Ben Madilynn
“GOD has many great and wonderful things in store for us. We just have to believe in Him and trust His ways.”
These words come from Carmelle Claire Therese Estenzo, an orphan from Cebu, who recently turned a childhood dream into reality by joining the Jubilee of World Communications at the Vatican and meeting Pope Francis.
Estenzo, who hails from Danao City, lost both her parents at the age of 14.
Growing up, she often wondered if her aspirations were too far-fetched, but her unwavering faith led her to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Despite the challenges she faced, Estenzo remained steadfast in her faith, proving that even the most distant dreams can come true with perseverance and belief.
Now, at 26 years old, Estenzo could not believe that her childhood dream of meeting the Pope and visiting Rome, home of Vatican museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, would come true.
The three-day event, which began on Jan. 24, led by Pope Francis, gathered young professional Catholic communicators from across the globe, highlighting the role of communication in sharing God’s love and mercy.
“Since I started serving the Church at 14 years old, it has always been my dream to visit Rome, especially the Vatican. But I didn’t expect that dream to come true at 26 years old,” Estenzo shared, reflecting on her remarkable journey to the Eternal City.
Last March 2024, Estenzo received an invitation from Bishop Marcelino Maralit Jr., chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (CBCP-ECSC), to join the conference for Young Professional Communicators in Rome.
What followed was an arduous application process overseen by the Dicastery for Communications.
“I submitted my portfolio and curriculum vitae, recorded a video, and answered many questions about what I do in line with communications,” she recounted.
“I hoped for the best, and in July 2024, I received the confirmation email,” she added.
Out of over 300 applications from 70 countries, only around 140 were accepted.
Estenzo was the sole Cebuana and the only representative from the Visayas, a milestone she considers a testament to her unwavering faith and dedication to her vocation.
The Jubilee event, part of the Catholic Church’s special Jubilee Year 2025, featured a vibrant program.
Activities included cultural meetings with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and acclaimed author Colum McCann, a Holy Mass with Pope Francis, and insightful discussions with global communication experts.
“Seeing Pope Francis up close brought not just joy but hope. It proved that, indeed, God works wonders in our lives. Looking at the Pope right in front of me, I realized all the joys and sorrows in the past have made sense,” Estenzo said.
She attributes her success to the people who believed in her, including Bishop Maralit, who chose her to represent the Philippines, and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who provided unwavering support.
Estenzo also found inspiration in the stories shared by fellow communicators during the event.
“The best part was the exchange of stories with communicators from different parts of the world. It widened my perspective. I’m looking forward to sharing these insights with my fellow communicators in the Philippines, especially in Cebu,” she said.
Her message to those going through tough times is simple yet profound: “I’m sharing this because I want the people who are going through difficult things right now to never give up on hope because this trip proved that, indeed, God has many great and wonderful things in store for us, we just have to believe in Him and trust His ways.”
Accompanying Estenzo on this meaningful journey were Bishop Maralit, Fr. Ildefonso Dimaano of CBCP-ECSC, Romar Chuca, Joan April Chang, and Mika Ellah Tabada.
As the Jubilee celebration concludes on Sunday, Jan. 26, Estenzo carries with her not only cherished memories but also a renewed commitment to communicate God’s love and mercy to others.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that faith, perseverance, and community can turn dreams into reality. / CDF
