Theme: Reflections: Of Crossroads and Awakenings

TEDxYouth@SJCS is an independently organized TEDx event by Judenites, for the Judenites. It aims to spark discussion regarding issues that are relevant to members of the SJCS community, most especially to its younger constituents. Invited speakers are in one way or another connected to the SJCS community because TEDxYouth@SJCS actually wants to make such an affair one that is uniquely Judenite. This event is simultaneously a celebration of youth, ideas, and the close-knit community Judenites are all part of. This will be the pilot TEDx event of SJCS, and, hopefully, events like these may continue on for a long time, and may even become a staple event in Saint Jude Catholic School.

TEDxYouth@SJCS holds the theme for this year 2017 "Reflections: Of Crossroads and Awakenings." This TEDx event focuses on the youth and the lessons and realizations they encounter in their growing up and self discovery years. It is an intimate event to create space for experience sharing organized by the youth, for the youth.

Saint Jude Catholic School
327 Ycaza St., San Miguel
Manila, National Capital Region, 1005
Philippines

Abbey Sy

Artist + author

Art has always had a special place in Abbey Sy's heart, but she has decided early on that she will not pursue a career as an artist, thus, deciding to take up Advertising Management at De La Salle University and landing a job as a strategic planner. Having said these, her first TEDx talk inspired her to take a leap of faith, and now, she is living the dream as the Founder and Creative Director of her own magazine for artists, crafters, and makers- ABC Magazine- as part of managing her personal brand, Abbey Sy. Having been able to work with the likes of Summit Books, Candy Magazine, and Rappler, Abbey Sy proves that one does not need to give up his/her interests and passions in order to have a successful career.

Bea Tan

Manager HR employee relations and communications

Being the Manager of HR Employee Relations and Communications at The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, a former Batch President of the SJCS Alumni Association, a government worker, and a former student leader in her alma mater, Saint Jude Catholic School, Bea Tan has worked with people all her life and has learned through the years to be adaptive to all kinds of conversation. However, despite graduating from De La Salle University with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Major in Psychology), her dream was to be able to teach in a public school. Thus, after taking up Master of Arts in Education (Major in Basic Education Training), she took it upon herself to realize that dream of giving back to society. Bea Tan was a Teacher-Fellow for two and a half years for the Teach for the Philippines and is now teaching people around her to, after climbing their own mountains of success, use those positions to help lift others up as well.

Isabella Tan

College student

Being a millennial herself, Ms. Isabella Tan understood from the start that this generation, although run by the best technology and given the best education, is not worth anything--yet. After graduating as class salutatorian in Saint Jude Catholic School, at her young age, Isabella Tan has already learned to accept all the quirks and whims that comes with being herself. Thus, she was able to identify what career path she wanted to pursue and this propelled her to take up Bachelor of Fine Arts (Major in Industrial Design), hoping to help solve the little problems in society today by doing what she loves. Isabella Tan inspires the youth of today to--as hard as it is--embrace their own identities, accept those of others', and help solve one small problem of the world at a time.

Joanna Young

Execution strategy supervisor + teacher

Being the Execution Strategy Supervisor is one of the many roles that Joanna Young plays at Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC Inc.) After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Ateneo de Manila University in 2012, she has had numerous immersions handling the world’s top products, thus increasing her competency in marketing and sales strategy, communications, customer relations, and leadership. Joanna Young, as she continues to thrive in competitive environments, has failed enough times in the past that she was able to build a work ethic that will always make for a worthy champion. Despite the fact that success has become the forefront of every action people do today, Joanna Young was able to see that there was not enough materials that teach about the necessity of failing. This observation from her of the world propelled her to be the instrument herself, as she now continuously reminds everyone to embrace failure and move forward.

Peejay Garcia

Public speaker + teacher

“Our lives begin to end the day we remain silent about things that matter”. This is a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that Peejay Garcia firmly believes in. As a polished poet, philosopher, public speaker, writer, and debate coach, he has undoubtedly mastered the skill of articulating his thoughts to people. Additionally, he is also proficient in the art of debating, having been the first person in history to be awarded as the “Best Debater in Asia”. Moreover, Peejay Garcia is an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, as he himself has experienced a stroke that left him permanently paralyzed. His firm faith in God is his source of strength that helps him conquer the daily struggles of being a physically challenged individual. Truly, he has gone through a lot mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and has much to share to the youth.

Russel Odi

Robotics Program Head

Who would know their students better than their mentors? He’s probably no stranger to many in Saint Jude Catholic School because Russel Odi has been a member of the High School faculty for six years now. Having graduated in 2011 from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in BS Secondary Education, Major in Physics, and Minor in Mathematics, he has since been sharpening the minds of students in the various fields of science. Added to that, he has helped many of his students bag accolades by being their mentor in Astronomy, Earth Science, and Physics competitions, among many. His immense value for education, and his passion to teach and inspire the young are the trademark traits that come to mind when one hears the name ‘Sir Odi’ . Indeed, it is his goal that his students not only get good grades, but train them to become intelligent themselves.

Yana Tan

Senior high school student

Culture takes up a big part of one’s identity, and for Yana Tan, unfortunately, it took up all her seventeen years of existence. While she cherishes her rich and unique identity as a Chinese-Filipino, she has just recently realized how this very culture shaded her from all the things the world has to offer. As a student of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in Saint Jude Catholic School, Yana was pushed to experience things she never could have dreamed possible—some, more uncomfortable than others. Above all, she has learned to appreciate her cultural identity while still being open to experience others’. ​ Chinese-Filipino Yana Tan now tries to motivate her fellow millennials to explore and be uncomfortable because ironic as it may seem, it may be the only way to discover oneself, and possibly, the world.