VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK (VOTY NETWORK) is about encouraging Filipino Youth to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference in our country the Philippines. They create environments where people are exposed to new thinking, a diversity of voices, and new opportunities. Driven by youth, their goal is to foster a sense of leadership, participation and social entrepreneurship through the innovative use of technology and media, creating meaningful experiences for the youth in the Philippines.

VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORKS’
“YOUTHINK AND LINK”
How do you empower apathetic and ignorant young people to make a difference? How do you maximize the efforts of youth leaders who are actively promoting social change? Where will you get the information that is necessary for the real youth development? Such questions have long motivated Pocholo Gonzales in his work as a youth advocate. He sees great promise for engaging the active participation of Philippine youth in helping to revolutionize a range of critical social problems."With young people – ages 15 to 30 – making up one-third of the Filipino population, they play an increasing large role in the development of Philippine society," says Pocholo. "Their attitudes, values, mindset, and priorities have a critical role to play in shaping the future of our country."In December 2002, through his founded organization TINIG KABATAAN, he started the VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK's! YOUTHINK AND LINK. He believes that the media – radio, TV, newspaper, mobile phones and the Internet offers an influential means to inspire, inform, and involve youth. A critical component of VOTY’s effort is the use of the Internet to facilitate communication and information-sharing that are once being dominated by a certain youth group.Its website (www.voty.org) contains information on youth participation; a calendar of local, national and international events; newsletter; relevant links and issues. E-mail discussion groups also enable youth to share what they know and network with one another.The PHILIPPINES has firmly established its reputation as the "texting" capital of the world, with this technology and "pay-it-forward" strategic plan VOTY had informed and reached more than 100,000 youth through email, 5,000 through SMS and continuously collecting more emails and mobile phone numbers.VOTY uses General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), it allows information to be sent and received across a mobile phone network. He has also educated countless newspaper readers and VOTY radio program "VOICE OF THE YOUTH" and "LAKAS KABATAAN, TINIG KABATAAN! RECHARGED! " (YOUTH POWER, VOICE OF THE YOUTH!! RECHARGE!! aired every Saturday at DZME 1530 khz. 12-1 P.M. with 500,000 youth listeners the right uses of technology.He utilized today’s communications technologies by strengthening youth participation, leadership and empowerment. VOTY’s flagship program the YOUTH ACTION FORUMS has already created a big impact to its members and its communities. VOTY dream of creating a national youth centre in the Philippines and has given numerous Filipino youth the opportunity to understand organizational issues, develop their own advocacy skills and actively engaged in identifying their needs, capabilities and talents allowing them to be empowered to change the cycle of their lives and make a difference.

http://www.voty.org

VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK BLOGGER

Oriental Mindoro Youth Action Forum: A Step in Making a Difference
Oriental Mindoro Youth Action Forum: A Step in Making a Difference





Inspire.Inform. Empower. Involve.



Three ‘incredible’ men stepped in the island of Oriental Mindoro to establish a chapter of Voice of the Youth (VOTY) Network and Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines (NCJP) at the Divine Word College of Calapan Gym, Calapan City, November 18, 2004.



The event was dubbed “Oriental Mindoro Youth Action Forum.”



Youth serving youth. Voice of the Youth Network (VOTY) is an organization aiming to empower the Filipino youth and tell the world that the youth has a voice that should be heard.

Emilson A. Goco, Regional Task Force Convenor of the National Youth Commission-National Youth Parliament-MIMAROPA, was inspired by the organizations’ goals and principles. With the help of technology, he invited the noble founder of VOTY, Pocholo “Choy” Gonzales to establish a chapter in Oriental Mindoro.



Together with Rommel Brillantes, Provincial Chairman of VOTY Quirino Province Chapter and Al Ian Barcelona, one of VOTY Directors, they selflessly accepted the invitation without expecting for fee and extravagant accommodation. They did not mind the bad weather, instead struggled the typhoon Unding just to reach Calapan City.

Being hospitable hosts, the organizers of the forum, Ruel D. Quinzon, Provincial Youth Development Council Chairman; Rene M. Colocar, DWCC Research, Planning and External Affairs Coordinator, Kathlene Cyrele Cuyas, Or. Mindoro SK Federation President; Emilson A. Goco, NYP Regional Convenor; Larsie Mañibo, Polytechnic College of Calapan Student Council President; Leiffrey Z. Gargullo, The DWCC Gazette Editor-in-Chief; Racquel G. Garcia, The DWCC Gazette Associate Editor and Harvey Pinohermoso of DeMolay, welcomed the three in a casual and simple party.



They enlivened the night with their inspiring yet humorous stories and jokes. Choy, Ian and Rommel said that they are also ordinary young people who enjoy parties and recreations. What made them extraordinary was their genuine intention of serving the youth.



Mission Accomplished. Two hundred fifty (250) Mindoreño youth filled the DWCC Gymnasium on the next day, November 19. They came from different secondary and tertiary schools in Oriental Mindoro but gathered for a cause…for a mission.



“The world is small and life is short. Touch your fellow youth’s heart and feel the spirit within you,” says the noble founder of VOTY, Choy.



He also said that VOTY was created for the youth and to serve the youth because he believes that the meaningful youth participation is about recognizing and nurturing the strengths, interests and abilities of young people by providing them with real opportunities to become involved in decisions that offers young people a chance to develop important decision-making and problem-solving skills, develop meaningful relationships and bolster self-esteem.



Rommel, on the other hand, inspired the participants more by sharing his unforgettable memories and the grandiose opportunities he experienced in VOTY.



In addition, Ian gave emphasis to the present situation of the youth, how they deal with the deteriorated society and their involvement to some unwanted activities. But youth organizations such as VOTY and NCJP can make a difference though they cannot totally stop the youngsters from doing such awful things.



He also introduced the Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines (NCJP) which is founded by an awarded young journalist, Lloyd Luna. He stressed the organization’s goals and objectives and its activities.



Ian and Choy tickled the audience with their talents as they imitated past presidents such as FVR, Erap and GMA and also famous personalities like FPJ and Miriam Defensor Santiago that undoubtedly spiced up the event more.



The event was highlighted by the election of officers of the Chapter. Emilson A. Goco was appointed as the VOTY Chairman while Leiffrey Z. Gargullo was elected as the NCJP Chairman.



The forum aims not only to establish network in Oriental Mindoro but also to promote awareness of the present situation of the society, which the youth currently faces, that needs to be saved and changed.



The success of the affair could be seen in the faces of the participants as they walked out the gymnasium.

The sparks in their eyes say that they were inspired.

The smile on their lips says that they were informed.

The wave of their hands as they bid goodbye to the speakers and organizers says that they were involved.



The experience was really memorable especially for the speakers (Choy, Ian and Rommel). They were trapped in the island because of the typhoon and they were not able to go on the day of the scheduled departure.

Works were pending.

Meetings were postponed.

And angry girlfriend. (Right Kuya Choy?)

But still, these did not matter. The mission was accomplished anyway! Definitely, that was an unforgettable trip.



Beginning the action. The establishment of the chapter of the two organizations in Oriental Mindoro is just a beginning. After the successful yet tiring forum, the group talked about their plans and projects for the future. This is not just a beginning but the intensity of the flame burning inside their hearts will keep on growing and nothing can stop them.



What make these two organizations different from the others is its non-political inclination and the sincere heart for the youth. The enumerable awards they received here and abroad proved that the two youth groups really act.



We can always make a difference.

Whoever you are.

No matter how far you came from.

The threat of the dreaded society is scary and the world needs you.

Let your voice be heard.

Keep inspiring, informing, empowering and involving the Filipino youth.