A young girl in politics

Running for public office was never in Mary Jedde Ampolitod’s plans.

A year ago, she was a graduating student of the Mandaue City Science High School, vying for honors. Much of her time was spent fulfilling her responsibilities as a student.

She preferred to keep to herself. Running for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections meant that she needed to overcome shyness in preparation for her new role if elected  SK Council chairperson in their barangay, not to mention dealing with people from different walks of life.

“My uncle encouraged me to run because he saw something in me. He observed that I’m hardworking and that I’m capable of leading,” said the 16-year-old Ampolitod.

With her family’s support, Ampolitod ran for Sangguniang Kabataang chairperson last year in barangay, Guizo, Mandaue City, and won.

Winning the elections was an eye-opener for her, she said. Since she became SK chairperson, it became clear to her that there are many things that she can do to help the children and youth in her barangay.

“Before, I was not engaged (in community activities) because I was shy. After I got elected, it was an eye-opener for me to get involved with the things that are happening,” said Ampolitod, a first year BS Psychology student at the University of San Carlos.

According to her, being an SK chairperson puts her to do something good for the community, especially for the youth, which she represents.

Since she was elected last year, Ampolitod has led the SK Council in implementing various projects for the children and youth.

Among the things that she spearheaded was the feeding program in six sitios in the barangay. Initially, the SK council was only supposed to hold a gift-giving activity since it was Christmas at that time.

Seeing that there’s also a need for a feeding program, the council included it in their activities last  Christmas.

Ampolitod added it was a start of their long-term feeding program. With the assistance of barangay health workers, they gathered  data on  malnourished children who will be included in the program.

The barangay SK council is still working out the details of the feeding program.

Recognizing that the use of prohibited drugs is common among the youth, they conducted two anti-drug symposia; more are being planned in the future. To address the same problem, the Council also conducted a weeklong sports festival last summer featuring Filipino games such as tubig-tubig and bahaw-bahaw.

She also said she will prioritize  “purchasing sports equipment” for the youth. She believes that this will provide the young a productive way of spending their time.

With the support of the SK council, she plans to hold a waste management week for the youth. Through this, she hoped they will learn more about the importance of managing one’s waste, among other things.

Previously, the barangay’s SK council conducted clean-up drives in Guizo’s river, as well as attended tree planting activities spearheaded by another group.

With all the projects that they are implementing, Ampolitod admits time management is a challenge for her.

She is a full-time student and also an assistant committee head of an organization in their school.

Despite this, she makes sure that she comes to the barangay hall at least once a week.

“I always try do my job well,” she said.

Ampolitod, who was among the SK officials from Mandaue City who took part in the training conducted by the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. last Sept. 9-11, said being an SK chairperson has also helped her in her personal development.

She realized that she is more capable than she initially thought she was. It was something that her uncle pointed out to her when he encouraged her to run.

It was later on reinforced by one of the activities in the camp called Johari’s window where she found out that she has strengths that she cannot see, but others can.

“I need(ed) to realize my place in this world to be productive and I really became productive,” she said.

Ampolitod was awarded as the Most Outstanding SK Chairperson in Mandaue City last August. /Golda A. Epondulan/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

A year ago, she was a graduating student of the Mandaue City Science High School, vying for honors. Much of her time was spent fulfilling her responsibilities as a student.

She preferred to keep to herself. Running for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections meant that she needed to overcome shyness in preparation for her new role if elected  SK Council chairperson in their barangay, not to mention dealing with people from different walks of life.

“My uncle encouraged me to run because he saw something in me. He observed that I’m hardworking and that I’m capable of leading,” said the 16-year-old Ampolitod.

With her family’s support, Ampolitod ran for Sangguniang Kabataang chairperson last year in barangay, Guizo, Mandaue City, and won.

Winning the elections was an eye-opener for her, she said. Since she became SK chairperson, it became clear to her that there are many things that she can do to help the children and youth in her barangay.

“Before, I was not engaged (in community activities) because I was shy. After I got elected, it was an eye-opener for me to get involved with the things that are happening,” said Ampolitod, a first year BS Psychology student at the University of San Carlos.

According to her, being an SK chairperson puts her to do something good for the community, especially for the youth, which she represents.

Since she was elected last year, Ampolitod has led the SK Council in implementing various projects for the children and youth.

Among the things that she spearheaded was the feeding program in six sitios in the barangay. Initially, the SK council was only supposed to hold a gift-giving activity since it was Christmas at that time.

Seeing that there’s also a need for a feeding program, the council included it in their activities last  Christmas.

Ampolitod added it was a start of their long-term feeding program. With the assistance of barangay health workers, they gathered  data on  malnourished children who will be included in the program.

The barangay SK council is still working out the details of the feeding program.

Recognizing that the use of prohibited drugs is common among the youth, they conducted two anti-drug symposia; more are being planned in the future. To address the same problem, the Council also conducted a weeklong sports festival last summer featuring Filipino games such as tubig-tubig and bahaw-bahaw.

She also said she will prioritize  “purchasing sports equipment” for the youth. She believes that this will provide the young a productive way of spending their time.

With the support of the SK council, she plans to hold a waste management week for the youth. Through this, she hoped they will learn more about the importance of managing one’s waste, among other things.

Previously, the barangay’s SK council conducted clean-up drives in Guizo’s river, as well as attended tree planting activities spearheaded by another group.

With all the projects that they are implementing, Ampolitod admits time management is a challenge for her.

She is a full-time student and also an assistant committee head of an organization in their school.

Despite this, she makes sure that she comes to the barangay hall at least once a week.

“I always try do my job well,” she said.

Ampolitod, who was among the SK officials from Mandaue City who took part in the training conducted by the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. last Sept. 9-11, said being an SK chairperson has also helped her in her personal development.

She realized that she is more capable than she initially thought she was. It was something that her uncle pointed out to her when he encouraged her to run.

It was later on reinforced by one of the activities in the camp called Johari’s window where she found out that she has strengths that she cannot see, but others can.

“I need(ed) to realize my place in this world to be productive and I really became productive,” she said.

Ampolitod was awarded as the Most Outstanding SK Chairperson in Mandaue City last August. /Golda A. Epondulan/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.