2020
Mark Anthony (Mack) Labriaga
- Age: 31
- | He/him/his
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Allowing us, young people, to participate in community building doesn't only acknowledge our energy and creativity as young persons but also values our dignity and our desires to support and to help. And while you are collaborating with us and make use of our ideas and skills to make a better world, you are also honing our growth and our aspirations to become an efficient and effective leaders in the future. Let us not get tired investing in young people. Let us make this world an inclusive, non-discriminatory, and safe space together.
- Mark Anthony (Mack) Labriaga
Bio
Mark Anthony (Mack) Labriaga is originally from the Philippines and currently lives in Thailand. He received a Bachelor of Science in Development Communication from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan in 2017. As a Design and Technology Assistant at Amnuay Silpa School, Mack provides support in preparing, setting up and checking equipment, supporting teaching staff and students during English lessons, putting away equipment after lessons, ensuring a safe environment, organizing and storing equipment and checking stock, repairing, maintaining, and modifying equipment, and administrative tasks. As a Program Consultant at Youth for Reproductive Health Awareness, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, he provides technical assistance in the development of organizational and operational plans or procedures for achieving program goals, participates in the preparation of procedural manuals and related instructional materials, prepares or directs the preparation and maintenance of necessary records and reports, previews and analyzes operations to assist and advise program personnel regarding prescribed standards, practices, and procedures, evaluates activities and makes recommendations to increase operating efficiency, speaks to groups and organizations to explain services and to promote participation.
Additionally, Mack is a Y-PEER Asia Pacific Regional Office volunteer member, Y-PEER PILIPINAS Chairman on Committee of membership, and YouRHealth Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental Program Consultant.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
I am the youngest of the family, and all of my three siblings are mentally challenged. Growing up, I have seen how my siblings were rejected from defining opportunities because of their condition. These events have helped me realize the value of my voice and my views. My lived experiences and participation in community building ignited my pursuit for gender equality.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
I was elected president of Y-PEER PILIPINAS in 2016. We received a Small Scale Funding Agreement from the UNICEF Philippines. One of our deliverable is to conduct an Adolescent Development and Participation Training of Trainers. As the president, I had the chance to meet the participants. There I have met the Local Youth Development Officer (LYDO) of the municipality where I live. Since then, I have coordinated with her and planned several youth activities on SRHR.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I participate in online Zoom meetings with my brothers in Singles for Christ, Roman Catholic Youth Group. I read books. Currently, I'm enjoying Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl. I also go to the gym four to five times a week. I dance, and I sing.
Languages Spoken:
- Cebuano (Advanced/Native)
- English (Advanced/Native)
- Tagalog (Advanced/Native)
- Thai (Elementary)
- English (Advanced/Native)
Speaks On:
- adolescent pregnancy
- HIV/AIDS
- CSE in emergency situations
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Internship Certificate of Completion by UNAIDS Philippines
- Human Rights Education Trainer Certification by Amnesty International
- SRH Trainer Certification by YouthLead and YPEER Asia Pacific Regional Office
- Creating Connections Trainer Certification by UNICEF Philippines and YPEER PILIPINAS Inc.
- E-Learning Course on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Setting by Save the Children and UNFPA
- World Youth Forum
- 7th Asia Pacific Urban Forum - Children and Youth Assembly: Comprehensive Sexuality Education Session
- Family Planning Organization of the Philippines' National Youth Leaders Assembly
