1. WHAT TO YOU IS THE MEANING OF COMMUNITY SERVICE?

I have long veered away from the traditional way of helping people by dole out. As I mature, I realized that COMMUNITY SERVICE is working with people and not for people. I firmly believe that via community service, we are able to empower and develop the full potentials of the people we work with.

Community Service for me is a form of work partnership with the people we long to serve, thereby teaching them how to “catch fish”, to put an end to the so-called dependency malady that may possibly grow into the dreaded disease and ill effects of parasitism. Teamwork is the very foundation of this principle. Our existence is largely dependent on one another. Life may at times be difficult if we do not learn to reach out to others.

Hence, community service is teamwork in principle and in action. If you give more, you get its equivalent. Your input becomes your output. We have to activate and support those young people who show potentials for leadership so that we will be able to leave a living legacy which could be handed down from generation to generation.

2. HOW HAVE YOU RESPONDED TO THE CALL AND CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING?

In behalf of my generation and those generations of Filipinos to follow, I say with all candor and humility that the time for self-examination has long been overdue. There is an urgent need for a moral recovery program because our nation is sick and afflicted with interlocking diseases of poverty, passivity, divisiveness, political instability, lack of discipline, the desire for instant self-gratification among others.

We are to be blamed for the weaknesses of our national character. There is a strong need to re-examine how society shapes our character. How Filipino children are brought up and what distortions in the process have been introduced. We have to be united as a people. We have to look at the same goals for “the goal is more important than the role”. What matters is that we achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. We do not achieve anything if we continue to fight against each other and keep on rebelling. We cannot be forever blaming others for our misfortune. I want to believe that as a people, we are truly capable of moral regeneration. I for one, have a vision. I have exemplified how to submit to authorities. I have committed myself to submit to the people placed by God over me. I have tried my best to be a good steward of the things our Maker has so lovingly provided me by being an exemplary student.

I believe I can help in my own little way educate our people to the heart of education. For after all, the heart of education is the education of the heart. This is my sublime response to the call and challenges of nation building.

3. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EXCELLENCE AND BEING OUSTANDING IN TODAYS'S SOCIETY?

I want to pursue excellence of mind and spirit. I believe that moral excellence is attainable by all who have the will to strive for it. We are aware that there is an intellectual or physical superiority which is above the reach of our wishes, and is granted only to a few.

In this vein, I want to respond to the call of God to do everything for His greater glory. I did not join this search merely to be recognized. More importantly, I wanted to show that a normal ordinary student who gives a little extra effort towards her responsibilities would make a difference. I commissioned myself to help effect change in whatever I do and do it now while there is still time to do so. I do believe that in each segment and level of our life we can make an impact. I want to model how to be a true Christian.

When I finally go into the field of work and find my place in what God wants me to be. I want to blossom, flower and develop into fruition my God-given capabilities into a productive, happy and God-fearing individual. I want to epitomize excellence of mind, heart and spirit making it possible for me to help effect change to lead a more fulfilling life even within my circle.

4. HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO LEAD A BALANCED LIFE AS A STUDENT?

First of all, I have set a high premium on myself. I wanted to be exceptional by God’s grace in the strength of my character. While there are a lot of men of reputation, there are only a few of character. It is my innermost desire to honor my heavenly Father and glorify Him in every endeavor I set my hands and feet into.

Basically, I was able to balance my life as a student simply because I set my priorities and I actualize time management for myself. I look at myself as a laser- that it can break through glass by focusing light rays. I established a goal for myself, then focused on that goal that I may appreciate its lasting value. I am very careful with my activities because I know in the process, I influence others.

I make long-term goals as I am stuck to my priorities – to become a visionary leader for God. Even as a student, my priorities have always been: ministry to God and serving in the community church, my family, friends and school. As I am purpose-driven, I truly live and not merely exist. I give myself a break for people in need. But most essential is the impact and influence I have on others. I am still short of God’s absolute standard, but I see to it there it is more of Him and less of me.

5. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BE WHERE YOU ARE NOW? WHO WERE THE PEOPLE AND WHAT WERE THIER ROLES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES YOU LIVE BY TODAY?

My dreams in life and the goal of fulfilling my purpose motivated me. I have this strong sense of conviction to keep me going despite hardships along the way. I have always trusted the Lord, who is my primary source of inspiration. I live to the hilt of every situation I believe is the will of God.

My family is my other source of inspiration. It’s so nice to go home to a home, where one’s mental, emotional and even physical needs are very well met. I always do my best because it makes my family happy.

My parents are the best I could ever have. They have sown edifying support, love, acceptance and security. Children learn what they live. My loving parents taught me how to love God and instilled in me the virtues and values I need to develop as I go through the complexities of life.

Who I am now is a product of my entire family’s love support and interaction. I also cannot disregard the kind and strict mentors I have had and of course, my friends and church people as I participate in society at large.

6.WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE BY THE VALUES YOU BELIEVE IN? WHY ARE THESE VERY SIGNIFICANT TO YOUR LIFE VIS-A-VIS YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY?

The values I have been zeroing in are the values that more or less define me. For as long as these values stay with me, these will serve as the light in the midst of darkness, for these are the same values and virtues that will dictate and determine my future. Physical attributes that would describe me are just fading adjectives. They come and go. I want to be described rather as truthful, honest and a woman of integrity. I believe I am a product of the twenty years of the values I have because I kept them in my life.

With the TOSP search, I could reach all my personal goals and become a raving success by the world’s standard, and yet remain deeply rooted by God’s standard and never miss His purposes for me. Let me share a thought which I have lived by and which kept my focus on what I believed in: “Vision without action is just a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. But vision with action changes the world.”

I do not claim to be the perfect example to my peers, but I continually ask God to let His light shine through me. I hold on to this promise for what I cannot do, God can.