Gawad Bayani Kabataan International Leadership Summit & Awards is the flagship youth leadership and recognition program of Realtalk Philippines, founded and chaired by Leo Gamel Orencia. The 2026 edition brings 21 speakers and panelists, the fifty-seven honorees and speakers announced below, and youth delegates together on one stage at Shangri-La Plaza.
Gawad Bayani Kabataan recognizes outstanding young Filipinos, together with the leaders, organizations, and institutions whose work contributes to the development and welfare of the youth. The program was established by Realtalk Philippines, a multimedia and public affairs platform that has carried one advocacy since 2015: "Informing People. Empowering Nation."
More than an awards ceremony, it is a movement built on a simple belief. A hero can be someone who chooses to make a difference wherever they are, without waiting for a title or a position. The first ceremony on October 31, 2025 proved the idea had an audience. The second, on August 29, 2026, takes it to an international stage.
Every awardee is also asked to treat recognition as a call to greater responsibility, which is why the awards sit inside a leadership summit rather than standing alone.
01A student who chooses to lead.
02A young entrepreneur who creates opportunities for others.
03An advocate who stands for a meaningful cause.
04A teacher who inspires young minds.
05A public servant who creates programs for the next generation.
06Ordinary Filipinos who choose to do extraordinary things for their communities.
One Program with Two Components
Learning and recognition happen on the same day, in the same room, so awardees and delegates leave with lessons as well as trophies.
International Leadership Summit
A gathering of speakers, leaders, experts, professionals, advocates, and personalities who share their experiences, expertise, challenges, and leadership lessons with participants. The 2026 Summit features 21 speakers and panelists from different sectors.
Rather than telling young people they are the leaders of tomorrow, the Summit challenges them to recognize that they can already become leaders today. Sessions expose participants to eleven perspectives:
Leadership
Integrity
Public Service
Entrepreneurship
Education
Innovation
Youth Empowerment
Social Responsibility
Personal Development
Community Building
Nation-Building
The Gawad Bayani Kabataan Awards
The recognition component celebrates individuals and organizations whose achievements, leadership, advocacy, service, and influence demonstrate the values of a modern-day Bayani.
Recognition goes to young achievers and to the people and institutions that actively create opportunities for Filipino youth. Awardees come from twelve fields because there are many ways to serve and inspire. What connects them is impact.
Recognition is based on the nominee's achievements, leadership, advocacy, contribution, character, and demonstrated impact.
What Makes a Bayani?
Being a hero does not require a national headline. Gawad Bayani Kabataan recognizes individuals who demonstrate seven qualities.
1
Leadership
The ability to influence and mobilize others toward a meaningful purpose.
2
Service
A genuine commitment to improving the lives of other people and their communities.
3
Integrity
The courage to uphold values, accountability, honesty, and responsibility.
4
Excellence
The determination to continuously improve and create meaningful results in one's chosen field.
5
Compassion
The willingness to understand, care for, and respond to the needs of others.
6
Innovation
The ability to develop new ideas and solutions to existing challenges.
7
Social Impact
The capacity to turn personal achievement into something that benefits a larger community.
Twelve Fields of Recognition
Awardees come from diverse fields and backgrounds. Nominees are assessed on achievements, leadership, advocacy, contribution, character, and demonstrated impact.
Youth Leadership and Advocacy
Education and Academe
Public and Government Service
Business and Entrepreneurship
Media and Communication
Arts, Culture and Entertainment
Science, Technology and Innovation
Sports and Wellness
Community Development
Volunteerism and Humanitarian Service
Environment and Sustainability
Health and Social Services
The 2026 Honorees, Speakers, Panelists, and Founder
Every announcement is shown complete and unaltered, with each name typed beneath it exactly as published for August 29, 2026. Open any card for the full-size announcement, then add the person to your program list.
58 entries
No entry matches that search. Try a surname, a municipality, an award title, or a category such as "governance".
Your Program List
A personal list of honorees and speakers you want to follow on August 29, 2026. It stays in this browser only. Nothing here is a vote, a nomination, or a submission to the organizers. It is saved across reloads only when you allow Personalization in Cookie settings.
Your list is empty. Open a card above and choose "Add to My List".
