By Esther Rose Romarate with Maxene Faith Tambanillo

A group photo of the participants and facilitators during the virtual leadership training seminar.

For the first time amidst the COVID19 pandemic, an interactive virtual Leadership Training Seminar for recognized student organizations was conducted by the Student Development and Programs Office with CPU alumni, J Vincent Gasataya and Albert Jan Matthew Java as facilitators last February 19, 2022.

Gasataya and Java, the LTS facilitators are true-blooded Centralians, CPU Loyalty awardees, and were active leaders during their student days.

Gasataya, a Cum laude BS ECE graduate, was a regional finalist of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) and was once the chairman of the TOSP- Victors while Java, a Cum laude BS Accty graduate, Alma Mater awardee and former CPU Republic president, was a national finalist in the TOSP, No. 2 awardee and leader in the Outstanding Students of Iloilo (TOSIA).

A representative of CPU Teatro, Sining, Atbp., Regimika Malunda said that the LTS was more than what she expected, for it was fun and informative reminding her about what a Centralian leader should be and allowing her to share her thoughts and take-aways with other student leaders.

“It was not the kind of leadership training I was expecting or should I say it was more than what I’ve expected. It was fun, informative, and it lets us engage with other leaders as well as with the facilitators. It gave us the opportunity to share our thoughts and take-aways. It guided me on how to handle the responsibility of being a leader to my org and it reminded me of what a Centralian leader should be,” Malunda said.

According to Danica Rose Zepansa of the CPU Association of Chemistry Students, the LTS taught her patience, the need to be always imaginative and objective, and to consider everything as a challenge to overcome.

Zepansa said, “I have learned patience in the activities. No matter how long, you must persevere to get the correct answer. Always be imaginative and objective to everything and treat everything not as a game but a challenge to overcome.”

In addition, Zepansa said that though it was difficult to converse online, we should not be afraid to speak up and make mistakes for the latter make us see what we should do.

“It was difficult to converse virtually but don’t be afraid to speak up, seek help and make mistakes. Mistakes let us realize what we should do, and time may come when we’ll get tired, but always keep in mind that it is just part of the process,” Zepansa said.

Edalrehce Abogadil Forro, a member of the CPU Realm of Aureum Phoenixes, shared that she enjoyed the LTS very much and was not bored even though it was done virtually because the facilitator Mr. Java was really good and super alive when he hosted.

“Super nag enjoy gid ko. I thought boring sya , kase virtual lang, pero sir Java is really good. Super alive mag host hahaha,” Forro said

Forro further said that she learned much from the training especially about the real meaning of teamwork and leadership, about herself through the Johari window activity and about the need to look at the bigger things so that more opportunities and ideas can be created.

“I learned a lot. Mas na understand ko lalo yung real meaning ng teamwork and leadership. And marami den akong realizations about myself, especially yung Johari window, super nakahelp sya para mas ma analyze yung self ko. And na learn ko rin na, hindi dapat mag focus sa maliit lang, it is better kung titingnan natin yung bigger things para mas maraming opportunities and ideas na mabuo,” Forro added.

Together with other participants, Forro was thankful for the opportunity to join the interactive leadership seminar.

“Thank you for this opportunity na makajoin sa ganitong seminar. I learned a lot,” Forro said.

The LTS is an annual activity conducted by the Student Development and Programs Office headed by its director, Dr. Margen Java, and it aims to enhance the leadership skills of CPU students.

This year’s event was attended by 57 representatives of various CPU student organizations – academic (33), special (10), religious (7), cultural (1), sports (1) fraternities (4), and CPUR (1), according to Ms. Artchel Madera, SDP secretary who served in the LTS Secretariat together with Ms. Ciarra Guilamo and Ms. Mary Joy Alonsagay.