Hope to the Ilonggo Youth: Gokongwei China scholars bring 'Hope Warrior'
Ayala Young Leaders Alumni with the
future applicants.
The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) China Scholars invaded Iloilo City for the sixth stop of the Project Hope Warrior (PHW) Caravan, a nationwide leadership and inspirational talk series, which aims to bring hope to the young leaders of the country; a timely event for a place affected by the Typhoon Frank. Student leaders coming from different student organizations of Central Philippine University (CPU) gathered to be inspired by what the scholars have brought with them from China.
The Project Hope Warrior: Pinoy Youths Living and Discovering Modern China is the brainchild of the 34 GBF Scholars who were sent to Beijing to study the culture and language and to immerse with the rapid development of China. These young leaders selected by the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation however believed that after their scholarship, their responsibility towards their fellow youth don't stop there. What they learned in the four corners of Beijing Language and Culture University for a year is no match to what they have realized as they take their day-to-day lives in a place they never called home. Their life stories before China, their experiences as young professionals and the dangers they encountered to make a difference are what they have to offer.
PHW Execom together with on-site
organizers.
The Hope Warrior seminar focused on how young Filipino professionals and leaders come to face the challenges of their peers, career and lives. It showed the audience that behind all their achievements, they were once the simple and normal youth who suffered disappointment, defeat and failure. The talk presented how these strong young leaders stand up and face the future after each fall. "Go lng ng go!", a famous expression by Atty. Lesley Cordero, the youngest election officer who headed the legal team of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri during the 2007 Senatorial Elections, to mean that opportunities shouldn't be turned down and every opportunity is a learning experience. Her testimonial made the greatest impact in the talk; using her PDI's Young Blood article, Walking Away, it inspired the student leaders who are afraid to initiate change for the good and believe that as early as now, as young as today, they can make a difference. She shared her experience as a legislative officer of Sen. Francis Pangilinan and as Political Communications Director for the office of Laurence Brahm in Beijing. "Atty. Lesley is exceptional. We should have a lot of youth just like her" stated Fred Anthony Ramirez, President of the Institute of Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippines- CPU Student Chapter (IECEP-CPUSC). A documentary focused on her personal life made by her China co-scholars, Mr. Marvin A. Segura and Ms. Alice Mae Mamhot which was used for her Application for USC Outstanding Graduate Award awed the crowd for her incomparable achievements at an early age of 28. Comm.
PHW Executive Committee, local
organizing committee together with
the CPU Administration..
Michael Francis Lopez followed Atty. Cordero's speech starting with his "casted finger gesture" which made him lose the chance to win the student council election in the University of San Carlos. He then talked about losing from a competition yet gaining experience which could lead to a greater achievement. Being the youngest appointee of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Comm. Lopez, at 22 during the appointment, has a number of great dreams to be fulfilled. Maybe a joke for many, some of his dreams are: be able to represent the country in the UN General Assembly, to watch Lea Salonga in Broadway and to bring Piolo Pascual in his university. All those dreams were brought to life. He is the youngest delegate of the Philippines for the UN General Assembly then he also managed to sidetrack to watch Lea Salonga in Broadway and finally bring home Piolo Pascual to the Cebuanos. The humorous commissioner of NYC made the crowd enjoy every minute of the seminar. Before Atty. Cordero and Comm. Lopez, Ms. Cecille Lao from the Ateneo de Manila University gave a brief talk on the topic "Chinita Lost in Beijing".
PHW Speakers in CPU.
This is the first and the biggest gathering of CPU student leaders. From religious organizations to fraternities, publication and academic organizations to the CPU Republic, PHW was attended by 159 key officers of student organizations. "Project Hope Warrior is the most inspiring seminar. I can relate to what they all say, it's very real. How I wish to be on their shoes. We are very thankful for their presence", said Teody Suerte, CPU Engineering Student Council Vice-Governor. Joshua Misajon, president of the CPU Republic affirmed that this seminar is very timely for the Ilonggo Young Student leaders since Iloilo has been affected by the Typhoon Frank in mid-June of this year and some are still in the process of moving on and there are some who lost their hopes after the calamity.
The four GBF China Scholars were: Ms. Jeannie I. Laurene Chua Kao from Ateneo de Davao University (presented the PHW primer), Ms. Cecille Joyce Y. Lao of Ateneo de Manila University (talked about a personal experience on the topic "Chinita Lost in China"), Atty. Lesley Jeanne Y. Cordero, the GBF China Scholars Batch President from the University of San Carlos and Mr. Marvin A. Segura of Central Philippine University (served as project coordinator of the PHW in Iloilo City). Comm. Michael Francis A. Lopez (Commisioner-at-Large, National Youth Commission), a strong advocate of the project also joined the talk. CPU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nathaniel Fabula together with the Director for Scholarships, Dr. Margen Java attended the said project which was held at the CPU Educational Media Center Conference Room.
Prior to the talk, they had a courtesy call to the Governor of Iloilo Province, Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. thru the assistance of Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada. The governor presented them to the Iloilo media afterwards. They were also invited for local TV and radio guestings: CPU Alumni Channel 8 CENTRAL POINT, GMA TV 6's morning show ARANGKADA, and at RMN –Iloilo.
PHW (Iloilo) was chaired by the former CPUR President and GBF China Scholar Marvin A. Segura. It is also co-sponsored by CPU, CPU Republic, Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline, Rotaract Club of Jaro Centraline, Ayala Young Leaders Alliance Iloilo, and Volunteers for Integrated Public Service. The seminar was arranged by the on-site support organizations: College of Business and Accountancy Provincial Board, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers-CPUSC, Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers- CPUSC, Philippine Society of Software Engineers, Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers-CPUSC, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers-CPUSC, Institute of Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippines-CPUSC, and Institute of Packaging Professionals-CPUSC. The seminar is also brought to the people through its media partners- GMA Regional Network TV 6 through its flagship shows: ARANGKADA and RATSADA, Radio Mindanao Network Iloilo (RMN-Iloilo), The News Today, and CPU Alumni Channel 8.