Dare to Lead

by Daniela V. Chua   "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." - Warren G. Bennis * * * Leadership. What is the first thing that comes into mind when you hear this? Responsibility? Decision? Position? Or Action?   Everyone would probably agree to this: it isn't easy to be a leader. You have to be open for criticism, to mountain-piled duties, and to know how to balance your life as a leader and as an individual. Well what if besides having those duties; you still have this research paper deadline, assignments, exams, or even reactions to balance? It isn't a piece of cupcake at all! Being a student leader really is a challenge and a great opportunity at the same time.    Last January, I had this honor to interview the tenured officers of our department's organization - the Chemical Engineering Society (ChES). They were labelled tenured due to the fact that they were with ChES since their second year of college. Wow! Talk about service for our organization! To know more about them, I asked them questions about their life as a student leader, as a Chemical Engineering student, and as an individual of our society.     Daniela Chua: Please introduce yourself.   Ann Baual: Hi I’m Ann Christine Baual a.k.a. AC, from 5ChE-B, the current President of UST Chemical Engineering Society. Carla Evaristo: Hi! I’m Carla Rae C. Evaristo, 5th yr ChE student. I am the current Senior Vice President for Internal Affairs. In short, Internal Vice President.  *laughs* Justin Vinluan: Hi, Im Justin Timothy V. Vinluan though my friends usually call me Vinlu. I am from 5 ChE B and currently the Senior Vice President for External Affairs at UST ChES.   DC: Being a tenured ChES officer, what was the biggest challenge you had so far? Or biggest decision you have to make?   AB: Siguro yung biggest decision that I have to make is when I have to choose whether to spend my last  year in college as a normal student focused in academics or run as part of the executive council ng ChES for the 3rd year. Actually, isang big step for me yung mag-run as president especially when everyone is expecting someone else to run. Standing up to prove that I am worthy of this position was even harder. But I am thankful to those people who reminded me that what other people think doesn’t really matter as long as I believe in myself and I will do my best to serve the members of this organization. CE: The biggest decision I have to make was to embrace the fact that if I run for a position, I will no longer function as a student alone. I have to accept that my time would be divided in so many responsibilities.  I decided to be beyond mediocrity.Kapag alam ko kasing may magagawa ako para sa ikabubuti ng society, I take it as a challenge. Maganda kasing nachachallenge tayo. From there, we grow and develop as individuals.       JV: The biggest decision lies before the whole term starts. It is the decision to continue serving ChES with a certain position. Yung decision palang na tumakbo at our last year ang pinakamahirap. It is our last time to excel and end our college life with flying colors so minsan natatanong kung bakit magdadagdag ka pa ng burdensa sarili mo na wala namang direct na kapalit and just focus on your studies.   DC: Were you a student officer before entering college? If yes, what encouraged you to continue? If no, what encourage you to be a student leader?   AB: Yes, I was the president of our student council when I was in elementary, tapospresident din ako ng isang org sa school namin nung high school. Siguro kaya ko pinagpatuloy yung pagiging student leader kasi when you have started serving others, you will find happiness and a sense of fulfillment. It was hard, but everything will be worth it in the end. Also, I love being around people, sa pagiging active kasi sa isang organization, marami kang makikilalang tao, marami kang magiging kaibigan at syempre marami ka ring matutunan. CE: Yes, during my kabataan days. I was the team captain of Colegio San Agustin- badminton team. And during my high school days, I was active in theater and became the external vice president of CSA’s Dulaang Kruhay. Passion to serve. Binigyan kasi tayo ni Lord ng blessing to show our talents.Naniniwala ako na itong leadership na ito ay parte sa biyaya ng Diyos para maka-inspire tayo ng youth to be not afraid to show what they can. As long as tama ang ginagawa mo, do it. The Lord guides the grateful. JV: I’ve been active since high school but not as extensive as what I did in college. As I step in college, I've been a part of different organizations such as Engineering Student Council and UST-UNICEF Volunteers aside from ChES. Personal development yung una kong gustong matutunan but as years passed, you will continue because it is already part of your system and routine. Hindi mo na gusto yung walang ginagawa or walang event na iniintindi.   DC: Can you name a famous leader or a certain person who influenced you as a student leader?   