DR. JOSE Rizal once said, “Ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan (the youth is the hope of the nation).” Aljon Acain Azote, a Butuan native and the youngest managing director and marketing executive of a multinational company in the country, is here to prove that.
The 29-year-old started working at a young age after getting his Public Management and Development degree from the University of San Carlos. He has been juggling work, his businesses and volunteering in various youth movements and organizations in Cebu City and of course, in his hometown, Butuan City, since 2009.
As a leader who has the heart to serve the community, Aljon has been organizing outreach programs including feeding programs, and sharing his knowledge and skills with different non-profit organizations to help them identify their potential growth in the community, among others.
Volunteerism amid the pandemic
When Covid-19 began to spread in the country and a nationwide lockdown was imposed, Aljon, just like everyone else who was required to work from home, went home to Butuan City to be with his family, relatives and community.
As someone who enjoys serving the community in any way possible, Aljon together with his friends and family, through their company, organized outreach and feeding programs, distributing aid and hygiene kits especially to those secluded areas that rarely receive aid.
While going around Butuan to extend help and distribute goods, Aljon realized that there are so many things that could have been done, and many more that he wants to do for Butuanons.
“The pandemic was an eye-opener to me. I think we could do more to be able to extend help to
and serve everyone,” he said.
Volunteerism and public service run in their blood as Aljon got his love for serving the community from his grandfather Jose Azote, who was the first mayor of Butuan City.
Youngest candidate in Butuan City to date
The city mayor, Norbert Pagaspas, saw a potential in Aljon and his care for the community, that he asked him to run as a city councilor. Before he decided to run, it was a long road for Aljon as he had some discussions with friends and family.
With his long list of skills and experience in leading people, his passion to serve and his realization during the pandemic, Aljon was inspired to join politics. Today, he is by far the youngest candidate to run in the city. “Being young means you’re very much creative and innovative, which people exactly need, because in this new age, people need someone who could provide innovative and very sustainable solutions to the problems especially now with all the restrictions brought by the pandemic. I am not afraid or intimidated to be the youngest especially that I have an experience being the youngest managing director and marketing executive for a multinational company,” he proudly said.
Aljon also assures Butuanons that he will be there for them all the time as he believes that “being a leader means that you’re always there for your constituents.”
Aljon, who is successful in his career and has outstanding leadership skills, said one of his goals is to empower and give more attention to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “Economic enterprise is close to my heart as 90 percent of the businesses in the city are local SMEs, and it would be best for us to support and give more importance to this for sustainability and to help economic growth.”
He also wants to create a community where everyone can speak up, be involved and infuse the local government with new ideas and insights for a better tomorrow. SPONSORED CONTENT