In the bustling streets of Tuguegarao City, amidst the constant hum of daily life, there exists a beacon of light, a force of change, and a leader whose passion ignites the flames of community service. Ma. Corazon Xy-za B. Escobar is a remarkable individual whose journey with Junior Chamber International (JCI) has transformed her life and the lives of countless others.

Xy-za’s story is not just about leadership; it's a testament to the power of passion and commitment to serve others. From her humble beginnings, Xy-za always felt a deep-seated desire to make a difference in her community. Growing up, she witnessed the struggles of those around her and felt compelled to lend a helping hand.

It was this inherent drive that led Xy-za to join JCI, an organization dedicated to creating positive change through community action and leadership development. From the moment she stepped foot into her local chapter, Xy-za knew she had found her calling.

As she immersed herself in various projects and initiatives, Xy-za's passion for community service only grew stronger. Whether it was organizing fundraisers for local charities, spearheading environmental clean-up campaigns, or mentoring young aspiring leaders, Xy-za poured her heart and soul into every endeavor.

‘I Juana Be Better’

From becoming a founding member of the JCI Tuguegarao Ybanag in 2017, she rose through the ranks and eventually became the organization’s president in 2023 and regional vice president for Cagayan Valley up to the present.

She conceptualized the “I Juana Be Better program", an annual project series of JCI Tuguegarao Ybanag in celebration of National Women’s Month. The program, read as ‘I wanna be better’, conducts various activities that support and empower women holistically. It serves as a reminder for every woman that having a good support system, she can do better and can eventually rise from her present situation.

In its first run in 2022, where she served as the overall chairperson, a webinar focused on the benefits of being a solo parent was conducted to provide a venue for networking and building a supportive community. 

Xy-za recognized the fact that solo parents may often feel isolated or overwhelmed by the responsibilities they face; thus, through the conduct of the said webinar, organized attendees were given a virtual space where they could connect with others who shared similar experiences, exchange advice, and offer mutual encouragement.

As a mother herself, she embraced the fact that becoming a mother for the first time is both exciting and crucial. Through the “I Juana Be Better program," she initiated the conduct of a health awareness talk for first-time moms to prioritize their health and well-being. 

The health awareness program was able to provide valuable input to at least 50 first-time mothers, showing that by prioritizing prenatal care, nutrition, physical activity, and mental health, new mothers can lay the foundation for a healthy and fulfilling experience for themselves and their babies.

A milk-letting activity, under the same program, was also conducted to help nursing mothers who can’t produce breastmilk. In partnership with Yena, a support group for breastfeeding mothers, Xy-za’s team collected liters of breastmilk which were turned over to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center's (CVMC) Milk Bank.  

As part of the ‘I Juana Be Better program’, skills training in massage therapy was organized in partnership with the Technical Education Skill and Development Authority (TESDA), which benefitted at least 30 women.

Her organization also partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the conduct of the ‘Project Trabaho Job Fair, where 34 and 56 applicants were hired on the spot in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Love for the next generation

During her stint as president of JCI Tuguegarao Ybanag, she launched the ‘Spectrum of Hope', a series of projects for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. 

Among the activities conducted under the said program are the donation of refrigerators and educational materials for the SPED Center of Tuguegarao North Central School and the ‘Fun, Fitness, and Play program’ at SM City Tuguegarao in May 2023.

Part of the ‘Spectrum of Hope’ project is the conduct of a seminar on home intervention strategies for parents and guardians of children on the spectrum and a free assessment and preparation of a behavior plan for undiagnosed children.

She also partnered with DOLE to give support to the child laborers in the region with the publication ‘Bata, Bata, Ika’y Malaya: Creating Child Labor-Free Communities’. Through the project, child laborers received gifts from JCI and DOLE, including their families. 

The intervention did not end there, as Xy-za added a career orientation portion for the children. In June 2023, at least 57 child laborers were toured around SM City, and in every store and office they visited, the store managers and volunteers discussed possible job opportunities for them in the future. The program also included a medical-dental mission, pampering sessions, and fun play activities for the beneficiaries.

Other projects she initiated in 2023 are the conduct of the Pride Month Celebration, benefitting over 600 members of the LGBTQIA+ community through the implementation of various activities such as the pride parade, the Project Runway Contest, SOGIE seminars, film-making contest, and fundraising activities.

The TuguegaraONe

When Cagayan province was hit by typhoon Ulysses in November 2020, Xy-za knew that she had to do something to help her fellow Cagayanos. She was at the forefront with other non-government organizations in conducting relief operation activities through the inception of TuguegaraOne.

Inspired by Helen Keller's wisdom, Xy-za said that TuguegaraOne embodies the spirit of collaboration among Tuguegarao's civic organizations.

“Our shared mission is to pool resources and swiftly provide aid to our fellow Tuguegaraos in the aftermath of recent floods. TuguegaraOne emerged as a beacon during Typhoon Ulysses, serving as a vital center for relief and recovery operations. In my dual role as a committed member and leader, I actively contributed from November 13, 2020, until the culmination on January 10, 2021, in Penablanca,” she said.

More than a leader

What sets Xy-za apart is not just her accomplishments but her unwavering dedication to the people she serves. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, she never lost sight of her mission. She remained resilient in the face of adversity, drawing strength from the support of her fellow JCI members and the communities they served.

With her passion for serving the community, she was awarded the title of Most Outstanding Local Organization President of JCI Philippines Area 1 in 2023. The ‘I Juana Be Better Program’ of JCI Tuguegarao Ybanag was also nominated as the Best Community Impact Program in the JCI Asia-Pacific Conference in 2022, and eventually, the project received the Temiong Award for Best Gender Equality Program in 2023, the highest award in JCI Philippines.

It was also during her stint as president that the JCI Tuguegarao Ybanag won the 2023 DTI Most Outstanding Partner Organization in the entire region, a testament to the fire that ignited change in the communities.

Today, as Xy-za reflects on her journey, she is filled with gratitude for the opportunities she had and the lives she has been able to touch. For her, being a JCI leader is not just a title; it's a privilege and a responsibility—one that she carries with humility and pride.

In a world often plagued by division and uncertainty, Xy-za stands as a beacon of hope—a shining example of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose. Through her tireless dedication to community service, she has not only transformed the lives of those around her but has inspired a new generation of leaders to follow in her footsteps. As long as there are people in need and communities in search of change, Xy-za will continue to lead with her heart, leaving an indelible mark on the world. (ALM/MDCT/PIA Cagayan)