August 29, 2026 at Shangri-La Plaza
The 2026 edition evolves into the Gawad Bayani Kabataan International Leadership Summit & Awards, with a broader community of leaders, speakers, panelists, awardees, delegates, and youth advocates.
Date
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time
1:00 PM
Venue
Red Carpet Cinema 1, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Theme
"Empowering Leaders. Inspiring Change. Building the Nation."
Organizer, Venue, and Media Partners
Six partners are named on the official 2026 announcements, each shown as published.
Realtalk Philippines
Organizer and Producer
Red Carpet Cinema · Café · Venue at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
Official Venue
Manila News Today
Media Partner
Realtalk Philippines Action On-Air, DZDG 96.7 FM Destiny Radio
Media Partner
Radyo Natin 96.9 Calapan
Media Partner
Radyo Natin 102.5 Bonpen
Media Partner
Official Call for Nominations announcement. Hashtag: #BayaningKabataanLeadersOfTomorrowOfficial Year 2 announcement. Open for partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations.
From a 2015 Advocacy to an International Stage
Four dates explain how the program got here.
2015
Realtalk Philippines Is Founded
Leo Gamel Orencia establishes the multimedia and public affairs platform with the advocacy "Informing People. Empowering Nation."
October 31, 2025
The Inaugural Summit and Awards
Held at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila with the theme "Leading with Integrity: Kabataan as Champions of a Corruption-Free Future." Senator JV Ejercito took part as guest speaker and awardee, with messages of support from Senators Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Christopher "Bong" Go, Risa Hontiveros, and Bam Aquino.
August 10, 2026
Nominations Close
The Call for Nominations for the second edition ends. Honorees are announced through the official Gawad Bayani Kabataan channels.
August 29, 2026
The International Leadership Summit & Awards
Red Carpet Cinema 1, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City, from 1:00 PM, with 21 speakers and panelists.
Parangal sa Makabagong Bayani
"Ang kabayanihan ay hindi nasusukat sa edad, katungkulan, kasikatan o estado sa buhay. Nasusukat ito sa positibong pagbabagong naiiwan natin sa buhay ng ibang tao."
We honor young people who are already creating change.
We recognize adults and leaders who open doors for the next generation.
We celebrate organizations that invest in youth development.
We provide a stage for stories that can inspire another Filipino to say:
"Kaya ko ring gumawa ng pagbabago."
Founded and Chaired by Leo Gamel Orencia
Media Personality • Author • Life Coach • Entrepreneur • Public Service Advocate
Leo Orencia
Leo Gamel Orencia is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Realtalk Philippines, established in 2015, and President and CEO of Talk Life Marketing and Media Advertising Services, the business organization behind it. For more than a decade he has used media as an instrument for public service, community work, leadership development, and nation-building.
His broadcasting career has taken him across 101.7 Kalahi Miks FM in Calapan City, Radyo Natin FM in Naujan, Bongabong, and Padre Garcia, 101.5 Cool FM and 90.7 Magik FM in Lucena City, and today DZDG 96.7 FM Destiny Radio in Tayabas City, where Realtalk Philippines Action On-Air continues. In 2020 he was part of MY RANGGO, a hospitality and tourism publication, and at the 27th PTAA Travel & Tours Expo he interviewed then-Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
As a Certified Life Coach he conducts talks, seminars, and leadership programs, and through the HERO'S CALL Movement he tells students that heroism can begin with a simple decision: to help, to care, to lead, to stand for what is right, and to make someone's life better. Beyond the microphone, Realtalk Philippines and its partners have supported school development, medical outreach, youth summits, livelihood programs, and community feeding initiatives.
His guiding principle is short. Success becomes more meaningful when it creates value for others.
Realtalk Philippines Action On-Air airs Monday to Friday, 5:00 to 6:00 PM, on DZDG 96.7 FM Destiny Radio and on Facebook Live through the Realtalk Philippines page.
Recognition Platforms He Founded
Asian Torch Excellence Awards, as Founder and Chairman of its Council
Gawad Bayani Kabataan International Leadership Summit and Awards
W.O.M.E.N. Awards, Women of Outstanding Merit, Empowered Leadership, and Nobility
Published Books
Secret Revealed: How to Build Your First Digital ProductsA practical introduction to turning knowledge, skills, and ideas into digital products.
