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Villar Foundation Honors Outstanding Youth Organization for Poverty Alleviation Efforts

DT

The Villar Foundation recently recognized several outstanding youth organizations across the country for their contributions to poverty alleviation within their communities.

Now in its eighth year, this initiative reflects the Villar Foundation's continued commitment to youth empowerment, with the aim of further inspiring young individuals to play an active role in nation building. The award serves as formal recognition of the youth's unwavering efforts, passion, and selfless dedication to fostering positive change within society.

For this year, the Foundation received sixty-seven (67) nominations from youth groups across the country. Each entry underwen erwet a rigorous selection process based on criteria such as originality and uniqueness, adaptability, sustainability, and impact on community upliftment.

At the awarding ceremony held on July 31 in Las Piñas City, ten youth groups were named Outstanding Youth Organizations, each receiving a P150,000 cash prize and a trophy. Additionally, two groups were honored with a Special Award, each receiving a certificate and a 100,000 cash prize.

The event was led by the Villar family former Senate President Manny Villar, former Senator Cynthia Villar, and Senators Mark and Camille Villar, and was graced by past awardees who continue to support the program's advocacy of empowering Filipino youth as agents of change.

Senator Camille Villar encouraged the youth to use the platform to share ideas, drive change, and uplift lives. 'The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow,they are already leading the way today,' she said.

"The Villar foundation is always rooting in empowering the Filipino to livelihood, education and community riven innovations,"she added.

Senator Mark Villar on the other hand, express his belief that the youth should be given importance.

The annual program seeks to Inspire inspire young Filipinos to take part in social progress by promoting leadership, innovation, and civie responsibility.

