Nine Filipinos had been selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a part of their 2012 “Young Global Shapers”, in which these individuals are chosen to partake in events and activities that engenders a progressive effect within their home countries. Together, they form the first batch of Filipinos to be selected in the aforementioned group.

Initially, the WEF is a non-profit international organization who commits itself in advancing the state of the world in the form of “engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of the society in order to shape global, regional, and industry agenda.”

As stated by the WEF, these Young Global Shapers (YGS) are comprised of “young individuals with great potential for future leadership roles in the society” ranging from ages 20 to 30 years old. These “chosen ones” must be able to represent different perspectives in life.

These nine chosen Filipinos are namely, Anna Rosario Oposa, Mayor Maria Carmela Alvarez of San Vicente in Palawan, Ponce Ernest Samaniego, Jay Michael Jaboneta, Dr. Bryan Albert Lim, Eleanor Rosa Pinugu, Mildred Ople, Bianca Gonzalez, and Alexandra Amanda Eduque.

According to ABS-CBN News Anchor Karen Davila, WEF Young Global Leader 2010 and Founding Curator for the YGS Manila Hub, these individuals were accepted as potential leaders because of the projects they were involved in, which created a positive impact in the community.

Who are they?

24 year-old Mayor Maria Carmela Alvarez aims to convert the place into a tourist destination with the use of sustainable development technology to preserve its natural environment, and, possibly, be able to help the people become independent in terms of its present and future needs.

Currently the founder and chairperson of the Habitat for Humanity Philippines Youth Council and has been working with the organization for seven years, Alexandra Eduque is a 21 year-old who involves herself with a variety of humanitarian projects.

Television host Bianca Gonzalez, despite of the busy schedule she has working in show business, spends her time off to work for child welfare, and she has also been recently appointed as Special Advocate for Children for the UNICEF

Dr. Bryan Albert Lim is an Asia 21 Young Leader and a practicing physician in Laguna, as well as a program consultant at the Asian Institute of Management. He also established a festival for films themed on health issues.

Law student Mildred Ople advocates countryside development to the youth in Hagonoy, Bulacan, to pursue local development projects, specifically by adopting innovative agricultural technology.

An alumnus of the University of the Philippines, Anna Rosario Oposa founded the “Save Philippine Seas” movement to protect the country’s marine biodiversity.

Eleanor Rosa Pinugu is the founder of the non-profit school, Mano Amiga Academy, Inc. She established a method to provide underprivileged Filipino children access to 14 years of high quality education, as well as all other support they need to have a better life by adopting a Latin American school system.

Ponce Ernest Samaniego is currently the co-founder and CEO of Outliers, a social enterprise that offers business expertise for non-profit organizations.

Jay Jaboneta established the “Philippine Funds for Little Kids”, a movement which helps schoolchildren in Zamboanga City who had to swim to go to school. He previously worked as a media of the Presidential Communications Operations Office under President Aquino.

Age doesn’t matter. Despite their young ages, they were still able to do something for their local community. It wouldn’t be a surprise, if these individuals could clearly see how their involvement in the community really changed things on a positive note in the future. They are bound to be remembered.

Source: Flores, H. 16 January 2012. 9 Pinoys chosen Global Shapers. Retrived from: http://www.philstar.com/pinoyworldwide/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=768252&section=pwwnewsarticle

Quismundo, T. 16 January 2012. Power of 9 awes, inspires young global shapers. Retrieved from: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/22911/power-of-9-awes-inspires-young-global-shapers

World Economic Forum: http://www.weforum.org