Cebu's Global Shapers Community hub

The global shapers community Cebu hub was introduced last May 15, 2014. There are 320 Global Shaper Hubs worldwide that are made up of 3,412 individuals. The Cebu team was brought together by founding curator Jay Aldeguer, the Global Shapers Community Hub is composed and entrepreneurial spirit with the interest of the general public in mind. They are passionate about affecting change and hope that what they begin at home will eventually benefit the world at large. The Global Shapers Community Cebu hub is the first hub in the Philippines outside of Manila.


A Volunteer hub:
True to its goal of creating change, the core members have also been involved in leading different civic organizations to help and empower individuals in the field of entrepreneurship, environment protection, disaster preparedness, and rehabilitation efforts, among others.

Aside from their personal affiliations, the group is also drafting a main project for Cebu dubbed the “volunteer hub,” an integrated system to match people who want to volunteer with projects or organizations looking for volunteers.


The Volunteer Hub will also be a tool to encourage volunteerism among the youth, he said. He said they plan to launch the project by the third quarter of this year.

“I believe that there are really a lot of people who want to volunteer, especially with the calamities last year, but there was no central website or place they can go to,” said Mel Yan.

Although the newest GSC community, Aldeguer believes this year is the right time for Cebu to participate in WEF’s network and for the youth to participate in its discussions.

Cebu's chosen core of Global Shapers:
Carlo Delantar - is the Philippine Coordinator for Waves for Water, a shoe giver for TOMS shoes and the present Chief Operating Officer for Floreia, a fashion accessories company that uses sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing methods.

Maria Gigante - is a student leader at the University of San Carlos where she is pursuing a degree in Philosophy. She is the current chairperson of the Student Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (STAND), the oldest and most established student political party in the Philippines. Maria is also a debater, a Miss Cebu 2013 runner-up, a Sea and Earth advocate for the School of the Seas, and a Gawad Kalinga volunteer.

Anna Maris Igpit - is a former beauty queen, a TV host, a current tourism officer of Panglao in Bohol, and the Director of Class Act Foundation Inc. in the Philippines. She is also the current Youth Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Philippines-Bohol.

Anya Lim - is an advocate of Filipino hand-loomed fabrics made by various Philippine hill tribes. She is the co-founder of Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Indigenous/Ingenious Little Livelihood seekers or the ANTHILL, a social and cultural enterprise which showcases indigenous fabrics.

Ken Onozawa - is the Creative Director & CEO of Spectrum Lifestyle Experience, Inc.. Spectrum has shown Cebu what it's really like to party, enhancing their concerts, and music festivals with lighting, stage design and live performances. Part of their proceeds from every event goes to different organizations that help rebuild the community. They also conduct training sessions to educate young people and prepare them for post-college life in the creative and entertainment industries.

Jose Franco Soberano - is the current Chief Operating Officer of Cebu Landmasters, Inc.. as well a member of the FINEX Cebu Chapter and the Urban Land Institute in the US. He is also the current President of the Sacred Heart School - Ateneo de Cebu Alumni Association.

Francis Sollano - is a virtual artist and emerging name in the PR and brand design industry. His venture in eco-fashion entitled the Trashion series is a rallying act against Cebu's garbage problems. Aside from that, he is also a convener of Youth for a Livable Cebu or YLC whose mission is to create socially responsible economies.

Mel Yan - is passionate about nurturing future leaders, and he pays it forward by engaging youth to become excellent leaders and active citizens of the country. Through Young Minds Academy (YMA) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), he has changed the lives of young minds by being a co-developer of the youth development framework of the organization. He is also an advocate of MEGA Cebu and has lent a hand in the development of various capacity building programs for local government officials towards good governance.

About Global Shapers Community:
The Global Shapers Community is a worldwide network of local hubs composed of outstanding young people committed to improving the state of the world. As the youth leg of the World Economic Forum, they channel the optimism and the energy of the youth by uniting extraordinary individuals in their 20's from various fields of expertise to dream up and realize projects for the communities that they live in. With its motto, Shape Your Future, the Global Shapers Community enables the youth to be a voice for the future in the local, regional and global stage. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Global Shapers Community is present in each major city/region in the world. Despite the diversity of its members, they are united in their goal to build a more inclusive world.