The NCA Leadership Journey

NCACL/iamninoy-iamcory Youth Formation Program

MEDIA RELEASE:

Youth Leaders to take on the Journey of Ninoy and Cory Aquino in 2011
The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation calls for applications to its youth leadership program, the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Leadership Journey, which will have 2 runs (May and November) for year 2011 at the Aquino Center, Tarlac.
In the Philippines today, there is an underlying culture of patronage, corruption and deceit. This has resulted in broken institutions, poverty, mistrust of government among citizens, and abuse of the underprivileged. A vacuum of moral leadership in critical areas of national life is impeding the countrys progress. Its time to build a new nucleus of leaders that are grounded on spirituality, NCAF President and Executive Director Rafael C. Lopa says. From these young people, we can hopefully transform Philippine society. Using Ninoy and Cory Aquino as role models, the program seeks to reintroduce spirituality as a major foundation for Filipino leadership. Harnessing their innate values systems, the participants take part in a process of self-reflection that will ultimately lead to self-transformation and self-commitment for others and country. We were overwhelmed how the first batch of leaders accepted the program, Lopa shares, it was God at work when He inspired the young participants in choosing a life of love and service. The program invites the youth leaders to undergo a 3-day transformative experience and be living witnesses of leadership. It is the hope of the foundation that the young persons will be moved to commit to a life of service and mission through effective and impactful community work. The objectives of the program are: To reintroduce models of leadership based from the lives of Ninoy and Cory Aquino To realize that spirituality, faith and love are values that anchor ones life To build communal experiences in spirituality with other youth leaders To respond to a life of love through the call for action To appreciate a life of sacrifice that is deeply rooted in ones faith The NCA Leadership Journey is open to all young Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines, 18 25 yrs. old, and at least a college sophomore (or the equivalent) at the time of the application period. He/she should be a current youth leader, has a passion for excellence and public service and has the ability to communicate well. Interested applicants may download forms at www.iamninoy.com, call up (02)892.5360 and (02)892.2950 or email ncaleadershipjourney@gmail.com. Application forms are to be sent to the following address: iamninoy-iamcory Secretariat The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation 4/F Jose Cojuangco and Sons Building 119 Dela Rosa cor. Castro Streets Legazpi Village, Makati City Deadline of application forms is on April 15, 2011, Firiday, 5:00 pm. Based from the application process, NCAF will select the Top 60 applicants who will participate in the NCA Leadership Journey on May (Batch 2) and November (Batch 3) at the Aquino Center, Tarlac.

The NCA Leadership Journey

NCACL/iamninoy-iamcory Youth Formation Program
The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation
The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) traces its roots to the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation (BSAF), established by the late Senators widow in November 1983 to perpetuate his legacy. Its activities were limited during the tumultuous years following Ninoy Aquinos assassination and after Mrs. Aquino ascended to the presidency in February 1986. When President Corys term ended, BSAF became her primary vehicle for continuing to engage nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and peoples organizations (POs) that played a key role in empowering communities and reviving democratic institutions alongside her administration. With the help of donor groups, BSAF, through the Institute for People Power and Development (IPPD), supported programs to strengthen cooperatives, human rights education among law enforcers, and microfinance institutions. The Foundation also used part of its endowment fund to grant scholarships to poor but deserving students, to sponsor occasional symposia on democratic themes, and to give recognition to exemplary individuals and groups, which were dubbed as People Power People. On August 21, 2008, BSAF launched the iamninoy campaign with the help of creative and merchandise partners to introduce Ninoy Aquino to new generations of Filipinos as a fitting commemoration of his 25th death anniversary. Using the senators iconic eyeglasses as its visual signature, the campaign invited young Filipinos to look at society through Ninoys eyes and to surface the selfless hero inside them. The youth embraced the campaign, helping various advocacies and beneficiaries by buying iamninoy merchandise, expressing their selflessness in myriad ways on- and off-line, and doing volunteer work. A few months after President Cory passed away in August 2009, the Foundation came to be known as NCAF and the highly successful campaign was elevated into the iamninoy-iamcory Movement. As NCAFs core youth mobilization and empowerment program, carried out in cooperation with various partners and networks, the movement envisions a more just, humane, equitable and sustainable society where the youth is empowered to play a central role in its realization. Its mission is to surface a new generation of Filipinos who are willing to step up as selfless heroes in their own right. From their ranks will emerge youth leaders who can realize their full potential through a process of spiritual transformation in the mold of Ninoy and Cory Aquino. This has spawned the NCA Leadership Journey, in partnership with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Center for Leadership (NCACL), an institution established with the help of Drs. Rolando and Rosalinda Hortaleza of Splash Corporation. NCACL seeks to identify, form, nurture and recognize individuals who, through a process of selftransformation, can develop into a community of empowering, world-class leaders. Today, NCAF seeks to build on the legacy of Ninoy and Cory by supporting activities that embody the spirit of People Power as a strong and positive force for social change in a robust democracy.