News

Y-LEAD Holds Youth Camp in Western Visayas
April 19, 2008

The Youth Leadership Program Division (Y-LEAD) of the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) held the first Western Visayas Youth Camp last April 15-17, 2008 at the GRF Resource Center, Dayao, Roxas City. This activity is part of the 50th year celebration of the GRF.

With the theme “Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees: Leaders for Community…Leaders for Country,” the event was attended by the 2008 Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees from Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. Current GRF scholars from Panay Island as well as the Dinggoy Roxas Scholars also joined the event.

The youth camp was aimed at developing among the awardees and scholars a sense of identity as Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees, encouraging them to engage in social development issues, and getting their commitment to be involved in the GRF Community of Leaders.

The delegates to the youth camp also joined the activities for the celebration of the 107th Capiz Foundation Day and the commemoration of the 60th Death Anniversary of the late President Manuel A. Roxas which were celebrated on the duration of the youth camp. His Excellency Zvi Vapni, Ambassador of Israel, who graced the event as special guest of honor shared that the support of the Philippines, which was then under President Roxas, ensured the Independence of the State of Israel.

Youth Camp Activities

During the opening ceremonies, the delegates were welcomed by Congressman Antonio del Rosario, Capiz Governor Vic Tanco, Roxas City Vice Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, and GRF Chairperson Judy Roxas. A short video presentation on the life of the late Sen. Gerry Roxas then followed.

Agnes Villarruz, GRF Executive Director then talked about GRF and its programs. Annette Villarruz, Y-LEAD Program Officer then presented the Y-LEAD Program and its history.

The delegates were surprised with a visit by Ambassador Vapni. In a speech, he encouraged the participants to be active in their communities as young leaders and to continue to work on the realization of their dreams for their families, communities and country.

The highlights of the youth camp included a session on leadership by Mr. Bryan Mari Argos, a Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardee (1993). Lina Laigo, Y-LEAD Managing Director, introduced the concept of Community of Leaders to the participants, which led to the organization of Y-LEAD chapters in each province. An action planning workshop followed to ensure that the leaders will initiate and sustain Y-Lead activities in their respective provinces.

The second night of the camp was a showcase of talents. The awardees prepared a program of songs, dances and skits. It ended with the awarding of the top five Leaders of the camp chosen by the participants. The top 5 awardees were Patrick Daniel Ladrido (Iloilo), Maricel Lobaton (Iloilo), Edilyn Joy Uy (Antique), Lord Leomer Pomperada (Antique) and Jason Anthony Bisnar (Capiz). This was followed by a self disclosure session in a campfire and a birthday celebration of April Marcelo, one of the participants from Capiz.

On the last day, the participants went on a tour to visit historical landmarks in Capiz. Souvenirs from the local officials and the GRF were also given to all participants before going home.

As shared by the participants, the Western Visayas Youth Camp was an experience of fun and camaraderie, and learning more about enhancing their leadership skills. Everyone went home with smiles on their faces stating “Taas Noo, Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardee Ako! ”

The Youth Camp in Panay Island was the first of a series of youth camps that will be done in selected provinces out of the total 2,146 school partnerships that GRF has formed all over the country. Plans are underway for the Y-LEAD Youth Camps in Cebu, Negros Occidental, La Union, MIMAROPA Region and Cagayan de Oro. A Grand Reunion of all Leadership Awardees and Scholars is tentatively set on April 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum.

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