TAYO 14 Magazine

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE TEN ACCOMPLISHED YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AWARDS

THE 15TH SEARCH FOR THE

JOIN

WHO CAN JOIN? All groups, barkadas, organizations, clubs and societies whose membership and leadership are composed of at least five (5) who are 3O years old and below are qualified to join the Search. Organizations are judged based on a recent project or program that had an impact on the community and which best reflects the efforts of the youth sector towards nation building. Project entries may fall into one of these categories: (1) Education and Technology, (2) Culture, Arts, and Heritage, (3) Livelihood and Entrepreneurship, (4) Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, or (5) Health, Well-Being and Human Development.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? Php 5O,OOO cash grant for the 1O winning orgs and a trophy scuplted by Toym De Leon Imao.

REGISTRATION GUIDE Entry Form Contains basic information of the organization and the hproject briefer Documentation Form A 3-paged documentation form with photos and description List of officers List of officers and leaders indicating their names, positions, contact number/s

HOW CAN YOUR ORG JOIN?

Certification Form Certification attesting to the existence and veracity of the information submitted issued by a person of authority in the organization or beneficiary location.

Join the TAYO 14 Search by simply downloading the entry form on to www.tayoawards.net/jointayo. You may submit your entry via tayo15.entry@gmail.com on or before September 8, 2017.

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Co-Organized by:

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Sponsored by:

TAYOawardsph

Official I.T Partner:

0917-TXT-TAYO (898-8296)

Official Airline Partner:

tayo.secretariat@gmail.com

TAYO STORY

Fifteen years of bayanihan.

Fifteen years of engaging communities.

Fifteen years of promoting positive change.

Fifteen years of advocating for youth development.

Fifteen years of fostering creativity and innovation.

Fifteen years of TAYO.

The Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations is all about finding, recognizing, and rewarding youth organizations that create their own spark so that others may also bask in the same light. With the TAYO program, we can prove that Filipino youth groups can change lives and turn the world around, because where others see only problems and despair, they see a call for action.

The Search aims to recognize, reward, and encourage youth organizations all over the country with programs and projects that help their communities. TAYO hopes to inspire more young people to find innovative solutions and to challenge status quo through the organizations to which they belong. As movers in their communities, they can make a difference in the lives of the people they desire to serve and in the cause they choose to espouse.

The Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines is organized annually by the TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the National Youth Commission, Office of Senator Bam Aquino, and the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

When TAYO began as a little-known award given to noteworthy youth efforts, it has since evolved into a widely-recognized honour for nation-building endeavours that increasing numbers of Filipino youths aspire for. In its 15 years of running, it has succeeded in reaching over 10, 000 youth organizations across the country and is lauded by different sectors of the society for its efforts.

Apart from the prestigious recognition, winning organizations will receive a specially commissioned trophy sculpted by Mr. Toym De Leon Imao, and a grant of Php 50,000 intended to fund new projects or to continue their long-term programs, courtesy of TAYO’s Co-presenters, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc., and San Miguel Corporation.

The TAYO Trophy A proud product of the University of the Philippines, sculptor Toym De Leon Imao is a highly regarded artist whose works have graced national monuments and parks, and which have been hailed as great contributions of great historic and cultural significance.

For the TAYO Trophy, Imao took inspiration from the bayanihan spirit of the Filipino, as shown by the front relief of a group working hand in hand in sharing strength to achieve its goals. Imao pays tribute to the collective efforts of a Filipino Team; the artist portrays a lone individual harnessing a sail- capturing the spirit of active citizenry charting the path of the nation.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 05

Messages

12

A Lookback: The TAYO 13 Winners

14

Livelihood and Entrepreneurship

22

Education andTechnology

28

Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation

36

Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being

46

Culture and the Arts, Peace and Human Development

57

TAYO National Finals Week

63

FAQs

64

Special Awards

69

Acknowledgements

Co-Presented by:

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORS

WRITERS

DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHERS

James De Vera Trisha Matute

Lian Dumas Queenie Faigones Reuel Mantos

James De Vera Anna Victoria Biala Ma. Nina Pamela Castro

Lian Dumas Joao Grumo Earl Marasigan

TEN ACCOMPLISHED YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AWARDS FOUNDATION, INC. Rollie Fabi, Chairman Jessica Marie “Aika” Robredo, President

TAYO AWARDS FOUNDATION, INC. OFFICE

2602-C East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila www.tayoawards.net tayo.secretariat@gmail.com

Co-Organized by:

Sponsored by:

Official I.T Partner:

Official Multimedia Partner:

Mga Bituin TAYO! Today is the culmination of a truly inspiring week. There is a lot to celebrate and there is a lot to be thankful for!

Alam niyo po, mga kaibigan, I will be very honest with you.

I have been working in the Senate for 4 years, in social enterprise for 7 years, and the National Youth Commission for 5 years.

Working all those years, I would also get tired.

And sometimes, I realize that even though you work your hardest, you do your best, and you give it your absolute all, the problems are still there. Hindi pa rin nababawasan ang mga problema. Napapagod rin ba kayo? Naiisip niyo rin ba ito?

In those moments, a song comes to mind. It’s called Lost Stars by Adam Levine, from the movie Begin Again. There’s a line there that says: Are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?

I know that we are all doing our best, we are all doing what we can in our different communities – in the field of health, education, environment, culture, and livelihood.

We’re all doing our best to help our poor and disadvantaged countrymen who are struggling to live out even just their day-to-day lives. But sometimes I think it’s still not enough. Because even with the light we’re so passionately shine, the night sky still seems so dark and daunting.

Kaya mga kaibigan, this is the challenge I want to pose to all of you – not just the TAYO 14 finalists but a challenge for everybody here today.

It is not enough to do what we are doing in our communities. It is not enough to focus on one or two projects.

If we really want to make a dent, If we really want to make a difference, We need to work together; We need to find each other; We need to embrace each other; We need to support each other to make certain that we all fulfill the missions we’ve set out to accomplish.

Sen. Bam Aquino

Alam ko po na kung magagawa natin iyan, Kung sama-sama tayo, Kung sabay-sabay tayo, Kung tulong-tulong tayo, Tayong mga nawawalang bituin – the lost stars trying our best to light up the night sky, we can and we will succeed.

We will find a way together.

Sama-sama, sabay-sabay, tulong-tulong TAYO sa pagpawi ng kadiliman.Together, we will light up the night sky.

Maraming salamat po muli! And congratulations to all our TAYO 14 finalists!

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Sen. Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan Founder

Magandang umaga.

When I was a first-time senator, after running for the Senate in 2001, my slogan was “Kumilos Kasama si Kiko.” It wasn’t just a slogan but more an advocacy of having committed public servants and citizens come together.

“Kinakailangang kumilos para mabago ang ating lipunan.”

And with that in mind, immediately after I was elected, I put together a team that put together the first TAYO search.

In 2002, the first TAYO Awards was held in Malacanang. We had around a hundred participating organizations then.

In the recent 14th TAYO Awards, if I’m not mistaken, there were close to around 400 organizations that participated.

We’ve really gone a long way.

One thing I’ve realized after judging every year for ten years is that I thought I’ve seen it all. I thought that on my tenth year of judging ay wala nang pupuwedeng bago. Wala na. Paulit-ulit na siguro ito. But the truth is: the creativity and the idealism of young people is inexhaustible, and so would be their ideas and projects. Every year was always an eye opener; every year was always an inspiration because we could see that the ideas keep on coming.

Young people don’t get tired. They’re not tired of moving, they’re not tired of acting. There’s so much energy, and with it, so many ideas; and with it, so much creativity. That is why this search continues to be relevant. Not because we want to award young people per se but because young people are the future of this nation. If we want innovation; if we want change; if we want creativity; if we want new ideas, many of them will come from this new generation and therefore this is a vehicle for them to be able to show that, to express that, and to do their share in nation-building.

Many of us are asking: Ano ba ang magiging kinabukasan ng bansa? Bakit nalampasan na tayo ng ibang bansa? Ang sagot sa mga tanong na iyan ay tanong din. Ano ba ang ginagawa natin? Ano ba ang kinikilos natin? Ano ba ang ating paninindigan sa ating mga komunidad? Kaya ang kinabukasan natin ay tatahakin natin base sa mga ginagawa natin ngayon bilang kabataan.

USec. Aiza Seguerra Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer National Youth Commission

What is your WHY? One word that speaks volumes. One word that can ignite ideas and inspire the youth to move.

The 14th TAYO is proof that an overwhelming number of our young people are acting on their WHYs. It is because this year’s entries (numbering to more than 400) from youth groups and organizations—the largest number of entries that TAYO ever received.

We, at the National Youth Commission are immensely pleased with how active our youth is today. Following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to give more attention to the grassroots level, we believe that in doing this, we can inspire more of you to go out to the communities and build champions, and help empower more of the young people to create positive changes in our society and ultimately to our country.

We are very proud with the final results and we believe that each finalist has its own specific strengths which can further develop their own communities. Their creativity, skills, motivation, and most especially their passionate hearts are what brought them their success.

Congratulations to all the finalists, and may this be the first step for all of you to become more inspired to strengthen your communities and build aa better society for your generation and beyond!

Padayon!

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Comm. Perci Cendaña Commissioner, National Youth Commission

Kagalingan is one of the most beautiful Filipino words. It is one of those fascinating words with two meanings, both positive and aspirational. It means excellence, merit and distinction. In another context, it means wellness, wellbeing and state of development. Both meanings exemplify the essence of the Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO).

For 15 years, TAYO has been seeking out stories of young people selflessly striving for kagalingan--the wellbeing and development of their peers, communities and country. In harvesting these amazing and inspiring stories of commitment and dedication, of creativity and resourcefulness, and of passion and youthful stubbornness, the kagalingan of the Filipino youth is consistently affirmed--excellence in service and active citizenship.

When young people step up and take on the challenge of finding solutions to the problems of their communities, development happens.

When young people work for development and wellbeing, meaningful change comes to their communities and a more profound one happens to them. TAYO celebrates youth involvement and leadership in the hope of making it contagious. That it may continue to inspire young people to continue imagining and working for a better future.

TAYO is testament to the power of imagination and inspiration in bringing hope and kagalingan.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Senator Bam Aquino, Commissioner Percy Saldana, Ms Aika Robredo, TAYO finalists, friends, GOOD MORNING! Coca-Cola Foundation is about sharing happiness – bringing not just fleeting moments of delight but life-changing interventions to young people, their families and communities.

Our partnership with the TAYO Awards through the years has transformed our perspective on the youth – from being beneficiaries of our projects, we now count on them to be our indispensable partners in the journey to sustainable development.

It is amazing how the profile of the Filipino youth has changed since we came on board ten years ago. Technology has made the world seem so much smaller; it has made the youth global citizens, no longer limited by geography. This was so apparent to me when I met this year’s TAYO finalists last Sunday – I couldn’t tell whether they were from Quezon City or Davao or Cebu or Jolo. And to me that is a good thing – in a way, technology has blurred the borders between provinces and regions, hopefully paving the way for a one-nation mindset among the youth.

My dear TAYO finalists, technology is making you grow up so fast! And as a mother, I sometimes worry about this. You know how mothers are … But I have learned, from your organizations and your wonderful projects, that technology has also enhanced your capabilities and expanded opportunities for you to be the best that you can be.

While much has changed over the years, the recent study by Mccann Worldgroup, called “The Truth About Youth” reveals that for the youth, belonging to a barkada remains key to establishing one’s self and finding happiness. And that young people are still figuring out their values, passions and ideals.

Well, you guys are ahead of the pack. You have your values figured out, and your respective barkadas have passionately worked toward your shared ideals. Well done!

