I Am S.T.R.O.N.G. began with four
graduate students
motivated to develop learning materials on studies, friendship, career, and
love, from their theses. These works inspired what in 1998 became the I Am S.T.R.O.N.G… I Am Responsible
program of the University of Asia and the Pacific – Center for Social
Responsibility.
As a Youth Smoking Prevention program,
it was carried in collaboration with Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing
until 2008. After 10 years, the program has reached more than three million
students, parents, teachers, and professionals through seminars and other
means, in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Mexico among others.
It was the intention to create a
program that gave premium to youth character development. It was realized that
in order to promote holistic education, three key components are necessary:
1. Curricular for principles and theory;
2. Co-curricular for practice; and
3. Character for
life application
Often placed on the side is the third
component. IAS-iKLR then aims to supplement and complement the curriculum of
educational institutions to complete all three components.
IAS-iKLR is open to partnering with educational institutions
to provide a continuing education program.