Cebuano youth as future country leaders? #PwedeKaayo

Students from all over Cebu united as Club Mega launched its Mega Cebu Youth Convention 2017 last Sept. 23 at the SM Seaside Sky Hall where colorful lights and loud music—and of course, the youth hype—filled the venue.

But what is Club Mega exactly? Club Mega is a youth organization of Mega Cebu, a concept and program of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB). This is where young Cebuano leaders who aspire to develop themselves to become more active in contributing to a Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable and Sustainable (W.A.V.E.S.) Cebu come together through the group’s core values: Respect, Integrity, People-Oriented, Passion, Servant Leadership, Excellence and Spirituality (R.I.P.P.L.E.S.).

The convention was full of inspirational talks that encouraged the youth to be more involved in the development of a more progressive Cebu. Several projects organized by the Cebuano youth were also presented such as BUHGAS, which focused on food waste management; Project Love, which was about spreading love through culture; Garbage Enabler, which encourages recycling; and the #SocialMediaLiteracy, which supports the responsible use of social media.

Influential personalities also graced the event with their presence and encouraging stories about their achievements. Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, a gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, talked about her dreams and how hard she worked to achieve them. She urged her fellow youth to pursue their dreams with hard work and determination. “Make Cebu the place where champions are made,” the Cebuana said.

Liloan Mayor Cristina Frasco also presented the different projects and achievements that the Liloanon youth has done, such as projects on education, environment, tourism and gender equality. They even added a public neutral gender restroom for the LGBT community. Because of these programs, the Liloan Youth Organization was awarded as the Most Outstanding Youth Organization in Cebu.

National Youth Commission Assistant Secretary Rhea B. Peñaflor also said: “Youth are our partners for change...The youth can and must participate in the governance and development.”

The convention was really an eye opener for all young Cebuano dreamers who want to make a change. Indeed, “the youth needs to be more involved in the issues of social relevance” as what Divine Canon, executive chair of Club Mega, said.

Being a member of the Cebuano youth, we must take a stand in being responsible and proactive citizens who have the potential to be future leaders of the country and be catalysts of progress and nation-building. Together, let us turn R.I.P.P.L.E.S. into W.A.V.E.S. because #PwedeKaayo.

(Ericka, a grade 12 student of Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus, was among the participants of the Mega Cebu Youth Convention.)

Youth are our partners for change...The youth can and must participate in governance and development. ASEC. RHEA B. PEñAFLOR