If there’s one thing that I absolutely love, it’s getting to know young people who have worked hard to reach the pinnacle of success. These exceptional people inspire me to work harder and keep running after my dreams. After all, if they can do it, who says I can’t do it, too – right? #tiwala
The country’s number one family fast food chain, Jollibee, has recently unveiled its newest batch of Yumbassadors – young Filipino achievers who have excelled and continuously blaze trails in their respective fields, serving as role models for today’s Generation Y.
Come meet them and get inspired, too!
14 Young and Successful Filipino Achievers Who are Sure to Inspire You
14. Marlon Stockinger
25-Year-Old F1 Race Car Driver
Marlon Stockinger is one of the talented few living the ultimate racer dream. The first Filipino to win a European formula race, Marlon sped through the circuits of Formula BMW Europe, Formula Renault UK, the GP3 Series, and until 2015, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Marlon is currently racing with the Team ISR for the 2016 MS Blancplain GT Series and is gunning for faster track times to share his victory with every Pinoy who aspires to live their dreams.
10. – 13. Fourth Impact
World-Famous Filipina Girl Group
Fourth Impact conquered London’s Wembley Stadium when they audition for the British X Factor. Almira (28), Irene (26), Mylene (24), and Celina (20) Cercado are veterans of local singing contests and have represented the country in the World Championships of Performing Arts. However, their pop dream remained elusive in the Philippines, propelling them to join the popular South Korean talent show, Superstar K6. It’s an ongoing journey to success for the Cercado sisters and they are not giving up on the dream to conquer the world with their amazing talent, determination, and Filipino pride.
9. Christopher Valentin
20-Year-Old Outstanding Student
Christopher Valentin received a full scholarship from the Far Eastern University (FEU) to study Psychology as his pre-med course. However, a full ride is not enough to pay for the day-to-day expenses of a college student. To make ends meet, Christopher sold customized t-shirts to his classmates and peers, tutored fellow students, and transcribed data for a drug company. He graduated Summa cum Laude from FEU, which became his ticket to a tuition-free medicine degree. The soon-to-be doctor believes that good health should not be a privilege and that every Filipino has a right to it. In the future, Christopher dreams of making quality health care services more accessible to the urban poor.
8. Mea Gey Ninura
16-Year-Old Record-Breaking Runner
Considered to be one of the fastest women in the country, Mea Gey Niñura posted a record-breaking time of 10 minutes, 3.4 seconds for the 2016 Palarong Pambansa girls’ 3000-meter run. Shattering Mea Gey’s record could, once again, take decades.
The future indeed looks bright for the 16-year-old sprinter, who wishes to clinch an athletic scholarship from a prominent university.
7. Jairus Ferrer
25-Year-Old Model and Agricultural Entrepreneur
Unsure of what field to study in college, Jairus Ferrer took a gap year to find himself. He signed up for a four-month agricultural course in his native Bukidnon and discovered what he really wanted to do: farming. The young entrepreneur co-founded Pronic Foods, an enterprise that channels the logistics and distribution of niche products, such as Cenyu Probiotic Chicken. Together with his team, Jairus was instrumental in creating an urban market for Bukidnon’s premium coffee products.
6. Juan Miguel Severo
27-Year-Old Poet and Spoken Word Artist
In a time of hugot or stories of love and heartbreak, an intense spoken word performance titled “Ang Huling Tula na Isusulat ko Para Sayo” by Juan Miguel Severo went viral online, amassing millions of views and shares and inspiring many not only to appreciate the overlooked art of spoken word, but of the Tagalog language.
(RELATED: WATCH: This Pinoy Poet Just Summed Up All Your Hugot Feelings In The Best Way)
Juan Miguel soon rose to mainstream fame through his recurring role in the hit teleserye On the Wings of Love. Juan Miguel loves telling stories, which encouraged him to become a better writer, performer, and actor. Aside from delivering emotionally charged spoken word performances to jam-packed cafés and bars, Juan Miguel’s words reach thousands of young Pinoys going through the pains and joys of modern love and life through his popular social media accounts.
Read on to get to know 5 more young and successful Filipino achievers!
