by Jysel Ashley Ayop
Now in its second year, the Young Banatao Learning Lab (YBLL) kicks off its onboarding and leadership innovation camp on 9-10 January at FactSet Philippines, Taguig City.
The YBLL is a yearlong program developed by the Philippine Development S&T Foundation (PhilDev) and FactSet aiming to equip its participants with skills through capacity-building and real-life problem-solving scenarios. In this year’s run, the YBLL is divided into two different tracks: technology and finance.
XU PhilDev scholars who have already completed the basic technology track last April 2024 are now participating in the advanced group’s technology track. The advanced group comprises of four XU College of Computer Studies juniors and seniors, Jysel Ashley Ayop (BSIS-3), Fruee Jane Jaquilmac (BSIT-3), Carlos Gabriel Moritcho (BSCS-4), and Xander Allen Rola (BSCS-4).
XU PhilDev Scholars of the Advanced Technology Track
(Xander Allen Rola, Fruee Jane Jaquilmac, Jysel Ashley Ayop, Carlos Gabriel Moritcho)
For the basic group, eight XU second and third-year students are set to undergo their first-ever training in the YBLL. The basic finance track will be joined by business students Kail Base (BSBA-2), Alaisah Dee (BSAcc-3), Loryjane Wallace Elison (BSAcc-3), Tatiana Maliao (BSBA-2), and Luke Oliver Mugot (BSAcc-3), whereas the basic technology track is joined by STEM students Miguel Philip Dael (BSCS-2), Danielle Lois Palayen (BSCS-2), and Princess Juriera Yuson (BSECE-2).
XU Business Student Scholars of the Basic Finance Track
(L-R: Alaisah Dee, Tatiana Maliao, Luke Oliver Mugot, Kail Base, Loryjane Wallace Elison)
XU STEM Student Scholars of the Basic Technology Track
(L-R: Miguel Philip Dael, Danielle Lois Palayen, Princess Juriera Yuson)
XU Office of Scholarships and Grants Director, Tyron Keith Maru Sabal, looks forward to this year’s YBLL. Having served as a chaperone and mentor to the first batch of students undergoing the program, Sabal shares his excitement for the latest stint which now includes tracks open to the finance field.
Sabal emphasizes how this initiative furthers their mission to empower and inspire Filipinos in science and technopreneurship. “PhilDev Foundation’s commitment to bridging the existing gaps in tertiary education and the demands in the industry is now more visible in their inclusion of participants […] not only from the tech related fields but also from finance-focused courses,” he expresses.
Day 1 of the YBLL 2.0 started off with onboarding sessions and inspirational YBLL testimonials from past participants and alumni, setting the tone for a bright day at FactSet Philippines. Participants met with FactSet representatives followed by a panel discussion about how youth leadership leads to innovation and impact.
Later in the afternoon, a workshop on building a confident leadership style was conducted followed by YBLL participants having a one-on-one meeting with their FactSet mentor. Afterward, a tour around the FactSet office and a community night of games and fellowship was held to cap off the day.
On Day 2, YBLL participants joined a workshop themed “Empathetic Leadership and Emotional Intelligence for Leaders”. Participants in the workshop simulated real-life situations in the form of skits. The workshop emphasized how both sympathy and empathy are essential to build genuine connection with community and concern for constituents.
Breakout sessions were held for the basic group and advanced group in the morning and afternoon with FactSet representatives. The basic group focused on topics of innovative ideation and impact driven technopreneurship. Meanwhile, the advanced group focused on foundations of ideation and team formation.
XU Scholars participants of the YBLL 2.0 accompanied by OSG Director Tyron Sabal
The YBLL 2.0 then proceeded to wrap up its onboarding with a synthesis and sharing session with participating students and mentors. A community dinner followed at Em Hà Nội restaurant to celebrate the successful onboarding and leadership innovation camp.
The program is slated to run until August 2025 for its culminating ideathon and hackathon for the basic group and advanced group, respectively.