Lambunao Teen to Represent PH in Taiwan Leadership Camp

A 15-year-old student from Caninguan National High School in Lambunao, Iloilo is set to represent the Philippines at the 2025 Asian Girls in Action Power Camp in Taiwan this July, bringing with her a project rooted in Indigenous pride and cultural empowerment.

Sharielle Angelie Lemonar, an incoming Grade 10 student, was selected as one of only 10 participants from across Asia for the prestigious leadership program, which runs from July 20 to 27.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the unique culture of our people on an international stage,” Sharielle said. “I’m proud to represent not only Lambunao but also the strong and resilient Indigenous People of Panay Bukidnon.”

The camp gathers exceptional young women from diverse cultural backgrounds to design and collaborate on community projects that empower women and promote cultural heritage.

Sharielle’s initiative, “Kubo ng Kultura,” focuses on preserving the ancestral practices of the Panay Bukidnon by offering workshops on weaving and tubok, a traditional method of dyeing fabrics with natural pigments.

The project also incorporates digital marketing training, aiming to help Indigenous women generate sustainable livelihoods by bridging ancestral craft with modern entrepreneurship.

Sharielle’s participation is supported by Baryo Balangaw Creative Initiatives, Inc., a Lambunao-based nonprofit that promotes community art and sustainability.

The organization has been instrumental in mentoring Sharielle and shaping her approach to cultural preservation and youth advocacy.

She will be joined in Taiwan by her adviser and chaperone, Ms. Christy Ann Lacuesta, with additional support from SSLG adviser Mr. John Ace Gamosa and Caninguan National High School Head Mr. Reynald S. Casumpang.

“This is a proud moment not just for our school, but for the entire Lambunao community,” Mr. Casumpang said in a statement. “Sharielle is a role model for youth empowerment and cultural pride.”

The Asian Girls in Action Power Camp is an annual initiative designed to develop the leadership potential of young Asian women through workshops, cultural exchanges, and collaborative project planning.

Participants return home equipped with leadership tools, broader perspectives, and action plans to implement in their own communities.

Sharielle’s selection is viewed as a milestone for youth advocacy in Iloilo, underscoring the province’s growing reputation as a hub for grassroots innovation and Indigenous cultural revival.

While expenses related to the trip have not been disclosed, similar international youth programs typically range from PHP 80,000 to PHP 150,000 per delegate, covering travel, accommodation, and program materials.

Sharielle’s journey from the uplands of Iloilo to an international leadership stage exemplifies how youth-led initiatives can uplift communities and safeguard cultural legacies.