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The Role of the Youth: In Tackling The Challenges of the New Energy Future

Abraham Guiyab, University of Asia and the Pacific

Grand Prize Winner

Grand Prize Winner Abraham Guiyab is not one to rest on his laurels. For him, it is not enough to pursue his Master of Arts in Political Economy with a Specialization in International Relations and Development and study French at the same time. His ultimate goal is to be able to take part in shaping national economic policy focusing on development and poverty alleviation.  He hopes to use his skills and research-based orientation to improve the country’s economic policy and help steer it towards more sustainable, egalitarian, economic growth.

Abraham aims to climb the academic ladder by taking up both Law and Development Economics after accomplishing his master’s degree. Should opportunity arises, he also plans to study abroad to specialize in Development and Social Economics and learn more foreign languages.

John Constantino Cordon, Silliman University

Second Place

A budding journalist, JC Cordon wishes to take his environmental reporting on a higher plane.  His goal is to master the craft of investigative reporting which he can use to dig deeper into environmental issues. He hopes that the Environment beat would be given much importance as that of politics or business or sports section of the newspaper. JC sees much improvement needed in Environment coverage and wishes that the media would ask more pertinent questions with the present administration such as on its environmental plan, its portfolio for climate change adaptation, anti-pollution programs, renewable energy sources, and even disaster response strategies. He is also wishing to gain a post-graduate degree from a university abroad.

Leonina Mendoza Morillo, University of the Philippines-Diliman

Third Place

Consistently stellar in her academic achievements, Inna as she is fondly called by friends, was valedictorian in her grade school and high school years. She was also conferred a Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership. College life was no different as she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in B.S. in Economics and took part in leadership endeavors – serving as Education and Research Councilor in 2008 to 2009 and Chairperson of the UP School of Economics Student Council the next school year.  She is currently pursuing her MA in Economics in UP-Diliman. Set to serve the country by specializing in Economics, specifically in Institutional Economics and with plans to also take up a Law degree, Inna plans to further her studies abroad to help make a positive impact in our society.

Francis Emralino, UP-Los Banos

Consolation Prize

A graduate of B.S. Applied Physics, Francis Emralino plans to work in a government institution to help improve technologies or make new ones for society’s consumption. Concurrent with his work, Francis is set to use his writing skills to be able to promote history – believing that the Filipinos need to intensify their interest in history because knowledge of the past lead to well-grounded decisions. He also believes that a sound educational system is crucial to giving ‘birth’ to better and stronger citizenry, hence, he aspires to be part of the academe and plans to take formal education to prepare himself for the rigorous profession of teaching. Francis expresses his desire to work only in Philippine soil stating that his actions may “hopefully contribute to a culture of putting more attention in the country’s needs first.”

Special Categories

Sergio Sarza Jr., Pearce University (US)

Strategic Measures in Ensuring the Success of Competitive Electricity Markets

Currently pursuing an Associate in Chemistry degree in the US, Special Category winner Sergio Sarza Jr., is one young aspiring leader who tries to critically analyze world problems in order to give them realistic solutions and set attainable goals. He admits that his essay proposal may initially be a “hard pill to swallow” to some of his fellowmen. However, he believes that “if Filipinos can finally rationalize and take these hard pills down, a struggling nation like ours can rise up and eventually take its place “in the league of developed nations.” He plans to eventually obtain a Biomedical Engineering degree, with a thesis on Hepatitis research and algae as a source of energy. Then, he also wishes to enter medical school to get specialization in Neurobiological and Microbiological sciences. Sergio Jr.aims to come back to his home country after his academic stint in the US and be able to apply his ‘learnings’ and become part of the endeavors in rebuilding the nation.

Maria Pacita C. Joson, UST

Clean Energy Solutions

A full-time graduate student of the University of Santo Tomas pursuing her Communications degree, Marisse as she likes to be called, divulges that she was initially a stranger to the Energy sector, just like the regular Filipino. The years-old dilemma plaguing the Industry is in fact quite telling not only of the volatility of Philippine politics, but is also a good mirror of Philippine society. She notes that several changes would have to be done not only in terms of educating the consumers regarding energy, but also for the policymakers and industry players to acquire a balance of profit and service. Communicating about the intricacies of the industry and the solutions to address its problems, when she goes back to the corporate world after finishing her thesis, is a challenge she looks forward to conquer.