FPJ Panday Bayanihan Chairman Brian Poe Llamanzares (center) alongside other youth leaders (FPJ Panday Bayanihan)

More than 200 youth organizations from across the country have expressed their support to FPJ Panday Bayanihan in its pursuit to empower the next generation of leaders.

“Last week we received support from multiple sectoral leaders. Yesterday, we were endorsed by the governor of Mindoro. Today, I can proudly say that I have the support of hundreds of youth leaders from all over the country,” said Brian Poe Llamanzares, chairman of FPJ Panday Bayanihan.

Llamanzares issued this remark during the first-ever "Nagkakaisang Kabataan FPJ Panday Bayanihan Youth Congress" on Sunday, Sept. 29 held at the Manila Prince Hotel.

More than 500 participants from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao expressed their collective support for FPJ Panday Bayanihan and its mission of empowering the youth to become agents of change. 

FPJ Panday Bayanihan, with its focus on youth-led initiatives, has reinforced its commitment to nurturing grassroots movements aimed at fostering positive change. 

During his keynote address, Llamanzares underscored the need of empowering the youth especially during a time where people have greater access to information.

“With rapid technological advancement, innovation, and democratic access to information, the youth of today are now more socially aware of pressing issues and problems, even at the national level,” Llamanzares said.

“Young people embody hope for better, innovative, and more effective solutions to the world's challenges,” he added.

The Youth Congress also served as a platform to strengthen the shared vision of FPJ Panday Bayanihan and the Kabataan sa Kartilya ng Katipunan (KKK).

KKK, a nonprofit organization dedicated to nationalism and national development, hosted the event to bring together youth participants to take part in discussions and idea-sharing sessions.

The Youth Congress mainly focused on leadership, mental well-being, and environmental sustainability which helped equip youth leaders with the necessary skills to create meaningful change in their communities. 

“As empowered youth, we pursue real change by becoming progressive. Guided by nationalism, we unite with one vision to serve and uplift our fellow Filipinos, amplifying our voices for a stronger nation, indeed a true manifestation that we are becoming and creating ourselves as the real panday (blacksmith) of the Philippines' future” said Andre Garcia, the KKK National President.

The event also saw the official launch of the Nagkakaisang Kabataan Panday Bayanihan Youth Coalition.

This youth-driven coalition focuses on the long-term viability of youth-led projects, as well as ensuring continued advocacy efforts in high hopes to inspire a generation of youth leaders.

“I will lead a platform-driven FPJ Panday Bayanihan with honesty and integrity to honor your commitment to this Coalition,” said Llamanzares.