A head of the Leaders’ Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) slated next week to be held in the Philippines is another international event taking place in our country starting today. Specifically, about 4,000 to 6,000 delegates from around 120 countries are expected to arrive and participate in the 2026 Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress being held at Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The JCI is more popularly known here as “Jaycee.” It is simply a phonetic nickname derived from the original name of the organization. Thus, “Jaycee” is the name of its members and the traditional term for its local chapters.
Before Senator JV Ejercito ran and won in politics, first as mayor of San Juan City, he served as a past national president of JCI Philippines. Actively participating in JCI events, then mayor JV used to needle his estranged brother, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, that he, too, is a senator. Levity aside, Sen. JV cited the JCI organization helped shape him as a public servant.
In the context of the Jaycees, members are called senators because they have been awarded a JCI senatorship, the highest individual honor and lifetime recognition bestowed by the JCI.
The JCI reached Philippine shores in 1947 through the United States to establish a local chapter in our country. This led to the formation of the Manila Jaycees on Dec. 20, 1947, thus officially making the Philippines the birthplace of the JCI movement in Asia.
The JCI is a global non-profit organization for young leaders and entrepreneurs aged 18 to 40. It is a worldwide non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on leadership development, business networking and community. Its local presence in our country is operating through JCI Philippines and local chapters such as JCI Manila and is best known for programs like The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards.
Aside from Sen. JV, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Sens. Bam Aquino and Estrada are Jaycees. Despite his busy schedule, Gatchalian remains among the most active Jaycees in our country. “Hosting the 2026 JCI World Congress is a great honor for the Philippines,” Gatchalian cited. He was JCI Valenzuela chapter president while he was the mayor of the city.
“This is my 23rd year in public service. As a public servant, not just as Senate president, it (JCI) made me to be committed, dedicated, give our best, integrity, honesty. This is to inspire people, a leader to inspire and give hope for the people,” Gatchalian pointed out.
On the other hand, Sen. Bam was recognized by JCI as a TOYM recipient for his work in micro-financing and social enterprises, eventually representing the country on the international JCI stage. Another Jaycee notable is former Quezon City Rep. Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte. Before serving as the long-time Speaker of the House of Representatives and mayor of Quezon City, Belmonte was very active in Jaycee activities and served as the JCI Philippines national president in 1976.
JCI Philippines has officially named world-renowned boxing icon and former senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao as the Global Ambassador for the 2026 JCI World Congress.
The JCI Manila, in tandem with JCI Philippines and getting critical support from the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), won the bid to host the 2026 JCI World Congress. Each year, a different host city around the globe is selected to welcome thousands of JCIs. The Philippines has hosted the JCI World Congress three times before, all held in Metro Manila, the last one in 1998.
The successful bid was presented and secured in 2024 during the JCI World Congress held in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The winning 2026 bid deliberately positioned Clark, Pampanga as the host destination. It sought to highlight Clark’s top-tier capacity for major meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
Scheduled from Nov. 11 to 15, the 2026 JCI World Congress is billed as a prestigious global summit that is bringing together thousands of young leaders, entrepreneurs and “changemakers” from around the world, the CDC announced. There is no official announcement or confirmation if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) will personally attend it.
Historically, Philippine presidents often send a keynote message or designate a high-ranking Cabinet official. As of yesterday, I was told the current Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay might show up to grace the opening tonight of the JCI World Congress. The DOT secretary is busy with preparations for the beautification campaign of the areas where the delegates of the ASEAN Summit will be passing through in Metro Manila.
While the event heavily aligns with his administration’s National Tourism Development Plan to promote MICE tourism, current official event briefings and partnerships have instead featured state representation through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the CDC.
As of yesterday, as many as 1,800 Japanese JCs have reportedly flown in in several batches via Clark airport. Next year’s JCI World Congress will be held in Japan.
However, it is turning out Clark still has not put up a major convention facility to accommodate such a huge number of people in one event under one roof. While it has Clark Expo and Convention Center, it is not enough to house the entire JCI World Congress delegates.
No worries but CDC have come up with the bright idea of gathering the delegates at the open area of the 20-hectare parade grounds inside Clark. Barring weather challenges, several tents of various shapes and sizes and colors will be put up. The tents will be shaped like the specific islands it represents and will look like the map of the Philippines as seen from above, CDC vice president retired Police Gen. Lina Sarmiento gushed. According to Sarmiento, the DOT is sponsoring “gastronomy” kiosks during the JCI Philippine Night featuring the iconic dishes around the country.
Today, the JCI Senate Philippines continues to be a highly respected body of former active members who guide and mentor the current generation of young active citizens.