Festival 2025: A Celebration of Faith and Music

“If you believe, you can move the highest mountains!” sang a crowd of about 2,500 youth and young single adults as Xia Vigor opened Festival 2025: A Youth Concert. When Xia, a popular teen TV and movie actress, began dancing with her backup performers, the audience erupted in cheers.

“We’re here because we love the Lord, we love music, and we love expressing our faith through music!” Xia declared after welcoming everyone to the first-ever Strive to Be concert in the Philippines. Held on August 2, 2025, at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Pavilion in Davao City, the concert was streamed live, with over 15,000 young Latter-day Saints joining watch parties in meetinghouses and homes nationwide.

After the opening song, Xia encouraged the audience to keep singing and dancing in celebration of faith in Jesus Christ. She then introduced Daniel Costales and Brandon Kyle Sorilla, who performed “Stronger” alongside youth and YSA dancers. Ysabelle Cuevas followed with an upbeat version of her original song “Beloved,” joined later by Xia, Daniel, and Brandon to close the segment.

Brandon slowed things down with “I Need Your Strength,” followed by Noreen Nivera’s bilingual rendition of “Look Unto Christ.” An interfaith segment featured The Voice Kids 2024 champion Nevin Adam Garceniego and Davao- based group Songspell, delivering a soulful performance of “Fear Not.” Daniel returned with “His Work,” rallying youth to join the Lord’s battalion, while Sariah Gayola reassured everyone with “Never That Bad.” Brandon and Noreen teamed up for “I Can Do All Things,” followed by Ysabelle’s “Disciple of Christ.”

A highlight of the concert was the Strive to Be Theme Song Medley—”I Will Go and Do,” “A Great Work,” “Trust in the Lord,” and “Peace in Christ”— performed by the entire group. For the finale, K-pop idol Chanty Videla led the crowd in “Carry Me,” joined by all 16 dancers and 10 backup singers.

Despite falling ill days before the concert, Noreen delivered a heartfelt performance. “I had an asthma attack and was worried I wouldn’t be able to sing,” she shared. “But I prayed and trusted the Lord. My only hope was for the audience to feel the Spirit. I’m grateful my prayer was answered—the concert turned out perfectly, just as He planned.”

Brandon recalled a touching moment during the technical rehearsal. “The night before the concert, during the FSY Medley, all the lights suddenly went out. But the music and mics kept working, so we kept singing. The audience turned on their phone lights and waved them to the music. It was breathtaking. I teared up as I saw the crowd singing with us. It reminded us that in times of darkness, trust the Lord—He will lead you to the light.” The lights came back on just as they sang the final line: “We will trust in the Lord.”

When asked what she learned from the experience, 17-year-old singer Lian Villejo from Buhangin Stake said, “Things aren’t as bad as they seem, as long as you have the Lord by your side.”

For Sariah, representing Davao and performing with artists from Manila was a rare privilege. “Their voices were beautiful, and they were so kind. I felt the Spirit of the Lord through their talents.” Danielle Talaboc, 18, from Mati Stake, reflected on the unity she felt. “I realized that in God’s eyes, we are all equal. In His work, there’s no distinction—everyone has a role in His divine purpose.”

Xia and Nevin, both active in showbiz, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and new friendships. Chanty, who skipped a major event with her home network to join the concert, said, “I’ve performed on many stages, but this one felt personal. We were praising God and inviting the Spirit. During the medley, it felt like God was speaking to me through the lyrics.”

For Panabo Stake dancer and choreographer Eumeir—now Elder Mitaran serving in the San Pablo Mission—the concert was the perfect sendoff before entering the Missionary Training Center a week later.

Every participant felt like a missionary, using their talents to share the gospel. Cecille Serna, 19, from Davao Stake, said her friends from other faiths were impressed by the Church and its meaningful activities. “It was a great opportunity to share more about the Church. I even invited them to visit the Davao Temple during its open house.”

Watch “Festival 2025: A Youth Concert” here:
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