By Karren Jay G. Asgar
A leader and debater from the CPU College of Business and Accountancy, Hannah Joy Borja rises as a TOSIA 2026 awardee through her passion for youth empowerment, service, and transformative impact.
Success is never built in isolation. It is shaped by resilience, purpose, and the courage to rise above life’s challenges. For Centralian Hannah Joy Borja, a TOSIA 2026 awardee, her journey shows how pain can be transformed into purpose and how leadership can become a way to create meaningful change.
A fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Accountancy student, Borja’s leadership extends far beyond the classroom. She serves as the President of the Rex D. Drilon Debate Society and Vice President for Outreach of the CPU Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants. Her influence also reaches communities across Iloilo as the Founder and President of the Association of Supreme Student Government Alumni (ASSGA) Iloilo Province.
In her hometown, she continues to lead and inspire as the Founder and President of the Alimodian Debate Society, Founding President of the Alimodian Young Initiators and Mobilizers Association, and Vice President of Kami Ang Iskolar Sang Alimodian. Alongside these roles, she is an eight-time debate champion and a sought-after resource speaker on leadership and debate across the province.
Behind these achievements is a deeply personal story shaped by challenges she had to overcome at a young age.
“Since I was in high school, I have been committed to making the world a little more beautiful by advancing my advocacies: youth empowerment and community transformation,” she shared. “I do this because I was once a voiceless, sidelined, and overlooked kid who was treated unfairly by the world.”
Through leadership and debate, she found her voice and discovered the impact she could make. What began as a personal journey of growth eventually became a mission to help others. Today, she uses her platform to inspire young people, amplify their voices, and encourage them to realize their full potential. For her, every initiative is deeply personal.
“Every time I lead, speak to younger souls, and debate, a part of me heals. Every life I touch becomes a step forward not only for them, but for me as well,” she said.
Balancing her demanding academic program with multiple leadership roles has not been easy. The BS Accountancy program at CPU is known for its rigor, requiring discipline, focus, and resilience. Still, she has managed to keep up by staying grounded and rooted in her faith.
“I believe I have been able to balance everything because I have a well-grounded inner compass, steadfast faith, and the wisdom to remain calm under pressure,” she explained. “Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I turn to prayer and surrender everything to God, trusting that through Him, I can do all things with grace.”
For her, joining TOSIA was never just about recognition. It was an opportunity to share her story and connect with others who share the same passion for service and transformation. Her journey, however, has not been without struggles. One of her biggest challenges has been learning how to stay composed and resilient while dealing with personal difficulties.
“Beyond my duties in society, I am also human. I feel deeply. I get hurt, sad, and frustrated,” she admitted. “But I have learned to stay grounded and remind myself that I should not be limited by any situation. I know where I am going, and I refuse to let difficulties define me.”
Now recognized as one of the TOSIA 2026 awardees, she sees the honor not just as an achievement, but as a responsibility to continue making a difference.
“TOSIA is not just an award. It is a calling,” she emphasized. “Through the platforms entrusted to me, I will continue to lead initiatives that empower the youth and transform communities.”
She remains committed to her mission of service, continuing to lead leadership trainings, debate workshops, and outreach programs that create lasting impact.
To students who aspire to follow a similar path, she shares a message rooted in humility and faith.
“You must be humble enough to realize that you can never do it alone and grounded enough in your faith in God and in the people around you,” she said. “No man is an island. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and stay true to yourself. The right people will come and help you grow.”
Borja’s story is a reminder that even the most difficult beginnings can lead to something meaningful, and that true success lies in using one’s journey to inspire and serve others.