A better and livable Philippines lies in our hands: WWF-Philippines thanks the National Youth Council for three years of remarkable service
July 2021
Photograph © Vicson Chua, 2018
The second batch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ National Youth Council (NYC) bids farewell to their post after years of inspiring their fellow youth to take urgent action for the planet.
The NYC is WWF-Philippines’ youth arm. Working in tandem with WWF-Philippines for the protection of the countries’ natural resources, the NYC speaks directly to the youth and works to capacitate and organize young Filipinos toward advocating for conservation efforts. After three years of reaching out to hundreds of thousands of young people across the Philippines, the current batch of NYC is stepping down and passing the torch to the next set of young leaders.
Each of the NYC members shared their own experiences and takeaways from their time with the Council and with working with WWF-Philippines.
Photograph © Alexa Cancio
“One message that I would like to leave with future young environmental champions is to, number one, believe in the work that you do. Even if it’s small and even if at times you feel like what you’re doing is insignificant, try to think of it another way. When you pull together all the amazing work you do as environmental champions, you create a ripple that will cascade throughout the country,” shared Deign Soriano. A biologist and university lecturer, Deign used his platform as a member of the council to educate fellow youths, so that they may help in empowering communities toward further protecting the environment.
Photograph © Ysa Calinawan / WWF-Philippines
Photographer, storyteller and National Geographic Explorer and this year’s WWF President’s Youth Award recipient Gab Mejia used his unique talents and his heart for adventure to share stories of conservation with his peers through NYC. “Photography gives all a voice to be heard and a face to be seen with, ensuring that no part of the environment be neglected or forgotten in our goals of achieving a sustainable planet,” explained Gab. “NYC showed me that no matter how young one is, we all have the capability and potential to make use of our own passions for the benefit of the environment, for all we truly need is the will to do so.”
Gab will be continuing his tenure with the NYC as a member of the next batch.
Photograph © Josh Alibcag / WWF-Philippines
A licensed environmental planner, Yza Nazal-Habunal has dedicated her early career towards the pursuit of sustainable human settlements for all Filipinos. Her time with NYC gave her the opportunity to grow as an urban planner, as she spoke to many about the importance of sustainable development. “I used to confine myself within the perception that environmental problems are caused largely by action -- irresponsible and uninformed human acts that destroy the environment. But my journey as a WWF-NYC member made me realize that it is the inaction of the educated that makes these environmental problems persist over time. It is for this realization that environmental stewards must not only educate and but also empower the public to pursue concrete environmental action,” shared Yza.
Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
Sofia Montinola, an artist and student, used both her position as a member of the NYC and her creative talents to push for conservation to the best of her own abilities. “ I also want to stress the idea that there is no “right” way to become involved. I never joined my school’s sustainability club before becoming part of NYC, for example. Everyone’s experience with advocacy is their own, and so it is ultimately up to you to decide where your path will lead,” expressed Sofia.
Photograph © WWF-Philippines
Student Nikki Huang makes use of her talents as a writer to promote sustainable lifestyles among her fellow youths. As part of NYC, she helped her peers realize their own ways to live sustainably. “My most important realization about conservation is that it is as much about supporting one another as it is about individual action. Conservation is so far from a one man show, and it is not all about small performative actions. It is about human connection, both amongst one another, and to the planet,” shared Huang.
Photograph © Vicson Chua
Student and young creative Luis Villanueva spent his tenure with the NYC reaching out to the youth through channels familiar to them. For Luis, the best way to get the youth to commit to conservation is to speak to them on their level. “By directly addressing the youth through the medium they are most familiar with and most active on, it’s much more likely that they’ll be able to connect with and truly understand the implications of environmental issues such that they are willing to engage in conservation,” said Luis.
Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
An experienced marine scientist who has studied the open seas around the Philippines, NYC Vice-Chairperson Romina Lim advocated for the protection not just of the oceans, but for the Philippine environment during her time with the NYC. “It may sound cliché, but the youth is our hope for the future. The youth will be the future leaders of this nation. As early as now, the youth should be trained to be earth lovers and conservationists,” shared Romina. “Once you know what is right, you should go out there and do it. Don’t just keep it inside yourself, either. Do something about it.”
Romina will be continuing her tenure with the NYC as a member of the next batch.
Photograph © WWF-Philippines
As Chairperson of the NYC Batch 2, Kiana Porras served as a powerful youth leader, speaking out in workshops, forums and in front of youths from all walks of life in a bid to inspire the next generation of conservation champions. “Our role as young individuals is critical in this whole environmental protection and sustainability. We need to expose ourselves and strive to know the root of certain issues like social inequity, poverty, and climate change. Because these are the same issues that will continue to show themselves as trials and forms of disturbance in the next few years. The responsibility to build a better and livable Philippines lies in our hands,” Our sustainable future starts today,” said Kiana.
Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
WWF-Philippines expresses its heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the work that the NYC has put into promoting the protection of the countries’ natural resources. The NYC has brought WWF-Philippines many wins, and has journeyed alongside the organization through many milestones in its push to protect the planet. The young leaders of the NYC are setting off on separate journeys, but the many hearts they touched will carry the torch of conservation, for the sake of our shared futures.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Isobel Resurreccion
National Youth Council Coordinator
kfiresurreccion@gmail.com
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Angelica Pago
Integrated Communications Manager
apago@wwf.org.ph
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Public Relations, Media, and Events Assistant Manager
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
