By Niño Manaog
Extension Associate
Capiz State University
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| Student participants engage in group dynamics that requires cooperation and teamwork to accomplishing the needed tasks. |
“Grabeng experience (It was such an experience),” Rizza Andutan, president of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) of Capiz State University (CapSU) Roxas City Campus had this to say, citing how the activities in the recently ended Leadership Communities (LeadCom) Camp created impact on her.
Sponsored by the Ayala Foundation, Inc. and LeadCom Capiz, an alliance of four higher-education schools in Roxas City, the three-day youth camp gathered some 130 students and teachers from four schools across Roxas City, namely: Capiz State University (CapSU), Filamer Christian University, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion and College of St. John - Roxas on May 9–11, 2012, at the Filamer Christian University in Roxas City.
As one of the 35 participants from the CapSU Roxas City Campus, Andutan said that they did not only learn how to be a leader or how to be a good follower. Nakilala din namin ‘yung sarili namin; anong purpose namin bilang isang lider hindi lamang ng ibang tao kundi higit sa lahat ng sarili namin. (We also came to know ourselves, our purpose as a leader, not only of other people, but most importantly, ourselves).
For the 18-year old Education major, in order to lead well, one must first be a leader of himself or herself. She also said how an activity focused on trust touched her. From the said exposure, she learned that one must trust others in order to achieve their goals. According to Andutan, the SSC will replicate the LeadCom activities in a leaders’ congress in July 2012, this time catering to the student leaders across the ten campuses of the CapSU System.
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| LeadCom activities were designed to engage students to discover themselves and how they perform in group-oriented tasks. |
Joining Andutan were 12 fellow Education majors, namely: Arlyn De Pablo, Chris Balbona, Ellen Mae Delos Santos, George Distura, Jane Vega, Jeffry Arceño, Jolyn Palma, Kirby Dadivas, Louie Denosta, Mei Diaz, Preesym Joy Denosta and Rica Celiz.
Representing the College of Business Administration (CBA) were Valerie Ann Ballos, Katrina Bautista, Kelvin Rey Barcelona, Meriam Grace Bernas, Michelle Ann Borres, Shena Dapitan, Clint Rovie Dequiña, Cresly Jean Donguines, Chineelyn Domingo, Roshelle Genoves, Ronalyn Lobaton, Christy Mae Marcelino, Jeremy Nicko Mendoza, Melodelyn Progio and Silfritz Valenzuela; while electrical engineering majors Nordel Bartolome and Aaron Paul Caacbay represented the College of Engineering and Architecture.
Helping the facilitators team were five teachers from the same campus, namely: Mr. Rogie Dadivas, director for Office of the Student Affairs (OSA); Mr. Vicmar Solano, Faculty Regent; Mr. Mark Glenn Villamor, faculty and coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship Program of the CBA; Mr. Leo Andrew Biclar, SSC adviser and Ms. Mary Vicentia Olilang, English faculty. The faculty joined and helped facilitate in lectures, workshops and group dynamics activities all designed to draw the leader in the participants.
According to Mr. Biclar, “the LeadCom youth camp served as venue for students to become good leaders.” Through the camp, participants were trained on how to foster effective leadership in their circles. They were also taught to envision, plan and implement activities that will best benefit their respective communities.
“I have never seen such fiery and vibrant energy from the youth leaders of Capiz,” English teacher Mary Vicentia Olilang said.
For Olilang, LeadCom wants to “build a leadership community among the best student leaders of four partner schools.” Using a process-oriented and reflective approach to create, develop, and strengthen the leadership potential of these chosen students, the camp gave the students the best opportunities in which they take active roles before, during and after the activities. It also opened bigger and wider doors of understanding, friendship, and unity between and among the student leaders of four partner schools.
Mr. Mark Glenn Villamor, who is recognized as outstanding leader himself, the youth camp was “a different experience for the students because it focused on activities rather than lectures.” For Villamor, since the activities are experiential, the learning they tried to impart has been more heartfelt.
For his part, Mr. Rogie Dadivas, director of CapSU Roxas City Campus’s OSA, recognized the substance of the capability-building for the potential leaders.
According to Dadivas, the camp did not only help the facilitators see potential leadership skills of students; it also helped them determine dynamic leaders for the community, to the extent that participants will be made to commit to themselves to this statement—“Ask not what CapSU can do for me, but what you can do for CapSU,” hinged on the popular phrase attributed to American President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s.
Dadivas also saw how the experience-based activities instilled in the participants the core value of mastering the self in order to be of service to others and the community, which is very Christ-centered, one quality which is indispensable in the success of any organization.
If at all, CapSU’s involvement in the LeadCom Capiz not only ushered in active participation from among the city schools and universities—having been the most represented contingent of the four campuses with 35 participants—but also helped draft prospective leadership-enriching activities which will be offered to the CapSU System students in the upcoming school year.
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| LeadCom Capiz is an alliance of four higher-education schools in Roxas City, namely: Capiz State University (CapSU), Filamer Christian University, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion and College of St. John - Roxas. |
