Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines

"A good project will get you to the door, but a great pitch will get you through it." – Atty. Vyn, 2025. On the fourth day of AYLP, KAS Philippines' Joshua Uel Abad guided the fellows through a deep dive into Systems Thinking, challenging existing mental models and assumptions to uncover the root causes of societal issues. In the afternoon, the fellows had the privilege of engaging in a meaningful conversation with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. They raised questions about their leadership journeys and gained valuable insights from Mayor Vico's experiences in governance and reform. To cap off the day, the fellows reconnected with alumni from AYLP Batch 1 and 2. Edu Macabatas and Clareziel Digamon Ladringan shared their leadership journeys. Meanwhile, the winning project teams—Project LegisLahok, Project M.A.L.A.Y.A, and Project AgENT—offered lessons on what worked in their project pitching and implementation. As tiring as it was, the opportunity to learn from alumni and network with peers made it all worthwhile. Thank you to everyone who made this night memorable! #KAS4YouthEmpowerment #AYLP

During the third day of AYLP, fellows met with Vonn Vincent V. Tanchuan of Havas Media Network. Vonn shared powerful insights on social media strategies for young leaders and emphasized how digital platforms are essential tools to amplify messages and drive meaningful engagement. He reminded the fellows, "Leaders need to evolve and embrace this new era of technology." In the afternoon, the focus shifted to project development and management with Maidy Lynn Lim. Fellows presented their working ideas for democracy projects, exchanged valuable feedback, and mapped their stakeholders under Maidy's guidance. We look forward to the interesting and impactful projects! Good luck, fellows! 💪 #KAS4YouthEmpowerment #AYLP

Our Adenauer Fellows spent an inspiring second day deepening their leadership journey. In the morning, they met with the KAS Philippines team and wrapped up their session on Bridging Democratic Leadership with Dr. Ryan Guinaran. Through shared experiences and personal stories, fellows gained a deeper understanding of one another and their leadership paths. In the afternoon, they visited City of San Pedro Councilor Bernadeth Olivares for a discussion on encouraging young leaders to step into public service. Panelists Sam Cuevas, LA Tolentino, and Gerome Basal shared firsthand experiences on how young people in San Pedro navigate the political landscape and champion good governance. It was an engaging and thought-provoking day, and we hope to see more young leaders rise to the challenge of creating real change in their communities. KAS Philippines remains a safe space and committed partner in this journey. 😉 #KAS4YouthEmpowerment #AYLP

"Never be apologetic about your success. Because at the end of the day, the day ends." (Atty. Karlo, 2025) Day 1 of the Adenauer Young Leaders Program began with a deep dive into the 2025 German Election and its impact on German-Philippine relations. German Embassy Manila Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke also walked the fellows through Germany’s ongoing efforts in trade, security, culture, and climate cooperation. In the afternoon, Dr. Ryan Guinaran introduced Bridging Democratic Leadership, leading workshops on VUCA, leadership lifeline, and leadership capital. Through these sessions, fellows not only gained valuable insights but also connected with their peers, exchanging experiences and stories. Thank you so much to Ambassador Pfaffernoschke and Dr. Ryan for sharing your time and expertise! #KAS4YouthEmpowerment #AYLP #GermanyInPHL

The Adenauer Fellows kicked off Day 1 with an insightful discussion on the 2025 German Elections and their potential impact on German-Philippine relations. His Excellency Andreas Pfaffernoschke walked the fellows through Germany’s ongoing engagements in the Philippines—covering trade, security, culture, and climate cooperation, among others. Thank you, Ambassador, for sharing your time and insights with the fellows! 🇩🇪🇵🇭 #KAS4YouthEmpowerment #AYLP #GermanyInPHL

All roads lead to Makati City! 🌇🌆 Next week, we welcome the third cohort of Adenauer young leaders! We're excited to meet you in person. 🤗 During the first module, our fellows will meet with San Pedro City Councilor Bernadeth Olivares and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. They'll also meet with the program's alumni for an evening of networking and sharing of experience. It's a busy yet exciting week ahead! See you in a few days' time, fellows! 😍 #KAS4YouthEmpowerment #AYLP

Our institutional partner, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), has officially launched its 2025 Political Education Program in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte. This forum provided a vital platform for young people and first-time voters to better understand the Midterm Election in May and the historic BARMM Parliamentary Elections in October. We express our gratitude to IAG, Upi Agricultural School, and the Indigenous Women Resource Center for helping ensure that voters are equipped to make informed choices in the upcoming elections! 📸 Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) #Halalan2025

Don't let this opportunity slip away! Abstract submissions for European Perspectives on Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific are due Sunday, 16 March. Interested contributors should submit their topic, title, and a brief abstract (one paragraph) to Moritz Fink at moritz.fink@kas.de. For more details on the initiative, visit the link in the comment section. #IndoPacific #MaritimeSecurity #EuropeInAsia #Geopolitics #KAS #InternationalRelations

A warm welcome to our new interns, Ms. Patricia Geneva Dela Torre from Miriam College and Ms. Patrice Kelsey Villaruz from National University-Manila! 🌟🎉   For the next 4 months, Gen and Pat will be working alongside the KAS Philippines team on exciting projects, including the Adenauer Young Leaders Program, Manila Calling, and publishing their very own Adenauer Young Researcher's Report. 📖💡   We look forward to their growth and wonderful contributions during their time with us.

What Filipinos Are Saying About the 2025 Elections? As we continue our election awareness series across our social media channels, we've observed frustration, skepticism, and hope among online users. Many Filipinos remain deeply engaged in the electoral process, reflecting their concerns and aspirations for the country's future. Here are some of the sentiments shared by online users: ➢ Rejecting candidates who are pro-China ➢ Avoiding candidates from political dynasties ➢ Distrust in election institutions ➢ Seeking fresh leaders with integrity, a strong track record, and a genuine commitment to public welfare ➢ Voting with their children's future in mind While this is just a small sample and does not represent the full sentiment of the Philippine electorate, it highlights the growing consciousness of voters in evaluating their choices. #Halalan2025