Forty student-participants coming from state universities and public colleges throughout the country like FEU, PUP, Jose Rizal University, and Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila were recently given life-changing opportunities at this year’s ARC Young Leaders Camp (ARCYLC) as they undertook a one-of-a kind leadership training program with some of the country’s movers and change-makers.
The ARCYLC is a youth leadership program of ARC Refreshments Corporation, the licensed bottler of RC Cola International (RCCI) in the Philippines, which aims to bring forth high potential, underprivileged student achievers who could very well be the country’s leaders in the future.
ARCYLC History
Since its inception in 2012, the annual flagship corporate social responsibility program of ARC has dynamically evolved, continuously planting the seeds of leadership among the Filipino youth. The theme for this year is “Inspiring dreamers to become leaders.”
“ARC knows that inspiring and nurturing these students (who cannot afford the high participation fee on leadership camps) could certainly make an impact in their lives and inspire them to promote positive change,” explains Mr. Gerry T. Garcia, ARC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Garcia further revealed that for this year’s youth camp, the company has endeavoured to cover more colleges, tapping 41 schools and inviting over 200 student applicants. These student hopefuls all went through a rigorous screening process, then shortlisted to about a hundred after undergoing a panel interview conducted by executives of ARC.
“What had set these 40 camp delegates apart from the other applicants are their evident leadership qualities and their determination to finish school despite financial difficulties,” Garcia points out. “Majority of those chosen are also only able to attend school through scholarship programs provided by philanthropic individuals or organizations.”
ARCYLC in Cavite
This year’s delegates were housed at Camp Benjamin in Alfonso, Cavite and had to undergo team discussions, experiential activities and reflections as part of the training. They also got to interact with some of the country’s change-makers who gave them first-hand advice on how to create change and lead in their schools, in their communities and eventually, in society and the entire nation.
“What had set this year’s camp apart,” beamed Garcia, “is the fact that we have invited the best speakers from the four previous camps, choosing tried and tested speakers who can provide greater inspiration to the camp participants. For this year’s presenters, we have again invited one of the most well loved speakers at the first camp, a CNN Hero of the Year awardee, and Southeast Asia’s first awardee of an international children’s peace prize,” he added.
One other key highlight of this year’s program was the organizer’s decision to bring in past graduates of the camp to serve as peer mentors and inspirational speakers to the new batch. One of those invited to speak at this year’s youth camp was Salina Biene Teo of UST and one of ARCYLC’s very own home-grown alumni from batch 2015.
To get the latest updates, check out the ARC Young Leaders Camp community page at https://www.facebook.com/ARC-Young-Leaders-Camp-959821600730789/?fref=ts. You can also visit the camp’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/arc.ylc
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