

I S T H E

O P T I O N

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As smooth as his swag is in thedance oor, the youngest of the

Escarro brothers, Joseph MatthewEscarro or more popularly knownas Jok, also has uid moves in

evangelization. He grew up in AngLigaya ng Panginoon Community,and is now in his second year inCYA. In that short span, he hasalready brought many of his friendsto CYA . He may not be showy but

like any good action, his efforts toevangelize do not go unnoticed.

He feels contented

and satisfed every

time he becomes a tool

in bringing someone

closer to God.

Joks secret in evangelizing issimply to develop relationshipsrst and be natural. Jok says

that evangelizing is fun. He feelscontented and satised every

time he becomes a tool in bringingsomeone closer to God.

What helps him in evangelizing?He draws his inspiration fromother personal testimonies that

touched his heart and encouragedhim more to give more to God.

Also, Jok believes that he cannotgive anything that he does nothave and if he does not have faithin God himself how can he expectothers to experience God? He islearning to play the guitar so thathe can help his brothers and sistersin worshipping the Lord duringprayer meetings. Of course, he is

also continuing to share his life

with his classmates and friends.

God is working in his life byforming him to be a good studentwho is open to criticisms, toimprove weaknesses and maintainstrengths.

Jok does not just own the dance

oor; he is also a key moverin evangelization. He is Godsinstrument for us to be inspiredmore in evangelization.

Joks story leaves us with aquestion, Think of someone youknow, a close friend or classmateand then ask yourself: If not you,who else will bring your friend toexperience the love of God?

MOVESby Beatrice Anne Malveda

Evangelizing

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by Beatrice Anne Malveda

Having the knack for entertainingcrowds, many have been movedby Jermaxs lively narrative ofhow he got into CYA and met theLord. If you havent heard his epicsharing yet, read on.He was a drunkard before,eternally present in drinkingnights with his friends. Whatmattered to him was his vice,drinking nonstop. That was whatdened his former life until one

room-to-room session of CYA inhis Humanities class brought himto attend a CYA event. And howwas he convinced? Free food. Oh,the wonders of free food! At thattime he thought CYA was cornybut hearing that food would beserved, he made sure that hed bepresent.

Jermax was soon enjoying theothers parts of attending CYAbut it did not come right away;he was not attentive at rst. His

physical presence did not mean hewas learning from talks. He washearing about Jesus regularly butthe free food was more importantto him. However, because of hisvisibility CYA leaders approachedhim and started helping him toknow God more and strengthenwhat little faith he had.

When he started opening himselfto CYA, Jermax gradually beganto meet the Lord Jesus Christ. Atthis time he learned to say no toinvitations of drinking sessions.He also began to include prayermeetings in his schedule becausethat was where he was learningabout God. He says that becauseof CYA, he found the light of God.

Through CYA, he hasbegun to serve God

and others. He iscurrently a member ofthe Service Council andthe Chairman of CYA inMAPUA. Jermax saysthat he serves in CYAbecause he wants to seeeveryone acknowledgingGods presence and theirneed for Him. He wants

those who are lost to how Godchanged him and how He canchange them too.

Jermaxs personal testimonyis really one for the books. Itillustrates that God never givesup on those who are lost. We canall become Gods instruments tolove others. Jermax chose thisroad and he is bringing manypeople to experience the joy ofserving the Lord.

FOOD LEADS TO

Faith

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Thebravest thingIdidwastosharemypersonal testimonyinourmissiontripin Naga lastyear. It wasnteasyformetospeak in frontofothersbutknowing

IwasadiscipleonmissionIdidit.IwasabletoshareandI gainedconfidence

speaking in frontofacrowd. - BienCarmeli Hipolito, UST

Eventhestrongestrain

and the most unlikely

place could never beat

the powerof prayerand

mostespeciallyGod

-KevinVernonGomez,UST

SHOUTOUT!

