PLDT, Smart Back YSEALI in Championing Cyber Safety Among Youth Leaders

Recognizing that young people are on the frontlines of building safer digital communities, PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently joined the YSEALI Cyberbayanihan Summit 2025 in Davao City, empowering the next generation of responsible digital citizens.

Jointly organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Philippines, YSEALI Amplify 9.0, Lyceum of the Philippines University–Davao, and the USG Alumni Association–Davao, the event gathered youth from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for a Training of Trainers program to strengthen their capacity to promote cybersecurity awareness and digital inclusion in their communities.

“In this age of rising digital threats, it’s encouraging to see young leaders step up as local cybersecurity champions. We recognize the critical role we play in promoting internet safety, and our goal is to ensure that Filipinos, especially the youth, are equipped to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Stakeholder Engagement Head at PLDT and Smart.

Through its #BeCyberSmart program, the PLDT group equipped participants with tools to fight scams, phishing, and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, empowering them to lead their own cyber education initiatives nationwide. PLDT and Smart also opened the PLDT Innolab to the participants, highlighting its role in promoting innovation and cybersecurity practices among Filipino youth and startups.

“As a YSEALI alumna and part of PLDT’s innovation team, it’s meaningful to serve as project officer for the YSEALI Cyberbayanihan Summit and bring PLDT into this impactful collaboration. This initiative showcases how youth, innovation, and purpose can come together to build a safer and more empowered digital community,” said Kristine Dara Ever Juan, PLDT Head for Innovation Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab).

Throughout the summit, participants engaged in interactive learning sessions on responsible digital citizenship and emerging technologies. Design thinking activities and campaign development exercises helped them present ideas to promote safer, cyber-resilient communities.

“The YSEALI Cyberbayanihan Summit empowered me to use digital tools responsibly to protect and amplify the voices of young indigenous peoples. I’m grateful to PLDT and Smart for supporting this initiative, which inspires us to become Cyberbayanihan advocates for our communities,” shared Boi Anna Jessa Mae Y. Crisostomo, National Spokesperson of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization.

This collaboration reflects PLDT and Smart’s commitment to promoting digital literacy, cybersecurity, and online safety, helping build a stronger, more inclusive digital Philippines, where empowered youth lead the way toward a better, connected future.