Mang Inasal supports youth, civic engagement

Mang Inasal has strengthened its commitment to nation-building and youth empowerment by supporting Rappler’s #AmbagNatin: Engage for Change civic empowerment roadshow, a multi-city initiative held in Zamboanga, Pangasinan, and Metro Manila from September to October 2025.

The roadshow brought together citizens, community leaders, local officials, and youth participants to promote active civic participation and address quality-of-life issues affecting Filipino communities. Across its three legs, the initiative tackled governance, media literacy, climate resilience, public safety, education, cost of living, and digital responsibility.

As one of Rappler’s key partners and sponsors, Mang Inasal supported the program’s goal of creating safe spaces for dialogue, learning, and community-driven storytelling.

The first leg, held from September 3 to 6 in partnership with Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Now You Know, featured a public forum with local government and civil society leaders, along with workshops that trained selected youth participants to become Rappler “Movers,” or civic engagement volunteers focused on community journalism.

The roadshow then moved to Far Eastern University in Metro Manila on September 16 in observance of Grandparents’ Day. Titled “Lolo at Lola Laban Sa Scam,” the event focused on media literacy, fact-checking, and digital safety, equipping senior citizens and younger family members with tools to guard against scams and disinformation. The intergenerational forum highlighted the importance of responsible digital engagement across age groups.

The final leg was held in Pangasinan from September 29 to October 2 in partnership with Pangasinan State University and the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Students and young storytellers joined hands-on journalism workshops, while a public forum in Dagupan brought together citizens and local leaders to discuss regional concerns, including climate resilience, transportation, education, and fisherfolk welfare.

For Mang Inasal, backing initiatives like Engage for Change reflects its broader commitment to uplifting Filipino communities beyond its restaurants nationwide.

“Through our Kaing Mang Inasal campaign, we communicate how the brand helps create safe spaces in its over 597 stores nationwide, where everyone is free to be themselves as they enjoy our Ihaw-SARAP meals,” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. “Our support to Engage for Change is aligned with this commitment. By helping young people engage with local issues, promote civic engagement, and find their voice in telling the stories of their communities, we do our bit in contributing to meaningful change, among our customers.”

The partnership also aligns with Mang Inasal’s values of mahusay, masayahin, mapagmalasakit, and buo ang loob, emphasizing the importance of togetherness and community participation.

“Mang Inasal has always been about bringing people together. Supporting Rappler’s Engage for Change program allows us to extend that purpose, not only through food, but through initiatives that inspire social awareness, collaboration, and civic responsibility,” Castro added.

Through its participation in the multi-city roadshow, Mang Inasal reaffirmed its belief that empowered individuals and informed communities, particularly the youth, play a vital role in nation-building.