YOUNG GUNS RULE

YOUNG GUNS RULE

But everyone sees, in the younger one the hope, everybody sees, in the younger one the dream, everybody lives; the pride and passion of the young… so celebrate youth.

-Rick Springfield, Celebrate Youth

SHOUT IT ALL OUT

Pocholo Gonzales, 28

Social Entrepreneur

It is highly unusual to find a young man whose vision is to turn the apathy of his country’s into passion for nation building. But such a young man can be found in 28-year old social entrepreneur, Pocholo Gonzales.

Pocholo founded Voice of the Youth (VOTY) based on personal experiences as a young voice talent, writer, and director while he was still a student. VOTY is a non-profit organization run entirely by youth and is dedicated to developing leadership among talented children and youth in the Philippines, and making a difference by focusing on education, youth participation and development, through the use of technology and media.

The innovative VOTY, funded by Pocholo himself, has reached out to youth through the airwaves, cyberspace and mobile technology. The organization had its own radio youth programs to promote youth participation and development through broadcasting, becoming the only youth programs of their kind in the Philippines. VOTY also broadcasts a variety radio show where young people showcase their talents. Ever on the cutting-edge of technology, VOTY now promotes youth empowerment using mobile technology. Simply by typing “Enter VOTY” and sending the SMS to a number, one can become a cyber-member of VOTY, and receive updates on youth events.

VOTY has grown from strength to strength and is now a multi-award winning organization, having won the Global Youth in Action Awards 2004, Youth Action Net Award of the International Youth Foundation 2003 and the second Quezon City Youth Achiever’s Awards for Community Work Category 2003. Despites this accolades, nothing is sweeter for Pocholo than being appreciated by those he has helped. “The greatest award that I’ve received was during my birthday when VOTY members gave me an “Award of Empowerment”, simply by giving them empowerment, involvement and inspiration.

Pocholo’s not stopping at setting up just one award-winning organization. An entrepreneur in all senses of the word, he has also set up his own company, Univoicesal Productions, a recording studio, voice talent, agency, and voice-acting school. Quizzed on his long term goals, he says, “I dream to have programs from TV, radio, web cast, and Internet run by youth for the youth. I also dream of having my own youth centre, a one stop shop where all youth can come together to solve all the problems they face in life”.