Wazzup Pilipinas!?
On International Youth Day 2025, around 200 spirited participants gathered not merely to celebrate, but to declare a mission: the fight against the triple planetary crisis—climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—cannot and will not wait. In a world teetering on the brink of ecological collapse, the voices of the young rang louder than ever inside the halls of De La Salle University along Taft Avenue in Manila.
The immortal words of Dr. Jose Rizal, “kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”, came alive in every conversation, workshop, and pledge. This was no ordinary commemoration. It was a call to arms for a generation born into crisis, yet unwilling to surrender to it.
Organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Philippines, in partnership with Clean Air Asia and BAN Toxics, the event bore the formidable title “Mobilize & Ignite Youth Action: Advancing Sustainable Solutions for the Triple Planetary Crisis Through Innovation and Partnership.” Every syllable carried weight—because the stakes could not be higher.
“Young people are experiencing firsthand the impacts of the triple planetary crisis… Now, more than ever, we need them to take a decisive position,” urged Teddy Monroy, UNIDO Country Representative, setting the tone for the day’s urgency.
Ross Flores Del Rosario, External Vice President of GPP Kalikasan Muna - Green Party of the Philippines, was also present at the event.
From Inspiration to Innovation
The celebration fused passion with action. Interactive social media zones buzzed with energy as attendees recorded their pledges and creative advocacy reels for the online contest “Your Reel, Your Role: Be the Solution!” The air was electric—every camera click and video upload a digital spark for environmental change.
In Youth Talks, two remarkable changemakers shared their journeys:
Ramyr Angeles, co-founder of Mobility Vision+, envisioned smart, sustainable urban mobility driven by technology and youth creativity.
John Sherwin Felix, a food heritage photographer, showed how preserving biodiversity can begin on our plates, using visual storytelling to connect people to their environment.
Their words resonated, but the crowd wanted more—and Voices Unplugged delivered, turning digital feedback tools into a live dialogue of questions, challenges, and ideas.
The Solutions Labs: Turning Ideas into Impact
Two dynamic workshops—aptly named Solutions Labs—pushed participants beyond awareness into concrete problem-solving.
Solutions Lab 1: Harnessing the Potential of Youth in Promoting and Advancing E-Mobility tackled the future of sustainable transport. Industry experts and academics laid out a roadmap for young engineers, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to lead the electric mobility revolution.
“We’re not just building vehicles—we’re building a workforce for a cleaner future,” said Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina of Clean Air Asia.
Solutions Lab 2: Mobilizing Youth for Healthcare Waste Awareness confronted a less visible but equally dangerous threat: the improper disposal of medical waste. BAN Toxics’ Executive Director Reynaldo San Juan Jr. warned of the toxins released from burning healthcare waste and challenged participants to craft bold, creative campaigns. TikTok-style advocacy videos became their megaphones to the nation.
Launching the Future
The event was also the birthplace of two ambitious youth-led campaigns:
The E-Mobility Idea Competition, inviting Filipinos aged 18–24 to present breakthrough ideas for electric mobility. Winners will see their concepts spotlighted at the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit and even take their vision to Bangkok for the 2026 Better Air Quality Conference.
“They are not just future beneficiaries of e-mobility,” stressed BOI Executive Director Corazon Halili-Dichosa. “They are its present-day builders.”
#GenZeroPh, a rallying banner for a toxics-free and waste-free future, mobilizing schools, youth groups, and community leaders to lead localized environmental campaigns.
A Pledge for the Planet
In a moving finale, each participant tied a ribbon representing a chosen Sustainable Development Goal to an SDG tree, and sealed their written commitments in a “capsule of commitment” jar. The symbolic gesture was a reminder: pledges are only as strong as the actions that follow.
Monroy’s closing words struck a sobering note:
“Only 35% of the SDG targets are on track. The rest are moving too slowly. Young people must be at the forefront of driving systemic change.”
As the day ended, the air carried more than speeches—it carried resolve. This was not a gathering that would fade into memory. It was the ignition of a movement, fueled by urgency, united by vision, and powered by the very generation whose future hangs in the balance.
Because when the youth rise, the world has no choice but to follow.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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