Article by: Jonah Denise Aguilar, John Marvin Logronio
Proofread by: Reese Valerie Gantan
AZIL PENELOPE CHARLIZE PALONPON
UVU PRESIDENT 2025-2026
Last September 6, 2025, an exclusive interview with Azil Palonpon, president of UST Volunteer for UNICEF (UVU), was held. The Newsletter Division under the Advocacy Committee gathered information about the organization’s current initiatives, upcoming plans, and the president’s message to both current and prospective volunteers.
For the president, UVU is more than an organization, but an ‘ohana’ a family that nurtures shared commitments, values, and advocacies.​ According to President Azil Palonpon, the Thomasian community can expect new initiatives and content from the organization for the academic year 2025-2026. She also stated that the organization aims to adopt a more progressive and accommodating approach in addressing the concerns of its volunteers, partner communities, and the organization.
​
Inspired by the previous executive board and the current student body of UVU, Palonpon composed the primary goals of the organization. She aims to establish a strong identity for the organization that is recognized through publication materials and initiatives, one that listens to its partnered communities.
​
"Pare-parehas kami ng gusto— to make the org[anization] a better place to live in and to work in,” Palonpon stated, acknowledging the previous executive board who shared the same advocacies.
​
The president then went on to share both the ongoing and upcoming initiatives of the organization. She began with the Cultural Kaleidoscope, scheduled to happen in late November, where volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about the culture of partner communities through an overnight bonding experience.
In continuing her remarks, she also highlighted the revival of several meaningful pre-pandemic initiatives, including First-Aid Training, Batang Mataliknows, and the Mahiwaga Storytelling Event. In addition, she mentioned plans for an intramural activity with partner communities, as well as an Advocacy Summit organized by the Advocacy Committee.
Palonpon emphasized that the most rewarding part of being a member of the organization is the gratitude she received from the partner communities, especially from the children. She added that the rigorous planning and execution of UVU’s events are made worthwhile by the appreciative response of their beneficiaries.
​
“The most rewarding part of being part of UVU is seeing yung mga smiles ng partnered community, seeing yung mga smiles of the kids genuinely having fun, seeing the [kids] participate during our activities, and also hearing from our partnered leaders saying na ‘maraming salamat na ginawa niyo ang event na ‘to!’,” Palonpon said.
Along the way, the president mentioned that she wants to build a culture within the organization that revolves around “ohana,” the Hawaiian word for family, making the organization a welcoming group that utilizes its platform to advocate for the children.
​
“Gusto ko rin bini-build natin ang ‘ohana’ within the org[anization],” the president stated. Highlighting her initiative to show the importance of fostering a sense of family within the organization’s community.
​
The interview went on with the message of gratitude from Palonpon. She acknowledged the continued dedication of every single volunteer, saying that the organization would not function without them.
​
Moreover, she also invites new volunteers who share the same values, vision, and advocacy to join UVU in its mission to uplift the lives of children, describing the organization as the perfect avenue to make a stand in today’s challenging world for the kids.
​
In her closing statement, Palonpon shared that if UVU were to be remembered for one defining achievement this year, it would be its impact. “I think if I can see that vision through our events and the growth they’ve made throughout the academic year, then UVU has been successful in reaching its goal,” she stated. Palonpon added that everyone can take part in creating change, regardless of their position in the organization.
​
“Children are the future of the world, and if you are passionate about dedicating yourself to that future, if you’re willing to take a stand and take action, if you want to be part of that change, UVU is the avenue for you,”
– Azil Penelope Charlize Palonpon, UVU President ‘25-’26
01 BATA BALITA INSIDER | UVU PRESIDENT 2025-2026