Event Geek

Following the launching of the sixth season of Young Minds Academy (YMA) last Jan. 21, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is now accepting applications for the program. YMA is a youth leadership and citizenship development program of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) of RAFI aimed at developing young people to become responsible and accountable leaders and proactive citizens ready to serve the public and its interests.

This is done through awareness raising, experiential education, immersion, and open discourse, among others. It is open to young people aged 12 to 20 years old. YMA was launched in October 2006 and already ran for five seasons, including a special summer edition held in 2009 for Region 8.

“Through this program, I have discovered what kind of leader I want to be. The change has started in me already. Now it’s my time to be a role model to others,” said 15-year old Jessica Therese Vestil, a scholar of last season’s YMA.

 For Sean Timothy Salvador, 18, another YMA season 5 scholar, he said that YMA taught him to use his life as a daily opportunity to become a blessing to every person he meets and help change their lives for the better.

 To join the sixth season of YMA, interested applicants must form a team of five members under one of the following categories: Generation A (17-20 years old) and Generation B (12-16 years old).

List of team and individual requirements and application forms may be obtained from the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center, or downloaded at www.rafi.org.ph.

Deadline for the submission of applications is on February 20, 2012.

YMA is sponsored by UnionBank of the Philippines. It is one of the programs under RAFI’s Leadership & Citizenship focus area, which gathers and nurtures future leaders and influencers ready to effect change. Its other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education. For more information about YMA, please call 418-7234 loc 110 and look for Mel Yan, or email mel.yan@rafi.org.ph, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.

Roberto Aboitiz, president of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), emphasizes to the new batch of scholars of RAFI’s Young Minds Academy their important role in nation-building. (Inset) Scholars sign their covenants to show their commitment to fully participate in the youth development program designed to develop young leaders who are ready to serve the public and its interests.

Five months since it culminated the fourth season of the Young Minds Academy (YMA), the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) held a covenant signing and orientation last Feb. 12, which signalled the commencement of the fifth season of YMA.

During the signing held at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center, 89 scholars representing 18 teams inked contracts that signify their willingness to fully participate in and finish the eight-month YMA program that will include experiential education, learning visits and youth exchanges, capability building, immersion, research and concept development, and conference.

The signing was also attended by RAFI President Roberto Aboitiz; his daughter, Amaya; and Maria Goolsby of the Unionbank of the Philippines. Unionbank and City Savings Bank are partners of RAFI for the YMA program.

“We’re very excited about YMA 5. It is a program for the youth who have the potentials in nation-building. Through YMA, you will be trained to be action-oriented,” Aboitiz addressed the scholars before the covenant signing.

The YMA 5 scholars went through rigorous screening process, which included an Intelligence Quotient and personality test, essay writing, team dynamics, and panel interview before they were accepted in the program.

YMA is a youth leadership and citizenship development program of RAFI that aims to develop young leaders who are ready to serve the public and its interests.

It was launched last October 2006 and already ran for four seasons, including a special summer edition held in 2009 for Region 8.

It is one of the programs under RAFI’s Leadership & Citizenship focus area, one of the five focus areas in RAFI’s comprehensive approach to elevating lives and communities. Its other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education.

Unlike the previous runs wherein there were three categories, YMA 5 will feature only two—Generation A (17-20 years old) and Generation B (12-16 years old). The program modules are anchored on the theme of poverty and social welfare, which is based on the Millennium Development Goals. Formal training of the scholars starts in March.

For more information about YMA 5, please contact 418-7234 loc. 110 and look for Mel Yan.

YMA Season 5 is open to all young people aged 12-20 years old who want to enhance their competence, strengthen their character and practice active citizenship.

How to join?

A. Form a team of five (5) members under one of the following categories:
• Generation A : 17-20 years old
• Generation B : 12-16 years old

B. Accomplish the following:

Team requirements
1. Completed team application form (YMA Application Form 01)
2. Letter of recommendation and support from any of the following: school, barangay, office/organization, church, or whatever group the team is representing indicating their willingness and commitment to monitor the team and ensure that they abide by the rules and comply with the requirements of YMA.
3. A Team Accountability Partner who shall serve as a team partner, ensuring and monitoring the team’s compliance in YMA requirements.

Individual Requirements
1. Completed individual application form (YMA Application Form 02)
2. Completed medical review and release of liability form (YMA Application Form 03)
3. Certified true copy of birth certificate
4. An essay on “What citizenship means to me” in no more than 300 words (Arial, 11, double spaced, short bond paper)
5. A fee of Php 500* to be paid on the following installments:
• Php 300 upon taking the qualifying exams (first screening)
• Php 200 upon covenant signing (final admission to the Academy)
(*Actual cost of the program is around Php30,000 per scholar. RAFI will shoulder Php25,000 while City Savings Bank and UnionBank will shoulder Php4,500 per scholar).

C. Submit completed application forms and requirements to RAFI for short listing and screening. You may mail or submit in person at the following address:

The Executive Director
Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
35 Lopez Jaena St. Cebu City 6000

Deadline for application is on January 10, 2011.

Get your application forms from the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center, 35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City or download them at www.rafi.org.ph.

For your queries, please feel free to contact us through Mel Yan at 418-7234 loc 110 or email mel.yan@rafi.org.ph.