Finding Direction, Building Leaders: 90 Young People in Tingloy Take the Lead

For many young people, knowing what they want to do in life is not always easy.

Questions about school, careers, relationships, personal goals, and the future can feel overwhelming, especially when opportunities for mentorship, career guidance, leadership development, and youth participation are limited.

In Tingloy, Batangas, 90 young people from all 15 barangays came together for a youth leadership and empowerment activity designed to help them navigate some of these questions while discovering their potential as future leaders of their communities.

Co-organized by Good Neighbors Philippines and the Municipality of Tingloy, headed by Hon. Mayor Lauro F. Alvarez and Hon. Vice Mayor Dawn Erika Alvarez, the activity marked Good Neighbors Philippines' first deeply immersed engagement with the local government of Tingloy.

Beyond learning how to lead others, the young participants were encouraged to better understand themselves; their strengths, aspirations, choices, and the kind of future they want to build.

For one participant, the experience offered a different way of looking at life's challenges:

“Marami palang pwedeng magagandang isipin in order not to be depressed. It only takes a positive outlook on life.”

The reflection highlights an important part of youth empowerment: helping young people see that they have choices, possibilities, and people who can help them navigate difficult moments.

Preparing Young People For What Comes Next

During the activity, Almera Quesada of Good Neighbors Philippines reminded the participants that being called the “hope of the nation” comes with a responsibility and an opportunity to prepare.

“It might sound like a cliché, that the youth is the hope of our nation, and this remains very true. That is why the burden of responsibility is very high. These kinds of training will hopefully equip you with the skills you will need in the future.”

The message reflects the purpose behind the activity: not to expect young people to have everything figured out today, but to give them the tools, confidence, and support they need as they figure out where they want to go.

With 90 young people representing all 15 barangays of Tingloy, the activity created an opportunity for youth voices to become louder in their communities.

Because sometimes, becoming a leader starts with something much simpler: having the space to ask, “What do I want for my future and what can I do to get there?”