Unilab Foundation Reunites with Spin-Off PYDN to Champion Youth Leadership and Community Transformation

The leaders of Unilab Foundation (ULF) and the Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN) inked their partnership at the Novotel Manila during the "Simula ng Bukas: The National Youth Futures Convergence" | From L-R: ULF Operations Director Eduardo “Jon” G. Policarpio Jr., Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, PYDN Executive Director Jeannie Anne Maguad, and Operations Director Jean Coleen Arcana

The Unilab Foundation (ULF) and the Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN) have officially forged a new partnership, marking a significant reunion aimed at boosting the capacity of young leaders who are actively transforming their local communities.

A Former Program Turns into Independent Youth Force

This partnership is especially notable because PYDN was once a core program of ULF. Initially, the program focused on mobilizing youth teams to tackle local health issues. Through intensive capacity-building, mentorship, and resource provision, the initiative successfully demonstrated the power of youth-led action in turning innovative ideas into reality.

This success ultimately paved the way for PYDN's evolution and its successful establishment as an independent, youth-centered organization with a broader focus on holistic youth development. Since its founding, the newly independent PYDN has cultivated a portfolio of high-impact initiatives, including the Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan Awards (PSKA), a premier national search and seal of excellence for local youth councils (Sangguniang Kabataan or SK) and Local Youth Development Officers (LYDOs) that implement high-impact, youth-led innovations and the Kaibigan Chat Line: A social innovation providing free, accessible mental health and psychosocial support to Filipino youth via peer-to-peer conversations on Facebook, connecting them to appropriate youth-friendly services when needed.

More than 100 youth Sangguniang Kabataan leaders from around the country gathered to talk about how they can affect change in their communities.

Now operating as separate entities, they have officially reunited to empower a new generation of leaders with the essential knowledge, capacity, and confidence needed to drive change "from the ground up."

ULF Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave addressing the youth on leading with purpose.

“Maaaring magsilbi kahit nasaan tayo- hindi lang sa gobyerno o kung nasa business sector-para sa bayan. Walang pinipili ang pagsisilbi. Ang pagiging leader ay pinag-aaralan, hindi lang sa eskwelahan kung hindi sa karanasan.” Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, ULF Executive Director, reminded the audience in his remarks.

"We can serve the nation wherever we are—not just in government or the business sector. Service does not choose. Being a leader is something that is learned, not only in school but also through experience."

Formalizing the Commitment

The formal agreement was signed during the "Simula ng Bukas: The National Youth Futures Convergence," which convened over 120 youth leaders at Novotel, Cubao, on October 25.

Leading the signing were ULF Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave and PYDN Executive Director Jeannie Anne Maguad. They were joined by ULF Operations Director Eduardo Policarpio Jr. and PYDN Operations Director Jean Coleen Arcaña.

Full-circle moment as ULF and PYDN signs partnership | From L-R: ULF Operations Director Eduardo “Jon” G. Policarpio Jr., Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave, PYDN Executive Director Jeannie Anne Maguad, and Operations Director Jean Coleen Arcana

“This signing is a landmark moment for PYDN. As we all know, our story began in ULF, and they believed in our mission to make a difference. It is the same mission that we carry out now even as we are now an independent organization, and we are delighted that ULF is still putting the same trust in empowering young people to create change in their communities,” expressed PYDN Executive Director Jeannie Anne Maguad.

This reunion between PYDN and ULF is set to leverage the distinct strengths of both organizations, deepening their collective commitment to fostering resilient and empowered youth sectors across the country.