Wazzup Pilipinas and AYAN PH: A Partnership for ASEAN Youth Empowerment

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Empowering the Future: An Invitation from AYAN PH to Wazzup Pilipinas

In a world where youth empowerment is key to driving social progress, organizations like the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network Philippines (AYAN PH) are leading the charge in creating a generation of changemakers. Recognizing the influential role of media in shaping narratives and amplifying advocacy, AYAN PH is extending an exclusive invitation to Wazzup Pilipinas to become a Perennial Partner for the fiscal year 2025.

This partnership offers a unique opportunity to work together in empowering young leaders, fostering ASEAN unity, and advocating for sustainable development. As the most credible source of news and stories, Wazzup Pilipinas is in a prime position to amplify the voices of Filipino youth and bring attention to groundbreaking initiatives that shape the future of ASEAN.

AYAN PH: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

As a youth-led, non-profit, and socio-civic organization, AYAN PH is dedicated to instilling passion for service, volunteerism, and innovation among young Filipinos. Their mission is to empower youth to take an active role in national and regional development, ensuring their voices are heard in critical conversations surrounding governance, sustainability, and cultural unity​

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Through strategic collaborations, AYAN PH aligns its programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that young people are not just participants but leaders in building a resilient, inclusive, and progressive ASEAN.

Why Wazzup Pilipinas? A Strategic Media Partner

Wazzup Pilipinas has long been recognized as a leading online news platform, bridging communities through impactful storytelling, advocacy journalism, and tourism promotion. With a strong presence in digital media and grassroots engagement, Wazzup Pilipinas has the power to elevate AYAN PH’s message of youth leadership and ASEAN unity.

Through this partnership, Wazzup Pilipinas can:

✅ Highlight AYAN PH’s advocacy programs and bring their impact to a wider audience.

✅ Engage with ASEAN youth leaders and share their inspiring stories.

✅ Promote sustainable tourism initiatives that align with Wazzup Pilipinas' mission.

✅ Drive meaningful conversations on governance, sustainability, and social change.

AYAN PH’s Key Initiatives for 2025

Wazzup Pilipinas is invited to be an integral part of AYAN PH’s high-impact projects and events for 2025. These include:

🔹 5Ps SDG Youth Summit (TBA)

A multi-installment summit focusing on sustainability, youth leadership, and SDG action plans.

🔹 ASEAN Youth Tourism Forum (August 2025, TBA)

A platform that encourages responsible tourism, environmental conservation, and youth engagement in the tourism industry.

🔹 National Indigenous People Youth Camp (October 2025, TBA)

A deep dive into indigenous culture, heritage preservation, and social justice, fostering inclusivity among ASEAN youth.

🔹 ASEAN Human Rights and Peace Camp (December 2025, National University - Clark, Pampanga)

A crucial event promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, empowering youth to be catalysts for positive change in their communities​

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With Wazzup Pilipinas’ participation, these events will gain greater visibility and impact, reaching more young leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders across the region.

A Proven Track Record: AYAN PH’s Advocacy in Action

AYAN PH has already spearheaded numerous successful initiatives that demonstrate the power of youth advocacy, including:

ASEAN Youth Month 2024 – Focused on indigenous rights, reducing inequalities, and cultural preservation.

Tourism Week 2024 – Highlighted youth-driven eco-tourism and environmental sustainability.

National Nutrition Youth Summit 2024 – Addressed food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.

National Council Assembly 2024 – Brought youth leaders together to align advocacy work with the SDGs.

By partnering with AYAN PH, Wazzup Pilipinas can actively shape the discourse on youth empowerment, sustainability, and leadership.

The Call to Action: Join AYAN PH as a Perennial Partner

AYAN PH is not just inviting Wazzup Pilipinas to cover its events—it is offering a chance to become a key player in a transformative movement. Through its Perennial Sponsorship Program, Wazzup Pilipinas can:

✅ Be a co-presenter of key youth events and initiatives.

✅ Engage directly with ASEAN’s next generation of leaders.

✅ Gain exclusive content and interviews with young changemakers.

✅ Enhance its CSR and advocacy footprint in ASEAN.

With shared goals of youth empowerment, sustainability, and impactful storytelling, this partnership can set a new standard for media-driven advocacy in ASEAN.

For further discussions on this collaboration, AYAN PH can be reached at:

📩 philippines@aseanyouthadvocates.org

📞 0919-250-3849 (Viber)

Together, Wazzup Pilipinas and AYAN PH can drive youth-led change—one story, one initiative, and one empowered leader at a time. The future of ASEAN begins with its youth, and the youth need platforms like Wazzup Pilipinas to amplify their voices.

Let’s build One ASEAN Youth Community, together!

