By Mikee Natinga Norico

Jasper Ruby V. Vijar, RMT, shines bright as the newly crowned Mr. Philippine Youth Iloilo City 2024.

Central Philippine University (CPU) alumnus Dr. Jasper Ruby V. Vijar, RMT, a medical doctor and co-founder of an NGO focusing on youth health, was crowned Mr. Philippine Youth Iloilo City 2024 on August 18, 2024, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall.

Vijar, who graduated from CPU’s College of Medicine in 2022, has a long history of service to his alma mater. He served as Governor of the Medicine Student Council during his time at CPU, during which he was instrumental in creating the council’s Constitution and Bylaws. Under his leadership, the council also received a gold seal of good governance from the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges Student Network for their exceptional service during the pandemic.

Beyond his academic achievements, Vijar has made significant contributions to the community. He was a recipient of the Natatanging Magaaral ng Medisina ng Pilipinas (Ten Outstanding Medical Students of The Philippines) award and was recognized as the most outstanding medical student in the field of social responsibility. His team also won the championship of the first national healthcare innovation competition.

In his interview after winning the pageant, Vijar expressed his gratitude and excitement for the achievement. He shared some of the challenges he faced during the competition, including balancing his pageant commitments with his work as a doctor and NGO co-founder.

Vijar also emphasized the importance of believing in one’s dreams and investing in both academic and soft skills. He encouraged current CPU students to get involved in extracurricular activities and organizations to develop their character and leadership abilities.

“All dreams are valid, and one could reach that dream by starting to believe in it. Our time in the university is an incubator of who we will become when we go out. While performing well in your academics, invest on your soft skills by joining organizations and involving yourself in school activities. After all one’s character matters in whatever we do, and CPU has surely molded me to who I am today,” Vijar said.

As Mr. Philippine Youth Iloilo City 2024, Vijar plans to use his title to amplify dialogues on health concerns among young people and continue his work with Team Dugong Bughaw Inc. He expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunities and support he received from CPU, which contributed significantly to his personal and professional growth.

“As someone who advocates for creating spaces for the youth to be involved in health programs, this title means the world to me. I have been working on health projects in and out of Iloilo City. With this title, I could amplify dialogues on health concerns among the youth my organization, Team Dugong Bughaw Inc. have always championed. As a resident of CPU for 12 years, I had space to discover and improve myself. It offered me a physical space good for my well-being and an environment that is nurturing both intellectually and spiritually. Professionally, as a doctor now, I see so much potential in the young budding doctors in the university and in fact, it’s my dream to give back by being a lecturer in the college of medicine,” Vijar said.

Dr. Jasper Ruby V. Vijar’s victory is a testament to his dedication, talent, and commitment to making a positive impact on the community. His accomplishments serve as an inspiration to young people in Iloilo City and beyond.