At 24, Ivan strives to become a powerful voice for youth empowerment, child protection, and social justice in his community. A student of public administration and a freelance graphic designer and social media manager, Ivan is not only passionate about his work but also about making a real difference.
Growing up in a coastal village in Occidental Mindoro, Ivan witnessed firsthand the challenges his community faced. But it was also here, amidst those struggles, that he discovered his deep sense of responsibility—shaped by his family’s values of volunteerism and service. Living by the sea, he was acutely aware of the need for sustainable development and the protection of the environment. These early experiences became the foundation for his ongoing advocacy efforts.
Rising against the challenge
Ivan had long been an advocate for youth empowerment, but the scale of the issues of children and youth in their community required more than just passion—it required a collaborative and strategic approach.
“I strive to continue our efforts to bring these stories in forums and youth discussions not just to prove that these issues exist but to fight for the protection of my fellow children and youth.”
Motivated by his vision of a better community, Ivan embraced the challenge of leadership and ran for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson. Under Ivan’s leadership, his council was recognised as one of the Top 20 Outstanding Sangguniang Kabataan Councils in the Philippines and was awarded the title of Outstanding Sangguniang Kabataan in Occidental Mindoro.
Ivan recalls several conversations with young individuals from his community who experienced (or are experiencing) early and forced marriages and unions (CEFMU) and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), and are applying for the SK Educational Assistance Programme. Some are experiencing teenage pregnancy and were later forced by their parents and guardians to live with the father of their children, while some are selling explicit photos online in exchange for mobile credits or money. Most of these young individuals, Ivan noted, have only later realised that these are forms of child abuse.
In one of these interviews, an applicant confided to Ivan, “parang wala naman akong choice, kasi sabi ng nanay ko, mas nakakahiya kung hindi ko sasamahan yung ama ng dinadala ko. Walang bubuhay sa magiging anak ko.” (I don’t think I have a choice because my mother believes that it is embarassing if I didn’t live with the father of my child. There will be no one to support my baby.)
For Ivan, such issues being experienced by the youth are deeply rooted, not just from the pressure coming from the family but on the Filipino’s notion of “hiya” or sense of shame.
“These are not just personal problems, these are [child] protection issues that need to be addressed,” Ivan stressed.
For Ivan, leadership is not just about the position—it’s about making a tangible impact.
“I strive to continue our efforts to bring these stories in forums and youth discussions not just to prove that these issues exist but to fight for the protection of my fellow children and youth,” Ivan said.
A youth leader taking action
One of the issues close to Ivan’s heart is child protection, while his advocacies extend to environmental sustainability and the active involvement of young people in shaping their communities. His community has one of the highest reported cases of children in especially difficult circumstances in the municipality of San Jose.
This stark reality is what led Plan International Pilipinas’ Casting a Wider Net: A Systems Approach for the Reintegration and Support of Child Abuse Survivors in the Philippines Project to choose his community as one of its programme areas. Casting a Wider Net Project focuses on addressing child trafficking, OSAEC, and the dangers of early and forced marriages and unions.
Ivan recognised the project as a lifeline for his community—a chance not just to protect vulnerable children, but to spark lasting change.
“I didn’t just want to raise awareness—I wanted to empower others,” Ivan says.
A three-day youth peer educators (YPE) training was held by the Casting a Wider Net Project to help develop youth leaders in Ivan’s community that will spearhead the action against child trafficking, OSAEC, and CEFMU. This training proved to be a transformative experience for Ivan and his peers.
“This training is unique from all of my previous trainings, because it does not end in the training. We need to share it with others, and we need to lead the call to action in our community,” Ivan shared.
Equipped with new skills and insights, Ivan spearheaded roll-out sessions in partnership with local agencies and schools that aim to empower other children in addressing child abuse and exploitation.
The road ahead
Ivan’s commitment didn’t stop there. To ensure sustainability, he initiated monthly follow-up sessions to mentor youth leaders and create a safe space to voice out their concern. Ivan and his SK councillors also mapped out youth at-risk of early marriage, ensuring that those individuals can receive the help they needed through the project.
“I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about solving the problems we see today—it’s about building a future where those problems no longer exist.”
Looking ahead, Ivan is actively working to have the YPE program registered under the National Youth Commission’s (NYC) Youth Organisation Registration Program (YORP), a move that would ensure the advocacy continues beyond the project’s closure in 2026.
“I want this movement to thrive, even after my time as SK Chair. It’s about creating a legacy of protection and empowerment,” he says with determination.
Today, Ivan stands as a beacon of hope in his community. His leadership has not only inspired a cultural shift but has also empowered young people to become advocates and educators in their own right. The fight against child exploitation in San Jose has gained new energy, and Ivan’s story is a testament to the transformative power of youth leadership.
“I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about solving the problems we see today—it’s about building a future where those problems no longer exist,” Ivan reflects, his voice steady with conviction. Through his journey, Ivan has proven that when young people are empowered and given the right tools, they can become the architects of a safer, brighter tomorrow.
And in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, that tomorrow is already beginning to take shape.
Casting a Wider Net: A Systems Approach for Reintegration and Support of Child Abuse Survivors in the Philippines works side-by-side with children and youth (CAY) like Ivan from Occidental Mindoro, Western Samar, and Tacloban City as trained Youth Peer Educators (YPEs). YPEs use their innovative skills and talents to raise the awareness of fellow CAYs about child protection issues.
This story was co-written with Ivan.
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