YOUTH OF HOPE: The group photo that closes the 4-H C.A.M.P (Creating Advocacies, Magnifying Purpose): Enhancing Young Farmers' Network with Lyn Bantigue, ATI Region 6's Agriculturist II/Project Officer, Vianney T. Ojerio, Senior Agriculturist/RBO Focal Person of the same office, Dr. Ma. Teena Pineda, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental's Supervising Home Management Specialist, and Dr. Dina A. Genzola, Acting Provincial Agriculturist of the same province.
MURCIA, Negros Occidental – Sixty participants composed of 4-H Club officers and members, 4-H Club Provincial and Municipal Coordinators and 4-H VLAP all across the Region engaged in the recently-concluded 4-H C.A.M.P. (Creating Advocacies, Magnifying Purpose) Enhancing Young Farmers' Network with the theme: "RELIVE the 4-H in YOUth: Re-Energizing and Empowering 4-H Leaders in Valuable Agri-Fishery Engagements" on April 4-6, 2024, at Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary.
This three-day activity aimed to develop and enhance the capabilities of the 4-H members by participating in various skills competitions and engaging youth in digital marketing through the Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc.'s Bakal Lokal experience.
Throughout the years, the 4-H Club Regional Convention has evolved into a significant platform for knowledge exchange, bringing out the uniqueness of its members and leaders for sustainable development in the Agriculture and Fishery Sectors.
Hon. Gerry M. Rojas, Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Murcia, ecstatically welcomed the delegates and was delighted to see young farmers gather together to ignite the light of hope. While Dr. Ma. Teena T. Pineda, Supervising Home Management Specialist of the Province of Negros Occidental, graced the said event and accentuated the importance of youth in agriculture. She added, "We need to uplift our agriculture sector. Kinahanglan maghatag kita sang importansiya sa agriculture kay according sa survey, nagadecline na ang gakuha sang agriculture related courses. I am happy to see you here today supporting youth's valuable agri-fishery involvement."
On the other hand, Martin Ortiz, Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc.'s Executive Director, conferred about the importance of engaging youth in digital marketing and emphasized the role of Bakal Lokal in promoting locally-made and sustainable products.
Martin Ortiz, Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc.'s Executive Director, confers the importance of engaging youth in digital marketing through the Bakal Lokal experience.
"Our mission is to provide a platform for local businesses and individuals to showcase their unique creations to a wider audience. We are committed to sourcing high-quality products made with care and attention to detail, which reflect the culture and traditions of the regions they come from. At Bakal Lokal, we value transparency and honesty in all our dealings. We strive to create a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with our partners and to build a strong community of customers who share our passion for supporting local businesses", said Mr. Ortiz during his talk on Engaging Youth in Digital Marketing: The YFIP Bakal Lokal Experience.
One of this three-day activity's highlights was brightening the night sky through a candle-lighting ceremony. It symbolizes solemnity, hopes, and aspirations for a better life among the youth and 4-H supporters nationwide. It also reminded the youth to follow their dreams no matter their circumstances because they are the author of their life who will ignite the light of hope.
THE LIGHT OF HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS: Brightening the night sky during the candle lighting ceremony.
"This candle represents our hopes and dreams in life. It reminds us that there is always light to guide us in our darkest path. Like this candle, it will lead us to our wishes and desires. May this light ignite our burning soul to support our clubs' mission and vision further, for I is a product of 4-H", said Vianney T. Ojerio, ATI Region 6's Senior Agriculturist, during the candle lighting ceremony.
The club initiated various contests during the activity. Different provinces in Region 6 showcased their talent and skills regarding the fourfold development of the 4-H Club (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health). The following is the list of contests and winners:
4-H Agri-Tale
- 1st Place – Negros Occidental – Reniel Salan
- 2nd Place – Guimaras – Seth Dominic Gromia
- 3rd Place – Aklan – Trisha Anne Gloria Dionisio
Regional Excellence Achievers Awards (REAA)
Head
- 1st Place – Negros Occidental – Ma. Christine Servando
Heart
- 1st Place – Capiz – Are Silva
- 2nd Place – Negros Occidental – Ira Mae Luciano
Hands
- 1st Place – Iloilo – JC Ann Conato
- 2nd Place – Capiz – JYP Carlo Catunao
- 3rd Place – Negros Occidental – Dexter R. Samones
Health
- 1st Place – Negros Occidental – Jessa Marie Mapus
- 2nd Place – Capiz – Ma. Excel Faenag
Most Outstanding 4-H Club Coordinator
- 1st Place – Aklan – Juvi Trieste
- 2nd Place – Iloilo – Randy Carmen
- 3rd Place – Negros – Nailah Amion
4-H TRASHformation
- 1st Place – Aklan – Mark Laurence Janoras
- 2nd Place – Capiz – JYP Carlo Catunao
- 3rd Place – Iloilo – Japhet V. Decena
Coconut Processing
- 1st Place – Guimaras – Jayson De la China
- 2nd Place – Capiz – Jeremiah Andre Ayupan
- 3rd Place – Negros – Charly Mark Atadero
4-H Quiz Bee
- 1st Place – Iloilo – Lourden Oremo
- 2nd Place – Guimaras – Chressie Anne Alcala
- 3rd Place – Aklan – Cifrellie Anne Yambing
Agri-Innovation Pitching
- 1st Place – Antique – Ariel Samillano
- 2nd Place – Negros Occidental – Roselyn Bayaton
- 3rd Place – Orfa May Farrol
4-H Song Duet Contest
- 1st Place – Capiz – Chikki Bacaling & Roger Bacanto
- 2nd Place – Guimaras – Russel Aliligay & Carlito Gallego Jr.
- 3rd Place – Aklan – Justin Earl Morna & Cassiana Mae De Jesus
The winners will represent the Region at the 4-H National Convention set on June 19-21, 2024, at Siargao Island, Philippines.
SMILE OF VICTORY: The official winners who will represent the 4-H Club Western Visayas Chapter in Siargao Island, Philippines, on June 19-21, 2024
This year's 4-H Regional Convention was hosted by the Province of Negros Occidental. The recently concluded 4-H C.A.M.P was made possible with the collaboration of DA-RFO 6, ATI-Region 6, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, Municipal Government of Murcia, and 4-H Club Western Visayas Chapter.
