Project Zacchaeus Founder Named First Palaweño in Tatler Asia’s Gen.T List of Leaders of Tomorrow
- PZC
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Project Zacchaeus proudly announces the recognition of its founder, John Vincent Q. Gastanes, as one of Tatler Asia’s Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow, becoming the first-ever Palaweño to be included in this prestigious regional list.
Tatler Asia’s Gen.T List celebrates young leaders across Asia whose bold projects and ventures are creating meaningful, lasting impact in their communities. For Gastanes, the honor is not a personal milestone—but a testament to a decade-long mission to uplift marginalized farmers, women, and informal waste workers through innovation rooted in empathy and service.
At the heart of that mission is Project Zacchaeus (PZC), a social enterprise he founded to build equitable platforms for economic empowerment. Through PZC, Gastanes has led the development of three core initiatives:
Farm Konekt, a farmer clustering and supply chain platform connecting over 3,000 smallholder farmers to markets, financing, and training.
Juana Fresh, a women-led livelihood initiative that provides dignified jobs and sustainable food systems.
Eco Kolek, an agri-waste and circular economy initiative designed to improve the lives of informal waste pickers while promoting environmental stewardship.
Gastanes, a proud Palaweño, has long envisioned a future where people at the margins are no longer seen as recipients of aid—but as architects of sustainable economies. His leadership has brought national and regional attention to community-driven innovation, with PZC’s work now integrated into development dialogues across the BIMP-EAGA subregion.
In an interview, Gastanes shared:
“We build not because we want to be recognized, but because our people deserve better systems—systems that include them, empower them, and restore their dignity.”
He also reflected on the role of young leaders in shaping local and global futures.
“The greatest honor is not in the title—but in using that title to create space for others to rise. This is for every farmer, mother, and youth leader who believed that change starts in our own backyard.”
Project Zacchaeus joins the entire province of Palawan in celebrating this recognition—not only for John, but for every community that made this journey possible.
We believe that this is only the beginning of a wider movement—one where leadership is measured not by how far one rises, but by how many are lifted along the way.
Congratulations, John. You lead us not just with vision, but with heart.
Comentarios