By Michael Aaron Gomez
The Ateneo de Davao University proudly congratulates Ms. Jwyneth Royce A. Denolan, a student of the University and member of the Ateneo de Davao University – College Red Cross Youth (AdDU – CRCY), for receiving the distinction of being one of the Outstanding Red Cross Youth of the Philippines (TORCY) last 29 October 2019 at the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Logistics & Multipurpose Center at Mandaluyong City. This distinction was given as part of the 2019 Red Cross Youth Excellence Awards, given to outstanding RCY volunteers, as well as outstanding Chapter Youth Councils and Outstanding School Councils. The Outstanding Red Cross Youth of the Philippines itself was launched in 2003. Relatedly, the AdDU – CRCY was also picked as a finalist in the Outstanding Red Cross Youth Council category.
Denolan joins two other representatives from Davao City in claiming the distinction. Other finalists represented Red Cross Youth chapters from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Laguna; Iloilo; Rizal; Camarines Sur; and Cebu. In the Outstanding Red Cross Youth Council category, the AdDU – CRCY was also joined by universities from Iloilo, Quezon City, and Manila, including the University of Santo Tomas.
When asked about her success, Denolan credits her volunteer and organizing work for the AdDU – CRCY, whose “different humanitarian works,” working in “first-aid stations in various school events,” and “volunteering during relief operations,” have made her more resilient and versatile. “The Red Cross has a lot to do with my individual holistic development—development in physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects,” Denolan reflected. Her work as member of the AdDU – CRCY has also helped her immensely in her personal development. “I’ve gained a lot of friends in my different school councils and in the chapter who I now consider as family,” she said. “My involvement in the AdDU – CRCY allowed me to develop and grow further not only as an RCY youth leader, but as a sui generis leader as well.” She also credits her Red Cross work for helping her grow into a sui generis leader who practices the values taught by the Ateneo. “Being in the club helped me make much more sense of Ateneo’s 6Cs and elevated my desire to become a woman for others,” she added. On a final note, she thanked her work for the Red Cross for strengthening her faith, which pushed her to strive for social justice. “The Red Cross movement has honed my spiritual life in the sense that it made my faith both in God and humanity, much stronger. The more I see clearer the suffering [of] humanity, the more I also see the various efforts people, especially in the Red Cross, do to aid in attending to those who are in need,” she said.
According to the Philippine Red Cross, the Red Cross Youth Excellence Awards plays “an important part in the implementation of the programs of the RCY department,” which also involves “inspiring more young individuals and councils towards excellence as they become valuable citizens of the country.” It believes that “due recognition to exemplary volunteers and councils will foster a community in the Red Cross Youth with a drive to do more, do better, and reach further.”
