Emerging Pinoy Leaders Congress
Note: Photos in this post belong to Vernon Go and Jaypee. 
Strengthening Youth Engagement in Social Development
Day 1 – December 18, 2010
The event was going to happen in Genesis Valley, Cabangahan, Consolacion. Since I live in this town, I didn’t meet with the rest of the delegates in the city; I went ahead to the place. 
When I got there, I didn’t see anyone other than the guard. Apparently, I was a little too early. 
I strolled around to appreciate the beauty of the place because it was indeed beautiful — very scenic. The delegates came pouring in some time later. After the registration, we had some getting-to-know-you activities/games besides the usual introduce-yourself-to-the-crowd. 
GTKY.
Bata, Bahay, Bagyo, Baha.
Later, Kuya Mel discussed to us the 2010 Youth Statistics released by the National Youth Commission stating that the youth (15-30 years old) constitute 30% of the population. We were then grouped according to the color of our ID sling (I belonged to the gray team) to discuss more on our activities as youth. 
Discussion on statistics.
Group discussion.
Tent assignments were given after we had lunch. Then we were asked to make our way to heaven. Hehe. 
We were actually challenged to climb up the stairs and walk the steep path to the temples/gazebos (kind of) on top. It’s there where we had the breakout sessions and the knowledge café. 
I joined the Social Welfare breakout session because it was my first choice (and it’s actually what I like). 
Our speakers, Ms. Sara and Ms. Malaya.
This is actually my favorite part because our speakers are not only advocates of social welfare, they are also performing artists. 
Ms. Sara’s sharing on the role of music in uplifting a heartbreaking situation pierced me straight through. 
Here’s a video of her singing a Christian song (Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath):
And she also let us sing a song which was familiar to me. I didn’t realize it was from the movie Sister Act 2 until Iggy mentioned it. Here’s a video of us singing Pay Attention:
We continued singing humanitarian songs until the other sessions were through. 
Kuya Mel’s discussion on the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence and their activities followed. After that, we had the knowledge café wherein we were to have more group discussions on the following areas: Education, Health, Governance, Youth Values, Poverty & Social Welfare, and Environment. 
I was already drained down to the core when we were done. All I wanted to do was eat or perhaps sleep. Hehe. After dinner, we practiced for our presentation (about our inputs in the knowledge café), then went back down for the actual presentation. 
Portraying the role of a kid who doesn’t know how to read. I look haggard!
After all the presentations were some announcements. Because I was already very tired, I went to sleep immediately after while the convenors and secretaries of each group, together with ALEx, stayed behind to draft the Youth Declaration. 
Day 2 – December 19, 2010
I woke up very early in the morning (around 4am) along with some other participants to take a bath, then went back to sleep. I woke back up in time for breakfast. We had another set of games before starting with the day’s agenda. 
We were then tasked to summarize our inputs in yesterday’s knowledge café, and we spent the whole morning for the report of each group. 
This part was very much interactive because participants were able to throw some relevant questions, and in turn, got various answers/opinions from co-participants. As one who’s usually impartial when it comes to opposing ideas, I appreciated each side of the story. 
This continued after we had lunch, and Kuya Mel’s presentation of the Youth Declaration followed. For me (and I think for most of us, too), the declaration was composed very well. It wasn’t a surprise that everybody agreed to all the provisions there and then. It was also agreed that an alliance of youth organizations all over Cebu be formed, and a 2nd EPLC be held around sem break next year.
The Youth Declaration.
We were then grouped by organization, and we were tasked to write our best practices, areas of engagement, and contribution to the alliance on meta cards. 
Every organization got the chance to share their endeavors to the crowd. Ms. Evelyn then shared an inspirational speech as a closing remark, and we gathered at the field after to form a sort of ensemble, following Kuya Mel’s sound beat. 
We ended with a closing prayer and a big group hug! 
The signing of the Youth Declaration and the event tarp followed. 
Iggy, Jaysee, and I had to leave after that for a CBS event (our caroling and gift giving event for Christmas).
Personal Thoughts
I was there to represent the Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. together with Jaysee. When I decided to join this event, my expectations were kind of high because it was organized by the Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence (ALEx). And I’m happy to say that the congress exceeded my expectations! 
During discussions, I admit that I stayed silent most of the time. I was more of a listener, and it’s not because I had nothing to say but because there was a rain of ideas and they were worth listening to. I came to realize that my ideas were plain and simple compared to theirs. Nevertheless, I was glad to know that we’re all on the same page regarding the issues that are slowly tearing down our country. Cliché as it may seem, but I could say I really learned a lot. No matter how diverse the ideas and activities of all the youth organizations are, I realized that it all boils down to the fact that we’re all doing it for a common goal, and that is for nation building and social uplifting.
I would very much be glad to join another congress where I can contribute my little ideas and be part of a movement for change. 
The Gray Team.
The Youth (though not all, hehe).
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manguha kog lines pud diwi for testi and the like >:)
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Aw. Go ahead. Hahaha.
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