AB: Actually, I can’t name a certain person that influenced me to be a student leader. Marami akong naging mentor, maraming nagturo sakin, marami akong naging inspiration but I think being a student leader is something na nasayo na talaga. It is the passion to serve others that will drive you to be a student leader, hindi lang dahil sinabihan ka or pinilit ka tumakbo. Because if you really want it, you’ll grab any opportunity that will come your way. CE: You might find it holy pero si Jesus Christ ang best example ko to be a good leader. He is with the people. Nakikihalubilo siya sa mga tao yet nagagawa parin niyang magdesisyon na nakakaayon sa kabutihan. He respects and listens to themkaya in return people do the same thing. He inspires people to do good and be good.Walang halong paglalamang.  JV: Si AC! *laughs* joke! Siguro walang specific na tao but I guess one of the officersng bawat organization na naging parte ako. There will always be a greater person than you and a greater person than the one you are emulating. From one org to another, may mga nag-eexude ng characteristics na hinahanap ko sa leader and as I try to invibe them nakakakita ako ng mga bagong leaders na gustong magingthrough different leadership summits na we’ve been a part.   DC: Name one characteristic that you believe every student leader should possess.   AB: I believe that honesty and fairness are the foundation of a good relationship. In an organization, you should have a good relationship with everyone, because behind every success is a group of people working together to achieve a common goal. CE: From the beginning of my term as IVP, I embedded the words “situational leader ako” in my mind. Hindi pwedeng dictator ka lang lagi. O kaya naman charismatic leader all throughout your term. Hindi. Dapat alam ng leaders when to understand and be firm with their decisions and when to bow down if needed. Hindi lagi dapat nasa taas. Kailangan mo minsan bumaba para maintindihan mo kung saan nagmumula lahat. JV: The ability to understand and be understood. It all starts with good and effective communication. As student leaders, we step up to the challenge and be part of a cause. Yun ang kailangan natin ipaintindi sa mga students on why they should join an organization. The ability to understand your peers is also important to maintain a harmonious environment. Without associates to lean on to and members to serve, there wouldn’t be an organization in the first place. Lastly, kailangan mo rin ipaintindi ang sarili mo without going beyond the boundaries of your duties because at the end of the day magkakaibigan at magkakaklase lang naman din tayo.     DC: How do you encourage your members to strive harder? Example, during a certain event?   AB: We give them tasks that they can contribute to the success of an event. Empowering our members, and showing them that we trust them is one way of encouraging them to strive harder. And syempre, we would always recognize their efforts para mas mainspire sila. CE: Throughout my stay sa society, madami na akong events na nahawakan. Hindi ko na iisa-isahin lahat. Lagi ko sinasabi sa members ko na para sa ikabubuti niyo lahat ng nararanasan niyo ngayon. One time, may shinare ako sa isang event; ano gagawin mo kapag binigyan ka ng chance maging presidente ng Pilipinas? Sinagot ko yun. Sabi ko, tatanggapin ko yung challenge. Hindi ko susukuan at hindi ko sasabihing hindi ko kaya, in the first place paano mo malalamang hindi mo kaya kung hindi mo susubukan? Try lang ng try. From there again, we grow. JV: This would be very specific. The Luzon Chemical Engineering Students Camp 2015 would be the most tiring event to spearhead. Pabiro kong sinabi sa project heads and all members a part of the event that “I had a vision and I want this to be your vision too.” *laughs* napakamakata. Napakahirap mag-organize ng unang inter-school summit ng chemical engineering students sa UST. From venue reservations, invitations, plant tour venues, speakers, and participants, may mga tao na iiyak andsusuko. I encourage them by simply being in every meeting to supervise them, by congratulating and praising them for their effort, and especially after the event by telling them that they did it, and I commend them for their hard work and effort.   DC: How do you manage your time as a Chemical Engineering student and as an officer of our organization?   AB: Taking things one at a time. Mahirap pagsabay-sabayin yung mga dapat gawin, so iniisa-isa ko lang and when I’m done with one, tsaka ko gagawin yung susunod.Syempre, may mga pagkakataong ‘di talaga kakayanin ng oras mo na gawin lahat but the good thing is, I am not alone. The executive council will always be there to help each other and syempre meron kaming different committees na nahihingan ng tulong. And without them, hindi magiging successful ang mga projects na ginagawa ng ChES. CE: Hindi ko talaga ma-master to eh. I still cram. Pero I make sure na hindi konapapabayaan lahat ng responsibilities ko. We still need to study, do the things we love and to still be a good daughter, sibling and friend to my loved ones. Siguro ang pinaka nakakatulong sakin to get it through the day is to ALWAYS make a to-do list. Hindi ko man siya magawa ngayong araw, at least nakikita ko parin na I have things to finish. And for the record, I don't pass late requirements. Saktuhan lang. *laughs* JV: Honestly, di talaga balanse. Kapag walang event or malayo pa yung event, focuslang sa pag-aaral especially last two semesters wherein we had our thesis. However,kapag ganitong ChES Week or nung LChESC at iba pang major events, buhos lahat sa ChES and the remaining time pagkauwi doon lang mag-aaral. One thing na kinaganda ng senior officers this year is that magkakaklase kami at magkakabarkada. That is why hindi mahirap mag-aral kapag may quiz since kami kami lang din yungpart ng group study together with our friends na naging part or part din ng ChES either as chair, vice chair or associate.     