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Growing up, I didn’t really use my first name, Cybill, because it’s always mispronounced by people. Honestly, I hated it. People say it as ‘sai-bill’ instead of its correct pronunciation—’see-bill’, and over time it’s tiring to correct them, so I didn’t bother anymore. I’m usually called by my nickname Gail, which came from “baby girl”, mumbled by my kuya as “baby ghul” when we were little and it turned out to be “baby Gail”. Oh ‘di ba ang gulo? Haha! Some people even assume that my first name is Abigail. And just like that, Cybill was long gone and forgotten.

I first attended the Jewels Conference in 2019 and it was a memorable one. One thing I won’t forget was when Ms. Ning Tadena talked about herself growing up hating her name too. I still remember when she talked about changing her name ‘Luningning’ to Twinkle for a nameplate at work, and people called her that for years.

When I heard her story, I had never felt so seen. I never thought it was a big deal—that hating my name is as simple as rejecting who I am. As I write this now, I can’t help but think about God. He’s really in the details, isn’t He? I believe He orchestrated that to happen. He wants me to love myself wholeheartedly. And He started with the unnoticeable, forgotten thing about me—my name, my identity.

Attending the Jewels Conference was a shifting moment for me and it was unexpected. The theme title at that time was “Bridges”, and it resonated so well. Before we pass a bridge, we first have to start where we came from so we can get to where we are going—where we are called to go. I cannot fully allow God to work in me and through me and be a bridge to somebody if I am rejecting something about me.

Now, I don’t get tired of correcting people anymore when they mispronounce my name, because when I say it out loud, I’m reminded of who I am—a child of God. The people throughout my journey became bridges in my life that were sent by the one true Bridge—Jesus. Through them, I’m reminded that there’s a God who sees me and loves what He sees.

Cybill ‘Gail’ Bayto
Jewels Conference 2019-2022 attendee

In 2021, when I attended Jewels online, I was having struggles with my relationships. I felt like I was alone since the relationships around me were broken—the relationships with my friends, family, and even with myself. I went into the conference without any idea of what will happen or how it would help me with my life. It surprised me when I learned that the conference offers sessions that a single woman like me can attend.

There is a specific session entitled “When God Makes You Wait” that resonated well with me. In this class, I realized that one of the most beautiful seasons of your life is waiting for your breakthrough. This is the season where you learn, encounter many different people, and lose many things in life at the same time. Waiting is painful. The fear of the unknown is scary, but hearing stories from my sisters in Christ inspired me to wait gracefully. Stop forcing relationships and things. Just surrender.

I thank God for blessing me with this kind of experience. For bringing me people who will inspire me. I promised myself that it would not be the last. And by God’s grace, I got to serve as one of the volunteers last year! God works in mysterious ways. See you again this year, sisters!

Paui Angeles
Jewels Conference attendee 2021-2022

“Hindi lang pala ko pinapunta dun ng Diyos para makinig. Pinapunta Niya ko para mahalin.”

This was my realization after coming home from last year’s Jewels Conference. At the time, we just had our third miscarriage. I wasn’t ready to socialize, more so join an inspirational gathering. But God’s leading to me during my prayer moments was so strong and clear: “Just be there. Show up. I’m with you.”
So with a grieving heart and our lifeless baby in my womb, I attended. A few minutes into the Mass, I was already crying. I asked for God’s strength to stay. As if on cue, Gretch Veran, a dear community friend of mine “coincidentally” sat by my side. We were both surprised by the sudden reunion. She let me weep all throughout the morning session without asking why. During break time, I saw more community friends who knew what my husband and I were going through. They just embraced me—no preaching, nobody forced me to just have faith blah blah… They simply hugged me and let me know we were not alone. This companionship continued until the conference ended.

Today, one year later, what I remembered most from Jewels 2022 is that I am loved. I remember how grace helped heal my grief. I remember how the presence of the people in the event eased my pain. I remember how opening my heart out during worship allowed God’s love to consume me.

I remember coming in broken and going out blessed.

That day, I relearned that even when we don’t understand why God invites us to something — be it an event, an opportunity to serve, or be still, He has the best intention in mind. We just truly have to trust His heart. 🤍

Maymay Trinidad
Jewels 2022 attendee