On 25 May 2024, at 8 o’clock in the morning, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) President Samuel Lee Uy and graduates of the CFBCI Pagharap sa Pangarap College Scholarship Program, Ms. Melonick D. Casipe, Ms. Mexica Bausa, and Ms. Jereza Faye Salidaga, took a flight to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan in order to facilitate a special Leadership Development Program for college students coming from various cities in Cagayan Province. The seminar was held at the Cagayan State University and was attended by a total of 47 college students from different degree programs, who are also beneficiaries of the Gregorio P. Uy Lee Peng Scholarship Foundation led by President Uy.
The seminar was divided into four parts: an introductory speech by President Uy, a series of leadership talks by the three alumni, leadership development activities, and peer-sharing among the attendees. On one hand, Ms. Casipe talked about how leadership is very important in her profession as a business owner. She emphasized that by never giving up on our dreams and persistently trying to achieve them, we will be able to succeed in the future.
On the other hand, Ms. Bausa talked about the significance of leadership in her present role as an employee of CFBCI. She shared the 3Ks of Leadership in the workplace namely: knowing your ‘strengths’, knowing your ‘weaknesses’, and knowing your ‘people’ (and what they need). Afterwards, Ms. Salidaga explained how leadership can be manifested in all of them as scholars. “There is a leader within all of us, and we just need to unleash our capabilities,” she said.
After the series of messages, the group facilitated four activities, each aiming to resolve a particular facet of leadership: Lift the Hoola Hoop (Accountability), Larva Snatch (Trust), Human Knot (Conflict Resolution), and One For All, All For One (Commitment). In their peer-sharing, the students expressed how the activities helped in improving their sense of leadership and cooperation with their fellow students. After the seminar, the group traveled for two hours to Cauayan, Isabela in preparation for another seminar that will cater to college students in the province.
In the next day, 26 May 2024, the group headed to Isabela State University – Cauayan Campus to facilitate the same Leadership Development Program. The seminar was also attended by a total of 47 scholars and 11 employees of the Ford Tractor Philippines. The program was also received with great appreciation by the attendees and their parents who attended a separate values formation seminar. The group was overwhelmed with positive feedback from the students who enjoyed all the activities. “A leader who understands is better than a leader who merely listens to his people,” said one of the students during the peer-sharing activity.
At 11:15AM, the group flew back to Manila, bringing home the smiles, giggles, and stories of the youth they met. At home, the CFBCI Pagharap sa Pangarap College Scholarship Program conducts a monthly Life Skills and Motivational Seminar for its beneficiaries featuring various topics like leadership development. It was a great experience for CFBCI alumni to bring this seminar to the provinces to help their fellow youth maximize their potential.
In photo (L-R): President Samuel Lee Uy, Ms. Melonick Casipe, Ms. Jereza Faye Salidaga, and Ms. Mexica Bausa
