On February 11, 2026, management members from the University of Baguio held a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing with its esteemed partner and advocate for women’s empowerment, JCI Baguio Sunflower (a local division of the Junior Chamber International national organization), to tackle economic development at the national and ASEAN levels.
Done in the Management Conference Room (MCR) of the university, the shared experiences of promoting and honing advocacies on gender equality and women’s empowerment were welcomed with open arms, as esteemed guests and representatives from the JCI Baguio Sunflower organization streamlined the support and encouragement to gain valuable skills and essential knowledge to pursue their passions with confidence. Marking 5 years of collaboration through the renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that provides light between UB and JCI local organizations’ collaboration and active participation for 2026.
Renewal and Signing for a Brighter Tomorrow
The JCI Baguio Sunflower members and leaders were led by the 2026 local organization president, Ms. Jobelle Carino Batanes, along with JCI legal counsel, Atty. Danielle Faith Aplaten, the area chair for Pinay Power, and the regional vice president for Ilocandia, Ms. Rhescien Mae Vicente.
Welcoming them to the institution were UB’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Janice Kaylyn Lonogan; Linkages Office Director, Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro; and Center for Counselling and Student Development (CCSD) Director, Ms. Leny Estacio. Alongside alumni relations staff, Ms. Arlene Arellano, and international affairs staff, Ms. Angelica Tamayo.
Alt Text: Members and Directors from the UB management, along with the president and representatives from JCI Baguio Sunflower, expressing their roles and plans for the renewed 2026 collaboration
As expressed through Babaylan leadership, emphasizing the Philippines’ role as a part of the ASEAN Chair in 2026, the signing for partnership renewal brought valuable insights into continuous improvement and proposed programs between the partnerships and organizational advancements for relational productivity and gender advocacies between the university, the city of Baguio, and its local community, national, and international partners.
Efforts on the contract renewal aim to contribute to the initiative to celebrate the national Women’s Month in March. Leading under the theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the annual WOMENTOR activities are held within the institution that is filled with focus group discussions, relevant forums, engaging workshops on livelihood and digital literacy, and dialogue between mentors and mentees. Practicing confidence and resilience for students, leaders, and the community to embrace their dreams and navigate a life full of fulfillment.
Alt Text: Members and Directors from the UB management, along with the president and representatives from JCI Baguio Sunflower, expressing their roles and plans for the renewed 2026 collaboration
In support of the 2026 National Women’s Month and participation in WOMENtor year 5 activities (with the theme “Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas”) that tackle economic development on a national and ASEAN level, promoting shared advocacies on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the University of Baguio warmly welcomes esteemed guests and representatives from the Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Baguio Sunflower organization.
Championing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the signing expressed hope to nurture the following endeavors for the active year:
- Goal 4 – quality education through academic programs that trailblaze important information and inspire women leaders and advocates of change and equity
- Goal 5 – Gender equality through group discussions and institutional impact through help desks, support groups, and dedicated forms of expression for confidence and resiliency from troubles or doubts between gender stereotypes and inequality
- Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities for better economic and sustainable tenure building within professional and personal standards
- Goal 16 – A secure future and environment built on trust to achieve tranquillity and harmony between relational matters, skill capacity building, and opportunities to be presented
- Goal 17 – Fostering and building strong partnerships through collaboration for more projects, events, and shared advocacies down the line
Marking 5 years of collaboration, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing provides light between UB and JCI-Baguio Sunflower’s collaboration and participation; the inter-organizational initiative seeks to achieve opportunistic goals through streamlined support and encouragement to gain valuable skills and essential knowledge, enabling them to pursue their passions with confidence.
Alt Text: Leading for a better and brighter tomorrow, with UB and JCI Baguio Sunflower’s profound collaboration
