29/12/2024
๐ด๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐ด๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
(A Feature Article Posted by Aira Llana Vez D. Aquiatan in Compliance to the Criteria for Judging of Negros Oriental's 1st Youth Leaders' Forum's Feature Writing Competition)
โWhen we want to see what the future looks like, where do we turn our eyes to?โ, Ms. Karen Villanueva asked the student leaders. โTo the youth!โ, Llana exclaimed, confident that โAte Karenโ would affirm her answer. With a microphone in hand, Ms. Villanueva continued roaming the room for the correct response. โThe entire Forum is centered on the youth; what better answer could there be?โ, Llana thought. โWe look to the classrooms,โ said Ms. Karen, โI look to the classrooms and see how many of the students are bright, how many of them are bullied, how many of them bully... In ten years, that will be Negros Oriental.โ
On the morning of December 13, 2024, a contingent of Catalinans โ comprising members of the Catalinan Supreme Student Government (CSSG), COSCAโs ROTC Officers, and the Chimes Editorial Staff โ arrived at Sea Dreams Resort. Stepping out of the air-conditioned bus, they breathed in the long-missed fresh air of Dauin. As they walk down a concrete slope, their eyes pan to the scenery before themโ lush greenery, a cerulean ocean, and seemingly Mediterranean-inspired buildings. Through an initiative by the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐ "๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐" ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐, ๐๐) , as facilitated by Youth for Peace- Negros Oriental, they joined fellow youth leaders from Metro Dumaguete College (MDC), Silliman University (SU), Foundation University (FU), and Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) โ Main Campus and Guihulngan Campus, at Negros Orientalโs 1st Youth Leaders Forum.
To formally commence the Opening Ceremony of the three-day leadership training, Lt. Col. Michael C. Aquino, the commanding officer of the Philippine Armyโs 11th Infantry Battalion, delivered welcoming remarks. Earl John Tocao, YFP President- Tanjay Chapter, then outlined the rationale and expectations for the Forum. Later, BGen. Joey A. Escanillas, Commander of the Philippine Armyโs 302nd Infantry Brigade, addressed the student leaders, laying emphasis on the Forumโs theme: โPag-iilaila, Paghimamat, Pakipaglambigit: Building Unity and Cultivating Leadership.โ He recognized the role of student leaders in nation-building and expressed his support for the student organizations. A โunity danceโ ensued, performed by everyone in the hall. The first morning of the YLF was filled with engaging games and contests that challenged the young leadersโ mental, emotional, and physical fortitude.
After noon, Pastor Roberto Fernandez spoke on the โYouth to Selfโ subject. Orphaned at a young age, the pastor was fostered by a maiden teacher. He used his story to inspire the student leaders, stressing that knowing oneself requires truly knowing an ultimate being and having an intimate relationship with God through worship, prayer, reading the Bible, and service.
The next session, aptly titled โYouth to Communityโ and taught by Atty. Jose Ramon J. Nacao, was divided into two parts: (1) a lecture on the role of the youth in nation-building, and (2) a resolution-writing workshop. The session was characterized by a back-and-forth of questions and answers between the participants and the speaker. Among the topics discussed was the crucial role of student leaders in law enforcement, particularly in serving as witnesses when necessary. Atty. Nacao clarified that while there is generally no legal obligation to report a crime, it is vital to promptly inform authorities about threats to national security. Transitioning to the second part of the session, the speaker introduced the two key components of a resolutionโ the rationale and the โmeat.โ Following a detailed explanation, the participants actively engaged in the resolution-writing workshop. Each table got the chance to write a simple resolution based on a hypothetical situation formulated by the speaker. The subtle message of the attorneyโs session was then overtly amplified with a film showing on the tricky framework of rebellion and terrorism. Sleekly, the evening came, and Day 1 concluded with a meaningful โhuman peace sign formation.โ
YLF greeted Day 2 with a morning workout. As bright blue slowly devoured the auburn-accentuated skies, the participants enjoyed an invigorating swim in the pool before the enjoyable (and perhaps humiliating) games. The young leaders were divided into five groups, each performing a yell to signify an animal of their choosing. Group 1, the โCaroling Birdsโ, sang โtweet tweet tweetโ in the melody of a Christmas jingle. Group 2, the โBarking Dogsโ opted for a relatively difficult chant with their multiple โarfsโ and โawoosโ. Group 3, the โShy Kittensโ stayed true to their preferred adjective and sang โmeow meow meowโ in the melancholy tune of Billie Eilishโs โWhat was I made for?โ. Group 4, the โTurkeysโ, tickled funny bones with their impression of โolok olok olokโ. Group 5, the โLion Tiger Katolโ selected an easier, fiercer โroarโ. In โMupalit mo og manok?โ, the groups engaged in a blissfully confusing activity wherein they had to mimic their opposing teamsโ animal sounds in order to tag them as โitโ. Laughter would erupt in the hall every time a mistake was made during the game. As the bright and cheerful aura filled the function room, the youth leaders were ready for more serious topics.
