3-day 7th District Youth Congress held in Alcantara
At least 150 youth leaders from Cebu’s seventh district gathered over the weekend for a capability building seminar workshop in Alcantara town.
“Nakita nako, atong mga youth leaders dinhi sa seventh district, from the time giplano until now, nagpakabana gyud ug namingkamot nga mabuhat ning atong youth congress,” said Cebu’s Seventh District Rep. Peter John Calderon in his inspirational speech during the pageant night last Saturday, Dec. 15.
Organized by the Sangguniang Kabataan leaders and the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP), the “7th District Youth Congress” held last Dec. 14 to 16 aims to teach youth “the necessary capability-building activities and trainings to develop and prepare the youth to possess the mental and physical ability and the moral and ethical integrity expected from a genuine leader.”
Highlights of the gathering include the discussion on disaster resilience and climate change, drug awareness and prevention, HIV/Aids awareness and prevention, Unlad Kabataan program, and the role of the youth in nation-building.
The participants also engaged in outdoor team building activities and witnessed a pageant night where youth congress ambassadress, ambassador and youth congress queen ambassadress for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) were chosen. The winners are Youth Ambassador Hermogenes Abudante of Badian, Youth Ambassadress Wilpe Ann Papa of Alegria, and Queen Ambassadress Samer Palao of Alegria.
“Kami sa older generation are hoping that you will continue to possess this kind of passion, this kind of leadership, this kind of pagpakabana on what is going on, from environment to anti-discrimination, to education, you are there,” said Calderon. “It is difficult to give an inspirational message when you yourself is the one inspired by what is happening yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” (Cebu Provincial Gov’t)