Create, Connect and Monetize: The Use of Social Media as a Tool for SuccessA guide to building connections and creating value through social media.
The Victory Mindset: Harnessing a Positive Attitude for Success in Life and BusinessHis latest work, on mindset, resilience, personal responsibility, and positive thinking.
Awards and Recognitions
2012Inspiring Media PersonalityTop Brand Awards Philippines
2022Most Outstanding & Inspiring Multi-Media Personality of the YearLustre Global Awards
2023Special Media CitationLustre Awards
2023Outstanding Individual in JournalismInstabright
2024Natatanging Mamamahayag ng Taon, Radio Broadcasting & Multi-Media ExcellencePhilippine Pride Awards
2025CEO of the Year, Innovation in Media & Public Affairs9th Nation Builders & MOSLIV Awards
2025Asia's Exemplary Media Personality for Leadership & Public ServiceAsia's Golden Legacy Awards
2026Distinct Broadcast & Media Personality of the Year3rd Philippines Distinct Men & Women of Excellence
2026Outstanding Men of the Philippines10th Outstanding Men & Women of the Philippines
Vision and Mission
Our Vision
To establish Gawad Bayani Kabataan as a respected leadership and recognition platform that discovers, develops, connects, and celebrates a new generation of Filipino leaders and the people who empower them.
Our Mission
To provide opportunities for young people to learn from accomplished leaders, recognize exemplary individuals and organizations, promote integrity and responsible leadership, encourage community involvement, and inspire Filipinos to become agents of positive change.
There Is a Place for You in This Movement
Students, youth leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, public servants, advocates, organizations, institutions, partners, sponsors, speakers, and volunteers all have a role. The 2026 program is open for partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations, and the Secretariat handles delegate inquiries directly.
Because the Philippines does not have to wait for its next generation of heroes. They are already among us.
Outstanding youth leaders and achievers, students and young professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators, teachers and academic leaders, government officials and public servants, community and civic leaders, healthcare professionals, media personalities, artists and cultural advocates, athletes and sports advocates, environmental advocates, humanitarian and volunteer leaders, business leaders supporting youth development, organizations with meaningful youth programs, and Filipinos whose stories of courage, service, and leadership can inspire the next generation.
What Is Recognition Based On?
The nominee's achievements, leadership, advocacy, contribution, character, and demonstrated impact, measured against the seven Bayani qualities: leadership, service, integrity, excellence, compassion, innovation, and social impact.
Are Nominations for 2026 Still Open?
No. The deadline printed on the official Call for Nominations was August 10, 2026. The Secretariat can be reached at 0994-591-8225, 0917-849-0832, or realtalkph2020@gmail.com for questions about future editions.
When and Where Is the 2026 Summit?
Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM, Red Carpet Cinema 1, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
Is the Program List on This Page a Public Vote?
No. The list is a private reading aid stored in your own browser. It sends nothing to the organizers and has no effect on any award. Awardees are selected by Gawad Bayani Kabataan through its own nomination and review process.
Reach the Event Secretariat
The Secretariat answers questions on the August 29, 2026 program, delegate seats, partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations. Follow Realtalk Philippines as @realtalkph and the Gawad Bayani Kabataan page on Facebook, and use the hashtag #BayaningKabataanLeadersOfTomorrow.
Highlights, photos, and videos will be uploaded here after the event. They will also be released through the Gawad Bayani Kabataan page on Facebook and through @realtalkph on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
August 29, 2026 · Red Carpet Cinema 1, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City
This page uses one strictly necessary cookie to remember your choice. An optional Personalization setting lets your program list survive a reload. Nothing else is stored, and no third-party trackers run.
Cookie and Storage Preferences
Choose what this website may store in your browser. You can change this at any time from "Cookie settings" in the footer.
Strictly Necessary
One first-party cookie named gbk_consent records your decision, the version of this notice, and the time you decided. It carries no personal data and expires after 180 days.
Personalization
Saves your program list (the honoree cards you add) in this browser so it is still there after a reload. Off by default. Without it, your list works during this visit only.
Your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, so Personalization stays off.