Okay! Enough of the heavy questions! Let's see their witty answers and get to know them better with this special segment during the interview!   DC: If you could be someone for a day, who would it be and why?   AB: Supergirl. I admire her strength and her ability to fly. I’ve always wanted to be strong so that no one can ever hurt those people that I love. Gusto ko rin makalipad, kasi sobrang daming place ang gusto kong puntahan, and imagine I can go there whenever I want kung nakakalipad lang ako. CE: I want to be the richest person, kung sino man siya, wow. Gusto ko lang ng pera para makatulong. Gusto ko talaga makapagpatayo ng foundation for the elderly. I wanted to have funds para magamit yun para maparamdam sa mga matatanda nathey deserved to be loved. Idamay ko narin lahat ng kailangan ng tulong *laughs*.Isang araw lang naman. At least may maiiwan akong benefits for them. JV: Barry Allen. The Flash. Siya yung legit comic idol ko. Ever since bata pa lang ako, may laruan na akong the flash, may clothes hanggang kumot *laughs*. Sino ba naman ayaw ng super speed? Tsaka para di rin pala ako ma-late sa klase, sakit ko kasi maging late at maraming beses na ako muntikan na ma-FA.   DC: Describe yourself in a form of food and explain why.   AB: Ampalaya. Hindi dahil bitter ako but because I know that just like an Ampalaya, I can’t please everyone. Hindi lahat ng tao magugustuhan ako pero may mga ilan parin taong alam kong naniniwala sakin at sa kung anong kaya kong gawin. CE: Siguro, condiments na lang ako *laughs*. I give flavor to your lives. Yung kapag kinain mo yung isang bagay na may condiments, tumatambay, di mo makakalimutan.  Kapag wala namang condiments, hahanap hanapin mo *laughs*. JV: Popcorn siguro. Kapag kumain ka ng popcorn habang nanonood, hindi pwedeng isa o dalawang subo lang the entire movie. Kuha ka ng kuha hanggang wala na, pati yung nahulog sa paper bag kukunin mo, tapos didilaan mo pa yung daliri mo para sa natirang powder. Ganun siguro akong tao, I won’t settle for something na “ok na” or “pwede na”. I would strive harder again and again to reach my goals sa academics, saextra-curricular, and sa personal development.   DC: Tell me what you are not.   AB: I am not a morning person. I really hate waking up early, kaya nga nung pang-umaga ako, muntik na kong ma-FA *laughs*. Yung alarm ko every 5 minutes para surena magigising ako. CE: Matigas ang puso. JV: Hindi ako morning person. Hindi ako maaga nagigising. Hindi ako perfect attendance sa first class or perfect attendance sa early morning meetings namin sa ChES.   DC: This one is from the Miss Universe 1969 pageant. In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If the man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?   AB: Papapicture muna ako, aba minsan lang ako makaencounter ng taong nakarating na sa moon. After, I would ask him to tell me what is it like to be in the moon and to see the outer space (ako ang maeentertain, hindi sya, pero at least may magagawa sya di ba? *laughs*) CE: Kantahan ko na lang siya, doon naman ako magaling *laughs*. Joke! Ipagluto ko din siya ng real food like sinigang at least hot pa. Tapos tour namin buong hometownnamin at makikinig ako sa mga kwento niya tungkol sa space. Malay mo, siya na pala.Char! *laughs* JV: Bibigyan ko sya ng mooncake because he just came back from the moon with matching moonlight over Paris. Bubukas ko din pala yung tv para makanood siya ngTransformers: Dark of the Moon *laughs*. Tama na corny na to.   DC: The election is only in a couple of months, in your opinion, what issue should the next president focus on? Why?   AB: Education. Politicians don’t invest much in education, why? Because they are afraid of educated people, they are afraid na maging wise voters ang mga Pilipino. But what we need here in the Philippines is proper education kasi wala tayong mararating kung karamihan pa rin sa atin ang hindi nakakapag-aral. With education, we will be able to choose the right leaders for this country, improve the economy and most of all lessen the poverty. CE: The president should focus on how to end corruption. Sobrang lala na eh, di na nakakatuwa pero siguro ang best way para mabawasan yun is to elect worthy people. Vote wisely ika nga nila, totoo yun kilatisin mabuti yung mga tumatakbo. Ang ganda kasi ng Pilipinas pero hindi namamaximize yung potentials to be one of the best countries yet dahil sa corrupt leaders. It should stop. JV: Ang daming issues na kailangan bigyan pansin. Pero at this point in time, I would like them to give keen understanding sa environment. The country is blessed with a lot of flora and fauna as well as minerals and elements na dito lang matatagpuan. That alone can pay the country’s debt if used in a proper way. Also, the oil reserves are depleting and our country heavily relies on it, so we should go green and start on renewable energy. This may not earn them votes as compared sa pabasketball court, feeding program o pagpapatayo ng mga foot bridge pero malaki ang impact sa atinonce masira ang environment wherein money wouldn’t be needed to survive.