This year's theme for Youth Week (Linggo ng Kabataan), held from August 10 to 17, is "Different Context, Common Aspiration."
For the city government of San Pedro, Laguna under Mayor Art Mercado, this year’s theme has a special significance for a city that has become one of the most populous urban complexes in Laguna province – a city where its prime resources are the talents of its people.
“Different orientations, different origins, different upbringing. But San Pedrense youth all have a common aspiration: youth development and nation-building,” was how Glenn Torrecampo, head of the San Pedro City Youth and Sports Development Office, explained it to OpinYon Laguna.
Active participation
This year's lineup of activities for Youth Week aims not only to promote the welfare and well-being of San Pedrense youth but also encourage them to become active participants in a common goal to become "Una sa Laguna."
Along with the usual run of sports-related activities such as the Mayor's Cup Inter-Barangay Basketball Tournament and livelihood-oriented activities such as the Paligsahan ng Booth Pangkabataan at YORP Caravan last August 18, the city government also spearheaded the "Junior Officials" and "Junior Department Heads" program, where selected San Pedrense youth were given first-hand experience in the workings of local governance.
In today's era of social media, artificial intelligence and the rapid spread of information, Torrecampo also highlighted the youth’s vital role in countering fake news and disinformation.
This was the main goal of the "Talakayang Pangkabataan: A Youth Summit on Countering Fake News and Disinformation" held on August 18.
“We invited Build Pilipinas, a non-government organization whose main goal is to counter disinformation, as our partners in this venture,” he related.
Project San Pedro Excels
It was also during Youth Week that the San Pedro CYSDO launched its own program aimed at recognizing the talents and achievements of San Pedrense youth.
Through the project, dubbed “Project San Pedro Excels,” Torrecampo said the CYSDO plans to build a database of San Pedrense youth who have excelled in various fields – whether they are athletes, artists, performers, or those who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen careers.
“Iba pa po ito sa ‘Gawad Parangal Academic Excellence Awards’ na siya naman pong ipinagkakaloob sa mga mayroong academic achievements gaya ng Latin honors,” the CYSDO chief explained.
“Ito pong ‘Project San Pedro Excels’ ay naglalayong mabigyan din naman po ng pagkilala yung mga taga-San Pedro na nag-excel din naman sa ibang mga larangan.”
Through a comprehensive documentation of their journeys and accomplishments, the project aims to create a lasting record of the individuals who continue to bring pride and honor to the city.
(Report by Catherine Go)