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by Kyle Pontillo
Makibahagi. Makibaka. Maki-anek.
Warming the path to a better world with sparks of well-intentioned passion, MSU-IIT Youth Chain of Peace (MYCOP) has blazed the trail for Mindanaoan youth-led organizations as one the honorees for the 21st Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards — National Awarding Ceremony held on August 19, 2024, at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre.
With Project PLAY+ (Peace Leadership Academy for the Youth), MYCOP is breaking cycles one at a time by forefronting the act of play as an act of peacebuilding, comprehensively integrating peace concepts into games, borne out of the well-heard conflict lines among Mindanaoan youth who aspires for a better, and more peaceful Mindanao. The project implores youth leaders to participate in activities articulated in modules like “Transforming Organizational Conflicts” and a work in progress named “Transitional Justice: Dealing with the Past, Healing, and Reconciliation,” capacitating them on the competencies of being a peace leader.
“When we were given the idea of TAYO, we said ‘Okay, we have a story to tell. We have something to offer to TAYO, and its goal of recognizing the collective efforts of the youth.” MYCOP President Jonathan Gelogo conveys when asked how MYCOP as an organization aligns with the advocacy that TAYO is fronting. He detailed how they only knew of TAYO last December, and that they have been doing Project PLAY since September, holding programs within MSU-IIT and extending to foreign lands within their youth network including Cambodia and Timor Leste.
Gelogo referenced Kiko Pangilinan when explaining TAYO as a body: “There's no such thing as the individual; everything you do should be collective.” TAYO as a foundation was built in 2002 through the efforts of then Senator Pangilinan, National Youth Commission Chairperson Mabel Mamba, and former NYC Commissioner Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, who saw award-giving bodies honoring everyone but the youth. Since then, TAYO has been decorating excellent youth groups in the country, with the fortunate inclusion of MYCOP for their 21st ceremony.
“Ang sabi ng marami, makasarili, walang pakialam—kebs, ang bagong henerasyon…” Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas spoke of the TAYO finalists on behalf of her brother Kiko Pangilinan. Arenas emphasized the existence of the attending youth-led organizations as the antithesis of this generalization; that the youth still holds the bigger hopes for peace in their communities and beyond.
“It feels, well, after the award, fulfilling. But, the overall thought of that was that it was never about the award in the first place,” Gelogo expressed, centering volunteerism as the heart of MYCOP. He recalled how for the top 20 finalists, it never felt like a competition. It was an opportunity to connect with other youth leaders, bonding over the struggles of such a thankless endeavor, yet motivated and genuine in bringing their advocacies to larger communities and connecting with more people.
Gelogo also repealed the idea of being a volunteer as a thankless job in earnest gratitude, testifying how the smiles that they get from the community affirm the value of their work and keep them going. He also stated how he did not envision himself in the position two years ago, and how he started by feeling the urgency to do something for the community. It always goes back to why one extends themselves to these activities, and how the idea of recognition counters the idea of being a volunteer.
And while the TAYO’s honor does validate the work that these organizations do, MYCOP believes that the foundation functions more as a networking opportunity. In a coincidental reiteration of a question by a judge for TAYO 21, asking how the foundation would influence MYCOP, Gelogo answered that it has opened doors and led them to communities that they never thought they would go to. TAYO’s platform gave them a much more credible voice and amplified their intent, further treading the path of what MYCOP’s purpose is.
“In a community laden with diversity, peace is our goal, play is our common ground.”
— MYCOP for Project PLAY+
“Makibahagi. Makibaka. Maki-anek sa mga gawain natin dito sa Mindanao and the peace process here,” Gelogo urges everyone to be part of MYCOP’s effort. He clarifies that they are not solving the peace process in the community because it is not their job, but they do their best to do something meaningful that comes from the volition of doing good, which does not have to be grand. MYCOP’s development, in partnership with TAYO, will pursue a new chapter to leverage what they can do in Iligan and other areas like the Municipality of Nunungan, which they believe best needs their help, among many spaces they aim to penetrate like Lanao del Norte and even BARMM.
Warming the path to a better world with sparks of well-intentioned passion, MSU-IIT Youth Chain of Peace (MYCOP) has blazed the trail for Mindanaoan youth-led organizations as one the honorees for the 21st Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards — National Awarding Ceremony held on August 19, 2024, at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre.
