Photos taken by: Juan Diego Antonio
AIESEC in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) successfully concluded its annual flagship youth leadership event, the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) 2026, held from July 13 to 18, 2026, under the theme “Momentum: Moving Youth Leadership Forward.” The week-long summit brought together 114 student leaders from various schools and universities across the Philippines for a transformative journey of leadership development, collaboration, and purposeful action.
Spearheaded by Dana Angela Belo, YLS 2026 welcomed a larger delegation and introduced an enhanced onsite experience that enabled participants to connect, exchange ideas, and learn alongside fellow aspiring changemakers.
The summit began with “Momentum Within: Discovering the Leader in You,” where Mr. Albert Colasito, Principal of National University East Ortigas Senior High School, encouraged delegates to embrace self-awareness as the foundation of authentic and effective leadership.
Day two shifted the conversation toward collaborative leadership through “Momentum Together: Leading Through Collaboration and Empathy.” Ms. Vea Unigo, President of AIESEC in UPLB, highlighted the importance of inclusivity and understanding diverse perspectives in building meaningful relationships and leading with purpose across differences.
The third day focused on translating vision into action through “Momentum Forward: Turning Vision into Impact.” Ms. Cathlyn De Guzman of Makesense Asia, an alumna of AIESEC in UPLB, shared her experience in the social impact sector and challenged delegates to transform their aspirations into initiatives that create lasting, positive change within their communities.
The summit culminated in an onsite event at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Sta. Mesa, where delegates took part in interactive workshops, networking activities, and a panel discussion featuring distinguished youth leaders: Meg Aguila (UP Los Baños), Renzo Gutierrez (Ateneo de Manila University), Felix Ba-ay III (President of the PUP College of Social Sciences and Development Student Council), and Aleana Abon (Asian Institute of Management and University of Houston), who shared valuable insights and experiences on student governance, navigating uncertainty, and creating impact beyond the classroom.
YLS 2026 was made possible through the support of the PUP College of Social Sciences and Development Student Council (PUP CSSD SC), whose partnership helped create a meaningful learning environment for the delegates.
While the summit has officially concluded, its impact continues through every delegate inspired to lead with purpose, collaborate with empathy, and take action toward the future they envision. For these young leaders, Youth Leadership Summit 2026 was not the finish line; it was the momentum that propelled them toward creating meaningful change.
To learn more about AIESEC in UPLB and its programs, visit aiesecinuplb.framer.website.