Called to Lead, Chosen to Serve: A First-Time Leader’s Story

Being a student leader wasn’t in my vocabulary before, yet here I am. It just so happened that I have a close friend who ran for Vice Governor after she was humbly asked by the Governor of our college. Because of that, I was also drawn into this leadership journey.

On the other hand, I have truly found the journey amazing. I have learned so many things about being a responsible leader—the commitment we promised during our Miting de Avance, the effort we gave, and the time we invested. In short, it became another responsibility to handle. As a breadwinner in our family, responsibility is not new to me. I have already endured many experiences and challenges, so in a way, this felt like something I could manage.

Today, I will be sharing one of our major activities as student leaders: our Leadership Training and Team Building. It was held at Kamalig de Cawayanan (Bamboo) Resort in Mabini, Bohol, with the theme, “Pillars of Progress: Navigating Integrity, Inspiring Trust.”

When we arrived at the venue, our president instructed us that before entering the area, we would be assigned numbers for our groupings. We then created our team name and yell. I loved that moment because it was a beautiful experience for me—especially as a first-timer stepping out of my comfort zone.

One of my favorite photos was our selfie—well, actually, a “groufie.” Smiles were everywhere, and the excitement could be seen on our faces.

The place had such a cute entrance, and the moment you walk in, you immediately feel like you’re somewhere peaceful and beautiful.

At the function hall, I saw our President and former President, who were our speakers for the day. They were preparing the venue and making sure everything was ready before the leadership training started.

During the training, we learned so much. As leaders, we must have the right attitude—responsible enough to guide and carry our members. Leadership is not about serving because you want something in return. It is about fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to you. While respect and awards may come in the future, the best form of service is serving out of love—and for the Lord. When your goal is to glorify God, everything falls into place. The credit will always be His.

We also had group activities, including a song performance and team yells, as well as interactive collaborations with our speakers. After everything, everyone who participated received their certificates. I am forever thankful for this opportunity.

Here is the certificate I received, together with Rea—one of my lunch buddies—and our President, Leonel Vallota.

After our morning session, we had lunch. It was a really good meal, and afterward, we proceeded to the team-building activities. This was the most exciting part for everyone—well, not for me, because I had my menstruation at that time.

They were all so excited to jump into the pool. The weather was stunningly beautiful, and the ambiance of the place was so tempting—it made them even more excited.

They played group games while I stayed around the area, taking photos since I was assigned by our President to document the activities. I also sat nearby and simply enjoyed the moment, imagining myself in the pool. Maybe that was already enough for me. I really love pools, even though I’m not a swimmer—I just enjoy staying in the water.

While they were busy enjoying themselves, I roamed around the place. They have cool and beautiful rooms, and the surroundings are absolutely stunning. It was surrounded by nature, which made everything feel peaceful. Their function hall was also quite big—perfect for large events. It truly was a great day. I was a bit exhausted, so I just sat down and enjoyed watching them have fun in the pool and play their games.

A selfie, groufie to remember and reserved as remembrance in the future. Thank you guys I am forever grateful that I have met you all, you all matter to me as to the Lord.

At the end of the day, I am grateful to God for the experience. Although the place was a bit far, I really loved it. Even during our travel, we were surrounded by mountains and beautiful rice fields that made me feel calm and at peace. Even though I didn’t get to swim, I still enjoyed the experience—the travel, the knowledge and wisdom gained, and the overall atmosphere of the place.

It was truly a great training and team-building experience. Thank you, Lord, and I am forever grateful to the Supreme Student Government for this opportunity.