A casual dinner with friends changed the course of John Dominic Belda's college experience — and eventually took him to Rome.
Belda, a senior from the Philippines majoring in communication, was catching up with fellow communication majors when the conversation turned to finding connections. Belda shared his interest in creating a social space where other students in similar fields of interest can find opportunities beyond the classroom.
Being inspired by the idea, his peers immediately supported him, and together they founded the Asia Pacific Communication Society (APCS), designed to facilitate experiential learning experiences for communication majors.
Through the APCS, Belda helped organize the Latter-day Saints and Media Studies Symposium at BYU–Hawaii, where he met Daniel Arasa, a professor from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and a consultor of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See. Their meeting led to an invitation for Belda to attend “The Church Up Close,” a professional seminar for journalists and communicators in Rome.
The Pathway to Service
For Belda, the path to BYU–Hawaii began in the Philippines, where studying abroad seemed like a distant dream. After graduating from a Catholic high school in San Pablo City, Laguna, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Upon returning from his mission, a church calling as a communications specialist—first for his stake, then for his coordinating council—gave him his first real taste of communication work on a larger scale.
“Through that calling, I began to understand why communication is important—not only for the Church, but also for the world,” he said.
“During one of our training sessions, I learned more about President Gordon B. Hinckley and his emphasis on communication,” Belda continued. “That really stayed with me. It helped me realize that communication could be more than just a career for me; it could also be a way to serve.”
These experiences started a domino effect that would solidify Belda’s decision to pursue communication, first through BYU Pathway Worldwide, and eventually, BYU–Hawaii.
“I came to BYU–Hawaii hoping to learn how communication could help me serve, and many of the opportunities I have had here have allowed me to do exactly that,” he said. “I still don't know where the Lord will lead me, but the purpose I wrote about before coming here has stayed the same: to learn, to serve, and to use whatever skills I gain to help further his work.”
The Blessings of the Gospel
"My journey to Rome taught me that sometimes miracles do not happen all at once,” Belda shared. “Sometimes they come through small experiences that only make sense when we look back.”
His first proposal to attend “The Church Up Close” seminar in Rome was declined. That setback, combined with uncertain funding and the difficulties in obtaining a Schengen visa, made the opportunity feel out of reach.
But instead of giving up during those months of doubt, Belda filled his time with prayer and temple work, where he received a tender mercy from the Lord.
“One night, I specifically prayed for help with my visa and even asked the Lord to help me find someone who could assist me,” he shared. “I arrived at the temple too late for an endowment session, so I did initiatories instead.”
“Of the three names I was given, one was someone from Italy,” he continued. “I remember freezing for a moment. It may have seemed like a small coincidence, but to me, it felt like a reminder that Heavenly Father knew exactly what I was worried about.”
As Belda continued to serve the Lord in the temple, he began to see the doors of opportunity slowly open for him. Suddenly, he found many people supporting him.
Belda credits the Faculty of Arts & Letters, University Advancement—especially Brooke Peterson—Church leaders and mentors, including Professor Arasa and many others who believed in the opportunity and helped him along the way.
“Professor Arasa helped me with the visa process, and the organizers in Rome sent me an official invitation,” he said. “After months of uncertainty, the Italian Consulate offered me an off-calendar appointment.”
“Then I realized that I wasn't making the journey to Rome alone,” he continued. “There were people across Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indiana, and Rome supporting me, praying for me, and helping doors open along the way.”
The clearest test came just before his visa appointment. Belda had just enough money to purchase his flight. Realizing that his tithing didn’t go through from the week prior, he had a difficult decision to make—keep the money for the flight or pay his tithing.
He decided to practice his faith and put his trust in God, and chose the latter. The following week, he received an anonymous gift that would not only pay for his flight but also for his lodging during his visa appointment.
“Looking back, I do not think the greatest miracle was simply making it to Rome,” he shared. “The miracle was learning to recognize the Lord throughout the journey.”
“My prayers were not always answered immediately or in the way I expected, but I learned that faith sometimes means moving forward without knowing what will happen next,” he added. “My experiences in the temple helped me trust that Heavenly Father was aware of me, even when I could not yet see the way forward."
When in Rome
Belda finally arrived in Rome to attend “The Church Up Close,” a professional seminar focused on helping journalists and communicators better understand the Catholic Church and its approach to communicating with the world. For him, the seminar was also an opportunity for interfaith learning.
“More than anything, I went there to listen and learn,” Belda said. “I wanted to understand another faith tradition from their own perspective rather than only from what I had previously heard or read.”
During the seminar, Belda attended lectures and panel discussions with journalists, professors, Church communication leaders, ambassadors, and other professionals from around the world. He also visited historic and religious sites throughout Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
“Walking through Rome made history feel real to me,” he said. “Instead of only reading about ancient history or scriptures, I was standing in a city where so much of that history could still be seen.”
Among the experiences that stood out most to Belda was seeing Michelangelo’s artwork in the Sistine Chapel.
“Seeing Michelangelo's artwork in person, especially his depictions of God, humanity, and Jesus Christ, was powerful for me,” he said. “Standing there reminded me of our divine identity.”
Although Belda traveled to Rome to learn about Catholic communications, the experience also gave him a deeper appreciation for his own faith and the importance of learning from people whose beliefs and backgrounds differ from his own.
Peacemaker
From the Philippines to BYU–Hawaii and eventually to Rome, Belda’s journey has shown him how seemingly small opportunities can lead to experiences far beyond what he initially imagined.
His experience in Rome strengthened his desire to use communication to build understanding, serve others, and bring people together. As he looks toward his future, Belda hopes to work for the Church and use what he has learned in communication, public affairs, and international relations to help build relationships across cultures and faiths.
“I strive to be a peacemaker wherever I go,” Belda said.
