06/06/2023
Our world is home to more than eight billion people, approximately 1.8 billion of this number belongs to the number of youths in this world. This only means that we are the backbone of this world thus the future of our community is in our hands. We can bring social reformation towards improving the condition of society through positive ways. With these being said, we need to be empowered to perform our role in the development of the society. And I am glad that we have given this opportunity to serve our community.
Today, half of all young people becomes the problem of the society.
I remember one of the seminars I attended to, City Mayor of Baguio, Hon. Magalong said that WE ARE NOT THE FUTURE LEADERS.
Because WE ARE THE LEADERS OF TODAY! Age is not a factor for us to be a leader.
It is our commitment, determination, and loyalty that makes us a leader. It is also about having the vision to achieve the target and understanding the followers and having the ability to connect with our people.
On June 30, 2018, when I assumed office, I raised my hand and stood up in order to serve and protect the Cabadbaranons.
And at this moment, in our young personal leadership journey we get our glimpse of leadership style and that is “BUHAT MAOY PASULTION, LIHOK MGA BATAN-ON”.
My journey as a leader has been characterized by my innate ability to recognize needs, accept responsibilities, and wield influence that inspires a positive change.
One of my most significant experiences as a leader came after I was unanimously elected as the SK Federation President. At first, I felt it was impossible because the funds were not available, but I understood because the aim of a good leader is to inspire and serve the people especially the youths. Indeed, it was an experience that taught me to never give up until I have exhausted all my options.
Certainly, it wouldn’t be possible without the help and hands of my fellow leaders. Having a good team around you enables you to think in different ways, push boundaries with new ideas and most importantly it provides you with a strong support network. From the start up to ‘til now, we have succeeded in many ways that we never could have imagined. Our work did not just enrich our own lives, but it enriched our community and our fellow youths as well.
In the span of four years, eleven months, and one week exactly today, I am immensely grateful to enunciate that this representation together with my fellow youth leaders have done many projects, programs, and activities that benefited our community.
My journey as the SK Federation President and being the Local Youth Development Council Chairperson of Cabadbaran City is something that I will forever treasure. The experience, the fun, and the enabling opportunity for being the voice of the youth sharpened me as a person of who I am today. My interactions with others have always been interpreted by my own eyes, but to get another’s viewpoint on who I am, gives me much more comprehension of who I am as a person.
Most importantly, I learned the real essence of LEADERSHIP. That after all, leadership is not a position, it is an action. Hand in hand, let’s help together as we create remarkable impacts to our respective communities and to our country as a whole.
I may be one of the leaders of today, but I am sure that tomorrow will be much better taken care of by your vision and by your leadership. This is exactly what we are aiming for today by getting together.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to my alter ego in this care, SIR FRANCE BERRY LABRADOR, for being the frontliner of the youth development programs in this city. Also, for being so patient and understanding to us. I believe this is my first time to be expressive of how grateful I am for your existence. A MILLION FOLDS OF PASALAMAT TO YOU SIR!
To our mentor, my personal godmother, our DILG-City Local Government Operations Officer, maam ANNABELLA O CADIGAL. Maam salamat sa kanunay na pag amuma ug pag agak kanamo mga badlungon nimo na mga anak sa goberno. Thank you for your guidance and for being the backbone of every endeavor that we take. Salamat sa pag latos ug mga pangaral na panghantod-hantod, kay kung di gumikan saimong pag kugi ug lantaw kanamo, dili ko or kami mamahimong kami karon kung dili gumikan saimo. DAGHANG SALAMAT KAAYO MAAM.
To my Governor Angel, Congressman Dale, Mayor Judy, Vice Mayor, Sangguniang Panlungsod Members, and most importantly my fellow SK Chairpersons, SALAMAT KAAYO SA PAG HATAG UG OPPORTUNITY PARA MAKA PANGALAGAD SA KATAWHANG CABADBARANON.
Sa akong ginikanan ug mga igsuon na kanunay gyung naa sa panahon sa kalisod ug sa kanunay na nagapaluyo kanako aron mag barog ko na matarong. Thank you for riding with me in this beautiful journey.
Sa akong pinanggang pamilya, my beloved husband Kenneth and baby Dos, you have been my strength in times of battles and my inspiration.
Sa akong mga pinangga na mga SK Officials, SALAMAT KAAYO SA MEMORIES. Sa mga ka pait ug ka tam-is na panahon, naa gyud mo sa kanunay nagpa luyo kanako. Dili ko mamahimong epektibo na leader kung dili pod gumikan sa inyong mga kamot. Special shoutout to the former SKF VICE PRESIDENT who is now ENGR. ALVIN JAMBOY, who contributed a big part ani nga origanisasyon ug sa kanunay na pag paminaw sa akong mga mulo kaniadto ug hantod karon. DAGHANG SALAMAT GYUD KANINYONG TANAN!
Before I end this long caption, I have two messages to make. My first message is for our leaders of today, that now is the time to invest in young people. Now is the time, not sometime in the future.
My second message is for my fellow youngsters, now is the time that we step up and promote dialogue because we are not just the future, we are very much the present.
Once again, this is CRESTIN JOY VILLAGONZA BERMUDEZ-DELOS REYES, your servant. ALWAYS ready to serve you with or without title. Daghang salamat ug padayon sa pag-asdang Batan-on sa Cabadbaran!
