On one of the many September that passed is recorded at the embarkment of a truly meaningful organization of the young – The Philippine JJCI. And as it moves towards its 20th year, a wholesome desire is carried on, in an aura of leadership example.
The beginning of the Philippine Junior Jaycees could perhaps been started when the Youth Activities Commission of the Philippine Jaycees was organized. Chapters from all over the Philippines tried to organize projects that would fall under the Youth Activities Commission.
In Cebu City, Cebu Jaycees had their Jaycee Youth Clubs of Cebu, which was an organization of students in high schools. You can find in the annual publication of the Southwestern University the projects of these young people dating back 1965.
The conception of the organization registered two dynamic JCI Senators, JCI Sen. Jose P. Lardizabal, 1966 Chapter President of the Cebu Jaycees and Jorge Alcordo when at the 21st Philippine Jaycees National Convention, they created this association of the young. So inspired by the idea of organizing a younger counterpart of the Jaycees, Davao Jayceeism, spearheaded by JC Rene Al Madrazo founded the Davao Jaycees and thus, the first Junior Jaycees Chapter president JJC Butch Francisco was elected. They had their Davao Junior Jaycees Chapter Presentation and Induction Ceremonies at Davao Insular Hotel on September 28, 1968.
In order to propagate and promote the ideas of the movement, the Davao Junior Jaycees conducted several tours in Dumaguete, Bohol and other neighboring places. But despite the fact that it was launched with high hopes of a polished and established organization, it failed and lost its aspirations, brought about by, yet poor leadership. In 1971, all these youth clubs vanished in thin air. The extinction of the organization became apparent.
In 1973, JCI Sen. Felicano ‘Sonny’ Belmonte, Jr., then JCP National President under his Affairs Commission laid down a year long program for implementing the Accent on Youth project nationally. It disseminated information on the rationale of the AOY project, guidelines, on organizing and on effective operation of the Youth Councils and on the choice of the projects to be undertaken along the lines of health, welfare, recreation and education. These were published as part of the 1973 JCP Program Manual.
During Belmonte’s administration, other traditional projects were likewise being encouraged such as the organization of University Youth Councils and Jaycee Youth Clubs carrying out the anti-drug abuse program. Jaycee chapters nationwide sponsored the creation of Youth Councils in various schools, which was accepted as a proper vehicle for civic action projects required by the government as a condition for graduation from secondary schools.
Other Jaycee chapters organized Junior Jaycee Chapters as a younger counterpart in their locality. The Jaycee belles of Cainta, Metro Manila, who were either daughter of Jaycee members or young beauties in their locality often held meetings or seminars only to be interrupted or disrupted by boyfriends who dropped by to pick them up for a date. To solve this problem, the Cainta Jaycees thought by inviting the guys into the club under the new Jaycees organization.
During the provisional years of the Cainta Junior Jaycees, headed by JC Manny Duldulao, he registered the organization in the Philippine Jaycees as its auxiliary unit in the Philippine Jaycees inspired other chapters in Metro Manila to organize auxiliary units too. With the encouragement and motivation of JCI Sen. David Chua-Unsu, 1974 JCP national President and past JCI Vice President, the formation of Junior Jaycees by the Jaycees in Manila and the nearby provinces sprouted fast.
Then on November 30 to Decmber 1, 1974, the first Metro Manila Conference was held. This was hosted by the Manila Junior Jaycees at the University of the Philippines, Padre Faura with the theme “Youth for a Brighter Tomorrow”. It was participated by the Cainta, Marikina, Capitol, Manila and Parañaque Jaycees and a resolution was passed to make the Junior Jaycees Movement a national organization.
After the successful regional conference, the Jaycees of Metro Manila decided to elevate the movement from regional to national level. The Philippine Jaycees, Inc., through the leadership of JCP Sen. David Chua-Unsu, the Philippine Junior Jaycees as a national organization and as an auxiliary of the Philippine Jaycees Inc.
Thus, on March 1975, a circular from the Philippine Jaycees entitled “Kabataan ‘75” was issued by Rogelio Rayala. The circular contained among the others the guidelines on how to organize JJC Chapters in the respective localities together with their timetable of organization and a sample constitution and by-laws of a Junior Jaycees LOM.
In the same circular, the timetable for the first JJC of the Philippines National Convention was scheduled for October 1975 during the semestral break of the classes. It was how rescheduled to December 16-18, 1975 with the organization registering some 60 Junior Jaycees Chapters from all over the Philippines of which 23 chapters attended.
The first National Convention of the Junior Jaycees of the Philippines was hosted by the Mandaue Junior Jaycees at the St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. The first National President was JJC Ma. Elizabeth Marcelo of Caloocan Junior Jaycees. Appointed at the first JCP National chairman for the Junior Jaycees was JC Rogelio Rayala. The theme of the said convention was “A United Youth for the National Development”. Metropolitan Cebu junior Jaycees was the chapter to be awarded as most outstanding LOM of the Philippines. The National Constitution and By-laws of the organization was drafted it was also agree during the convention what every year Junior Jaycees will hold its convention in the Month December.
In 1979, during the 4th Jaycees of the Philippines National Convention held in Cavity City, the general assembly changed the name of the organization from Junior Jaycees of the Philippines to what is today the Philippine Junior Jaycees. At present, the Philippine Junior Jaycees has undergone tremendous changes due to its colorful history and outstanding Youth leaders it has produced. Today, the organization has grown into a strong and dynamic youth movement, surviving on its own challenges and obstacles in the past and now foresees a brighter future. |