Alessandra A. Leope, a third-year BS Accountancy student from the University of Batangas Lipa City’s College of Management and Tourism, has been selected as one of the Top 30 BUILD Fellows in the Philippines under the BUILD Youth Fellowship 2025 organized by BUILD Pilipinas. The fellowship, which accepts young Filipinos aged 18 to 25, identifies and trains emerging youth leaders committed to advancing digital advocacy, responsible online engagement, and community-based leadership.
Leope was chosen following BUILD Pilipinas’ nationwide search that welcomed applications for two batches in 2025, with deadlines on August 8 for Batch 1 and October 20 for Batch 2. The selection process emphasized leadership potential, involvement in youth-led initiatives, and commitment to promoting truthful, responsible, and united online communities – aligned with BUILD Pilipinas’ advocacy to combat disinformation through the #LabangTotooIkawAtAko movement.
The BUILD Youth Fellowship 2025 offers participants mentorship opportunities, skills training, and exposure to both online and on-the-ground organizing. The program aims to equip fellows with digital advocacy competencies, leadership tools, and community engagement strategies. Fellows participate in workshops, collaborate with peers across the country, and engage in activities that encourage proactive involvement in issues affecting their communities. The first batch of the fellowship was conducted from August 15 to 30, 2025, while the second run of the program took place from October 25 to November 22, 2025.
Leope’s inclusion in the Top 30 highlights her academic and co-curricular commitment and her dedication to contributing to meaningful youth-driven efforts in the digital space. Her participation in the program reinforces UBLC’s ongoing support for leadership development and civic engagement among its students, particularly in emerging areas such as digital citizenship and information integrity.
As the University of Batangas Lipa City continues to empower students who demonstrate exceptional promise and civic responsibility, Leope’s achievement reaffirms UBLC’s unwavering commitment to cultivating socially responsive, ethically grounded, and future-ready learners. This milestone also exemplifies the University’s steadfast dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) – advancing inclusive, transformative, and globally attuned educational initiatives that elevate human potential, fortify intellectual leadership, and ensure that UBLC’s academic and community-driven endeavors remain aligned with international standards of excellence, equity, and lifelong learning.