Chasing Daylight

From participant to speaker. A long time ago, I used to be a participant on seminars like this. Now, years after, I'm being challenged to share my learnings to the new generation. Bring it on.


Alongside the students and some faculty, respected people from the Dep. Ed. Private Schools Services of Manila graced the event. Present were Mr. Ponciano A. Menguito, the assistant superintendent and Mr. Efren Dieta (who used to be my scout master way back in my high school days). Mrs. Ofelia Mampusti and Mr. Juanito De Vivar, presidents of APSSAM and MAPESA respectively, were also there.

Students from the different private schools of Manila traveled their ways to Paco Catholic School. Some of the schools that participated were St. Joseph School, Holy Child, Philippine Academy of Sakya, Phil. Christian Day, Malate Catholic School, St. Pius X Parochial School, Paco Catholic School, St. Jude Catholic School, Philippine Tiongse Academy, Bethel, etc. There were more, I just can't seem to remember all of them. All in all, there were around 80 participants (from approximately 20 schools).

It's really a privilege for me to be talking to these generation of leaders. Young as they are, their eyes are already gleaming with intelligence and enthusiasm, and are quite excited to show the world what they got. They enjoy getting in touch with their selves, meeting new people, learning new ideas and engaging into activities. their values are also commendable, which were highlighted during one of our workshop activities. I hope and pray that these values and enthusiasm may stick with them and remain pure through their years. I know, it is in young people like them that we could rely the hopes of our communities and our country.

Welcome remarks. Mr Juanito De Vivar, serving both as MAPESA president and principal of Paco Catholic School - Grade School Department, welcomes the students, participants, and guests to the APSSAM-MAPESA Leadership Training 2006.

Listening exercises. Students are going through an exercise in listening - one important skill when they do mentoring. I told them each of us has two ears and one mouth; therefore we must listen twice as much as we talk.

Youth synergy. It's very fascinating how these students manage to work and talk well with each other given the fact that it was their first time to meet the guys from other schools.

One is too small a number to achieve greatness. The students will then go back to their respective schools carrying with them the learnings that they got and is looking forward to sharing them with their schoolmates. Shown above are the students from Malate Catholic School.

With the leaders of tomorrow. I don't know if I'll see these kids again; but they will always be in my prayers - for future's and for our country's sake.


* APSSAM stands for Association of Private Secondary School Administrators of Manila
* MAPESA stands for Manila Association of Private Elementary School Administrators

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