The same youth study says that “96% of Filipino youth feel that they have a responsibility to make a positive contribution to the community they live in (vs. 89% globally)” and that 26% of Filipino youth, “would like to be remembered as a person who changed the world in a positive way.”

Let me pose this challenge then to you, my dear TAYO finalists. Persist despite the obstacles that you may encounter. Shine your light on your fellow youth, show them how they too, can contribute to their communities.

Maria Cecilia L. Alcantara Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines President

Amidst all the noise and confusion, stay focused and constantly check your motives before your click, speak or act. Remember that your every word and action will affect at least one other person – so be a positive influence, always.

You make me proud to be a Filipino. And you keep me hopeful and inspired to continue to do my part to make the Philippines a better place for ALL Filipinos.

Congratulations! In my book, all twenty of you are winners!

Thank you for sharing happiness! Magandang umaga po!

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Paano Naging Paano ba naging TAYO? Isa lang ako sa milyon-milyong simpleng kabataang Pinoy na nag-aaral, naglalaro, nagsisikap at nangangarap.

Pero nakita ko ang mga problema sa lipunan na aming ginagalawan.

Nakita ko ang walang pagpapahalaga sa sarili nating kultura. Nakita ko kung paanong nasisira lamang ang ating kalikasan. Nakita ko ang kawalan ng oportunidad sa edukasyon. Nakita ko ang paghihirap ng ating sariling bayan. Nakita ko ang problema ng mga ina sa aming komunidad. Nakita ko ang pang-aabuso ng ibang tao sa kabataan na tulad ko.

Paano nga ba naging TAYO? Besh, isa lang ako sa milyon-milyong kabataang Pinoy pero kahit mag-isa lang ako ay alam kong may magagawa ako.

Isa lang ako sa milyon-milyong simpleng kabataang Pinoy pero hindi iyon hadlang para may gawin akong

TAYO pagbabago. Hindi iyon naging hadlang para may simulan ako para sa aking komunidad, para sa ating bayan.

Nahanap ko ang sarap - sarap sa paglilingkod sa kapwa ko.

Kaya nagsimula akong isulong ang ating kultura.

Nagsimula akong magturo na alagaan ang ating kalikasan. Nagsimula akong magtayo ng munting aklatan para sa aking mga kababayan. Nagsimula akong maghanap ng pangkabuhayan sa aming komunidad. Nagsimula akong baguhin ang pagtingin sa mga kababaihan. Nagsimula akong mahalin ang aming bayan at mangarap para dito.

There are different kinds of love in this world and I chose to love our country. Sabi nga nila, walang nasasayang sa sobrang pagmamahal dahil lahat ng bagay ay may kapupuntahan.

Ito ang aming #HugotParaSaBayan.

Nagmahal. Nagsimula ng isang laban.

Ikaw, besh? Anong hugot mo?

Nasaktan.

The Search aims to recognize, reward, and encourage youth organizations all over the country with programs and projects that help their communities. TAYO, on its 15th year, continuously hopes to inspire more young people to find innovative solutions and to challenge status quo through the organizations they belong.

All groups, barkadas, organizations, clubs and societies whose membership and leadership are composed of at least five (5) who are 3O years old and below are qualified to join the Search. Organizations are judged based on a recent project or program that had an impact on the community and which best reflects the efforts of the youth sector towards nation building.

Project entries may fall oneofofthese thesecategories: categories: (1) (1) Education and Project fall under into one Technology, (2) (2)Culture, Culture,Arts Arts & Heritage, Heritage,(3)Environment, (3) Health, Well-Being, and Technology, and Disaster Risk Human Development, (4) Environment, RiskWell-Being, Reduction,and & Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation,Disaster (4) Health, Climate Change or and (5) Livelihood and Entrepreneurship.

Development, or Adaptation, (5) Livelihood Entrepreneurship.

Join the TAYO 14 Search by simply downloading the entry form on to www.tayoawards.net/jointayo. You may submit your entry via tayo15.entry@gmail.com on or before September 8, 2017.

Php 5O,OOO cash grant for the 1O winning orgs and a trophy scuplted by Toym De Leon Imao.

The Education and Technology Category seeks to recognize the youth organizations who have addressed the education gaps through technology, literacy programs, science and mathematical trainings, tutoring sessions, alternative learning modules, and other creative means in helping build a community of learned people.

The Health, Well-Being and Human Development Category seeks to recognize youth organizations with projects that address the well-being of communities through medical services, feeding programs, nutrition information campaigns, sports, and innovative food security projects, among efforts that build self-sustaining, developed, and healthy communities.

S E A R C H PROCESS Up to the National Judging, organizations will be competing per category. This means that the organization will only compete with other organizations in the

Documentation Form A 3-page documentation form with photos and description List of officers List of officers and leaders indicating their names, positions, and contact info Certification Form Certification attesting to their existense, and veracity of the information submitted issued by a person od authority in the organization or beneficiary location

Culture, Arts, and Heritage

Education and Technology

Health, Well-Being, and Health, and Human Well-being, Development Human Development

Entry Form Contains basic information of the organization and the project briefer

The Culture, Arts, and Heritage Category seeks to recognize youth organizations who have constantly and creatively contributed in telling and preserving the Filipino narrative & heritage- its struggles & triumphs, its colorful past and dreams for the future, and its rich, diverse, & global identity.

Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, andDisaster ClimateRisk Environment, Change Adaptation Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation

The Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation Category seeks to recognize youth groups who work with vulnerable communities in effective environmental protection, climate change solutions, promoting biodiversity and ecological awareness, and disaster prevention, education, rescue, rehabilitation, among others.

SEARCH FLOW Call for Application Secretariat Paper Screening Category Paper Screening

Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Livelihood and Entrepreneurship

The Livelihood and Entrepreneurship category seeks youth groups who push for the knowledge, skills and values of entrepreneurship - establishing sustainable and marketable livelihood programs as interventions in alleviating poverty. Other programs may include jobs generation & matching, financial literacy, market linkage, product development, social enterprises, and design & sales inititiatives among others.

www.tayoawards.net /TAYOawards O917-TXT-TAYO (898-8296) tayo.secretariat@gmail.com

same category. The four best organizations per category will be

Field Validation

invited to the TAYO week. An organization can submit multiple

TAYO Videos

entries to different categories provided that the projects are different.

TAYO Week

The TAYO Videos will be produced this year for the top 20 organizations which will showcase their different stories online. It will be used to highlight the inititiatives of the organization and will be published on the TAYO Facebook Page, Youtube Page, and the official website. The documentary will also be shown during the judging and awarding.

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FINALISTS LOOKBACK

I AM MAKING A DIFFERENCE (I AM MAD) Awarded as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations for 2016, I Am MAD’s advocacy advocacy to enrich the lives of the younger generation was strengthened through their TAYO experience. It paved the way to new experiences and learnings, and gave them a platform to spread their advocacy to bigger network that allows them to instigate more change.

They are one with the goal to empower and strengthen the Filipino youth- I Am MAD, specifically, in fostering each individual they encounter from different walks of life in pursuit of making a meaningful difference.

Driven with heart-filled passion for volunteering, I Am MAD, in partnership with National Youth Commission (NYC), the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), One Meralco Foundation, and the TAYO Awards Foundation, held a talk on volunteerism entitled #MADTalks: Nagmahal, Nasaktan, Nagvolunteer last January 14, 2017 at Meralco Mini Theatre in Pasig City. Dubbed as an “ultimate hugot event for volunteers”, the talk aimed to inspire the Filipino youth to use their “pain” in finding their purpose geared with their passion and power to make a difference.

I Am MAD has also received awards and recognitions from the CSR Youth Awards by Benita and Colayco Yap Foundation, and Ulirang Mandaleno awarded by Mayor Benhur Abalos.

The group even gained several radio and TV guesting at CNN Philippines, ABS-CBN’s Tapatan ni Tunying, DZRH News TV, DZRH Adbokasiya, DZUP, Radyo Kaataan and IBC News.

Furthermore, I Am MAD even had the opportunity to represent our country in Tokyo, Japan for Asia-Pacific Academic Conference in Public Health and won the Best Poster Award.

Having passionate volunteers in the organization, I Am MAD was able to partner with Rappler Philippines for their Move.Ph - allowing their volunteers to share their inspiring stories and how the MAD fever gave impact to their very own lives.

Upon the successes I Am MAD have been receiving, they also have been through a lot of challenges. One being the stresses of running an NGO. But still, I Am MAD pushes through.

Anchored with love for our country, the aspiration to serve our fellow countrymen, and having passionate and courageous hearts that are willing to act towards change, these stresses are small bumps in the road- and that it is not impossible to make a fruitful and meaningful difference.

USJ-R SCHOOL OF LAW ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT It is of great honor for USJ-R SOLACE to be part of TAYO Awards and be acknowledged as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Groups in the entire Philippines last 2016. All the efforts and sacrifices of the officers and members are all worth it, for this experience has opened a lot of opportunities for the organization.

Among the projects of SOLACE, their entry, Case Follow-up for Jail Decongestion and Inmates Paralegal Training, run closest to the hearts of those members. TAYO Awards has been their outlet to share their experiences and their purpose - inspiring young Filipinos to start the change they wish to see in the world.

After TAYO Awards, SOLACE was able to share that experience to others. The organization inspired more law students to join their advocacy. Their family has grown from having only 39 members to 80 members now. The organization influenced more young aspiring lawyers to cooperate in organizing meaningful, law-related activities that would not only help them understand law better, but also teach and encourage

them the value of social responsibility.

SOLACE has a new set of dynamic officers and enthusiastic members who unselfishly spare time for the planning and execution of the activities of the organization. SOLACE received fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000) from Coca-Cola Foundation and twenty thousand pesos (Php20, 000) from San Miguel Corporation for a total of seventy thousand pesos (Php70, 000). This amount will be used to fund the activities of SOLACE, such as: 1) continuation of the Jail Decongestion Project; 2) Inmates Paralegal Training; 3) Training for Paralegal Trainers; 4) Refurbish Library Project, and; 5) Legal Aid Clinics.

USJ-R SOLACE is now having partners from other organizations who were inspired by their TAYO experience as well. Indeed, the TAYO experience imparted to them that changing the status quo is never that easy, but if people would put their heart into it, it is all worth it.

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Livelihood & Entrepreneurship In a world fueled by innovations and various business opportunities, enterprise development plays a vital role in economic progress.

The young Filipino entrepreneurs of this generation faces the challenge of meeting the growing sophistication of market needs and customer satisfaction. For some youth organizations, however, that is a challenge that they are willing to take and to conquer.

Livelihood & Entrepreneurship category seeks youth groups who push for the knowledge, skills and values of entrepreneurship, establishing sustainable and marketable livelihood programs as interventions in alleviating poverty, especially in the countryside. Other programs may include jobs generation & matching, ďŹ nancial literacy, market linkage, product development, and design & sales initiatives, etc.

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VIRTUALAHAN, INC. Davao City

Virtualahan, Inc. is a social enterprise from Davao City that is driven by the mission to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

successfully trained 107 virtual assistants with 76% placement rate, in just 15 months.

Virtualahan uses cross subsidization model and grants scholarships to those who meet their qualifications.

Their program, Virtualahan, is a capacity building and values formation program that enables people to work online as homebased professionals through skills training and employment support.

“In a normal setting, they are either discriminated or treated as special and nobody wants that level of attention. So what if they are blind or they have a disease?

We want them to be productive members of the society by ending workplace stigma and employment discrimination against people like them. More than that, we want to enable them to become advocates of their own condition,” says Ryan Gersava, founder and President of Virtualahan. Gersava drew inspiration from his own experience as a medical technologist.

