Level up: Leni Youth Taytay (LYT), a picture of hope

Through the collective effort of its residents and most especially the youth of Taytay, Rizal created and managed a voluntary youth organization that supports the candidacy of Leni Robredo for the presidency and Kiko Pangilinan for vice president in the last election on May 9, 2022.

As they successfully assembled the LYT the next task is to engage the youth to the societal issues – problems that can be addressed and explained by LYT.

As a voluntary youth organization

The group is not merely focused on the area of Taytay, Rizal but also caters from Antipolo to Pasig City and has gathered 180+ members. This voluntarism led by Leandra Leslie, 23, an active youth leader, made it possible through her multiple connections in the area like different active youth organizations and party lists.

“The Leni Youth Taytay behind the scenes are in full swing kahit madaming commitment sa mga personal na bagay,” she explained.

They have successfully organized multiple events such as house-to-house campaigns in Tikling-Creekside, Valle Compound, Terminal 2, Sapa (Hapay Na Mangga), multiple postering and leafletting along Downtown Baras, Morong Public Market, and toTeresa Public Market.

Additionally, LYT volunteers team up with Anakpawis Rizal in campaigning for Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan in several locations around Rizal province in the area of (1) Riverside 1 & 2, Brgy Kalawaan, Binangonan, Rizal (2) MabuhayBautista Compound, Brgy Tagpos, Binangonan, Rizal (3) Tuazon Compound, Brgy Tagpos, Binangonan, Rizal (4) Brgy Pag-asa, Binangonan, Rizal (5) Angono Public Market, Angono, Rizal.

Through the help of Anakpawis Partylist - Rizal and Kabataan Partylist – Rizal, they also did a Pinktado Mural Painting along the abandoned property in Cainta, Rizal, as a show of support for the Leni-Kiko campaign.

Aside from mural painting, the youth volunteers also encourage passing motorists to vote for Leni Robredo, Kiko Pangilinan, Anakpawis Party-list, as well as Makabayan senatorial bets Atty. Neri Colmenares and Elmer “Bong” Labog.

In addition, LYT Volunteers take on the rain at the Leni Rizal Grand Rally on April 5, 2022.

Despite the weather, morale remains high among Leni supporters, especially the youth, at the event.

Rizaleño Kakampinks demonstrate their wit and humor through wacky signs signaling support for VP Leni Robredo. With many of the signs wrapped in plastic covering, Rizaleños also exhibits adaptability in organizing and creating placards that can withstand even the rains.

This is a truly grassroots effort, LYT stands firm with the marginalized sectors of society and reaffirms the Leni-Kiko campaign as a genuine people’s campaign.

More than organization

With all these, Ben Ramos Jr., 23, 4th year student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa, head graphics of the LYT, faith in the youth even more intensified and deepened through this organization because of the willingness and contend to fight.

“Although we came from various backgrounds and different walks of life, ‘yong iisang hangarin natin na makilahok sa mga social activities, nakakamangha; hindi kasi ito basta-basta makikita sa isang kabataan,” he shared his reflection to the change in youth.

Moreover, he admitted that through this movement you can see the true progress of the youth by simply learning more from the different experiences that they have touched. With that, the youth want to help the country and that’s one big change among the youth that is truly worth recognizing

“Masasabi kong nagtagumpay kami sa LYT sa mga hangarin nito dahil nagawa rin nitong manghamig, bilang isang samahan, ng mga tao sa laylayan na nangangailangan ng liwanag sa madilim na daang tinatahak nila araw-araw,’ he happily explained.

He then added, “Masayang ipaalam sa iba na ang role ng kabataan sa nation building ay lubhang napakalaki, kaya hindi dapat ina-undermine ang gampanin ng kabataan sa lipunan.”

Full of hope and purpose, this movement does not end here but rather the Leni Youth Taytay proves even at the young age of those in the organization, it can keep pace with the patriots and activists who have been in the field of fight for a long time.