Muling tinanggap ng Filipino-Canadian singer at aktor na si Darren Espanto ang tungkulin bilang celebrity Youth Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ng Pilipinas sa United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Inanunsyo ni UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran ang muling pagpili kay Espanto sa isang virtual ceremony na pinunto ang kahalagahan ng kabataan sa pagsulong ng recovery pathway at ang gampanin ng mga batang artists sa pagpapalaganap sa mga kabataang Pilipino kaugnay ng mga kritikal na issue ngayong henerasyon.
“We have an extraordinary opportunity, as we recover from the pandemic, to build forward better. And we can only do this with the youth as changemakers, as our allies. It is, thus, a pleasure for me to invite Darren to extend your engagement with UNDP as our Youth Advocate in the Philippines. We see how much his influence contributes to our mission for sustainable development,” sabi ni Dr. Ramachandran.
Ang multi-awarded singer-songwriter ay nakilala nang sumabak ito sa unang season ng The Voice Kids Philippines taong 2014.
Inisyal na naitalaga ng UNDP si Espanto noong Abril 2020 upang pukawin ang kabataan sa gampanin nito sa pagpigil ng nakahahawaang COVID-19.
Mula noon, pinalawak ni Espanto ang kanyang adbokasiya kabilang na ang climate action, biodicersity conservation at youth empowerment.
“I have chosen climate action and biodiversity conservation as my focus areas because I am truly concerned with the state of our planet, and I know that if we, young people, take the course of inaction despite our awareness of the climate crisis, we will be the first generation to bear the brunt of climate change and global warming,” sabi ni Espanto sa pagtanggap ng kanyang reappointment.
Pinunto ni UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrie ang “online presence” at “fresh voice” ni Espanto bilang ilan sa dahilan ng pagkakatalaga nito bilang youth advocate.
“With his impressive social media presence and his reach among the youth, Darren is an excellent advocate who brings a youthful and creative perspective to the social and environmental issues that we face today,” ani Carried.
Ang 20-taong gulang na singer ay nasa pangangalaga ng MCA Music Inc.
Si Espanto ang kauna-unahang celebrity Youth Advocate ng UNDP para sa Pilipinas.
Roy Mabasa
