South China Morning Post: Hunger and debt: hit by Covid-19, farmers in the Philippines hope their children follow a different path

Asia 21 Leaders, Xyza Bacani and Cherri Atilano collaborated on a story for South China Morning Post on the effects of pandemic-- disruptions to the supply of vegetables thus devastating the livelihood of farmers in the Philippines.

“We need to find a better mechanism for helping the farmers on their post-harvest facilities, transportation support, better access to the market as well as financial support to continue farming.”

The current crisis, [Atilano] said, “should teach us a lesson” to take a holistic approach and create business models that could thrive in the post-pandemic world.

Photo credit: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065707

Inquirer: Civic education and the Filipino Voter

“While all the traditional voter education programs are important, we have to look ahead and create a vision for the next generation of voters and citizens. We start by integrating civic education, civic values, and democratic attitudes and behavior into our core education system in a way that changes the way we understand progress and democracy.“

Ms. Ching Jorge, an Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative fellow, shares her insights on the importance of civic education for Filipino voters in this piece she’s written for the Inquirer.

Inquirer: Globe, Mano Amiga bring STEM program to underprivileged students

Asia 21 Young Leader, Lynn Pinugu, is the Executive Director of Mano Amiga, a school that provides affordable, high-quality K-12 education to disadvantaged learners. Globe Telecome and Mano Amiga have joined hands in developing the “Globe Maker Lab and Innovation Hub”, a program designed to enhance the delivery of world class STEM education to underprivileged K-to-12 students.

CNN Philippines Anya Lim with Angel Jacob on Leading Women

Asia 21 Young Leader and Social Entrepreneur Anya Lim helps keep the weaving tradition alive with her Cebu-based brand ANTHILL Fabric Gallery by creating face masks for frontliners and providing livelihood opportunities for women weavers. 

Fiction by Asia 21 Young Leader, Quintin Pastrana, Set During Peñafrancia in the Time of Darkness

The author dedicates the short story to "the memory of Kian, Emmanuel, Myca, Kim, and countless others, and their nameless constellations in the gloaming."  (Esquire Magazine)

Voice of Reason by Jonty Cruz

Talking to Asia 21 Young Leader, Cecile Dominguez-Yujuico, about the business of communications, the struggle of the last several months, and the pressure of the supermom myth.

PH Edtech Startup Edukasyon Closes Second Tranche of Series A Funding by Mars Mosqueda Jr. 

Edukasyon.ph, an education technology startup in the Philippines, founded by Asia 21 Young Leader, Henry Motte-Muñoz, has made another close of its Series A Funding round, raising an undisclosed amount from a number of new investors, according to a company announcement. 

CNN Philippines: Agri biz founder named as new Food Security Ambassador 

The Department of Agriculture has named a young farmer, entrepreneur, and Asia 21 Young Leader, Cherrie Atilano as its new Food Security Ambassador to encourage Filipino youth to get into agriculture.