From September 2 to 8, 2026, Youthlead Philippines, Inc. held its 13th Philippines I Transform! Leaders’ Convention (PITLC) at the DepEd Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City. In partnership with the University of Baguio, YLP sent six UBian student-leaders as staffers to support leaders’ transformation and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The YLP Staffers, including the six UBian student-leaders, underwent a Mandatory Aspirancy Training (for new Staffers) and Mandatory Novitiate Training (for current Junior Staffers). The training outlined YLP PITLC’s objectives, clarified their roles as Staffers, and emphasized the importance of working together as young leaders to create transformational change in their respective communities.
After the training, the staff members participated in a Confirmation and Elevation Ceremony intended to strengthen YLP leaders. The staff members were then assigned to various services, such as Digital Services (DGS), Finance Integrated Services (FIS), Program Services (PRS), and Youth Prefecture Services (YPS), to hone their abilities and passions.
- JS I Aldriana Baliton
- JS I Rayne Salinas
- JS II Cindy Joy Olpino
- JS II Samantha Dinopol
- JS II Lorden Xavier Alvaro
- JS II Chire Pastorfide
were the six UBian employees who have been promoted.
Transforming Skills and Passion into Service: 13th PITLC
Through the continuing partnership between the University of Baguio and Youthlead Philippines, Inc., the UB Voices, UB BIMAAK, and SCJPS Honor Guards were also invited as essential parts of the event, showcasing their performances, cultural representation, and pride as UBians. Their participation added vibrancy to the conference while reflecting the University’s commitment to supporting youth leadership, culture, and service.
Faculty members, staff, and administrators supported the convention by serving as judges and members of the experts’ panel for various Primus Tourney competitions and activities.
- Ms. Persia Jeiel Estepa, Ms. Gemma Layus, and Mr. Cesar Roberto Cachero served as judges for Essay Writing and Poster Making
- Marie Rose Subdi, Ms. Wylleth Sacyaten, and Mr. Harold Deane Piog evaluated the Extemporaneous Speaking competition
- Mr. Zhein Carlo Molina, Mr. Denver Koby Soriano, and Ms. Milagros Guinsad served as judges for the Video Making and Advocacy Photo competition
- Meanwhile, Dr. Froilan Aspa served on the Kabataan Fair Experts’ Panel, and Dr. Beverly Banaken Laltoog served as a judge for the I-Transform! Journey Presentations
Beyond the competitions, these events demonstrated what young people can produce, express, and achieve with meaningful leadership opportunities. Through their ideas, inventiveness, vigor, passion, bravery, and dedication to their causes, the participants showed that young people are active contributors to change rather than just recipients of it. UB’s ongoing dedication to fostering excellence, servant leadership, and meaningful collaboration to empower youth was also evident in faculty, staff, and administrators’ participation in these events.
As the convention progressed, the staffers carried out their respective responsibilities while working alongside fellow Staffers and young leaders from different parts of the country. Beyond their assigned tasks, the experience created opportunities to meet people from different places, backgrounds, organizations, advocacies, and experiences. What began as a gathering of individuals gradually became a community connected by shared conversations, transformative experiences, and aspirations for their respective communities.
Leading the Future with Social Responsibility
The theme “Combating Poverty: Achieving Prosperity for All” helped participating youth leaders understand that poverty is more than just a lack of financial resources. The discussions linked poverty to dignity, equal opportunities, decent work, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. The convention emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing poverty. In doing so, the convention encouraged young leaders to see poverty reduction as a collective responsibility that requires both understanding and action.
Through this lens, service is not simply about helping others from a distance or out of pity. It means understanding others’ experiences, standing with communities, and working alongside them toward solutions. For young leaders, this radical empathy strengthens the link between advocacy and action, reminding them that the communities they serve are not merely beneficiaries of change but partners in creating it.
Alt Text: Highlight shot of all of the participating representatives, delegates, and student leaders from the 13th Philippines I Transform! Leaders’ Convention (PITLC) at the DepEd Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City
Students’ and representatives’ active participation shows how partnerships create spaces where students learn not only through formal education but also through service, engagement, and meaningful encounters with others. Through its continuing partnership with Youthlead Philippines, Inc., UB gives its student leaders opportunities to join national youth initiatives, build practical leadership skills, exchange perspectives, and bring those experiences back to their own communities.
This year’s event focuses on the threshold to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 1: No Poverty, with its theme “Combating Poverty, Achieving Prosperity for All”
- SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by raising awareness, interest, and desire to contribute to the Global Agenda among young leaders from different parts of the Philippines
As the convention came to a close, its message remained with the participating youth leaders: “Kabataan ay kontra sa kahirapan,” a reminder of the role young people can play in creating communities where dignity, opportunity, and prosperity are accessible to all.
Through ongoing collaboration between Youthlead Philippines, Inc. and the University of Baguio, PITLC has expanded opportunities for UBians to learn, serve, connect, and develop into transformative young leaders as they return to their organizations and communities with broader perspectives, a revitalized sense of purpose, and a deeper understanding of what it means to collaborate toward a prosperous future for all.
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Written by: Aldriana Baliton, Samantha Dinopol, Cindy Joy Olpino
Photos by: Youthlead Philippines, Inc.
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
