
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UMALOHOKAN: A Battle Cry Against Misinformation, A Beacon for the Future
Pasig City, Philippines – April 13, 2025 – In an age where falsehoods spread faster than facts, where social media has become both a tool and a trap, one workshop dares to defy the status quo. The UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan at Kinabukasan workshop roared to life as more than just a gathering—it became a movement, a revolution of conscience, and a united front in the fight for truth, sustainability, and empowered citizenship.
What started as a modest initiative to guide influencers, bloggers, vloggers, and content creators toward ethical digital storytelling has now surged into a national rallying cry. As elections loom, climate realities worsen, and the youth stand at the tipping point of history, the UMALOHOKAN Workshop emerged as a crucible of change, fusing media literacy, environmental advocacy, and civic education into one unstoppable force.


“This is not just a workshop. This is an awakening,” declared Ross Flores Del Rosario, visionary founder of both Wazzup Pilipinas and the UMALOHOKAN Workshops. “We are raising a new generation of truth-tellers, eco-defenders, and citizen-leaders who will shape the kind of future we all deserve. The time for passive scrolling is over. It’s time to speak, to act, to rise.”
Held with the enthusiastic participation of the Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Simbayanan (SIS) and Simbayanan Ni Maria Community Foundation Inc. (SMCFI), the event brought together scholars, social media influencers, and thought leaders in an extraordinary collaboration of minds and hearts. Special thanks go to SIS and SMCFI leaders Rose Marcelino, Xian Guia, and Ma'am Encarnacion Pioquid for their tireless support and commitment to youth empowerment.
The workshop drew powerhouse support from the Bayanihan Para sa Kalikasan Movement Inc., GPP Kalikasan Muna – Green Party of the Philippines, and JBC Workers Union, with key figures like Engr. Eric Raymundo, Mariella Amagan, and Josephine Cabatuando lending their presence and strength to the mission. From the stunning event visuals by Niel Jose of Green Initiatives to the bold designs by SIS scholars themselves, the creative energy of the movement was palpable in every banner and post, thanks to Nineverses Printing Services c/o Beng Girang.
The line-up of distinguished speakers and partners—among them Vera Files, PPCRV, LENTE Philippines, Ecowaste Coalition, Partners for Affordable & Reliable Energy, BAN Toxics, Alkarock by Gift of Nature, CreatiVoices, and TV5—delivered wisdom and inspiration that lit fires in every participant. Notable names like Ma’am Ellen Tordesillas, Chino Penserga, Atty. Jay Roset, Nic Satur Jr., Antonio Dizon, Eman Balani, Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, John Reczon Calay, and content creators like Gio Almoite, Nestor Lim, Eduard Laya, Jenny Medenilla, and many more raised the bar for civic engagement in the digital age. Special thanks to Mark Anthony Wagan of Tekkie Pinas, Virgilio Cuarto Jr. of Every Tech Ever, Rizza Garingo of I Luv Rizza G, Maria Rona Beltran of Travel and Wellness with Maria, Prince AJ of AJ13VLOG, Tin Gonzalez of TodayPH.
Even those unable to attend in person—like Ronadel Cano Ang, Eric Teodoro, and others like Jayson Noveda of Ecowaste Coalition—extended their support online. Our gratitude also goes to mainstream media allies such as INQUIRER.net, INQ Plus Pilipinas, DWIZ 882, and former Malacañang Press Undersecretary Robert Torres Rivera and co-host Nerlisa Elyza Francisco Rivera, who ensured our call reached every corner of the nation.
Our special acknowledgment to UMALOHOKAN co-founder David D’Angelo, who despite his ongoing senatorial campaign, continues to uplift this movement with his unwavering faith. And none were more surprising and inspiring than Atty. Joey Lina, former Senator and now President of The Manila Hotel, whose off-the-cuff yet powerful message left a lasting impact on every soul in the room.
With dynamic hosting by Vanessa Rose Torres from Pampanga and Filjon Curaming from SIS, and technical support from Vladimir Del Rosario, who livestreamed the five-hour event for a wider online audience, UMALOHOKAN proved that united, we are unstoppable.
Thank you to our sponsors:
All of our speakers, moderators and panelists received the following tokens from Bambuhay, Dimalupig & Gabrielle Food Products Trading ZAVRRUSOVinegar , Bea's Homemade Peanut Butter , Pili Finos and baked goodies from Simbayanan Ni Maria Community Foundation Incorporated - SMCFI and Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Simbayanan - SIS
The Umalohokan Workshops team would like to thank everyone for showing up to support and share their knowledge and personal motivations
To every attendee, every speaker, every organization, and every quiet hero behind the scenes—thank you. You are part of a growing wave that dares to dream and deliver a better tomorrow.
As Ross Flores Del Rosario declared, “The future will not be handed to us. We must shape it—together.”
Join the movement. Be the voice. Become the UMALOHOKAN.
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