How HAPI Impacted Me (#10)

An essay series featuring retrospectives by HAPI members, staff, and leaders in celebration of its 8th Anniversary.

“I can still remember the first time me and my friends were invited to a ‘meeting’ by Humanist Alliance Philippines, International. By the time we went out of that meeting, I was already elected as the  Ambassador of HAPI Junior, the youth arm of HAPI. Similarly, I remember wishing I could grow up like Manong J-rik, Nang Angeline Villa, and the other cool freethinkers who were in that meeting/orientation.

This was one of my first real leadership experiences outside of school. My stint as the founding head of HAPI Jr. remains an integral part of my formation as a youth leader and activist.

HAPI helped me to deepen my understanding of various social issues revolving around humanism and secularism, environmental protection, and the promotion of human rights. Moreover, the organization also helped me to widen my network among various cause-oriented groups.

After two years of leading HAPI Jr. and successfully implementing programs and projects, I needed to vacate the position in order to focus on local environmental issues. Since then, I have returned as one of the HAPI Scholars, handpicked by the founder herself. Among other things, being a HAPI Scholar has allowed me to release online articles that spread important messages as well as land a position under the Youth Committee of Humanist Global Charity.

I am always grateful for these opportunities that HAPI has given me.”

– Joshua Villalobos
HAPI-Bacolod Member / HAPI Scholar