League of Heroes

“Most natural leaders do not aspire to be great leaders,
They aspire to be great persons”.
John Maxwell

It has been a month since the 2nd Leaders of Change Forum happened. We, the delegates, came to bear witness to the important event of the whole summit which occurred last November 23, 2010 at Ateneo de Davao. Along the event our plans includes checking the different presentation of the Laureates, securing the attendees and making sure that the forum went well.

Ms. Ma. Cristina C. Aboitiz, Chairperson Executive Committee, delivered her sumptuous piece to the crowd. She mentioned the life and the famous works of Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu or known as Mother Theresa and gave points on leadership based on John Maxwell, an author and a well respected leader. Her piece was a well representation of the Laureates we have known. They are leaders who aspire to be wonderful persons. They have goals and they strive hard to reach their goals.

1.CHARACTER
The Laureates did what they think was right even it appears to be difficult. They set their priorities straight and showed their real selves. They are contented to what they have and never ask for anything else. They believed in their capabilities which lead them to a successful life.

2.PERSPECTIVE
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it”. Different ideas sprouted from them yet people were hesitant to believe them. They received a lot of criticism but it didn't hinder them from accomplishing their goal. Never did they lose their idealism and find ways to make things happen.

3.COURAGE
“If were growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zones”. These leaders initiate to come out of the box and take risks to pursue a noble goal. Showing securities when handling tough issues. Letting go of the familiar and accepting difficulties.

4.FAVOR
“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” Relationship builds and gain interest from the people. They attract and empower people to join to a cause. They choose and develop their key persons.

Now, these leaders are the heroes of change. These heroes seeks to awaken and set on fire the heart, the mind and the soul of a Filipino in achieving his highest potential as a person, and in pursuing his higher call for the country. Truthfully, the Philippines have received a lot of criticism across the globe and have been called ‘a country that can’t quite get its act together.’ This is because the Filipino has been misguided for a long time. Our true identity, our roots and our history have remained outside our grasp. But these heroes exist to redeem our race- of bringing back the true worth and that constitutes of being a FILIPINO.

When will you take your part? Are you ready to be one of them? When will you start?
The only solution is NOW. Stand up and take your sleeves and ready to join in the ride.

“Yesterday is gone, Tomorrow has yet to come, we have only today, Let us begin.”
MOTHER THERESA

credits to: Vernon Go for the photos...

YOUTH, IMPOSSIBLE!

Do you get the idea of the caricature? Interesting isn’t it? But how many of us would bother to analyze this kind of scenario? Do we even care to understand what is it all about?

Statistics shows that 30% of the Philippine population comprises the youth sector (comprises those who are 15-30 years old). SHOULD THIS BE A THREAT OR AN OPPURTUNITY? Dr. José Protasio Rizal Mercado, Alonso Realonda or so called national hero “Rizal” and others like him hopes that the our future lies in the hands of the youth. So how can we, the youth, assess these different issues playing the Philippine society?

Having a huge percentage of the youth is always been an OPPORTUNITY yet these opportunity is not well utilized by the society. Due to the influx of Globalization, the youth has been APATHETIC towards community development. There has been no comprehensive education in terms of community development towards the youth. We seldom consider ourselves as rejects of society due to the lack of attention of the government officials in our country.

Yes, poverty has always been there and this causes the reason why the youth is not well educated. Instead of going to schools, they took indecent jobs just to give basic needs of their family. But these sad realities should not hinder us from doing what we truly believe. We are the great assets of this country and I believe we can make a BIG difference. Its time for us to come out of our comfort zone and explore to what reality is.

Being APATHETIC has always been a pressing issue to the youth. So how can we avoid this sad reality? The best thing to fight for this is to immerse ourselves to the community. Do experiential learning and join organizations that pick your interest. Just like ALEx, a pool of excellent youth leaders, they were able to make connections to the youth and interact with them as well. The event "Emerging Pinoy Leaders Congress” was a well manifestation of youth empowerment. Each youth organizations shared there ideas, thoughts and their concerns for their co-youth, even in their own little ways, it made a huge impact in their lives and to their community.

When are we going to start? When will we be able to realize?
START NOW! Initiate and do something. Be passionate, focus and serve. Serve with your heart and serve with a purpose.

"It's better if we do something. Let’s not be passive; we must take part in solving such problems because it concerns ALL OF US."

CARICATURE BY: Karmina Cuzon, ALEx Member
CAPTION(Italic Form): Mariejo Sevilla,ALEx Member

Magic at Night

Street of Colon, where the magic happens. People from the upland area travel miles away then gather around and sell what they have. I’ve been to Colon many times but never did I stop to look the beauty and wonders behind it. Passing through those streets was never been my plan but after I joined

the walking tour together with my flowsters it made me think twice. The tour was headed by Ka-Bino, filled with information in each location and we, the flowsters followed him all the way. There it flashed right in front of our eyes the magic that only happens at night.

Business was the primary goal of the Cebuanos ever since the history was foretold. Cebuanos compete to different famous personalities residing in the place. There was entertainment, money, bargain, and leisure for everyone. But due to the influx of globalization everything changes. Cebuanos was easily amused to the

trends, lifestyle, and culture from the foreigners and then came to the downfall of the Cebuano culture.

Colon is a well representation of what a Cebu is. Each streets and infrastructures tells a story that a youth must know. Thankfully, I was given an opportunity to learn and witness it myself. I got to the chance to see the famous Teatro Oriente and Vision Theate, famous of its place before, and know the founder of it. Then we came to Carbon Market, where every second counts, the place where bargain and profit took place. The tour ended with a sumptuous meal and sharing of thoughts about the hidden places we discovered.

As a youth, we must help

preserve these heritages by educating the people surrounding from it, give more attention and promote preservation on these rich heritages we discovered.

The tour is must experience to youth individuals who wants some exciting, fun yet full of lessons journey of Cebu. It is a tour where it will turn back time and explore the history of Cebu. Once again, thank you for the experience……