Sarvey Immaya Pangket is a dedicated and accomplished 3rd-year Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) student at Pines City Colleges, Baguio City, with a strong commitment to community development, especially in mental health advocacy. As a team leader of the Cordilleran Youth Center’s (CYC) initiative, the “Baguio Mental Wellness Hub,” she is at the forefront of an innovative project aimed at addressing mental health issues in the city. This initiative is part of a broader effort in partnership with the Local Government of Baguio, specifically the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office (CPDSO), under the Safe and Sound Cities (S2Cities) Programme.
A Call to Action: The Liwliwa Ya Sursuro Youth Innovation Challenge
Immaya’s leadership came to the fore in September 2023, during the Cordilleran Youth Center’s launch of the Liwliwa Ya Sursuro Youth Innovation Challenge. Over 300 young people from across Benguet gathered to brainstorm solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges. Immaya, alongside her peers, formed Team Salun-at, a group dedicated to exploring new ways of supporting mental wellness. Their idea was both ambitious and inventive: a proposal that merged digital placemaking with traditional healing practices.
This forward-thinking proposal wasn’t born out of nowhere. It was deeply rooted in the team’s collective history in medical missions and church activities—experiences that highlighted the importance of community and holistic healing. The idea resonated so strongly that Team Salun-at was later rebranded as Team Aywan, and their project was submitted to the S2Cities Innovation Challenge, where it quickly earned recognition. The team was selected as one of the top 10 finalists in the competition, a testament to the creative power and potential of youth-led initiatives.
A Global Stage: Representing Baguio at the World Urban Forum
The significance of Immaya’s work gained international attention when, in November 2024, she was invited to represent Baguio City at the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt. Alongside Audrey Pahayahay, another youth leader behind the Happy Paws Pet Park initiative, Immaya had the unique opportunity to share her work on a global stage, engaging with an international audience passionate about urban development and sustainability.
At the forum, Immaya and Audrey were immersed in discussions about topics like the Theory of Change and placemaking—concepts that have the potential to reshape the future of cities, particularly in terms of mental health and youth engagement. The experience not only solidified their knowledge but also empowered them to bring even more innovative solutions to their respective projects back home in Baguio.
Immaya’s journey is a wonderful example of what can happen when youngsters take part in social change. Immaya’s education in medical laboratory science and leadership in mental health activism demonstrate that youth-driven innovation is critical to addressing difficult social concerns. As she continues to advocate for mental health and urban sustainability, her work inspires others in Baguio and beyond to dream large, think creatively, and act. #Collin Jaye Laguinday