With Project PLAY+ (Peace Leadership Academy for the Youth), MYCOP is breaking cycles one at a time by forefronting the act of play as an act of peacebuilding, comprehensively integrating peace concepts into games, borne out of the well-heard conflict lines among Mindanaoan youth who aspires for a better, and more peaceful Mindanao. The project implores youth leaders to participate in activities articulated in modules like “Transforming Organizational Conflicts” and a work in progress named “Transitional Justice: Dealing with the Past, Healing, and Reconciliation,” capacitating them on the competencies of being a peace leader.
“When we were given the idea of TAYO, we said ‘Okay, we have a story to tell. We have something to offer to TAYO, and its goal of recognizing the collective efforts of the youth.” MYCOP President Jonathan Gelogo conveys when asked how MYCOP as an organization aligns with the advocacy that TAYO is fronting. He detailed how they only knew of TAYO last December, and that they have been doing Project PLAY since September, holding programs within MSU-IIT and extending to foreign lands within their youth network including Cambodia and Timor Leste.
Gelogo referenced Kiko Pangilinan when explaining TAYO as a body: “There's no such thing as the individual; everything you do should be collective.” TAYO as a foundation was built in 2002 through the efforts of then Senator Pangilinan, National Youth Commission Chairperson Mabel Mamba, and former NYC Commissioner Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, who saw award-giving bodies honoring everyone but the youth. Since then, TAYO has been decorating excellent youth groups in the country, with the fortunate inclusion of MYCOP for their 21st ceremony.
“Ang sabi ng marami, makasarili, walang pakialam—kebs, ang bagong henerasyon…” Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas spoke of the TAYO finalists on behalf of her brother Kiko Pangilinan. Arenas emphasized the existence of the attending youth-led organizations as the antithesis of this generalization; that the youth still holds the bigger hopes for peace in their communities and beyond.
“It feels, well, after the award, fulfilling. But, the overall thought of that was that it was never about the award in the first place,” Gelogo expressed, centering volunteerism as the heart of MYCOP. He recalled how for the top 20 finalists, it never felt like a competition. It was an opportunity to connect with other youth leaders, bonding over the struggles of such a thankless endeavor, yet motivated and genuine in bringing their advocacies to larger communities and connecting with more people.
Gelogo also repealed the idea of being a volunteer as a thankless job in earnest gratitude, testifying how the smiles that they get from the community affirm the value of their work and keep them going. He also stated how he did not envision himself in the position two years ago, and how he started by feeling the urgency to do something for the community. It always goes back to why one extends themselves to these activities, and how the idea of recognition counters the idea of being a volunteer.
And while the TAYO’s honor does validate the work that these organizations do, MYCOP believes that the foundation functions more as a networking opportunity. In a coincidental reiteration of a question by a judge for TAYO 21, asking how the foundation would influence MYCOP, Gelogo answered that it has opened doors and led them to communities that they never thought they would go to. TAYO’s platform gave them a much more credible voice and amplified their intent, further treading the path of what MYCOP’s purpose is.
“In a community laden with diversity, peace is our goal, play is our common ground.”
— MYCOP for Project PLAY+
“Makibahagi. Makibaka. Maki-anek sa mga gawain natin dito sa Mindanao and the peace process here,” Gelogo urges everyone to be part of MYCOP’s effort. He clarifies that they are not solving the peace process in the community because it is not their job, but they do their best to do something meaningful that comes from the volition of doing good, which does not have to be grand. MYCOP’s development, in partnership with TAYO, will pursue a new chapter to leverage what they can do in Iligan and other areas like the Municipality of Nunungan, which they believe best needs their help, among many spaces they aim to penetrate like Lanao del Norte and even BARMM.
In the spirit of their earnest gamble for a distant utopia of peace, MYCOP’s commitment perseveres as they walk greater lengths, carrying concrete values despite their tender age. It is efforts like these that spark the glimmer of hope towards nation-building that knows no age nor accolades; the flattery of a trophy, as young protégés of community work, have never veered the direction of their feet whose steps lead to bigger paths for a better future.
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