I invitedmy friends toattendaprayermeetingbuttheywerenotintoit.Imadea decision to show to them how we liveout the way of life in CYA and maybe,somedaytheywillbeinspiredbyit.-GaboEscoto,SanBeda

CYAERSSPEAKOUTFORCHRIST

Ihad an opportunityto invitemy

friends to the Crossroads retreat.

Iwas afraidthat ourrelationship

mightbecome awkward ifI invite

themweremained good friends. It

reallyinspiredmetodomoreforGod

asitmademefeelhowHewilltake

care ofus ifwejust do ourmission

evenifweareagainstallodds.

-JohnPaulFerreria,UPDiliman

The bravestthingI didwastoshareGodwithmyfriendwhoisanon-believer.

Ifearedshedrejectmebutshelistenedandtoldmetowait and see what wouldhappeninherlife.

-ArianneDiesta,UPDiliman

When my friends shared their challenges in life, I used to just comfort them with Okaylang yan, kaya mo yan. I feared that if I shared a Bible verse or something Christian theyd

just answer back with Ang corny naman or have no reaction at all and change the topic.Recently I decided that whatever their reaction, I should speak about Gods promises. In the

end, my friends actually appreciated my openness. I should have been fearless long ago.

- Brigette Cias, UP Diliman

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BUSINESS MAILENTERED AS THIRD CLASS MAIL (PM)

POSTAGE PAID AT UP POST OFFICEUNDER PERMIT NO. 1536-03-NCRSUBJECT FOR POSTAL INSPECTION

4/F Korben Place, #91 A. Roces Avenue, Quezon City 1103 Philippines | Telefax (632) 4113848www.christsyouthinaction.com | cya.correspondents@gmail.com

METRO MANILA: University of the Philippines-Diliman. Ateneo de Manila University.University of Sto. Tomas, Far EasternUniversity. Mapua Institute of Technology.Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.Polytechnic University of the Philippines.University of the Philippines-Manila, Collegeof St. Benilde.

LUZON: St. Louis University (Baguio). HolyAngel University (Angeles). Lyceum ofBatangas. La Salle-Lipa. Ateneo de Naga.

Angeles University Foundation. University ofAssumption (Pampanga). University of thePhilippines-Los Baos.

VISAYAS: University of St. La Salle (BacolodCity). University of Iloilo. St. Paul University(Dumaguete). West Visayas University (IloiloCity). Colegio de la Immaculada ConceptionBaybay-FCIC. Riverside College (Bacolod).Our Lady of Anunciation (Leyte).

MINDANAO: Mindanao State University-IIT.San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish. Corpus CristParish (Iligan City). Xavier UniversityMindanao Polytechnic State College. Liceode Cagayan. Capitol College (Cagayande Oro City). University of ImmaculateConception. Ateneo de Davao UniversitySan Isidro College (Malaybalay). BukidnonState University (Malaybalay City). CentraMindanao University (Musuan). Notre DameUniversity (General Santos City). St. VincenParish (Iligan). San Jose Obrero Parish (Iligan

City). Sta. Maria Parish (Zamboanga). BasilanState College. Claret College of IsabelaCamiguin Polytechnic State College. Instituteof Agriculture (Catarman). Holy TrinityCollege (General Santos). GADTMC (TangubCity). Zamboanga Western Mindanao StateUniversity. University of Mindanao. SanAgustin Institute of Technologies (Valencia)Agusan College (Butuan).

is a Catholic movement of youngmen and women with a mission:

to evangelize the youth and train

leaders for service of the Church.Having personally experienced the

love of God and the saving powerof Jesus Christ, we want to share

our renewed faith with other youngpeople, that they may also know,

love and serve the Lord.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFMaria Elena M.Perez

EDITORIALCONSULTANTSLorna CamposMiracel JuantaPeter Dunlop

STAFFMarc AlejoMaress LegaspiBeatrice Malveda

CONTRIBUTORFatima HermoAli David LeongMaila Blanza

Jarold FrancoJermax HermoJok Escarro

LAYOUT ARTISElyse Pilapil

I WANT TO BE AN ACTION PARTNER! EDITORIAL BOARD