Virtualahan Impact Formula where students undergo a one-month skills training as a launchpad for them to work online, an internship, a preparation phase for successful employment. They also created a support group – a network of advocates for social equity and inclusiveness – to help the beneficiaries have a safe place.

The group’s target beneficiaries are single parents, unemployed youth, and people who have less access to jobs because of disability or medical condition. The group had

“I have worked in hospitals and I have seen and met people lose job opportunities because of their medical condition,” he says.

Gersava adds that more than 12 thousand

Filipinos have been rejected by employers abroad because they have hepatitis and states that depriving them of a job is a double jeopardy: they suffer from their condition and they are being denied of the ability to generate income. Thus, he decided to address two important problems: 1) workplace discrimination, where people have jobs but needs to endure an unhealthy work environment and 2) unemployment discrimination, where people could not get a job because of their medical condition.

Virtualahan, with only six core members, operates 100% online. They have a team from Philadelphia in the United States that focuses on the business side, and a team in the Philippines that focuses on their operations and social mission. Just recently, an organization in New Zealand expressed the desire to replicate their program.

“Now that we live in an information and communications technology-driven age, we are taking advantage of that. This is why our mantra is, ‘basta may WiFi, may

hanapbuhay’.”

When asked about what he loves most about his job, Gersava simply answers, “the lives of people that we are helping.” “They are wonderful people, we just overlook, ignore and deny their existence, and it has to stop.”

Virtualahan, Inc. believes that we can have an inclusive society where people are not judged based on their disability or condition but based on their potential and willingness to become good members of the society. Virtualahan, through their work, wants people to see that the world can be a better place for everyone--if only we act now.

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UP INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING CLUB Diliman, Quezon City “I will promote national progress by being an excellent industrial engineer.”

industrial engineering. But how do they try to fulfill this mission?

This motto, framed and posted in every UP Industrial Engineering classroom, was nothing but a room decoration, an object designed to fill the otherwise empty walls of the room for aesthetic purposes for Cesar Lorenzo Capistrano, that is until he decided to join the UP Industrial Engineering Club (UP IE Club).

Their project, IEAid, helps small businesses and non-profit organizations improve their operations, making them more efficient and effective, by applying industrial engineering tools and concepts. The 49-year-old organization does all these work for free.

UP Industrial Engineering Club, the largest student organization in the UP College of Engineering, embraced the challenge to develop communities and improve quality of life through applying and promoting

“The idea is, by helping these social enterprises for free, we enable them to make a bigger impact to their beneficiaries,” Capistrano, the UPIE Club President, says. “I have always wanted to make a difference, and I figured that this is the perfect way to do it. I love how our work marries what we

learn in class to our purpose.”

This year, IEAid’s primary beneficiary is Kalsada Coffee, a social enterprise that sells specialty locally grown coffee that are sold in Manila and the United States.

The project with Kalsada Coffee impacts the organization’s Philippines and US teams (around 12-15 members), and directly impacts the lives of 47 farmers in Benguet. The recommendations provided by the team were also estimated to provide Kalsada with 87.2% reduced labor costs, 28% increased revenue, and savings of up to 3.2 million pesos monthly.

With their other projects, they have also partnered with the UP Junior Marketing Association (UP JMA) in redesigning facilities of a furniture manufacturing company whose employees are all persons with disabilities (PWDs). They also partnered with the UP Marine Biological Society (UP MBS) to help improve their documentation on international coastal clean ups and to come up with better ways to gather data and pick up trash. As of now, the organization

is preparing for their partnership with Care PH to help farmers in Leyte improve their ergonomics.

It is through these projects that the 308 members of the UPIE Club tries to bring the old framed department motto to lifethat these projects that these industrial engineering scholars contribute in achieving national progress with honor and excellence. After all, the UPIE Club believes that industrial engineering is not only a profession, but a way of life.

“I had no idea what industrial engineering is all about when I applied for UP. But eventually, I realized the importance of my course. It is not just something we use to get a diploma, earn money or get a good job. It is a way of life that can be applied to any situation, something that can be used to make a difference,” Capistrano says.

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ENACTUS UPLB Los Banos, Laguna

E

nactus UPLB, a business student

organization from the University

of the Philippines- Los Banos, Laguna aims to enable sustainable progress by strengthening Filipino culture and identity through entrepreneurial action and selfless service.

Their project entry, Amiga Philippines, is a business development program designed to provide holistic training for Filipino housewives through women empowerment, entrepreneurial establishment and community development corresponding its three phase-cycle respectively.

After only one year through their livelihood improvement program, Pinay Empowerment Series, the organization was able to train 26 women residents of Southville 7 in Calauan, Laguna to be financially literate. This year, Enactus UPLB also saw more than 200% increase in the participating women’s income after the member’s’ efforts in marketing their businesses and translating financial terms in Filipino for easier understanding.

Kevin San Miguel Cuevas, the founder of Enactus UPLB and Managing Director of

Amiga Philippines, said the inspiration behind the project was his mother, who uplifted their lives with her superb financial literacy skills.

Cuevas started brainstorming about the project in 2014 with only four other friends.

The next thing he knew, he was already handling a 54-member team, all working selflessly for the same advocacy.

“In Enactus UPLB we are free to think of crazy and ingenious solutions and be able to immerse to communities and apply them,” Cuevas said, citing their first-hand experiences with community leaders, among other participants. The journey towards their goal is definitely not easy, said Cuevas, but it is all worth it.

“One of the most rewarding things is knowing that the little knowledge we young ones have made a big impact to more than 600 families that we were able to teach,” Cuevas said in Filipino.

The organization has achieved a lot in the past year, but to Cuevas, it is just the beginning.

F

or someone who has lost his or her way in life, going back to the right track is never an easy task. Fortunately, iCare-Diocese of Novaliches (ICare) offers a refuge for the young and confused wanderers in their community.

ICare is a religious organization dedicated to “make the youth closer to the church and the church closer to the youth” through various activities. They are driven with the mission to give hope for the out-of-school youth in Novaliches who seek redemption and redirection.

As the team’s name suggests, its members want to showcase the genuine “care” abounding in their hearts because of the overflowing love of Christ, a brand of compassion that exceeds beyond church walls.

“We cannot give what we don’t have,” says iCare Coordinator Ronnel Quiñones.

Their project, YESNova, is a continuous program that provides livelihood trainings, job fairs and community service for out-

of-school and unemployed youth in the diocese. Through collaborations with TESDAaccredited training centers and professional individuals, livelihood activities such as culinary, housekeeping, welding, care-giving and massage trainings are taught as long term courses. Meanwhile handicrafts, makeup tutorial, nail care and food processing are courses meant for a shorter period of time.

The six-year-old organization hopes to touch the hearts of out-of-school youth in order to spread the care that they had once received.

The group encourages YESNova participants to take part in various community-building projects such as clean-up drives, voter’s education and outreach programs in underdeveloped towns.

Spiritual formations are also included in the YESNova Program. iCare believes that lost people are meant to be redeemed, but it is only through faith in the greatest redeemer that they can find their true purpose and achieve their goals.

iCARE-COMMISSION ON YOUTH Diocese of Novaliches

22

Education & Technology Every day, children from far-flung areas have to cross valleys and rivers just to learn. Every day, a number of less privileged students were forced to drop-out of school. These scenarios paint the reality of a pervasive problem - the Filipino youth’s lack of access to education.

The Education & Technology category seeks to recognize youth organizations who have projects that aim to address these education gaps through technology, literacy programs, science and mathematics trainings, tutoring sessions, alternative learning modules and other creative means in order to produce well-rounded and informed individuals necessary for the progress of a nation.

TAYO 14 finalists under this category provide opportunities for young Filipinos to learn, to hope, and to chase a future of their own.

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C

IT Industrial Engineering Council

believes that no one is too young to

make a difference. This is why they make sure that the kids in Cebu City learn the value of conserving water and saving the environment as early as six years old.

CIT Industrial Engineering Council is a student organization from Cebu City. Their Project Aquaria (Abiding Quality Aquatic Responsibility through Innovation and Awareness) aims to address inefficient water use through a series of activities: Water Warrior Caravan; Health, Sanitation, and Hygiene Workshop; Read-Along Session; and Youth Forums for their volunteers. They are mixing talks and use of technology to educate young Filipinos in different barangays in Cebu City about the value of water, water conservation, and hygiene.

“We teach them to turn off the faucet while washing their hands,” says Erlyn Ivy Rago.

It may be a small thing for some, but she believes that this small gesture will lead to something big someday, as “these children are the hope of the nation”. They value these small steps because at the end of the day, a small step is still one step towards achieving their goal.

In just one year, the group was able to conduct 13 water caravans and two youth forums, and was able to reach 820 kids.

Their main partner is Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) helps them identify which schools they will go to. Currently, the CIT Industrial Engineering Council has 270 volunteers.

They also use a mobile game developed by students to introduce water conservation to young ones, and engage them to be responsible citizens.

At the end of every caravan, the kids officially become “Water Warriors”, as stated in their badges. These badges are given by CIT Industrial Engineering Council after they do their pledge to apply the lessons they learned through the mobile application in real life.

CIT INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING COUNCIL Cebu City

P

erhaps change is one of the most fearsome realities in life. It carries people to places and ideas where familiarity does not exist.

However, for Edukasyon.ph, change is always an opportunity to help others.

After realizing that uninformed educational choices cause high unemployment and job mismatch in the Philippines, FilipinoFrench civic leader Henry Motte-Muñoz became determined to make a difference.

In 2014, he established the online platform of the organization with the goal to assure accessible education for every Filipino child regardless of their social status.

With the hopes to better guide students in their career choices, Edukasyon.ph supports the shift in the country’s basic educational system through their Career Awareness and Readiness (CARES) Program which comes into being after the team has seen first hand how trainings and seminars could shape the students’ mindset for their future careers.

and administrators to help students in deciding for their long term career through seminars, senior high school fairs and training sessions. To date, Edukasyon.ph has already tapped 30 teachers, 21 school administrators, 27 parents and over 600 students to participate in the CARES Program.

“I think one of our greatest achievement is the senior high fairs,” says Edukasyon.ph Content Specialist McJazer Malonda.

In March 2016, Edukasyon.ph assisted more than 20,000 students in deciding which track to choose for their senior year. These fairs helped students discover education opportunities from various public and private senior high schools.

The group said that it was the “largest pocket senior high fairs” in metro, but for Malonda, it was just the start of many great things for the organization and for the Filipino youth.

The project aims to address the 30% youth unemployment rate in the country and encourage parents, guidance counselors

EDUKASYON.PH Makati City

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ONE CALINOG ORGANIZATION INC., Calinog, Iloilo

I

ii n a world where everything is fast paced and every moment passes i in just a tick of a second, One Calinog Organization Inc. (One Calinog), strives to unify the past, present and the future through two necessities for the success of a nation - tradition and education.

Established in 2015, the youth organization from Calinog, Panay Island helps preserve the living traditions of the Agtas and Panay Bukidnon Tribe through their different campaign initiatives.

Tumandok, their project entry, is named after the Calinognon’s local dialect for “local settlers.” True to its name, the project became an annual cultural awareness and back-toschool campaign which aids in supplying for the basic needs of indigenous children in the municipality. The organization assists the families in Panay Bukidnon Tribe to cope with the rising costs of education through provision of bags, school supplies and learning materials during the beginning of every school year.

To further shed light on the future of

indigenous children, One Calinog has partnered with local and international book donors and has succeeded in setting up a Mini Library Hub in the heart of the lush mountains of Panay island.

Though these initiatives are little compared to the difficulties and financial struggles faced by the indigenous people every day, the team believes that these are enough to inspire others to do the same.

