RYLA 2023

Good day, fellow RCMers:

With the last delegates finally checked out and sent to their homes today, the RYLA 2023 has officially concluded.

On behalf of the Rotary club of Manila, this year’s host club, we would like to thank the 41 Rotary Clubs that sent an unprecedented 127 young delegates to this one-and-a-half day training camp for future community leaders. These outstanding participants were clearly energized by not one, but six high-caliber speakers — all achievers in their own right — who shared their invaluable lessons in leadership spanning a wide gamut of disciplines: from politics, climate change, entrepreneurship, entertainment, humanitarian work to youth empowerment.

Truly, Councilor Alfred Vargas, Congressman Jude Acidre, Miss Earth-Fire Alexandra Dayrit, Dr. Lance Tan, Red Cross SG Gwen Pang, SDG Chock Encabo, and social entrepreneur Shawntel Nieto inspired our participants in their own unique ways, engulfing the crowd with their exclusive brand of enthusiasm.

Seasoned facilitators Reynard Francisco and Prof. Lec Toribio lent even more soul to the sessions with their vivacious energy and engaging workshops.

The evening fellowship was especially memorable as 2018 Asia’s Hottest DJ Angel Villaronte sizzled the evening with her non-stop danceable medley on decks!

All in all, RYLA 2023 was a liminal experience for all of us, not only for participants, but for the organizing committee as well.

We would like to extend our profuse thanks for the invaluable support of our DG Joyce Ambray; RCM PLP Hermie Esguerra; RYLA advisers Boy Carandang who also served as our co-chair, and SDG Chock Encabo; DES Mark Eugene Tan; our 26 co-host clubs; our seven illustrious speakers; our two facilitators; our numerous sponsors; our volunteer team of students who were the actual workhorses of the event; and, of course, to our unprecedented 127 delegates, who made RYLA 2023 a truly historic event nonpareil!