Select scholar-writers of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), the social development arm of the Araneta Group, will lead an online writing workshop on October 16 for fellow JAAF scholars and other scholars of the Gerry Roxas Foundation.

Titled ‘#YouthOpines Writeshop’, the virtual workshop is an activity that will teach the youth how to write with confidence, how to tell a story in one’s mind, and how to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas to others.

“YO Writeshop is designed so that the participants, the Scholars in particular, will be able to appreciate writing from an academic angle, the everyday writing, and even touch on the creative writing aspect. From the central thought to translating the thoughts to words, the Writers will discuss even practical tips in writing. There will also be a short workshop. JAAF is fortunate to have skilled and able YO Contributors who are leading such an important student activity,” says Glenda Carlota, JAAF Deputy Director. She will serve as a mentor for the writers.

JAAF has Scholarship as one of its major programs, having over 100 scholars as its direct program beneficiaries. These include deserving children of financially challenged Araneta Group employees, and the first honor students from public high school graduating classes of Bago City in Negros Occidental and Quezon City.

From these scholars, those inclined to write were screened to become part of #JAAFYouthOpines (or #YO), which feature articles posted on JAAF’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages since July 2020. The writers’ opinions give the pages a fresh perspective with outlooks from the young generation. #YO has accomplished a lot with over a year of publication, appearing on Mondays and Saturdays.

Behind #JAAFYouthOpines are seven promising writers: Cyra Mae Colangoy, Fiona Eunice Gatchalian, Allyssa Mateo, Christine Kaye Landero, Loraine Barrozo, Jlo Velasquez, and Lyn Busway.