I started my life in Xavier University as a mere student who aimed for higher marks in the academe. But with the obligation to serve to the different offices in the university as an academic scholar, I have to serve them though against my will. I assisted at the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO) for half an hour, then to Guidance and Counseling Office for more than ten hours from the second semester to summer, then proceeded to School of Education by the next semesters until I reached to the top, having the position elected by the many. But this is campus politics, no honorarium given to student leaders for years of service. From the very beginning of my crusade of leadership, this is the very first thing I wondered, which I think is the most basic yet the most crucial thing to consider for today's political system. What is really volunteerism? What is really being a volunteer?
For a person like me who is only after of serving fully expecting something in return, probably, being into such business is not a good idea. I asked myself, "why should I run if cannot get something from it?" Right? But there are things that are hidden, naturally comes out after such great discovery if one is in the middle of such situation, if one is a leader himself. I can justify that.
First, when I first took the stair of presidency in the student council, I always have with me the questions and the beliefs of having something in return. I know, it will not be in the form of cash or any form of recognition. But there is something I desired but not yet a concrete picture of that kind of desire. After months of serving, the very first thing popped out was the people. HONING THE TALENTS OF EVERYONE. I remembered AJ. He was ONLY an appointed person for Associate Justice of the student council. His only main task is to confirm violations occurred inside and file a case against that concerned person to Supreme Constitutional Court. That's all. But, with an instance, his work was changed. Though he is still the Associate Justice, he is working on the videos for the reason that Happy was very pre-occupied with something therefore, she cannot work on the project I gave her. She immediately recommended AJ. I tried to approach him. At first he was reluctant because he may not reach my expectations. But I just told him, "I believe in you, just do everything you can. It will be okay." I really didn't expect that those words from my mouth would inspire him to do magis in his works. Right after the first video he created, he started to work on the different videos per activity of the student council. From the words given, it was translated into inspiration. He even bought a laptop for the work the student council had given him. The XU Admin even wanted to link with him through an office. From that moment, he finally found the thing he really wanted in life, his passion, his dedication, his forte. The real one. Now, he transferred to University of San Carlos to study more about Fine Arts Major in Advertising Arts which is more of the video making. That's it. HONED.
Second, during the middle term, the student council started to have the TUDLO Program which is more of the outreach activities. There, a small idea of having the sense of volunteerism to community through giving tutorial sessions to street kids and other unfortunate kids in Macasandig, it boomed to something more significant, the activism of the Education students who are practically apathetic, to teach and to share their earned knowledge to those pupils who are not able to go to school. The sessions ran for Saturdays. From the moment that the project started, everyone were excited and motivated to be there during the sessions. They are always looking forward to the outreach activities done by the student council. This makes a idea significant. A greater picture of the reality of teaching was present and at the same time the dedication to teach the children to learn about the lessons were there. I really was surprised even when those persons who are known to be so academically focused and competent [and are members of the dean's list], are there to support the advocacy. Indeed, it was very miraculous for me because these persons are not really into extra-curricular involvements, but they are still able to join and to try what other opportunities that could suite their field of interest. During the sessions, the student volunteers find out the real image of teaching. It is really a difficult task. Teachers have to be super patient enough to cope with the learning level of the students she handles. The theories discussed inside the classroom were given chances to be seen with the two naked eyes and felt with the senses. That's it. DISCOVERED.
Third, weeks before the terminal phase of my term, I mean weeks before the transitory periods of the student council, there a lot of persons who really are still looking for the passion that would really suite their field. The picture may still be vague but it is good enough because they are about to see it. Why, because they volunteered. A lot of my constituents saw something that were not expected to be thought of just like Almar, our Finance officer, desires to be in the Supreme Constitutional Court as the Associate Justice of the student council. I cannot even imagine that the task of financing and monitoring the cash flows of the student council would soon be the Associate Justice, who naturally works on the laws, bills and constitutions. Who expected it? No one of us. Our second year representative, Reyna, wanting to be the organization president. No one of us expected to be this and that. This is brought to the passion and dedication of volunteerism set by the persons who are really engaging their selves to this kind of movement. That's it. UNANTICIPATED.
These are things I gathered from years of volunteering myself to Xavier University. I HONED, I DISCOVERED and I UNANTICIPATED things out of selfless love. I lead not knowing that there would be persons who would be inspired from the simple words coming out from my mouth and lead them to the things they really wanted in life.
You lead, you inspired. I am not paid to this. This is because "I am a volunteer".
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