The keynote lecture on Parliamentary Procedure was expertly delivered by Ms. Karen F. Villanueva, MPM. Ms. Villanueva likened parliamentary procedures to a traffic jam, noting that ambulances, firetrucks, and private cars have varying concerns, just as members of parliament represent diverse interests. โYou have [a] limited budget and competing priorities. It is best to have procedures and [an] order of how things are done,โ she emphasized, recommending the use of the universal โRobertโs Rule of Lawโ as a valuable guide to โregulate the traffic.โ Delving deeper into the topic, the speaker identified the three primary goals of parliamentary procedureโto protect the rights of the minority, to maintain the rule of the majority, and to promote the most efficient proceedings. The session took an exciting turn when a simulation of a parliamentary procedure was performed, wherein Ms. Karen Villanueva acted as the chairperson while the youth leaders assumed the roles of parliamentary members. The student leaders happily enacted their characters as they munched on the mango ice cream brought by Ms. Karen.
The afternoon session, โYouth to Youth,โ was led by Mr. Arthur Gomez, a registered nurse. Mr. Gomez began by clarifying the age brackets defined by the Department of Health (DOH) for adolescents and adults, emphasizing that brain development continues until age 21. With only a bond paper and a topic outline in hand, Mr. Gomez skillfully spoke on crucial topics such as family planning, safe s*x practices, s*xually transmitted infections, and addiction. He addressed common stigmas and misconceptions, encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking among the participants, especially on gender sensitivity. He also explained the stages of human psychosocial development as theorized by Erik Erikson.
By nightfall, everyone gathered for the โMr. and Ms. Youth Leaders Forum 2024โ program. Each school cheered for their favored candidates who showcased their prowess in the five-round pageant. The contenders battled neck and neck in the Production Number, Talent Portion, โKasuotang Pambayani,โ Formal Wear, and Q&Aโ flaunting the multi-faceted value of Negros Orientalโs youth leaders. COSCAโs representatives, Ma. Florence Joy F. Bangay and Al Basil Z. Mission, emerged as โMr. & Ms. Youth Leaders Forum 2024โ. Rejoicing their victories, the student participants jumped to the beat of blasted music, exhausted themselves, and called it a good night.
The third day of the leadership training ended up being more conversation-centered. The participants actively elected the Forumโs officers. They heard speeches from each nominee and officer-elect. Trophies were awarded to the outstanding groups and individuals of the Forum. After hearing speeches from important speakersโ Mr. Giovanni T. Macahig, ORRM, Head of SU Office of Registration and Records Management, and Rev. Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, the parish priest of Dauinโ the young leaders received their certificates for completing the school-based three-day leadership training. As one last meal with newfound friends, the student leaders, the facilitators, and the military officers all joined one massive boodle fight.
Ultimately, Negros Orientalโs 1st Youth Leadership Forum would be remembered as the three-day, school-based, stay-in leadership training packed with keynote sessions, team-centered activities, and free get-together meals. Just like that, consider the goal achieved: โPag-iilaila, Paghimamat, Pakipaglambigit: Building Unity and Cultivating Leadership.โ
Ms. Karen, who walked around the room in her cigarette heels during her entire session, ascends the stage. The speaker, who dominantly delivered her lecture in English, wows the participants with her flawless Bisaya. Except for Ms. Karen Villanuevaโs mellow voice, the room was silent. With a face like hers, youโd think the students were fixated on the former mayorโs beauty, but no. Llana, with the rest of the young leaders, sat in awe as she heard everything the well-decorated politician had to say. Culminating her session, โAte Karenโ posed one last challenge to the attendees: to embody everything they learn in the Forum. As though passing down some cherished heirloom, she declares: โNow, when I look at you, as I hear you ask your questions, I see the future of Negros Oriental.โ
Photos By: Armil Jan O. Nuรฑez. ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ช๐ฐ๐ถ๐ด๐ญ๐บ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฃ๐ญ๐ช๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฐ๐ด ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ๐บ.
