A public school teacher from southern Negros Occidental has been selected to join the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program, a flagship leadership exchange initiative of the United States (US) Department of State that brings together emerging leaders from across Southeast Asia.
Kenneth Gepolango Bacala, a teacher assigned under the Department of Education (DepEd)–Himamaylan City Division and a resident of the neighboring town of Ilog, will represent the province in the program’s Civic Engagement track.
Bacala is the only Negrosanon selected in this year’s cohort, earning the fellowship after a competitive screening process among 26 Filipino applicants.
The fellowship will run from March 8 to April 16 in the US, where Bacala will be placed in Missoula, Montana.
During the six-week program, he will work with organizations involved in community leadership, youth development, and civic participation.
The YSEALI Professional Fellows Program immerses participants in American communities through professional placements, leadership development activities, and cultural exchange programs designed to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding among young leaders in Southeast Asia.
Participants in the fellowship come from 11 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Fellows are assigned to one of four thematic areas: Civic Engagement, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment, Society and Governance, and Sustainability and the Environment.
Bacala’s placement under the Civic Engagement theme reflects his work both as an educator and as a community organizer in Negros Occidental.
Aside from teaching, he founded the Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI) in 2018, a youth-serving organization that implements literacy programs, volunteer-driven activities, and community development projects in underserved communities.
Through these initiatives, Bacala has worked with young people and community volunteers to promote civic participation and strengthen grassroots engagement.
“This opportunity is not only a personal milestone but also a chance to represent the people of Negros and the work we continue to pursue through our community initiatives,” Bacala told Brigada News FM on Thursday, March 5.
Members of HBONI also expressed support for Bacala as he prepares for the international fellowship.
HBONI Youth Executive Directress Kathleen Optana said the organization stands firmly behind Bacala as he takes on another milestone in his leadership journey
“As you step into this milestone of your leadership, always remember that you are not walking this path alone. Your Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. family is rooting and praying for your success,” she said.
She added that the HBONI community remains confident that Bacala will represent both the organization and Negros with dedication.
“Whatever challenges come your way, may you face them with courage and confidence, knowing that many people believe in you and support you. May wisdom guide your decisions, strength carry you through every test, and faith remind you that great things are possible for those who keep moving forward,” Optana said.
During the entire program, Bacala hopes to gain new insights and practical approaches in community organizing, youth leadership development, and civic engagement that can help strengthen grassroots initiatives in Negros Occidental.
After completing the fellowship, he plans to “share the knowledge and experiences he gains with fellow educators, youth leaders, and community volunteers, further expanding programs that promote education, civic participation, and community development in local communities.”
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.