Actor and youth advocate Jose “Dingdong” Dantes III spearheaded the launching of Sen. Benigno “Nonoy” Aquino III’s youth election campaign in Pampanga Sunday as the camp of the leading presidential candidate attempts to solidify his strong following among young voters, many of whom have committed to become “volunteers for change”.

Called the Advocates of Youth and Students for Noynoy Aquino or AYOS NA, organizers said the nationwide youth grassroots campaign is an offshoot of the so-called Gathering of Youth Leaders and Achievers in Quezon City last November.

The launch of AYOS NA at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga was followed by a feeding program and a book drive that would benefit the poor, and was held despite the recent death of one of its affiliated group’s volunteer.

“More than one week before the birthday of the late Cory Aquino, we are launching the AYOS NA chapter in Pampanga. No less than 5,000 students and community youths from the different cities and towns of the province have committed to become volunteers for change,” Dantes said during the event.

“These youth volunteers share the vision of a Philippines with a reawakened sense of what is right and wrong through the living examples of our highest leaders,” the popular actor said.

The project is a part of the nationwide campaign of AYOS NA to increase Aquino’s exposure to the youth in the country for the upcoming elections this May.

The group also aims to reduce poverty through education, promote health and the environment, and encourage entrepreneurship and leadership in the community.

Among those who attended the launch were Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Barangay Balibago (Angeles City) Chairman Tony Mamac, and Dr. Victor S, Tiglao, among others.