28 November 2025 | Capitol Gymnasium, Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani Province
Reported by Jick L. Acupan and Prince Nico Geolaga
The Gaia Awards: Recognizing the Guardians of the Earth marked the final phase of Project Dugong, co-celebrated with the Munato Youth Festival of Sarangani Province. This culminating event recognized and evaluated the implemented activities of participating teams, honoring their innovation, perseverance, and commitment to making Sarangani a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable place.
The following awards were conferred in recognition of exemplary project implementation:
- Gaia Laureate Award: Team Bantayog
- Gaia Excellence Award: Team Nautica
- Gaia Merit Award: Team Malahluntian
- Best in Team Management: Team Bantayog
- Best in Video Presentation: Team Malahluntian
Key takeaways
- Participants gained valuable experience in conceptualizing and implementing environmental projects in their local communities, highlighting the transformative role of youth in nation-building. Through engagement with notable evaluators, they received constructive insights that prepared them for participation in a wider community of young environmental advocates.
- Recognition during the Gaia Awards affirmed the participants’ efforts to create meaningful impact within their respective communities. Beyond attending the culminating activity, participants received both individual and team recognition for the tangible outcomes of their projects.
- The event also reinforced the participants’ commitment to sustained environmental action. While their project activities were successfully completed, teams expressed a collective resolve to continue their advocacy, expand their initiatives, and inspire wider community involvement.
Main highlights
November 28, 2025
Alabel, Sarangani Province.
Team Projico and Volunteers
Activities Implemented
The Gaia Awards commenced with a pre-culminating activity featuring an Accomplishment Presentation. Participating teams presented their project outcomes in a closed-door panel evaluation, which served as the basis for determining excellence in implementation.
Evaluation criteria were as follows:
- Project Implementation and Execution, including planning, teamwork, coordination, and problem-solving (30%)
- Impact and Results, including measurable outputs, outcomes, and depth of impact (25%)
- Creativity and Innovation, including originality, innovative solutions, and resourcefulness (15%)
- Community Engagement and Participation, including volunteer involvement, collaboration, and responsiveness (15%)
- Presentation Quality, including visuals, organization, clarity, and audience engagement (15%)
Total: 100%
Following the evaluation, participants proceeded to the Capitol Gymnasium for the main culmination program. The event was attended by participants, mentors, guests from the Provincial Youth Development Division, and members of the public. A message was delivered by the Federation of Provincial Sangguniang Kabataan President, the official youth representative of Sarangani Province.
During the program, participants’ video outputs were showcased on a large screen to highlight their work and share their stories with the broader audience. This was followed by the awarding of certificates, plaques, and tokens of appreciation to participants, mentors, volunteers, and partners. The announcement of awardees concluded the ceremony.
Overall, the celebration was meaningful and rich with stories of collaboration, perseverance, and growth. Participants shared their journeys, challenges, and learnings—experiences that strengthened their commitment to environmental service and embodied the spirit of Project Dugong, symbolized by the dugong itself, a species at risk without collective action.
Outcome
The Gaia Awards served as a fulfilling conclusion to Project Dugong’s goal of guiding youth toward sustainable development. While trainings, sessions, and leadership roles were provided to empower participants, the process demonstrated that growth comes through practice and experience rather than perfection at the outset.
The participating teams transformed challenges into learning opportunities, emerging with renewed hope, passion, and vision for a cleaner and greener future. All seven teams expressed gratitude for the opportunity to network, implement community-based projects, and initiate environmental advocacy at a young age. More importantly, the experience instilled a deeper awareness of the importance of collective action and belonging to a larger community committed to environmental sustainability.
