Youth

Sen. Bam Challenges the Me-Generation to be We-Generation

Senator Bam Aquino challenges the youth, known as the ‘me-generation’, to prove that they’re more than just selfies and gimmicks by engaging themselves in nation-building programs and projects.

“Sad to say, the perception is that majority of today’s youth are synonymous with parties, selfies and video games,” said Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Youth.

“The youth must dispel these negative perceptions by actively participating in nation-building initiatives that will help improve the country we live in,” added Aquino.

The senator cited the Gualandi Volunteer Service Program, Inc., a youth-led non-government organization based in Cebu City, which leads the fight against sexual assault of deaf children and women.

The group started the Break the Silence Network Project to help hearing-impaired children and women who are victims of sexual assault.

The senator also mentioned the Tagum-based TC Youth Laboratory Cooperative, which teaches youth the value of savings and financial security by “bringing the bank to the schools.”

These two groups were among the winners of the 11th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awards last year.

Aquino said other youth organizations would be given a chance to join the circle of TAYO winners, announcing that registration of entries for TAYO 12 is now open until September 30, 2014.

“This is a chance for youth groups that have contributed to the development of local communities, schools and workplaces through innovative and valuable projects to be recognized,” said Aquino, one of the TAYO co-founders.

The senator said search is open to all groups, organizations, clubs and societies whose membership and leadership are composed of at least 15 members 15 to 30 years old.

Interested groups may submit a recently concluded project or an ongoing program. A project entry (or one that started in 2012) must either be completed, or a major portion must have been undertaken by the deadline.

Participants will be judged based on the following criteria: 1. Impact of project entry on stakeholders; 2. Harnessing the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship; 3. Creativity and Innovation; and Sustainability and Effective use of Resources.

To know more about the search, information is available in www.tayoawards.net.

An online entry form can be filled out at the TAYO website. For inquiries, TAYO Secretariat can be contacted through text at 0917 TXT-TAYO (898-8296) or e-mail at tayo.secretariat@gmail.com.

Since its inception in 2002, the TAYO Awards Foundation has successfully gained credibility as an institution that recognizes and supports the outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the country.

It has attracted more than two thousand youth organizations from all over the Philippines to join the search.

The winning organizations will receive a grant of P50,000 that they can use to fund new projects or continue their long-term programs, aside from the trophy sculpted by Mr. Toym De Leon Imao for the event.

TAYO was co-founded by Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

Sen. Bam Aquino to Address Young Changemakers

Senator Bam Aquino, the country’s youngest senator and a globally recognized youth leader and social entrepreneur, will be the opening keynote speaker at the 2013 ENACTUS Philippine National Finals, to be held on July 26, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

ENACTUS, formerly called Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), is an international organization that brings together students as well as academic and business leaders “who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to bring progress around the world.”

Once a year, the National Champion Enactus teams from around world meet at the World Cup, where they present the results of their community outreach projects to a prestigious group of international business leaders. Through a written annual report and live audio-visual presentation, teams will be evaluated based on how successful they were at using business concepts to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

According to ENACTUS Philippines Chairman, Jose P. Leviste, a total of 65 students representing 12 colleges and universities in the country will be participating in the competition, which will choose the Philippines’ representative to the Enactus World Cup scheduled on September 29 to October 2, 2013 in Cancun, Mexico.

The participating institutions are: Adamson University, Baliuag University, Columban College, Divine World College of Calapan, Holy Trinity College of General Santos City, Lyceum Northwestern University, Mariano Marcos State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Pangasinan State University, Sultan Kudarat State University (Isulan and Tacurong), and the University of Antique.

In a message to ENACTUS Philippines, Senator Aquino said, “I have always believed in the youth as the hope of this nation. From my time as a student leader up to my days in government and social enterprise, I have seen young Filipinos use the strength of their idealism and ideas, the power of their on-the-ground and online networks, and their passion and determination to truly make a difference in the world around them. It is, therefore, our responsibility to inculcate in our youth the ideals and virtues that they can carry with them as they steer our nation to greater heights.”

“With this belief, I laud the efforts of Enactus Philippines in shaping and molding our youth to become catalysts of change. Thanks to their programs in entrepreneurship and innovation, Enactus Philippines serves as a platform for our young and vibrant entrepreneurs to make a positive impact in their communities. We have seen in their work their ability to create programs for change and, therefore, be a collective force for economic progress.”

“May you remain as models of social responsibility, hard-work, and self-reliance as you move towards your goals of uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” the senator adds.

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