Written by: Amelou Sheen Figueras

PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – A team of students from the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) clinched Second Place at the 2026 Leaders Conference and Global Camp, a four-day event held from February 25 to 28 at the Golden Jubilee Agriculture Museum in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

The annual Leaders Conference, organized by the International Youth Fellowship, empowers young leaders and future changemakers to develop mission-based solutions that seek to address pressing and relevant societal issues. Driven by a deeper purpose, the conference challenges its participants to think critically and act decisively on real-world problems. As such, this year’s theme, “Youth for Social Change,” encouraged students to conceptualize impactful, sustainable community projects that amplify their advocacies and create social change.

Representing UP Manila under the team LC44, the interdisciplinary team was composed of Organizational Communication students Gio Leaño, Jan Lloyd Concepcion, Thyrone Yenwathana, Ser Thomas Rouen Diaz, Jerlinda Reyes, Allyanna Diane Cartas, and Jaren Bricks Cordero, alongside Biochemistry students Min Kyung Lee, Arabella Clarissa Sayat, and Helaena Lorainne Garcia. The team competed against 51 groups of high school and university students from Thailand, Laos, China Myanmar, Nepal, Indonesia, South Africa, Korea, Malaysia, Peru, and Kazakhstan.

At the conference, LC44 presented “Thai-m to Log Off” as a strategic response to the growing crisis of social media addiction among the younger generation.  This year-long youth initiative specifically targets individuals aged 18 to 22 by promoting digital self-regulation through structured phases. The project culminates in a seven-day “Reconnect Camp” designed to immerse participants in digital detox, physical activities, reflective workshops, and real-life social engagement. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to reframe the youth’s relationship with technology and restore it as a tool of intentionality rather than a source of dependency.

The team’s journey to the podium was not without obstacles. During the final round, technical difficulties tested their resolve, challenging the team to stay composed under pressure. Despite the nerves, speakers Thyrone Yenwathana and Jan Lloyd Concepcion proved their mettle as they delivered their presentation with poise and conviction. Furthermore, their team leader Gio Leaño noted that their advocacy-driven campaign and perseverance under pressure played a key role in securing the award.

“Every scroll is a choice. Every log-off is a reclamation. Thai-m to Log Off is not about rejecting technology — it’s about refusing to be consumed by it,” the team shared.

Youth Leadership on the Global Stage 
As the team won the 2nd Prize at the Leaders Conference, this achievement reflects the global competitiveness of UP Manila students and the university’s commitment to honing them into well-rounded individuals who not only excel in their respective fields but are driven to make a difference in the world. By integrating communication strategies with scientific perspectives, the delegates addressed social media addiction from multiple angles. LC44’s success is a reminder that the most profound and impactful solutions often come from those willing to look beyond their own discipline and work together toward a common purpose.