“The moment they realized the importance of passion and selfless commitment to volunteer and to help is one of the greatest achievements that our organization has accomplished,” says One Calinog President Keith Censoro.

W

riting stories is fun, but being able

to jump into the pages and becoming

a part of something that empowers those who are in need is way more fulfilling, as members of Project Kaluguran have discovered.

Project Kaluguran, a collaboration of students, staff and alumni of the official student publication of the Holy Angel University and various student and community organizations, aims to empower young people, especially those who are part of indigenous groups, through education.

“We started as writers and we were exposed in realities na hindi pantay-pantay sa lipunan at may mga tao talaga na nasa laylayan. Sila yung dati ay inuulat lang namin, mga victims of land dispute, mga taong hindi abot ng basic social services ng gobyerno, at gusto namin silang tulungan,” Project Kaluguran President Ma. Elise Christine Magbag says.

to reach the community, the group needs to trek for almost an hour every time they visit them.

By the time they reach their destination, the members would be all sweaty and tired, but Magbag says the look on the children’s faces every time they arrive makes them forget about the tiring journey they just had. “They welcome us with hugs and flowers and it just erases all the fatigue. They keep us going,” Magbag says. “It really requires commitment.

But if we don’t go, teaching and learning will stop, and we don’t want that,” she adds.

There are many more mountains to climb and communities to reach, and Project Kaluguran members and volunteers are more than ready for them, no matter how tiring - all in the service of the Filipino people.

Their one-year- old project, Project Haduan, is focused on helping the Aeta community in Sitio Haduan, Pampanga by developing an alternative curriculum specially designed for the young indigenous learners. To be able

PROJECT KALUGURAN

Sitio Haduan, Pampanga

28

Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation The Philippines prides itself for being one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its geographical landscape is magniďŹ cently covered by serene forest and lush mountains. However, what lies underneath is a different story.

Being located along the West PaciďŹ c Basin and PaciďŹ c Ring of Fire, this Pearl of the Orient is vulnerable to natural calamities - from hurricanes to earthquakes- facing an average of 20 typhoons per year. Given these realities, adapting to climate change and building robust communities in the midst of various environment and disaster risks factors become a challenge to the new generation of Filipinos. Trainings on environmental consciousness and disaster preparedness were turned as a necessity to counter any form of natural catastrophe.

Thus, this category seeks to recognize youth groups who work with vulnerable communities in effective environmental protection, climate change solutions, promoting biodiversity and ecological awareness, and disaster prevention, education, rescue, rehabilitation, among others.

n

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HIGI ENERGY Victoria, Tarlac

For most people, there are only two ways to deal with a problem: either face it, or run away from it. However, HiGi Energy, a group of young environmental enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, refuses to get stuck with only two options. Their mantra? There is always a way to turn problems into opportunities- no matter how impossible it might seem.

In Victoria, Tarlac, a nine-hectare pond full of water hyacinths has been causing clogging of drainage systems that result to flooding in the area. This invasive presence of water hyacinths is a challenge that HiGi Energy has been trying to resolve.

HiGi Energy, a group run by a core team of four Filipinos and two Malaysians, has innovated Hyacinth for Green Energy, a project that turns the problem with the rich supply of water lilies into an opportunity to help the environment, the local families in Tarlac, and other neighboring provinces. The pest plants are converted into something useful and accessible that they call “Uling Lily”.

Uling Lily, a product of combining water hyacinths with rice hulls, is a greener substitute for conventional charcoal made by the Tarlac-based group. It has lower ash content than the normal charcoal available in the market. Its contribution, however, extends from helping the environment and securing affordability of the product, but also in promoting good health of the consumers. Since millions of people die because of in-house pollution every year, and it is another problem that Higi Energy’s project tries to address.

The direct target market is approximately 300 families in Victoria, Tarlac.

The organization, founded last December 2015, works semi-manually - from the gathering of resources and chopping of the raw materials, to the packing of the end product - as they do not have enough funds for sophisticated machines yet. The product produces less smoke, is faster to ignite, and is longer lasting, making it a better cooking alternative for the Filipino households. HiGi Energy uses cross-subsidization model in their distribution to make the whole system sustainable. This means Uling Lily’s price is cheaper in rural areas than in urban areas.

The production of Uling Lily only started ilast June, but the project has already reached hundreds of families in Victoria alone.

“We really get our hands dirty. We are the ones who disseminate news, prepare materials, and do research, among others.

We are a small group, but we believe we can

make a difference. We want it to be equally accessible to all” says member Hazel May Pajotagana. According to her, the work could really be tiring - not to mention the fact that being part of the group means living islands away from their families - but all the fatigue means nothing when she thinks about their products’ positive effects not just to the environment, but to every Filipino family they get to help.

These contributions are creating small ripples of change, and the team believes that these little ripples will someday make big waves of change for a better, safer and greener Philippines.

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M

ore than the picture perfect beauty of Mayon Volcano, there lies another

gem in the vast fields of Albay, Bicol.

Established in 2014, Red Cross Youth-Ligao Community College Council (RCY-Licomco) is a non-funded college organization in Ligao Community College. Its student volunteers believe that in times of natural calamities, ”ligtas ang batang may alam”.

After meeting with Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA), which taught participatory approach to disaster preparedness, members of RCY-Licomco has started to adapt its ways and develop their own brand of social change. This resulted to the birth of their flagship project, Disaster Preparedness, Readiness And Climate Change Awareness For Intermediate Pupils cum MOVE Philippines.

Armed with colorful caricatures of evacuation maps, RCY-Licomco imparts the basics of disaster preparedness from one elementary school to another.

Through captivating visuals and fun parlor games, the 80-member team is able to inform elementary pupils on the effects of climate change and ways on how it can be prevented.

In just two years, the group has already given lectures on the importance of disaster preparedness to seven primary schools in Ligao, a city with 16 elementary schools in total.

“They taught us the things we should do to save ourselves when there’s a natural calamity,” Jacob Perilio, an elementary student attendee of MOVE Philippine, says.

According to RCY-Licomco member, Albert Talavera, “there is nothing more productive than to actually be the vessel of the change he has always dreamt of”. “Dati kapag may parating na sakuna naglalaro lang sila,wala silang pakielam. Ngayon di na mahirap sawayin ng parents kasi alam na nila” he said.

The organization believes that children are never too young to be involved in disaster mitigation. In each of its volunteer’s heart lies a covenant that they would not get tired to spread this awareness - one elementary school at a time.

RED CROSS YOUTH LICOMCO Ligao City, Albay

T

he normal drill for a theater play goes like this: the curtain opens, actors do their parts, they take their bows, receive applauses, and then, the curtain closes. But for a theater group based in Naga City, action does not stop once the curtains are lowered. Instead, it signals another beginning.

Teatro de Sta Luisa is a theater group of the Higher Education Department of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel in Naga City, that lives by one guiding principle: We do not just talk, we act.

More than applauses from their audience, the group wants to inspire their viewers to act for a better Philippines by conducting interactive plays and trainings in different barangays in Naga City. The theater group believes that their performances could be more than just performances - that every opportunity to act on stage is a chance to bring light to societal issues, a chance to educate and encourage their audience to help them with their goal to create meaningful societal change.

workshop interspersed with environmental causes to aid participants not just on theater skills and talents, but also on environmental advocacies aimed towards restoring the Naga River.

The group conducts free workshops for youth participants in various barangays.

ARTE is composed of different sub-activities such as “Hardin sa Barangay�, where they teach the youth about gardening, and planting of a thousand mangrove trees.

Their newest sub-activity is the bokashi balls training, where the youth are taught how to make bokashi balls- a fermented organic matter made of clay, yeast, garden soil and other organic materials that contain EM1 (effective microorganism) bacteria. This technology absorbs dirt from dirty waters, and serves as food to the fishes in the Naga River.

The 16-year- old organization conducted the project in 11 Barangays of Naga City, and four barangays outside the city. Their action continues, curtains out or not.

Their project entry, Acting Responsibly for the Environment (ARTE): Teatro sa Barangay - Theater for a Cause, is a theater training

TEATRO DE STA LUISA

Naga City, Camarines Sur

34

I

n an innovation-driven world where capital markets competing to produce the best products, new technology quickly phases out old ones. People rush to get their hands on the latest cell phones, laptops and tablets, often leaving the old ones unused or discarded.

It is a problem often overlooked by individuals as they do not know what to do with their electronic waste (e-waste). This prompted the University of the Philippines Circuit (UP Circuit) to begin a campaign called the E-Waste Project, which aims to raise awareness on the harmful effects of improper disposal of e-waste to the environment.

“I think our project is very relevant to our field since we are an Electrical and Electronics Engineering organization. We thought that, as future engineers, it’s our responsibility to educate the people regarding the impending threat brought by the improper disposal of e-waste,” says UP Circuit Executive President Levin Frias.

Founded in 2012, the project was initially created to help raise funds for high school computer laboratories, but it eventually became an environmental advocacy.

UP Circuit holds series of week-long seminars and e-waste collection drives in different universities- encouraging students to donate old

UP CIRCUIT Diliman, Quezon City

and defective gadgets.

Then, Collected e-waste are sold to the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) accredited company that practices proper waste disposal, the proceeds of which are used to donate computers, gadgets and electronics to chosen high schools. With the glaring relevance of The E-Waste Project, UP Circuit has successfully formed alliances with other organizations such as Adamson Computer Engineering Society, De La Salle University Electronic and Communications Engineering Society (DLSU-ECES), Far Eastern University Computer Engineering Organization (FEU CPEO), Philippine Normal University (PNU), UNESCO Club, UE COESS, UE IEEE, and UP Medical Student Council. These organizations also conducts their own e-waste collection drives and seminars in their own respective campuses.

“By reaching out to them, we could encourage them to work together to transition to a greener production, make policies that benefits everyone including the environment, and ultimately shift to a culture of conscious and responsible electronic products consumption”.

If you wish to have us in your school, university, or community, send us your invites at tayo.secretariat@gmail.com.

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Health, Well-Being & Human Development To be ďŹ nancially successful is what most people want for themselves and for the country. But more than that, people should strive to live a healthy life. After all, health is central to one’s well-being and happiness. Also, a healthy citizenry is key to a productive and effective nation.

As the country progresses, a challenge for Filipinos remain: how to effectively provide health care & nutrition, food security, sanitation and other initiatives where Filipinos can have quality, sustainable and meaningful lives.

The Health, Nutrition & Well-Being category seeks to recognize youth organizations with projects that address the well-being of communities through medical services, feeding programs, nutrition information campaigns, and innovative food security projects, among other efforts that build self-sustaining communities.

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FOOD RESCUE ASEAN

Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Every day, many people die from hunger and malnutrition, even if there are also a lot of food that goes to waste. These contrasting facts determined Mac Florendo to address the problem on food wastage in his hometown, Dumaguete.

Two years ago, after meeting a US-based food rescue team that collects excess but edible food, Mac Florendo had one goal in mind: excess food should be given to those

in need. And this resulted to the birth of Food Rescue ASEAN. Food Rescue ASEAN, headed by Florendo, is a non-profit organization based in Dumaguete City. Its program, Food Rescue ASEAN, addresses food wastage in Dumaguete, Philippines, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They collect unsold edible food items from markets, and deliver them to community leaders, and other non-profit organizations by riding bicycles. The group, which started with only five members, now have 60 volunteers from Dumaguete, Iloilo, Agusan, and Malaysia.

Food Rescue ASEAN was founded in the belief that there is no such thing as food insufficiency. For the group, Filipinos don’t lack food resources, we just need to learn not to waste what we have. “What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? Food. It is a basic necessity. It is powerful. It brings

everyone on the table. And knowing that a lot of people die of hunger everyday all over the world, it [being concerned with food] became automatic. We should not waste food,” Florendo explains.

