Draft:Mirus Ponon
Emmanuel Mirus Ponon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 13, 2001 Paco, Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Education | Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati |
| Alma mater | De La Salle University |
| Occupation(s) | Youth advocate, nonprofit executive |
Emmanuel Mirus Ponon (born May 13, 2001) is a Filipino youth advocate, nonprofit founder, and public speaker. He is the founder of the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network (AYAN), a regional youth-led organization focused on civic engagement, sustainable development, and regional cooperation. Ponon has represented the Philippines at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, APEC Voices of the Future, and other global platforms. He was included in Tatler Asia’s Gen.T List in 2023 and named a Global Teen Leader by the We Are Family Foundation in 2021. In 2025, he delivered a TED Talk on youth leadership and mental health, drawing from his personal experiences. He is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies at KU Leuven in Belgium.
Early life and education
[edit]Emmanuel Mirus Ponon was born on May 13, 2001, and raised on Syson Street in Paco, Manila. He attended the UP Manila Early Childhood Care and Development Center (CRECHE) before pursuing secondary education at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati. His mother works as a nurse at the Philippine General Hospital, while his father is a professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. His grandmother, Wenifreda Soto, was a recipient of the Dangal ng Bayan Award.
Ponon has spoken publicly about experiencing bullying and early symptoms of ADHD during his formative years, which were only formally recognized in his late teens. He has described frequent incidents of losing personal items and difficulty focusing, particularly in memorization-based tasks. Growing up in a fire-prone district of Paco, he recalls witnessing manmade fires that displaced families and triggered his early interest in advocacy and community assistance. His first documented volunteering was at December 25, 2010 when he and his family donated gifts to Barangay Tandaay located in Nabua, Camarines Sur.
Career
[edit]In 2020, Ponon founded the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network (AYAN), which has since organized over 250 initiatives impacting more than 200,000 young people across Southeast Asia.[1]
He represented the Philippines in international forums, including the APEC Voices of the Future (2021, 2022), the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, and the UN Global Climate and SDG Conference.[2] Ponon also actively contributed to national youth programs and served on the WWF-Philippines National Youth Council.[3]
In 2024, Ponon appeared on national television through TV5’s "Wow Mali: Doble Tama," hosted by Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo. There, he was honored with the "Wow, Ikaw Na Award," which recognizes outstanding Filipino youth achievements.
Recognitions
[edit]Ponon has received multiple awards and honors, including:
- Tatler Asia Gen.T List 2023 honoree[4]
- Global Teen Leader by the We Are Family Foundation[5]
- Young Global Changemakers Award
- Deloitte CSR National Youth Award
- National Youth Commission Presidential Youth Service Award
- TV5 "Wow, Ikaw Na Award" (2024)
Selected activities
[edit]- Founder and Chairperson, ASEAN Youth Advocates Network
- Head Delegate of the Philippines, APEC Voices of the Future (2021, 2022)[6]
- Speaker, United Nations Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation for CSW67
- TED Talk speaker, 2024
- Featured advocate, ABS-CBN's POVXYZ campaign[7]
Media appearances
[edit]Ponon has been featured in several major news outlets including:
References
[edit]- ^ "Inspiring Filipino Student Wins Global Award for Founding Nonprofit Org for ASEAN Youth". WhenInManila. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Mirus Ponon (ASEAN Youth Advocates Network) at Climate and SDGs Conference". IISD. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "New Forces for Nature: Get to Know the National Youth Council Members". WWF-Philippines. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Pinoys in Tatler Asia Gen.T List 2023". Philstar Life. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Mirus Ponon, Global Teen Leader 2021". We Are Family Foundation. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Mirus Ponon: Building a Digital Future for All". APEC Business Advisory Council Philippines. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Robi, Janina, and Mirus in POVXYZ". ABS-CBN. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Philippines' Young Voters Take to the Streets". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Emmanuel Mirus Ponon". Tatler Asia. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the Filipino College Student Who Wants to Change the World". GMA Network. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "Mirus Ponon: Youth Advocate and Leader". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 28, 2025.