General Santos City — In the heart of General Santos City, a young man who once fled the horrors of war now stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. Seven years after being displaced by the Marawi Siege, 22-year-old engineering student Aslanie A. Macatanto has transformed his trauma into a mission for peace, becoming the first-ever recipient of the Philippines’ Gawad Kalinaw: Student Peace Leadership Award.
The historic award, presented on July 9, celebrates Macatanto’s unwavering commitment to peacebuilding—an endeavor shaped by personal loss, relentless advocacy, and the determination to uplift others. A scholar of the Department of Science and Technology and a student at Mindanao State University – General Santos (MSU-GenSan), Macatanto’s achievement marks a national milestone in recognizing the role of youth in sustaining peace.
The Gawad Kalinaw Award was established through a landmark partnership between MSU-GenSan and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) in December 2024. The award, officially known as the University Distinction for Sustaining Peace 2025, supports the university’s ambition to become a National Peace University and underscores OPAPRU’s ongoing efforts to institutionalize the dividends of peace across the country.
“Peace is not just the absence of war,” Macatanto says. “It is the presence of opportunity, understanding, and collective action.”
His journey reflects this belief. As a former evacuee, Macatanto channeled his experiences into leadership roles that connected youth, community, and government. He served in the General Santos Youth Parliament from 2021 to 2024, followed by participation in the Mindanao Youth Parliament and the National Patriot Scholars Congress—spaces that aligned local initiatives with global goals, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As President of Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) in General Santos City, he helped craft programs like the Youth Advocacy Caravan, which strengthened youth engagement in public safety and built bridges between local government units and law enforcement. His work as a judge at the KKDAT Jump Training Bootcamp in 2022 further demonstrated his credibility and influence among youth leaders.
Beyond activism, Macatanto’s work emphasizes empowerment through education. He co-led Project TARA (Tutorial and Review for All), a volunteer-driven initiative offering academic support to underprivileged students. He also helped organize environmental campaigns, such as mangrove and tree planting activities, recognizing that lasting peace depends on sustainable and inclusive development.
The Gawad Kalinaw Award is more than just a medal, certificate, and cash prize—it is a national acknowledgment of youth-driven change. Selected through rigorous evaluation by MSU-GenSan’s Technical Working Group, awardees are chosen for their exceptional dedication to peace and community transformation.
As MSU-GenSan continues its transformation into a peace-centered academic institution, Macatanto’s story stands as a shining example of what young Filipinos can achieve when resilience meets purpose.
“Peacebuilding is not only for policymakers or soldiers—it’s for all of us, especially the youth,” he says. “Our voice, our vision, and our courage can shape a future where no child has to flee their home.”
From the ashes of conflict, Aslanie A. Macatanto has emerged not just as a survivor—but as a leader of peace.