The first food rescue in the country was conducted last September 2015 and since then, the group has been helping 4 beneficiary institutions that feed at least 93 kids, and at least 20 households. The group relies on unsold fruits and vegetables from vendors in the local market.

“Again, many people die because of hunger every day, so we do food rescues every day”.

Aside from advocating against food wastage, the group also advocates for a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos through two means: first, by giving away fruits and vegetables instead of meat, and, second, by promoting biking as means of delivery.

Biking is a good form of exercise for

volunteers, but more than that, the organization also aims to help lessen carbon emission from cars through biking to help save the environment. Their volunteers ride pedicabs, which they call, “Pwedecabs”, a term that reflects their mantra that no one is too old or too poor to help, and no mission is impossible as long as one puts his or her heart into it.

The group envisions a world where no dinner table sits empty; where food goes to people’s stomachs instead of trash bins; where excess food is not wasted by the fortunate few, but valued and shared by all, regardless of their race or social status.They know that the road to that goal will not be easy, and that they have a long way to go, but they will continue to do so – one basket of food at a time.

MODERN NANAYS OF MINDANAO INC. Cagayan de Oro City It’s been said that it takes an entire village to raise a child - no truer words have been uttered about parenting, and this is what the new mothers of the rolling hills of Mindanao have come to realize.

With the understanding that motherhood is not like the games they used to play during childhood, three friends got together on October 13, 2012. All of them are in need of a support system that could help them cope with the twists and turns that accompany the next chapter of their lives- motherhood.

The same day, Modern Nanays of Mindanao Inc. was established as a Cagayan de Orobased support group for mothers.

According to Nadine Angelica Casino, one of

the three founders of the group, parenting discoveries such as breastfeeding, baby wearing, and the use of cloth diapers should be knowledge passed on to other mothers as it had made their own experiences “more fun and easy”.

Apart from that, the three friends wanted other mothers to receive the same support system they had for each other back when they were still learning the ropes of motherhood. They believe that children are the hope of tomorrow, and finding ways to help mothers raise their kids in the best way possible could contribute to the wellbeing of the families and of the country as a whole.

With Modern Nanays of Mindanao Inc., mothers could all share their failures and successes - what Casino called their “tears and triumphs”.

The group wishes to empower women and communities to choose a healthier and more holistic approach in nurturing their offspring through regular Nanay Meet Ups, the main project of the organization.

Nanay Meet Ups is a mother-to-mother get together where they can share their experiences in raising their children.

This helps them cope with the modern demands of child-rearing. These small group discussions help educate mothers in an open and stimulating environment, which motivates them to participate and learn from each other.

Who would have thought that a simple get together would be the start of many? Now, the organization boasts of 60 core members - both home-based and/or working moms -

and 7,000 members online.

“We want to be a recognized peer support group promoting and protecting natural infant, and young child feeding and care to lay the best foundations of lifelong health,” said Casino.

She added that another aim is to create “a strong culture of empowered families making informed choices where the right to optimum health is top priority.”

Modern Nanays of Mindanao Inc. currently has trained peer counselors in Mindanao cities such as Cagayan De Oro, Iligan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Valencia, Camiguin and Butuan.

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A

dvocacies begin with education

and spark of initiative. And it took

five public health and biology students from the University of the Philippines Iloilo (UPI) to start a wildfire among the Iloilo youth to fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

What was initially an entry for a Unilab Foundation contest now became a fullon thrust to educate their fellow students about HIV, with the hopes to erase the stigma against those who contracted the virus.

This resulted to the formation of Team Dugong Bughaw (TDB), the first Ilongo youth alliance against HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Iloilo City. The team has so far partnered with 10 universities and colleges in the area, conducting symposiums and HIV testing.

TEAM DUGONG BUGHAW Iloilo

“We really want to encourage the youth to get tested,” said TDB member Anjelou Estrella in a video interview with Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Foundation, adding that people ages 15-24 have the second highest number of cases of HIV, while people ages 25-35 have the most number of HIV cases in the country. Region VI has the eighth highest incidence of HIV cases in the Philippines, while Iloilo City has the highest and most alarming cases in Western Visayas.

“One of the ways to prevent the rise of HIV cases here in Iloilo City is through prevention,” she said.

Through Project High Five, the organization aims to curb the common misconceptions regarding the virus. It includes trainings, forums, seminars, exhibits, and interschool competitions that are made possible through partnership with students, schools,

organizations and agencies.

The project has helped concerned organizations such as the National Youth Commission (NYC), Department of Health (DOH), Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) - Iloilo, the Iloilo Chapter of Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and Iloilo Social Hygiene Clinic (ISHC). The project also wants to link universities with both government and non-government organizations that could help in addressing the problem of the incidence of HIV and AIDS. Team Dugong Bughaw encourages the Ilonggo youth to not be ashamed of being tested for HIV for this is for their own good.

So far, the team has expanded to 20 members and, as of September 2016, was able to reach 4,721 Ilongo youth and at least

173 council officers from different schools and colleges.

According to Jasper Vijar, member of TDB, one of the challenges the organization has faced was people’s general resistance to change. The second challenge was learning to overcome the cultural differences between schools as well as getting the support of school leaders in their advocacy.

“In the end, we still managed to put up our projects because of the unity of our schools.

Finally, we had our first ever youth alliance against HIV and AIDS,” said Vijar.

The Filipino youth, he said, should “foresee the future” and that whatever the youth are investing in for the country “will surely be a great thing for the next generations to come”.

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UPLB GENETICS SOCIETY Los Banos, Laguna Established in 1983, the UPLB Genetics Society strives to promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the country; to facilitate the interaction between the faculty and the members of the organization; and to give each member an opportunity to discuss trends, activities and ideas in Genetics and its related fields.

The Laguna-based organization saw a pressing need to form a youth group to address the low awareness regarding folic acid and newborn screening in rural areas like Nampicuan. Together with his 90 co-members, President Merc Emil Matienzo believes that giving supplies to communities is not enough. There should be constant communication and sustainability to make sure awareness becomes part of their culture, says Matienzo. This realization resulted to their project Kabataan for Health: Kabataang Kabalikat ng Komunidad para sa Kalusugan Community Youth Training Program.

K4Health (Kabataan for Health: Kabataang

Kabalikat ng Komunidad para sa Kalusugan) Community Youth Training Program, organized and established a community of volunteer youth leaders for health in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija, under the direct supervision of the Municipal Health Officer, and in partnership with the Department of Health (DepEd) and National Institute of Health (NIH) – UP Manila. The group was able to conduct two batches of training and was able to train 27 VYLs in the community in a 3-day camp. The VYLs were able to learn so much from the training and they themselves conduct workshops with their peers.

“We are inspired to continue and replicate K4Health project. There is more to discover about the health issues in the country and we all need to be aware of those. What we can do for now is to advocate, urge and train the youth to make others aware of these health issues. After all, these people are going to be parents in the future too,” Matienzo says.

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Culture & the Arts, Peace & Human Development

Culture is the invisible bond that ties people together, but the emergence of new practices and forms of art poses a threat to old-age traditions that reects our rich history, heritage and creative expression. The challenge for the younger generations today is to not let traditions drown with these new practices. After all, it is what shapes our identity - it is who we are.

Art, language, and tradition, which form our culture, should be preserved and celebrated for it is through those that we develop a sense of belongingness in the communities we reside in. It is also through these that we get to be rooted towards promoting peace in communities, especially in our marginalized sectors.

This category seeks to recognize youth groups who have constantly and creatively contributed in telling the Filipino narrative – its struggles & triumphs, its colorful past & dreams for the future, and its rich, diverse & global identity. Programs include the promotion and education of human dignity, exhibitions, performances and written & visual work that advance the Filipino, and initiatives that work towards the inclusion of the poor & the marginalized, such as the urban & rural poor, the persons with the disabilities, women & the indigenous peoples, among others. v

48

G

uiguinto Scholars Association (GSA)

believes that remnants from the

past are the stronghold of the present. This is why they make sure that the local history of their hometown is inscribed on the hearts of its people.

of their own KKK, “Karunungan, Kahusayan at Kamalayan”. Later on, the group decided to add a new “K” in their advocacies “Kasaysayan.”

“Being a scholar is something that you take to heart. You must give back to the country and to the community without expecting anything in return,”says GSA President Carl Espiritu.

Their project entry, #HistoryTelling: Redefining the Past, Reliving the Present, is an attempt to impart Guiguinto’s local history through the use of innovative strategies. The team goes beyond written words to effectively bring life to the narratives hidden within the pages of the town’s history. Its glorious days from the past are retold through Shadow Plays, and Field Trip Caravan, its historical milestones are transcended to present time through Lights and Sound Museum.

The members of the organization regard themselves as “Makabagong Katipunero ng Bayan” who strive toward the achievement

In a time where children would prefer computer games than folktales; social media messengers than face to face interactions,

Established in 2003, GSA is a non-profit organization from the historical province of Bulacan. They aim to enrich and redefine the meaning of being a scholar.

GUIGUINTO SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION Guguinto, Bulacan

GSA Member Andro Angeles says the project is the becoming of the organization’s dream to share the historic tales of their town to the younger generations in Guiguinto. They hope to encourage the youth to not forget their history, and to learn from the mistakes ofthe past in order to prevent them from happening again.

acknowledges that there are greater stories than their own. In 2016, #HistoryTelling was able to reach out to 2230 Filipino youth. Through GSA’s coordination with Department of Education (DepEd) Bulacan, they have succeeded to integrate the local history of Guiguinto in the curriculum of every elementary school in the municipality.

Espiritu admits that difficulties are still part of GSA’s success story. Some of their members had difficulties in asking for their parents permission to go out on weekends for their events since they are most expected to saty at home, and rest. They event got to the extent of collecting and selling old newspapers and empty bottles just to send a child to school.

“As long as there are children, the GSA will stand. As long as there are problems in the community, the GSA won’t stop helping as much as they can,” says Espiritu.

However, the struggle was short-lived for a group of selfless individuals who

GSA envisions a future where their town’s history would later on be inscribed by the youth whose lives are touched and inspired by the advocacies of their organization.

For them, it is only then that their vision to #MagsilbiTayoGSA will continue.

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INGAT KAPANDAYAN ARTIST CENTER

heritage of the Suluans through artistic performances.

Jolo, Sulu

Perhaps for the many, letting go of a tradition is simple because of the belief that “things of the past should stay in the past”, however, that is not the case for Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center.

Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center is a schoolbased theater arts group of the Notre Dame of Jolo College. They are now the cultural arm of the college that seeks to preserve their tradition, and promote the cultural

“It is very alarming for us to know that our culture and tradition is being forgotten by the locals, especially the youth. Modernization has posed threats to our cultural dance.

Many young people choose to dance along with modern music instead of our own,” says Al Rasul Alih, Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center’s current president.

For Alih, this lack of interest and knowledge about their culture by the youth needs to stop.

Their project entry, Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center: Continuing Tausug Pangalay Dance Legacy, is the organization’s way

of promoting and preserving the culture of the Tausug Pangalay dance legacy. The organization currently has more than 100 members that have undergone auditions and intensive trainings.

Pangalay is a dance of gracefulness and modesty, characterized by graceful movements of the shoulders, elbows and wrists. By conducting various Pangalay dance workshops, inviting cultural experts, and performing in different schools annually, the 13-year-old group wants to encourage young people to continue the Tausug Pangalay Dance Legacy.

“We believe that we have an obligation to share our learnings to them. We make it a point to instill these values in kids because they are our future,” Alih says.

“I started with only the desire to learn,” says Alih, “but now I did not only enhance my talent but also I grew as a person that embraces our culture and our people”.

