I did not know what AYLC was
before. I have literally never heard of it. I must say, however, that the word
AYALA, was the one which caught my attention. I am a business student and so we
get to hear topnotch businessmen’s names every day. We even study their
profiles. I learned about Ayala Young Leaders Congress though a poster posted
in the school’s bulletin board. I just saw it once wishing I could be a part of
it, but at that time, I thought it was not going to happen. I simply was just
not the one next in line. That’s why you could just imagine how elated I was
when I was given the chance that fateful Friday afternoon.
The name is Net, and I will pen
my heart into paper after the most amazing week I have had in my life.
Unlike everyone, I wasn’t a
hard-core student leader. I never became the supreme student government
president in high school. If anything, the only leadership positions I had were
those acquired by merit, ergo skill. I was the editor-in-chief of our high
school publication for two years. Chairman of the science club. President of the Chess club. On top of that,
I was notorious for being a grade-conscious student. And I still am, by the way
(LOL). So you have me as one of the campus geeks. Class valedictorian. My
friends always have the balls of reciting my litany of achievements. And the
way I was raised by a family with mega standards have always influenced me. I
have always shunned the offers for running as student council president because
I was on top of my class and my parents figured being a part of the student
council might compromise my academics. After all, as a student, academics is
still my priority.
But I was awake. I have skills.
And I was reasonably disturbed.
I couldn’t help thinking about me doing
nothing but focus on academics when many in our school couldn’t even understand
the basics of English, Chemistry and Physics. That’s when two of my friends and
I together with our adviser launched the Peer Tutoring Program. It’s now on its
third year under the leadership of the third batch tutors. Then, I graduated
from high school and somehow I stopped after teaching around 20 students. I somehow
stopped after throwing a few starfishes.
College came and I swore to
myself upon entering the gates of BU that I would totally focus on academics.
Damn the extra-curricular. I survived for two years doing my tradition of
saying NO to offers of candidacy. My “geek” gear was totally all over me and
the words “I want to be summa cum laude”
literally written all over my face. I told them I was busy and they understood.
At the time, there were many complaints about the management ways of the then
incumbent officers. I had my share of complaints too. And I realized, I should
really be the change I want to see in the world.
Again, I was reasonably
disturbed.
My third year rolled in and I
assumed the position of the executive head of the Junior Institute of Management
and at the same time the Vice President of the Business Management Association
of the Philippines at Bicol University. For the second time, I had another shot
at throwing my own starfish. As of now, I am running for my second term unopposed.
I don’t know what I did or did not do to deserve their trust. All I know is
that I will be forever grateful to these people.
Now, allow me to recount the
memories I have pre-AYLC. It was during the day I looked forward to, for me, at
least as the President of the Junior Institute of Management that my AYLC
journey began. There I sat in the back row, representing the business students
to receive the awards we have amassed after the college intramurals. I thought
that day would end with me receiving the awards, locking it all up at the
office and finally get my most-awaited opportunity to rest after a week of
leading, motivating and inspiring the team to win. How very wrong I was.
Something big was going to come.
Just as I was about to leave the
hall, our CSAC adviser told me to go to the office of the student services, get
my password and do as I will be told by the OIC. It was raining hard that day.
I didn’t even know what the password was for. I totally didn’t know what our
CSAC Adviser signed me up for. But the bottomline: I DID AS I WAS TOLD…I did as
I was told and only then did I know that I was being given the chance to apply
for the AYLC 2013. Lucky me.
Fast-forward to the application
process. It was a good thing my portfolio was always kept updated. I began to
input my credentials but I was worried because I was not really able to fill
out all of them. I finally decided to hit that big SUBMIT button and I prayed
to God to grant me one more step forward.
Panel Interviews. I was happy to
learn that I made it to the panel interviews—the final step. Make it or break
it. I prayed for one more step but I actually got a free ride from God to my
AYLC destination with lots of bonuses. I got the chance to be interviewed by no
less than Ma’am Luli and Don Jaime himself. And being given the chance by them
to be a part of the AYLC journey is just really overwhelming.
Finally, AYLC 2013. I’m writing
this account roughly two weeks after AYLC- the most amazing, insightful and
unforgettable moment in my life as a leader. Being given the chance to meet 80
others from all over the country, of different walks of life is really a big
blessing. I will never forget the workshops, the outdoor challenges that molded
trust and friendship, the sessions that allowed us to free our minds and the
executives and all these AYLC people of high credentials who reached out to us
to hear our ideas.
And the starfish story I kept
retelling to my brother, friends and colleagues in the organization. I was
amazed to realize that the little starfishes I have thrown on my own before is
actually contributing to this vast network of AYALA alumni who are throwing
their starfishes in their own corner of the world. Before, I felt alone in
pursuing my advocacy for literacy and education. I felt like it was only me and
my three friends who were actually trying to effect change. Because of AYLC, I
felt the support of a big family. As of this writing, I and my classmates are
preparing for a community outreach and literacy campaign slated next week and I
am just so happy that we would have another shot at throwing our own
starfishes.
I realized that with all the many
starfishes that needs to get thrown, I shouldn’t ever get tired of throwing
hundreds or even thousands more. It should be a continuous process. As my
workshop groupmate said, “Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.”
I left the school worrying about my exams (the
geek side of me freaking out), the activities I’ll be leaving behind and all my
other commitments. But true enough, it was all worth it.
Because of AYLC, I had the best of both
worlds.
________________________________
MOnette Jane Vargas is a student of the Bicol University
