Ninna is a climate and environmental justice advocate from the province of Rizal in the Philippines, wherein she grew up at the nexus of nature and the city. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate studies at the Ateneo de Manila University. She is a stubborn optimist and believes that every person has it in them to be an environmental leader. As a young environmentalist, Ninna is profoundly inspired by the leadership of Indigenous peoples, farmers, fisherfolk, and activists in her country. Their kind of leadership in the face of environmental destruction and development aggression is fierce and unyielding. Ninna hopes to continue and build upon the work they have dedicated their lives to.

From 2020 to 2021, she served as the president of her university’s premier Environmental Science student organization. With new friends from other schools, she co-founded the Philippine Association of Environmental Science Students, a network of student organizations from 19 universities across the country that promotes science-based policies and solutions to environmental issues. In the lead-up to the United Nations’ 16th Conference of Youth (COY16) and 26th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26), she co-wrote a policy document on wildlife and environmental conservation as part of the Global Youth Statement presented to world leaders. She also regularly volunteers at the Youth Cluster of The Climate Reality Project Philippines.

In her advocacy, Ninna aims to create spaces for young people to dream about the future they want and to also grieve losses and challenges in the climate space. She believes that sustainability includes passing down a culture of care and community to future generations.

When not doing advocacy work, you can find her behind a book, cooking vegan food, or playing with her dogs Churro and Oreo.