The organization also tries to promote peace, and bridge gaps between different races and religions. They train both Tausug and non-Tausug, Christians and Muslims.

Another mission of the Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center is to change the way people think of their homeland, Sulu. Instead of violence and war, the group wants to shift the spotlight to their colorful and diverse culture through their performances.

Every performance is bound to an end, but culture and traditions are not. The group plans to continue their passion in dancing, preserving their culture, and reaching as many people as they can. For with every step and rhythm, they reach at least one person to value their tradition - and unlike any one to three minute-long music, they will not stop. After all, it is what shapes their identity. It is who they are.

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VOICE OF CAMELEON’S CHILDREN Iloilo

For most people, children resemble innocence. Their gleeful laughter narrate hope, their eyes mirror serenity. However, for the members of Voice of Chameleon’s Children (VCC), its a different story.

VCC is a youth group in Iloilo composed of child abuse survivors. At a young age, its members caught a glimpse of the cruelties of the world such as sexual harassment and other forms of domestic violence. They could have given up and lost sight of the beauty of tomorrow, but they chose to do otherwise.

They decided “to break the silence” and be

the voice that they once did not have.

The team was formed in 2014 under the CAMELEON Association, Inc., a nongovernment organization that rehabilitates sexually abused girls in Western Visayas and Negros Island Region. Since then, fifteen active members have been attending seminars and trainings to be effective children’s rights advocates.

“One of the reasons that we fight for children’s rights is because we receive statistics from police stations that they are

really many cases of child abuse,” says VCC member Antonette Acapinpin.

Their project entry, the Advocacy Program, aims to prevent child abuse and encourage children to speak for themselves. In 2016, the group started to do lectures on children’s rights and personality development to 1000 students, and 300 community leaders in San Enrique, Bingawan and Passi City in Jaro, Iloilo. Besides that, they also hold seminars in the hinterlands of Dacal to educate the Aeta children of their rights.

VCC uses innovative and resourceful ways to share their advocacy. Through games and informal debates, the group is able to communicate children’s rights and conduct personality development. They would use tarpaulins and colored cartolinas in place of projectors, dances and games instead of mere lectures.

With the help of CAMELEON Association, the three-year-old organization has conducted seminars with members of Iloilo Prima Galaw and French volunteers from Theater

and Theater Caravane. VCC has adopted some of their theatrical practices and use them as tools in forwarding their advocacy to student leaders from Vicente Aguilar National High School, Passi City College and San Enrique National High School.

“You made a lot of people happy, especially me, you helped me a lot to step by step move on from my past,” says one of the VCC beneficiaries as a message to the organization in their TAYO video.

With a meager budget in their pockets, the organization has to traverse from one farflung barangay to the other. Its members have to go back and forth dangerous terrains, hike on strenuous mountains, and deal with the searing heat of the sun.

They are determined to continue all these - despite the roadblocks - until every child has their own voice.

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YOUTH FOR A LIVABLE CEBU Cebu City

Perhaps in today’s digital age, books are mementos from the past; a reminder of a generation where WiFis and book reader applications do not exist. But Youth for a Livable Cebu (YLC) thinks otherwise.

Founded in June 2012, YLC is a group of young individuals fueled with their “love and passion to help make Cebu a better and more livable place.” It seeks to foster open, constructive, and fun interactions that advance the individual and collective competencies of Cebuanos towards a community they have always dreamt of - a community with sustainable development.

When the team noticed the lack of community sapces, paired with the continuous decline on foot traffic in libraries, the have decided to put up #BeyondBooks – a multi-stage, collective approach to revive and revitalize Philippine libraries’ potentials which aims to increase the general public’s awareness of the existence, purpose, availability of library services, and to encourage utilization of the public library as a cultural, creative arts hub, and information and community center.

This bi-monthly program has started its planning on January 2016 and had its first

implementation during the Saturdays of May 2016. Through intensive marketing campaigns, the project commenced at the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum (Cebu City Public Library) with a series of creative workshops, monologues, poetry reading, discussions on local art and culture, and flow arts sessions.

“Our programs are geared towards creativity that solves urban issues, that raises awareness about the problems in the city,” says YLC Co-founder Francis Sollano.

For YLC, there are three major beneficiaries of their program: the Rizal Memorial Library, their youth participants, and their collaborators.

Its members say the success of #BeyondBooks project could be attributed to its multi‐ stakeholder approach component with the government’s public library, local barangays, youth, academe, intern volunteers, and private and commercial partners.

The organization believes that we can bridge the gap between the less-privileged and the privileged through collective action- That our libraries are spaces for everyone may you be young or old.

YLC envisions a more livable community where the collaborations across mvers and influenciers in society are active in promoting sustainable city-living.

FREQUENTLY

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ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.

WHAT TYPES OF YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS CAN JOIN TAYO AWARDS?

All groups, barkadas,, organizations, clubs, and societies whose membership and leadership are composed of at least 5 members and are majorly composed of members 30 years old and below are qualified to join the Search.

Q. WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD THE TAYO ENTRY FORM?

Q. WHAT PROJECTS GET RECOGNIZED IN TAYO?

You can download the entry form at the TAYO Awards Foundation website (www.tayoawards.net) or at the National Youth Commission website (www.nyc.gov.ph).

TAYO Award-winning organizations may fall into one of these categories: (1) Education and Technology, (2) Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, (3) Health, Nutrition and Well-being, (4) Livelihood and Entrepreneurship, and (5) Culture and the Arts, Peace and Human Development.

Q. CAN I ENTER MY PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR THE TAYO AWARDS?

Q.

Project entries for the TAYO Awards should already be implemented or is currently being implemented.

The fast rule is this: one of the criteria is Impact. In order to measure impact, identify the number of beneficiaries and the number of times you implemented the project. If your project doesn’t have beneficiaries yet, or you have not yet implemented the project, we will not be able to gauge its impact.

WHERE DO I SEND MY ENTRY FORM AND REQUIREMENTS?

As a paperless Search, we encourage youth organizations to submit their entries and attach requirements online and send it to tayo15.entry@gmail.com. If it is more convenient for you to send your application through email, you may address your entries to one of these offices: TAYO AWARDS FOUNDATION 2602-C East Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION 3rd Floor, West Insula Building, 135 West Avenue, Brgy.

Bungad, Quezon City

TAYO WEEK

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DAY 1 ORIENTATION DAY The first day of TAYO week was full of lessons from some of the top changemakers and youth leaders in the country. Mr. Rollie Fabi, Co-Chairman of the Foundation, opened the day with the TAYO story for the past 14 years and gave everyone an important reminder: love the nation despite all of the challenges it faces.

The representatives were also encouraged by Ms Cecille Alcantara, President of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, which has been supporting TAYO for the past 11 years, to keep doing more because “young people can make this country a better place”.

Also present were previous TAYO winners, who shared their personal triumphs and challenges before and after being named as some of the best youth organizations in the country. Alleine Namuco of CMLI Alumni Association, TAYO 12 Finalist, facilitated the team building activities of the representatives. Ms. Toni Faye Tan of Youth sports Advocacy, a TAYO13 winner, shared her insights on scaling up and on addressing concerns with potential partners.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mark Conrad Ravanzo of I Am Making a Difference, also a TAYO 13 Awardee, emphasized the ability of each finalist to leave a mark in their respective communities.

“Everyone has a special power: to extend help to those who are in need,” he said.

In the afternoon, the representatives were given tips and advice on public speaking and proper etiquette in media guesting by Comm. Perci Cendana of the National Youth Commission and Ms. Janine Ramirez of Office of Sen. Bam Aquino.

For the last activity, the representatives were split into groups according to their respective categories for coaching. The representatives were asked by the national secretariat to deliver their projects according the guidelines set for the national judging afterwards.

DAY 2 JUDGING DAY On the second day, representatives headed early to the Philippine Senate for the National Judging Day. The ultimate challenge for all the national finalists was to present their projects in front of judges who are experts in their respective fields.

This year’s judging featured only one judging panel with at least two experts per category.

The representatives were given 3 minutes to show their TAYO video, 5 minutes to present their slides, and another 5 minutes for question and answer.

The panel was co-chaired by Sen. Bam Aquino and Chairman Aiza Seguerra of NYC. Ms. Aika Robredo, President of TAYO Awards Foundation, and Ms. Cecile Alcantara, President of Coca-ColaFoundation Philippines joined them as main panel. The judges per category were prioritized during question and answer. The convened panel of judges shared their insights and messages to the representatives of the finalist ` organizations after all the presentations. As a tradition, winners were only announced during the Awarding Ceremonies.

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DAY 3 MEDIA DAY AND WORKSHOP DAY This year’s TAYO representatives had a different way of experiencing Valentine’s Day. Instead getting ready for dates, they woke up early for media hops around Metro Manila to discuss their advocacies, and share what TAYO Foundation has been doing for the past 14 years.

Representatives of Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center, UP IE Club, UPLB Genetics Society, and Voice of Cameleons Children went to DZRJ Manila. representatives of Youth for a Liveable Cebu, Red Cross Youth Ligao Community College, and iCare Diocese of Novaliches headed to DZXL. The last time for the hops went to RMN station at 8:30 AM. Team Dugong Bughaw, HiGi Energy, and Project Kaluguran. they were joined by staff of the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan.

After the media hops in the morning, all of the representatives went back to the senate for a half-day filled of inspiring and innovative talks from experienced mentors. Each talk were tailored-fit to the needs of the organizations.

Mr. Prim Paypon, founder of Dream Project Philippines, shared his experiences on project ideation and management through a module called “Building Sustainable Communities anchored on Unified Dreams” or “BE SCUD”. He was followed by Ms. Maria Theresa Jae Sonza, current Marketing Manager of Coke, who gave a very engaging talk on branding and communications by citing series of commercials or examples.

Ashoka Philippines’ Country Manager, Ms. Terri Jayme-Morra, provided valuable insights on how to effectively expand projects and programs and explained why there is a need to come up with projects that will produce systemic change. Lastly, Mr. Ryan Bradeen, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer of the US Embassy here in Manila, provided a funder’s perspective on proposal making and grant writing.

DAY 4 COKE DAY The fourth day of the TAYO Week was the highly-awaited Coke Day-- a day devoted to just fun, leisure and shared happiness.

The enthusiastic org representatives went on an out-of-town trip to Sta. Rosa, Laguna for team building and outdoor activities at Camp N, Nuvali.

The heat did not stop this batch of energetic youth leaders to have fun and finish all the activities set for the day.

They enjoyed wall climbing, riding the zipline, rappelling, aerial walking, finishing obstacle courses and free falling, among many others.

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DAY 5 AWARDING DAY “If we want to make a difference, we have to do more.

We have to work together.” ceremonies, the most anticipated

The awarding day of the TAYO week, is when we announced the best youth organizations. After the rigorous process Foundation Philippines, Inc. and of screening, validating, and documenting the a Lenovo Ideapad Miix 310. organizations, ten winners were awarded during the program held in the Diamond Hotel Ballroom.

The awarding ceremonies were Despite the challenges we are facing, Sen. Aquino attended by Senator encouraged the youth leaders to continue trying to Bam Aquino and make this nation and this world a better place.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, co-founders of the Search; Ms. Jessica “Alam ko po na kung magagawa natin iyan, kung Marie Robredo, President of TAYO Awards sama-sama tayo, kung sabay-sabay tayo, kung Foundation; Ms. Cecile Alcantara, President of tulong-tulong tayo. Tayong mga nawawalang Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines; USec. Halmen bituin – the lost stars trying our best to light up the Valdez, Representative of the Cabinet Secretary; night sky, we can and we will succeed,” he said.

