MAKATI CITY — Student creativity took center stage as the Makati City Government recognized young advocates who participated in an Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) Contest designed to expose the deceptive strategies used by the tobacco and nicotine industry. Organized through the Makati Health Department’s Tobacco Control Program, the competition was held in support of the 2026 World No Tobacco Day theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.” Students were challenged to produce compelling videos that could encourage their fellow young people to make healthier, smoke-free choices. The recognition ceremony awarded trophies and cash prizes to the winning teams, celebrating not only their creative work but also their commitment to promoting public health. The initiative highlights how young people can turn their talents and ideas into meaningful advocacy within their schools and communities.
Young Voices Making an Impact
For the participating students, the recognition represents more than an achievement in a competition. It gives value to their voices and demonstrates how youth can contribute to conversations about health and wellness. Students from Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School, Hen. Pio del Pilar Elementary School 1, and Makati High School used their creativity to address the influence of tobacco and nicotine products and encourage their peers to make informed choices. The city government also provided individual cash incentives for members of the winning teams, with PHP 6,000 per member for the first-place team, PHP 5,000 per member for the second-place team, and PHP 3,000 per member for the third-place team. The recognition serves as an added affirmation that their efforts in promoting healthier communities are valued. Through activities such as the AVP contest, students gain not only recognition but also greater confidence and skills to become health advocates capable of encouraging positive choices among their peers.
Investing in the Next Generation of Health Advocates
For Makati City, the initiative reflects its continued efforts to strengthen tobacco control while giving young residents an active role in public health advocacy. The entries were evaluated by public health and education experts, including Dr. Janet S. Farol and Dr. Maureen Grace C. Gecolea, reflecting the city’s collaborative approach to addressing tobacco and nicotine addiction. The Makati Health Department’s Tobacco Control Program has likewise played an important role in strengthening anti-smoking and anti-vaping campaigns in schools. By bringing these efforts directly to students, the city is extending health education beyond the classroom and into the wider community. More than recognizing the winners, the activity demonstrates Makati’s investment in young people as partners in creating healthier communities. Their creativity, awareness, and willingness to speak up show how youth-led advocacy can become a meaningful force in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction.
