by Arianne Louise Arenas
Taguig City, Philippines – PhilDev Foundation, in partnership with FactSet Charitable Foundation, officially launched the second iteration of the Young Banatao Learning Lab (YBLL 2.0) program with the Onboarding and Youth Leadership for Innovation and Impact Camp held last January 9-10, 2025, at FactSet’s Manila office in Taguig City, McKinley West. This two-day event marked the start of a transformative journey for 50 university students, 74% of whom hail from the Visayas and Mindanao regions, with a majority being female.
Building on the success of the first YBLL run, students from the previous cohort are leveling up to the advanced track, where they will engage in masterclasses designed to deepen their knowledge in technology and technopreneurship. Meanwhile, new students have joined the program under the tech specialization, with the 2025 cohort also expanding to include a finance specialization for university students pursuing finance-related courses across the Philippines.
A Two-Day Journey of Learning and Growth
Day 1: Building Confidence and Connections
The camp began with a warm welcome from PhilDev Executive Director, Engr. Elaine Macatangay Morales, who emphasized the significance of nurturing young minds to become leaders for change. “I encourage you to embrace this opportunity to explore new ideas, learn from our exceptional mentors and resource speakers, and connect with your peers to share your passion for innovation and leadership. This is your moment to grow, to take bold steps, and to prepare to make a meaningful impact in your chosen paths.,” Engr. Morales shared.
Board Member of FactSet Charitable Foundation and FactSet’s Senior Managing Director, Claudine David, also delivered an inspiring message underscoring the importance of bridging education and industry. “Together, we’re working towards a shared mission to empower young minds and unlock opportunities where every young person with talent and passion can find their place in the technology and financial industry. Seize the opportunity, step up, step out of your comfort zone, not because it’s easy but because it’s challenging. Growth happens when we push beyond what feels familiar. And this is a safe space for you to experiment, learn, and thrive.” she stated.
During the camp, participants were introduced to FactSet Philippines through a special Meet FactSet session led by Hilda M. Cardenas, the Senior Vice President and Global HR Director, Paulo Rodriguez, the Director for Client & User Support, Client Solutions, and Stephanie Robles-Benedicto, the Engineering Manager for Software Engineering of FactSet Philippines. The session provided valuable insights into FactSet’s operations and services, emphasizing how their expertise in financial and technological solutions aligns with the goals of the YBLL program. The speakers highlighted the potential of FactSet’s tools and resources to shape the participants’ journeys in technology and finance, highlighting the company’s role as a critical partner in their development.
Participants delved into Workshop #1: Own the Stage, Lead the Way: Building a Confident Leadership Style, facilitated by Guita Gopalan, Founder of Agyle Brands. Through this engaging session, participants explored strategies to project confidence, develop authentic leadership styles, and inspire others, laying the foundation for their leadership journeys.
The day continued with a panel discussion featuring Patch Dulay of The Spark Project, Adriel Nisperos of Para Kanino Podcast, and Alexandra Jocom of Halia. The panelists shared practical advice and real-world experiences on leadership, innovation, and the challenges and opportunities of building impact-driven ventures.
The day concluded with a mentorship orientation session, formally introducing mentors and mentees. The mentors, volunteers from both the Client Solutions and Software Engineering teams at FactSet Philippines, shared their expertise and commitment to guiding participants throughout the program. This session fostered strong bonds, setting the tone for a supportive and enriching mentorship experience.
Day 2: Developing Empathy and Strategic Thinking
Day 2 focused on emotional intelligence and fostering critical technopreneurial skills. Workshop #2: Empathic Leadership and Emotional Intelligence for Leaders, facilitated by Steph Naval, Founder and CEO of Empath, taught participants the importance of leading with empathy, effectively connecting with their teams, and fostering an inclusive and productive environment.
The day’s breakout sessions catered to the university students’ varying levels of expertise, offering dynamic and focused learning opportunities:
- Basic Track: Youth’s Innovative Mindset and Critical Thinking
Facilitated by Emil Tapnio, Senior Youth Leadership Development Specialist at The Asia Foundation, this session explored the foundations of cultivating an innovative mindset and using critical thinking to identify impactful opportunities. - Advanced Track: Foundations of Ideation: Team Ability & Validation
Led by Shearyl Arenas, TBI Manager of TIP NITRO and SCALE NCR, participants tackled advanced concepts of ideation, emphasizing team dynamics and validation strategies for their solutions.
Additionally, the Technopreneurship Workshop sessions, based on Dado Banatao’s 5 Success Factors, deepened participants’ understanding of impact-driven entrepreneurship. The Basic Track session, “Introduction to Impact Driven Technopreneurship,” was facilitated by Bella Del Rio of PhilDev, while the Advanced Track session, “Forming Teams and Discussions,” was led by Samantha Chico of PhilDev. These sessions reinforced key entrepreneurial principles and encouraged collaboration and innovation among participants.
Building the Future with FactSet
The event was made possible through the continued support of FactSet Charitable Foundation, whose dedication to fostering talent in the Philippines aligns with PhilDev’s mission to empower youth. FactSet’s professionals shared insights into their corporate culture and expertise, inspiring the scholars to dream bigger and achieve more.
The YBLL Onboarding and Leadership Camp is just the beginning of a comprehensive program that aims to shape future leaders. As the scholars embark on this journey, PhilDev and the FactSet Charitable Foundation call on the community to continue supporting initiatives that drive innovation and impact.
For more updates on the YBLL 2.0 program and PhilDev Foundation’s other initiatives, visit www.phildev.org.
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About PhilDev Foundation:
Philippine Development S&T Foundation, Inc. (PhilDev Foundation) is a nonprofit organization that operates at the intersection of Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. With a vision of a prosperous Philippines through the acceleration of science and technology for national development, PhilDev aspires to drive sustainable social and economic growth by empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.
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Media Contact:
Arianne Arenas (she / her)
Communications Officer
PhilDev Foundation
Email: arianne@phildev.org
