"AKO Mismo," a nationwide advocacy campaign eventually ratified for the upcoming and much-anticipated national and local elections on May 2010, will be launched in Negros Occidental with some 3,000 Negrense youths expected to participate in tonight's launching at the Capitol lagoon from 3-7 p.m.

"Ako Mismo" project director Mardi Mapa-Suplido urges Negrenses "to join the growing consciousness for social change through collective action and volunteerism and break the attitude of apathy and indifference which are prevalent today."

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"These activities will be mostly service-oriented and anchored on the theme 'Ako Mismo Kikilos Para sa Mga Bata sa Negros,'" added Mapa-Suplido, former Negros Occidental provincial board member and former presidential adviser on youth affairs.

She said "members from around 20 youth and non-government organizations will volunteer in service booths that will feature feeding programs, blood-letting, information dissemination and advocacy."

Those who are going to participate in today's launching are encouraged to bring toothpaste, toothbrush, slippers, and notebooks to be donated to children in far-flung and mountainous areas.

A survey of the Dane Doyle Bernbach (DDB) recently showed that 87 percent of Filipinos age 18 to 35 are now apathetic with the current state of the country.
Mapa-Suplido stressed "Ako Mismo" is a social advocacy organized by DDB, with aims to energize and rejuvenate young Filipinos and move them to action.

Said advocacy, which started sometime in May this year, already has almost 250,000 members who signed up mostly through the website www.akomismo.org that asks the prospective member of his or her personal commitment.

Out of these numbers, 4,796 members are confirmed to be from Negros Occidental, Mapa-Suplido said.

Dog tags would also be for sale today for all those who would join the launching, with records saying that more than 45,000 have joined the "Dog Tag Day" at The Fort last June 12, which also featured a commitment wall and photo booth.

Bacolod Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue encourages the youth to unite for the event to enliven the spirit of volunteerism and to help empower other sectors of the community, especially the children.

"Our best chance towards changing our course as a nation is a simultaneous change of attitude, one that goes back to where we started -- optimistic, resourceful, concerned about our neighbors, our community, and our identity as one nation," said Batapa-Sigue. "I think 'Ako Mismo,' with hundreds of thousands of members nationwide, can spark the flames of change for the better."