Asec. Percival Cendana, Commissioner for Luzon of the National Youth Commission; Ms. Kin Lichauco, This was echoed by Sen. Kiko Pangilinan: “Sa Vice President for Corporate Affairs of San Miguel gitna ng mga pagsubok, ng kawalan, ano at Corporation; Ms. Marichu Ferguson, Corporate sino ang dapat kumilos at manindigan? TAYO,” Communications Manager of Jollibee Foods Corporation; Ms. Maribeth Marasigan, COO and First The winners for the 14th TAYO Awards each Vice President of Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.; Ms. Anna received a trophy sculpted by Toym De Leon Abola, Marketing Head of Lenovo Philippines; Mr. Imao, a Php 50, 000 cash grant from the Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs Head of SMART co-presenter of the Search, Coca-Cola Communications; and, several past TAYO winners, program partners, guests of national finalists.

SPECIAL AWARDS Coke Barkada Water Stewardship Award Water is the foundation of life. But in the Philippines, safe water for drinking and sanitation, and livelihood remains out of reach for over 15 million people. This is the inspiration behind Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines’ Agos Water Stewardship Program, which brings water to water-poor communities and protects watersheds – with the aim of sustaining the flow of water for life. The Coke Barkada Water Stewardship Award is given to a TAYO national finalist that demonstrates the qualities of a Coke Barkada, a group of young Filipinos who are passionate about sharing happiness, and have put their heads and hands together to ensure that water will continue to flow in their community. The award was given to Cebu Institute of Technology - Industrial Engineering Council for their innovative way of teaching young kids and youth leaders in Cebu on how to properly use and conserve water through a mobile game app called Water Warrior coupled with series of health, sanitation, and hygiene workshops, youth forums, and read-along sessions. The organization received a Coke Barkada plaque and a Php 30,000 cash grant to improve their project.

San Miguel Corporation Better World Award The San Miguel Corporation Better World Award is given to the organization whose project brought forth change in their community, enabling people to live better lives. This year, SMC awarded two organizations: Food Rescue ASEAN and Team Dugong Bughaw.

Both are trying to impact their respective communities by solving critical issues on health. Food Rescue ASEAN is a non-profit organization based in Dumaguete City aims to address food wastage in Dumaguete Philippines and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by collecting unsold edible food items from markets and distribute them to food shelters, soup kitchens and other nonprofit organizations. Meanwhile, Team Dugong Bughaw, from Iloilo City, specifically aims to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the Ilonggo youth regarding the transmission and prevention of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

Both organizations received Php 20,000 each to expand the reach of their project.

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64 Jollibee Share the Joy Award The Jollibee Share the Joy Special Award recognizes the youth organization that has brought about joy, empowerment and renewed spirits to community they are serving. Their project truly created positive change, enabling lives to have a brighter and happier tomorrow. The winning group will receive a gift certificate worth Php 20,000 so they can share more joy to their communities. This year’s recipient is Guguinto Scholars’ Association, an organization based

in Guguinto, Bulacan with their project “#HistoryTelling:Redefining the Past, Reliving the Present”. Their project aims to inform their community of their local history through modern and innovative strategies. They made use of Shadow Plays, Lights and Sound Museum, and Field Trip Caravans. Through their efforts to share the joy, Jollibee provided them Php 20,000 worth of gift certificates that they can use during their events.

Lenovo Outstanding Tech Visionary Lenovo Outstanding Tech Visionary is a special citation from Lenovo for the organization that embodies the Never Stand Still mindset and leverages technology to make a difference in society. Bagging this year’s award is an organization based from Davao City that is driven by the mission to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Go2Virtualahan won through its “Virtualahan” program, a capacity building and values formation program that enables people to work online as home-based professionals through skills training and employment support. A Lenovo Ideapad 100 was given to the organization which they can use to ampligy the effectiveness of their program.

Smart Innovation Award The SMART Youth Innovation award is given to the organization that best utilized technology to achieve organizational efficiencies as well as to enable the community they are serving. HiGi Energy, an organization that is based in Victoria, Tarlac received Php 20,000 cash grant for this distinction. The organization aims to resolve the flooding issue in Tarlac due to the invasive presence of water hyacinth pest plants- clogging drainage systems in the area.

The team innovated a project that maximized the teeming supply of plants into something useful and sustainable- turning the plants into Uling Lily.

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Georgina Nava Women Leadership Award The Georgina Nava Women Leadership Award is given to the organization that recognizes women’s leadership and fighting spirit. Former NYC Commissioner and former TAYO President Georgina Nava dedicated her life to the service of the Filipino youth. She fought with unwavering energy for the advocacies she stood for. She was a pillar of TAYO since 2002. She left us in 2016. The first organization to be awarded the Georgina Nava Women Leadership Award is the Modern Nanays of Mindanao of Cagayan de Oro City. The organization advocates for modern parenting through “Nanay Meet-Ups”, a Mother to-Mother support to help cope with raising a child based from experiences coupled with scientific and evidence based practices, in Cagayan de Oro City. They received Php 20,000 cash grant to conduct more projects for young parents in their area.

JMRF Tsinelas Leadership Award The JMRF Tsinelas Leadership Award is given to the organization that best embodies the principles and ideals of the late Interior Secretary and Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo. The JMRF Tsinelas Leadership Award is given to the group that best exemplifies the Filipino youth. It honors the organization that inspires communities to become their partners in development in improving the lives of their fellow Filipinos. JMRF honored iCare-Commission on Youth, Diocese of Novaliches for their continuous program providing livelihood trainings, job fairs, community service and spiritual formations to the out-school-youth and unemployed individuals living in the diocese. They received a Php 20,000 cash grant to intensify the impact of their project. Aside from this award, the organization also received the People’s Choice Award for TAYO 14 Videos.

YesPinoy Foundation NOWPH Award The recipient of the YesPinoy Foundation NOWPH Award is the organization that exhibits strong commitment for Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience. This year’s recipient is Red Cross YouthLigao Community College Council. They aim to strengthen the awareness of children on climate change and disaster preparedness on what to do before, during and after a disaster through creative games and lectures. The organization received a plaque and partnership from YesPinoy for future programs in Albay.

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THE TAYO TEAM TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc. A non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to promote the convergence of stakeholders and policies for effective national and local governance. It facilitates dialogues and discussions among government and private sector leaders on current issues and concerns of the youth. TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc. maintains active communication and networking with past and current finalists and winners, and all participants in TAYO undertakings. It also engages in post-awarding activities that focus on continued capability-building.

National Youth Commission The National Youth Commission (NYC) is the premier youth policy-making body of the Philippine government. Providing a perspective and enthusiasm akin to the Filipino youth, the NYC represents the interests of the Filipino youth in affairs of government.

Apart from this mandate, the NYC aims to celebrate youth volunteerism and best practices sharing and for this reason, it is one of the institutions who have long spearheaded the TAYO search since year one.

Office of Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino The Office of Senator Bam Aquino believes that every Filipino has the potential to be a positive light in our country. This light is especially bright among the Filipino youth!

Inspired by the passion and determination of the youth, Team Bam continues to work in order to prevail the quality, depth, and delivery of education to every Filipino, as well as to empower local entrepreneurs to succeed.

As an advocate of citizen engagement, the team is highly involved with the TAYO Foundation and various other initiatives to encourage the youth and enhance their role in nation building.

Office of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan Team Kiko started in 2001, when the Senator first ran for naitonal office with the battle cry “Kumilos Kasama si Kiko”. Embodying a brand of politics that calls for active citizens’ involvement, Senator Kiko established that same year the TAYO Awards in recognition of the youth’s vital role in community and national development.

Now on its third term in the Senate, Team Kiko continues to channel young people’s vibrancy and dynamism in instutionalizing reforms –foremost in agricutlre to benefit Filipino farmers and fisher folk.

TAYO PRESENTER Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines In November 1986, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines was established in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the bottling of the Coca-Cola in the country. The Foundation’s mission is: “To refresh the communities we touch through programs that provide Filipino youth the opportunity to become self-reliant, creative and productive citizens with the drive to excel.”

Coca-Cola’s partnership with TAYO began in 2005 through a special award dubbed as “Coke Barkada”, an award given to the youth organization that best embodies togetherness while making a positive change in the community. Since then, the Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment grew ever stronger as it continues to support TAYO and its innovations year after year.

Other collaborations between TAYO and Coca-Cola Foundation include the Coke Planet Project, the TAYO Leadership Training and the TAYO Camp Summer Samahan.

TAYO ASSOCIATE PRESENTERS San Miguel Corporation San Miguel Corporation is one of the Philippines’ largest and most diversified conglomerates, generating about 6.5% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2013 through its highly integrated operations in beverages, food, packaging, fuel and oil, power and infrastructure. San Miguel is one of the nation’s largest employers, with a direct workforce of about 18,000 employees. For each job created within the San Miguel system, many additional jobs are created through suppliers, distributors, retailers and other business partners.

For San Miguel Corporation, integrity, teamwork, respect for others and social responsibility are just a few of its corporate values that guide them everyday. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, San Miguel Foundation Incorporated, San Miguel Corporation proactively reaches out to others to bring forth change that will enable communities to live better lives.

Jollibee Foods Corporation Jollibee is the largest fast food chain and a dominant market leader in the Philippines, where it is also well-loved and considered as a national icon. Jollibee is also part of Jollibee Foods Corporation which is the No. 1 Asian restaurant globally. With its mission of serving great tasting food and bringing the joy of eating to everyone, Jollibee also upholds the promotion of positive Filipino values. Jollibee continues to help in the value formation of vour society through programs like the award-winning television show Jollitown, the Yumbassadors youth campaign, the longest running toy and book drive Maaga ang Pasko, and the Family Values Awards which recognizes Filipino families who have used their bond to make a difference in their communities.

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Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) Major Sponsors

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) is the public holding company of the Aboitiz Group. AEV’s core businesses, conducted through various subsidiaries and affiliates, are grouped into power distribution, power generation, banking, food, and land development. Its strategic business units are Aboitiz Power Corporation, Union Bank of the Philippines, Pilmico Foods Corporation, and AboitizLand, Inc. AEV firms are recognized in local and international surveys as among the best-managed companies in the Philippines and in the region, and are consistently cited for their commitment to good corporate governance. AEV has stayed focused on its mission to create long term value for all its stakeholders, implementing key strategies beneficial to everyone.

Moving forward, with five generations of Aboitiz group business success behind it, AEV is pursuing its vision to be a truly sustainable enterprise that can be entrusted to future generations.

Lenovo

Official I.T. Partner

Lenovo is a multi-billion personal technology company serving customers in more than 160 countries, and the world’s third-largest PC vendor. Lenovo’s business is built on customer care, trust & integrity, teamwork, and, innovation & entrepreneurial spirit. As such, Lenovo integrates these core values into every aspect of business and into policies and procedures in areas of quality and safety for products, employee welfare, global supply chain management, ethical corporate behavior, social investments, and environmental affairs.

SMART Communications Official I.T. Partner

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider. They believe in the convergence of people and in making a real difference for Filipinos. As a responsible corporate citizen, SMART is committed in strengthening community service initiatives on various fronts.

Their approach — closely involving our partner communities in the implementation of various programs, emphasizing sustainability, tapping partners to help other partners, and integrating programs and projects in the mandates of different business units of the company.

