Filipino Youth in Action

🌎Filipino Youth in Action: Celebrating Earth Month 2025

This April, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (Fridays For Future Philippines), along with other youth organizations, came together to unite the community through various activities in celebration of Earth Month. With the Philippine Midterm Elections approaching this May, the theme, “Earth Month 2025: Taumbayan Para sa Kalikasan at Kinabukasan” (People for Nature and the Future), aims to push for climate agendas and pro-planet policies for the upcoming leaders of our country. Through four distinct events and a shared vision of advocating for a future that benefits both people and the planet, this year’s efforts served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of collective action.

🌿 1. Global Climate Strike: Luntiang Kinabukasan, Ipaglaban! (Fight for a Green Future)

📍 Location: Different Universities | 🗓️ Date: April 10-11

A total of seven universities have joined the nationwide call for a climate strike, amplifying demands for climate justice and improved access to quality education. The participating schools held simultaneous mobilizations, urging the government to allocate adequate funding for education amidst looming budget cuts. We also called for greater accountability in disaster preparedness and response, especially in light of worsening typhoons and extreme heat events.

The 7 participating schools are the following:

• Ateneo De Manila University

• University of the Philippines - Manila

• De La Salle University

• University of the Philippines - Diliman

• Polytechnic University of the Philippines

• Philippine Normal University

• Philippine Science High School - Quezon City

A feat in the local movement of having so many esteemed institutions participate!

🌳 2. Casting a Green Vote: Environmental Forum for the Midterm Election

📍 Location: UP Diliman Student Union Building | 🗓️ Date: April 11

Along with the Global Climate Strike, we also held a forum aimed at engaging and encouraging the youth to participate in the upcoming elections. The event focused on unpacking the anatomy of Philippine politics, featuring guest speakers who shared their lived experiences as environmental defenders, along with their demands for the next set of leaders.

The forum also served as a platform to present the Youth Climate Agenda 2025—a five-point agenda crafted by the YACAP alliance, outlining the key climate and environmental priorities they want to see addressed by national candidates.

In the midst of numerous forums and debates centered around electoral candidates, it was crucial to shine a light on the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis, voices that are often marginalized. Among the powerful stories shared were those of Jonila Castro, an environmental defender who survived state abduction, and PAMALAKAYA Navotas, a group of fisherfolk whose mussel farms were demolished to make way for reclamation projects.

📚 3. Educational Discussion Fest

📍 Location: via Zoom | 🗓️ Date: April

Not only were we able to mobilize on-ground, but we also made sure to broaden access to climate education—even online! Discussions were held every weekend on various special topics to engage those who couldn’t participate in face-to-face activities. Some of the topics focused on Anthropology and the Climate Movement, the State of Agriculture in the Country, the Impacts of the Climate Crisis on the LGBTQIA+ Community, and Climate Injustice.

♻️ 4. Earth Month Jam 2025: May Hustisyang Pangklima kapag Bayan Muna (There is Climate Justice when the People Comes First)

📍 Location: My Brother’s Mustache Bar | 🗓️ Date: April 31

To end the month on a high note, YACAP, in partnership with the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN), organized a vibrant gig featuring powerful drag performances and a heartfelt acoustic set by Chikoy Pura. Calli D'Warrior, Gabriela She Lang, and Maria Cristina lit up the stage with stellar lip sync performances that not only entertained but also spotlighted pressing systemic issues. Chikoy Pura captivated the audience with his acoustic renditions, even teaming up with Atty. Neri Colmenares, first nominee of the Bayan Muna Partylist, for a special surprise performance!

💬 A Word of Thanks

We’re incredibly proud of our volunteers, partners, and community leaders who helped make Earth Month 2025 a success. Whether you joined the climate strike, attended our Educational Discussions, or rocked out with us on the gig, you made a difference!

🌱 Let’s keep the momentum going!

If you’re from the Philippines, join the alliance as an individual or an organization and follow us @yacaphilippines to stay updated on future events.