Written By: Royce Vincent V. Alangsab and Cindy Joy P. Olpino
The University of Baguio (UB), in partnership with YouthLead Philippines (YLP), proudly sent six student leaders and two faculty members to serve as staffers for the 12th Philippines I Transform Leaders Convention (PITLC) 2025. The event was held on November 13–18, 2025, at DepEd Teachers Camp in Baguio City. This year’s convention, themed “Transforming from Ridge to Reef, Saving Our Planet,” gathered youth and adult leaders from across the country to promote sustainability, leadership development, and advocacy aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
PITLC is an annual national gathering under YLP’s I Transform! Campaign, launched in 2012 to champion meaningful youth participation in localizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and, later on, the SDGs. Rooted in the belief that true transformation begins within the individual, the campaign inspires young Filipinos to believe, excel, serve, and ultimately influence change in their communities. As YLP’s flagship empowerment platform, PITLC features plenary sessions, convergence forums, development workshops, and the Kabataan Fair—an exhibition of innovative youth-led projects designed to address community issues.
Through the continuing partnership between the University of Baguio and YouthLead Philippines, the UB Performing Arts Group and SCJPS Honor Guards were once again invited to perform during the opening program, showcasing both their talents and cultural pride. The student leaders selected for the event also underwent the Mandatory Training under YLP’s Staffership Academy. Upon completing the training, they were inducted as Junior Staffers for the 12th PITLC and assigned to the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) Team, an essential unit that ensures the smooth tracking and facilitation of convention activities.
With more than 400 participants representing various delegations, PITLC aims to mold young leaders into transformational agents—development catalysts, community champions, and social innovators. The convention promotes awareness of the SDGs, strengthens advocacy for environmental protection from “ridge to reef,” and fosters collaborative engagement between youth and adult leaders. It also highlights the significance of collective commitment through the Dekada Declaration and encourages the development of SDG-driven innovations.
Throughout the week-long convention, the UB staffers fulfilled their responsibilities with diligence and professionalism. Their duties included managing registration processes, monitoring attendance, and overseeing the operations of the EMS Team. As the first point of contact for delegates, the UB team exemplified hospitality, service, and leadership at every stage of the event.
Their involvement produced immediate benefits, including enhanced event coordination, strengthened collaboration, and improved support for YLP’s operations. In the long term, their experience contributes to developing UB’s student leaders into competent professionals and socially responsible citizens. The delegation is expected to integrate their learnings into campus and community initiatives aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This engagement also strengthened UB’s institutional ties with YLP, opening more opportunities for future collaborations in nation-building and youth leadership.
PITLC continues to stand out as a sustainable platform because of its innovative “idea to action” framework, enabling youth to transform concepts into meaningful initiatives. The UB delegation’s role in the EMS Team further reflects the convention’s commitment to utilizing technology as a tool for leadership, governance, and youth empowerment.
Following the convention, YouthLead Philippines paid a courtesy visit to UB President Dr. Javier Herminio D. Bautista. This reaffirmed the strong partnership between the University of Baguio and YouthLead Philippines—a partnership that demonstrates UB’s commitment to shaping informed, empowered, and future-ready leaders capable of creating lasting positive change in their communities and beyond.