De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts, Multimedia Arts Multimedia Partner

The Multimedia Arts degree program combines core skills such as communications, programming ang graphic design with evolving ares such as digital media and the Internet. Students harness the power of the latest digital media technology. This degree is also recommended for those who are interested in broadcasting, journalism, communication arts, new media design and communications, and other fields using digital technologies

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc.: Rollie Fabi, Chairman Jessica Marie “Aika” Robredo, President James de Vera, Executive Director Patricia Matute, Program Officer Jan Carlo Soriano, Admin & Finance Officer Erwin David, Support Staff Ernesto Sunga, Jr., Support Staff Kate Barce, Intern Franceska Gancenia, Intern Alleine Nicole Namuco, Intern Rizchelle Simbillo, Intern NYC Officials Chairman Cariza Seguerra Comm. Percival Cendaña (TAYO 14 NOC Chairman) Comm. Paul Anthony Pangilinan Comm. James Ceasar Ventura Comm. Rhea Peñaflor Comm. Earl P. Saavedra Exec. Director and COO, Dr. Nielex Tupas NYC Staff Marielou Chua Cristabeth Madrigal Eric Ramos Sarah Jean Grutas Mark Anthony Fernandez Dennis Mendoza Manuel Nicdao Marlo Enriquez Erica Borja Mignonette Reposar Marie Ylenette Reforzado Katrina Beatrice Atienza Augusto Daquioag Arturo Magadan Anife De Chavez Kevin Sanchez Arlene Prepotente Angel Samper James Benedict Gutierrez Maria Charito Carag Jose Cielos Niño Sialongo Danilo Fermin Antonio Peñaredonda Bernadette Fernando Armando Angeles Elsa Magdaleno The staff and trainees from the Admin, RYDD, PRMED and SMD TAYO SEARCH Office of Senator Bam Aquino: Anna C. Venturina Aram Fernandez Ares Goyena Ariel S. Penaredondo Army Padilla Arnel Badong Benjamin I. Navea Jr. Carole Kaye C. Malenab Christian Thea Marie Murcia Carlo Escalada Darwin A. Saclao Dominador Taganahan Domingo Dayro Fitzgerald Cecilio Gio Tingson Gonan Luke Buniel Janine Marie Ramirez Jeremy P. Javier John Carlo Tuano John Razil G. Paramio Jose Escalante Karl Niccolo G. Atos Karl Vendell M. Satinitigan Katherine A. Purugganan Keith S. Geamoga Lea C. Dela Cruz Leah Katrina Del Rosario Lorraine Castañeda Lucio H. Matienzo Ma. Cecilia B. Palines Ma. Luisa L. Castañeda Ma. Mercedes Fajardo Marco Camilo Javelosa Marinel Valdez Mariel Diola Maritoni M. Alvarez Mary Ann Marino Mary Grace Palpallatoc Mona Celine Marie Yap Noel Del Rosario Norman E. Cualteros Salamanca Eira P. Ferrer Richard Ty Paola Margarita Q. Deles Simon Javier Valencia Vina Vivien Enriquez Interns Nikki Sanchez Joshua Dulce

Teach For the Philippines Interns Alvie Cabañez Katherine Lim Johnet Lopez Trisha Marie Palaganas Maria Angela Rosal Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan: Howell Abion Sir Lawrence Agustin, Genesis Ajusto, Margie Jorine Alberto Atanacio, Glenn Vincent K. Babista, Christian A. Bagro III, Herminio C. Irish Bewer Noriel Cabanela Ma. Florinda Cabrido Isaiah Angelo Cruz Anakarina Cube Renan Dalisay John Paulo Delas Nieves Maria Rachelle Diangkinay Maria Carmela Duduaco James Vincent Galarosa Evita Garcia Rachel Gillego Katrina Joy Mangalao Maria Vina Panes Richveneth Parulan Allan Penaredondo Ernesto Picadizo Jr. Jowi Pindos Jesus Piramo Cecilia Claire Reyes Elizabeth Reyes Kristin Dale Rivera Julie Ann Dionne Tancio Jiezl Torrefiel Michelle Valeriano Von Vernon Vargas Jhonnie Villarba Veronica Vitug Leah Rasay Rita Gallardo Dianne Yu Judith Sanchez TAYO SEARCH Young Public Servants Natalie Christine Jorge Paolo Donado Jamaica Castillo Richard Amazona TAYO Talks: Shieresa Pauline Capulong Dawn retumban BU Student Council Bombo Radyo Legazpi Fox Radio Ateneo Sarong Bangui University of Nueva Caceres Radyo Bulakan Jose Roel Paguiligan Jaysin Vinta Carl Espiritu Roy Gravador Holy Angel University Tarlac State University Medel Huerto Bataan Peninsula State University Rhyan Casino Primitivo Ragandang Drexyll Vacalares Raven Janlay Xavier University OSA Edilberto Magpayo Love Radio Palawan State University UP Tacloban Mark Bons Fernandez Lyka Nel Mejido Vice Governor Carlo Loreto Councilor Jerry Uy Bombo Radyo Tacloban MOR Leyte Western Mindanao State University Chairman Christopher Arnuco Nasiba Salip Cris Barredo Meryl Grace Aguedo Aldrin Abdurahim Robert Basco YES FM Zamboanga TV5 Zamboanga Former NMYL President Kirk Asis Caraga State University Surigao State College of Technology University of the Cordilleras Jason Balag-ey Rafael Resuello Love Radio Baguio Bombo Radyo Baguio iFM Baguio Z Radio Naimbag nga Morning Kapamilya Benguet State University OSA

All volunteers for TAYO Talks Category Experts’ Screening: Education and Technology Ryan Miranda, NYC Cara Lim, OSBA Denise Concejero, Lenovo Jennifer Pascua, DEPED Carla Cucueco, Tulong sa Kapawa Kapatid Randy Sasota, DOST Culture and the Arts, Peace, and Human Development Patricia Mae Lopez, NYC Trisha Palaganas, OSBA Apple Lyn Davalos, CHR Sally Aldaba, Smart Communications Anzaira Roxas, Adolescent Development and Participation Jefferson Chua, UNESCO Coun. Philip Kimpo, LIRA Health, Nutrition, and Well-being Pam de Leon, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Ernest Lucas, NYC Gino Chan, NYC Divora Aguila, Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST Christian Gomez,UNILAB Foundation Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation Pam de Leon, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Dennis Mendoza, NYC Gloidan Papas, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Alvin Cerra, Yes Pinoy Foundation Raquel de Leon, NDRRMC Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Erica Borja, NYC Army Padilla, OSBA Jun Tibi, Kawil Tours (TAYO 11) Alistair Chua, Roots Katipunan Bianca Taberna, Ashoka Philippines Validators: James de Vera Patricia Matute Jan Carlo Soriano Lorraine Castañeda John Razil Paramio Thea Murcia Mona Yap Sir Lawrence Agustin Howell Abion Noriel Cabanela Eric Ramos Dennis Mendoza Erica Borja Mark Anthony Fernandez Teodolfo Bonitez, Jr. Marlo Enriquez TAYO Videos Robert Joshua C. Camacho Jr. Job T. Barallas Katherine C. Wepee Michael Louise David Lanie Rallos (Adviser) Carlos Miguel Bautista James Darwin Klu A. Pagente Lino Esteban M. Dumas Jr. Richard G. Datuin Maria Sharon M. Arriola (Adviser) Billy Jean F. Pinig Isaiah Anthony M. Forcadela Raymond Angelo Leonard Santos Yael Francescka B. Gancenia Franco Enrique V Borromeo Edmundo Cuyco (Adviser) Earl Joseph S. Marasigan Lyssa M. Placido Joao Grumo Rizchelle Simbillo Mike Anthony Tan (Adviser) James de Vera Patricia Matute Eric Ramos John Razil Paramio Thea Murcia National Finals Judges: Sen. Bam Aquino Sen. Kiko Pangilinan Chairman Cariza Seguerra Comm. Percival Cendaña Ms. Jessica Marie Robredo Ms. Cecile Alcantara, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Education and Technology Marichu Ferguson, Jollibee Foods Corporation Maite Genabe, Lenovo Philippines Clarissa Delgado, Teach for the Philippines Prim Paypon, Dream Project PH Culture and the Arts, Peace, and Human Development

Michelle Bayhonan, Smart Communications Lindsay A. Barrientos, UNESCO Rosario Fernandez, Interaksyon Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation Maribeth Marasigan, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Philippines John Tobit Cruz, Angat Kabataan Pebbles Sanchez, Yes Pinoy Foundation Health, Nutrition, and Well-being Juan Nanagas, Asian Eye Institute Archie Aguirre, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Divorah Aguila, DOST-FNRI Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Kin Lichauco, San Miguel Corporation Terri Jayme-Morra, Ashoka Philippines TAYO Week Mark Conrad Ravanzo Alleine Nicole Namuco Toni Faye Tan DZRJ Manila DZXL RMN Prim Paypon, Dream Project PH Terri Jayme-Morra, Ashoka Philippines Maria Theresa Jae Sonza, Coca-Cola Philippines Ryan Bradeen, US Embassy Manila Usec Halmen Valdez Rustie Quintana TV5’s Aksyon PTV’s Good Morning Pilipinas Mornings@ANC PARTNERS Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.: Maria Cecilia Alcantara, President Ma. Christina Cabalza, Education and Finance Manager Pamela De Leon, Program Officer, Communication Monina Pacheco, Program Officer, Environment San Miguel Corporation: Kin Lichauco, Vice-President and Head, Corporate Affairs Office Atty. Cynthia de Castro, Asst.

Vice-President, Corporate Affairs Office- Government Affairs Group Steve Piczon, Government Affairs Manager Jollibee Foods Corporation: Ernesto Tanmantiong, President, and CEO Dondi Gomez, Chief Marketing Officer of JFC Pauline Lao, Head of Media and Corp Communications Renel Cecilio-Gurerrero, Corporate Communications Manager Marichu Ferguson, Corporate Communications Manager Aboitiz Equity Ventures: Maribeth Marasigan, FVP and COO, Aboitiz Foundation Celso Caballero, General Manager, WeatherPhilippines Foundation Susan Policarpio, VP-Government Relations Tori Vicente, Corporate Branding and Communication Manager Yhol Colegado, Corporate Branding and Communication Officer Lenovo: Michael Ngan, Country Manager Anna Abola, Marketing Communications Manager SMART Communications: Ramon R. Isberto, Public Affairs Group Head, PLDT & Smart Sally F. Aldaba, Public Affairs Senior Manager Stephanie V. Orlino, Public Affairs Manager Elaine Alanguilan, Public Affairs Officer Marissa P. Mercado, Public Affairs Officer

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50 X 2025 BY 2025, WE COMMIT TO REDUCE OUR USE OF WATER IN ALL PROCESSES ACROSS THE SAN MIGUEL GROUP BY 50%.

While our water management efficiency level is among the highest in the Philippines, and while water conservation and protection has always been a key component of our operations,

WE’RE CHALLENGING OURSELVES TO DO MORE.

ELIMINATE WASTAGE OF WATER ACROSS OUR OPERATIONS.

We will adopt new and stricter measures to improve the efficiency of our water use, as well as utilize water-saving technologies and implement conservation programs.

REUSE AND RECYCLE MORE WATER.

We will optimize all our wastewater treatment facilities to further lessen our water footprint. We commit to make greater use of treated greywater for non-essential purposes.

REDUCE OUR USE OF GROUND AND SURFACE WATER AND PROTECT VITAL WATER SOURCES. HARVEST RAINWATER.

and surface water, protect these water sources, and empower our communities to do the same.

We will harvest rainwater and runoff water from creeks and rivers – collecting, filtering, and storing it for irrigation and for various other purposes. We hope that others will follow our example.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING WATER-CHALLENGED COMMUNITIES NOT JUST ACCESS TO SAFE, POTABLE WATER, BUT ALSO THE ABILITY TO BE SELF-SUSTAINING WHEN IT COMES TO WATER MANAGEMENT.

We will continue to lessen our use of ground

WHY DO WE CARE?

Because it’s everyone’s water.

www.sanmiguel.com.ph/ www.facebook.com/smcbetterworld

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