TRAC Philippines Announces 3rd National Campus Journalism Convention 2025, Invites Wazzup Pilipinas as Media Partner

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In a significant move to strengthen youth journalism and democratic values, TRAC Philippines (Transforming Advocates and Champions, Inc.) is set to host the 3rd National Campus Journalism Convention 2025. This prestigious event, scheduled for March 9-11 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, aims to empower the next generation of journalists in upholding human rights and democracy through compelling storytelling.

The convention, themed "Empowering Journalists' Voices: Upholding Human Rights in Democratic Society," brings together an impressive roster of media luminaries and thought leaders. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from distinguished speakers including former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, beloved radio DJ and television host DJ Jhai Ho, acclaimed sports broadcaster Paolo Del Rosario, investigative journalist Jacque Manabat, respected broadcaster and advocate Jing Castañeda, and veteran journalist Ging Reyes, former head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.

As part of its commitment to fostering excellence in campus journalism, the convention will feature various competitive categories including editorial writing, feature writing, news writing, sports news writing, editorial cartooning, photojournalism, campus documentary vlog, and best student publication paper. These competitions align with the principles of Republic Act No. 7079 (Campus Journalism Act of 1991), reinforcing TRAC Philippines' dedication to developing young media practitioners.

TRAC Philippines extends a special invitation to Wazzup Pilipinas to join this endeavor as a valued media partner. This partnership opportunity offers a platform to amplify both organizations' shared commitment to journalism and youth empowerment. Media partners will benefit from comprehensive visibility across event materials, social media platforms, and on-site promotions, while contributing to the development of future journalists.

Founded in 2018, TRAC Philippines has established itself as a SEC-registered and National Youth Commission–Youth Organization Registration Program (NYC-YORP) accredited non-profit organization. The organization specializes in comprehensive development training, with a focus on transformational and purpose-driven leadership. Their track record in shaping young minds through advocacy and leadership programs makes this convention a natural extension of their mission to transform advocates and champions.

Together, let us empower the next generation of storytellers and champions of truth, justice, and human rights.

Breaking Down the ₱150 Million Impeachment Bribery Claim: Fact or Fiction?

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A viral claim is making rounds that each lawmaker who signed Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment received ₱150 million, supposedly sourced from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), and infrastructure project funds.

Sounds scandalous, right? But let’s take a step back and analyze whether this claim holds any water.

How AICS and AKAP Actually Work

AICS and AKAP are social welfare programs managed exclusively by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)—not Congress.

AICS provides financial, medical, burial, transportation, and educational assistance to Filipinos in crisis situations.

AKAP is a cash aid program aimed at helping minimum wage earners cope with inflation.

Most importantly, lawmakers don’t control these funds. They can only refer people in their districts, but the DSWD distributes the aid, not politicians. No lawmaker can withdraw these funds like a personal ATM.

Even DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian made it clear: politicians are prohibited from being involved in cash aid disbursements.

READ: DSWD says AKAP beneficiaries don’t need political backers

READ: DSWD won’t allow politicians to distribute AKAP cash aid

So, if the alleged ₱150 million "bribe" is supposed to come from AICS and AKAP, how exactly is that possible when these programs don’t operate that way?

Infrastructure Funds Go Through DPWH, Not Lawmakers

Infrastructure funding follows strict government protocols:

Congress approves the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which includes funding for infrastructure projects.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other implementing agencies handle the funds.

Lawmakers can propose projects for their districts, but they don’t control or release the money.

So if anyone claims that legislators personally received ₱150 million in infrastructure funds, where’s the paper trail?

Let’s Do the Math: Where’s the ₱32.25 Billion Coming From?

If 215 lawmakers allegedly got ₱150 million each, that means a total of:

₱150 million x 215 lawmakers = ₱32.25 billion

Here’s the problem:

The 2025 national budget (GAA) was already approved before the impeachment complaint was signed.

Any budget allocation must be accounted for in the GAA.

Where in the budget is this mysterious ₱32.25 billion?

If such an amount had been inserted into the national budget, it would have been impossible to hide.

Where’s the Evidence?

Let’s be real: if lawmakers were really bribed, where are the receipts?

Unless someone can produce an official document saying,

“Thanks for signing the impeachment, here’s your ₱150 million for AICS, AKAP, and infrastructure!”

…then this entire narrative is just hearsay and fake news.

Final Verdict: Pure Political Noise

While the idea of bribery in politics is nothing new, this particular claim does not make logical sense.

AICS and AKAP funds don’t go to lawmakers.

Infrastructure budgets go through DPWH, not Congress.

The 2025 budget was already approved before the impeachment.

Without solid evidence, this claim is nothing more than a political stunt designed to stir controversy.

Stay vigilant. Question narratives. Demand proof.

For more in-depth news and analysis, keep following Wazzup Pilipinas.