2025 Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge Awardees

NCR: Youth for Environmental Sustainability Organization (YESO) Based in Commonwealth, Quezon City, the group runs the ResKYUSI program to figth malnuration, by turning unsold fruits and vegetables to health meals for the community. They promote environmental care through waste segregation, composting and vermi-composting. They partners with groups like Australia Aid and OXFAM. YESO has earned awards including the QC Green Awards, Walang Gutom Award, Galing Pook Award, Barangay Kontra Gutom 3.0 (District II) Top 3 Winner, and the Outstanding Project award from the Philippine SK Awards.
CAR: Cordillera Young Leader Registered in SEC in 2023, this youth led group from La Trinidad, Beuguet empowers ages 18-35 through programs in health, education, environment, and culture. They run ten main programs, including tree planting (10KOKO), leadership training (SIRIB), public health (Pansigedan di Kordilyera), mental wellness (Project HOPE), & medical missions that have helped over 158,000 people. Other programs support tourism, arts and culture, sports, digital learning, entrepreneurship, and gender equality. They fund activities through events, backed by local and global volunteers.
CAR: Kalinga Youth Advocates (KYA) Estahlislled in 2019 in Liwag, Rizal, Kalinga. this youth-led group is known for its livelihood initiative, Win Quit Coffee Blend, a locally brewed Robusta coffee. Beyond entrepreneurship, they run several community programs, including the Minagtulung Pantry, which has provided food and clothing to 1,516 beneficiaries. They have also offered financial assistance to seven underprivileged college students for school uniforms and shoes, organized medical and dental missions benefiting 1,350 residents, and provided online mental health coaching to 402 young participants.
REGION 3: BAGWE Community Development Association (BCDA) Founded on July 7, 2023, in Candelaria, Zambales, BCDA has grown from 25 Lo 151 members. With initial capital of P150,000, they now manage P3 million in assets, including a hydroponics greenhouse, fish tank, and processing facility. Their programs cover hydroponics, food processing, literacy training, student support, and cleanup drives. Their hydroponics program is PhilGAP-certified, and they placed 2nd in BFAR's Fish Core Cooking Contest. They also work with Pres. Ramon Magsaysay State University on fish and mushroom-based enterprises.
REGION 4A: The BANG CAFE Located in Taytay, Rizal, this SEC-registered, family-run social enterprise founded by Gaddie Mallari which started with 9 members and ₱150,000 in capital. The organization supports youth, especially out-of-school youth, through full scholarships with flexible work hours, as long as students keep passing grades. Six scholars have graduated and become self-reliant. They also run feeding programs, open their restaurant as an evacuation center, and help local sellers showcase products. Their restaurant highlights Taytay's culture through food. Other efforts include Bags of Hope, river cleanups, and disaster relief.
REGION 4A: Messiah Youth Symphony, Inc. Located in Dasmariñas, Cavite, this music group was established in April 2023 by Ryan C. Encabo and six others. From an initial capital of ₱50,000, the group has grown to 70 members and now holds assets worth P2.675 million. Funded through concerts, they recruit scholars from public schools, grades 7 to 12, teaching them to play instruments and giving performance opportunities. The group help scholars secure college scholarships and gigs locally and abroad, promoting music as a form of self expression arid coping. Scholars commit to paying it forward by offering free music lessons to other youth.
REGION 4A: Angelicao Voce Chorale. The chorale founded in December 2012 by Mary Elaine Q. Molina, the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish choir in Gen. Trias, Cavite, has grown from 20 to 57 members, including 18 trainees. They conduct voice workshops for juniors and trainees, building a pool of singers for the church while promoting selfconfidence, musical excellence, and community service through free music education and outreach. The group has costumes and ₱33,000 in cash. It is self-funded, run by a small committee, and members contribute ₱1 to ₱5 weekly. They hold team-building events and fundraise for medical and church needs.
REGION 5: Albay Young Farmers' Organization (AYFO). Established in February 2021, AYFO is registered with the SEC (2022) and the National Youth Council (2023). Based in Legazpi City, the organization has grown from 221 members to 2,376 today. Its main activity is distributing seeds and teaching organic fertilizer and natural concoction methods to help beneficiaries start their own gardens and promote healthy eating. AYFO has received multiple awards, including the UNESCO Best Paper Presentation (2022), San Miguel Better World Award (2023), Most Outstanding Youth Organization by the Department of Agriculture (2024 and 2025), and the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (2023).
REGION 7: Youthopia Leaders Advocates, Inc. Located in Danao City, Cebu. this organization is SEC-registered and accredited by the National Youth Commission, CDA, and DILG. Their programs offers free leadership development to empower youth as leaders through community engagement. Their Greentech Association promotes sustainable farming, urban gardening, agritech, and ecoentrepreneurship.In partnership with DSWD their Walang Gulom Program not only distributes food packs but also educates beneficiaries on healthy eating. They established the Youth Coop and YouLeadCo Mart, a store selling goods to members and the public. They also provide free training in digital printing, commerce, graphic design, photography, and life skills.
REGION 9: 4 H Club La Pazeños. Located in Barangay La Paz. Zamboanga City, this youth group composed of members aged 15 to 30, manages a thriving community garden that serves as both a learning space and a source of fresh produce. The garden teaches valuable life skills such as food cultivation, leadership, creativity, responsibility, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Through handson activities, the group promotes sustainable food systems that benefit the community, encouraging local food production and environmental care. Their efforts are supported by the Zamboanga City LGU and the Dept. of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Region 9, ensuring access to resources, training, and technical guidance.
The Pag- Asa Pilar Percussion ( Special Award ) Located in Pug-asa Compound. Pilar Village. Las Piñas City, this dynamic music group was founded on May 8, 2021, under the leadership of band coordinator Heidi S. Timbang. The group has grown to include 35 to 40 talented members. They perform regularly, earning an average of ₱20,000 per gig, with individual member compensation ranging from ₱500 to ₱700. Their collective assets are currently valued at ₱55,000. Their programs offers free music education and percussion training to foster teamwork, discipline, creativity, and confidence, helping students develop skills, and become responsible individuals and community members.
Gabriel Compound Youth Organization (Speeial Award) Based in Pulanglupa Uno Las Piñas City this youth group traces its roots back to 1969, originally established under the name Batang Esso. Officially registered with the National Youth Commission in 2022, the group has grew from 10 founding members to 138 active youths today. They sustains their initiatives through regular fundraising activities and generous alumni donations. Their programs includes leadership training, health seminars, feeding programs, disaster relief efforts, sports events, and an annual gift-giving tradition. Their dedication to community has earned them recognition as the Most Outstanding Youth Organization in Las Piñas City for both 2023 and 2024.