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

Community service is any selfless effort or activity that bridges the gap between people and unites society, the success of which is not measured by the amount of donations that one can raise, nor self-fulfillment, nor recognition from one’s peers. I believe it is determined by the intention of the person, real community service coming from a person’s heart. It can be initiated or spontaneous – meaning, a person can be challenged to serve the community when he least expects it. What’s important is the choice the person makes or the choice to give unconditionally to serve others.

Community service is seen in many ways, big or small. For me, an honors student voluntarily tutoring his failing classmates during his free time so they can pass the course can be a form of community service, same as a lawyer doing pro-bono work in a depressed area. All of these are venues where the person shares himself, inspires and gives hope, all of which in turn move others to do the same.

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

As a student, I responded to this call by striving for excellence, not only by maintaining good grades, but by taking each position of responsibility seriously. I’ve trained fellow students to become leaders in their own fields by teaching them to lead by example. I have joined and initiated several socio-civic endeavors to bring people together, and hopefully take the first steps to alleviating poverty and oppression.

Although I have graduated from college, I still try my best to respond to these challenges. With the Lasallian Youth Commission, we hope to unify the youth and provide venues for them to increase their social awareness and allow them to interact more with the community. We hope to make a difference in the areas of children’s rights and pro-active governance.

I also believe that my relationships with family, friends, and co-workers also answer this call. We help each other face life’s daily challenges, which in effect helps keep us together. We try our best to ensure that we keep doing what’s right and not fall pray to the growing tension around us.

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

Society faces bigger challenges each day in different forms – indifference, apathy, complacency. Some have closed their eyes and ears, finding joy and comfort only in the sheltered world that they live in. Others have decided to accept “fate”. Through excellence and being outstanding, youth leaders can serve as examples to the rest of the community that life is what we make of it. Through the pursuit of excellence, we have scientists, lawyers, doctors, businessmen, and yes, even laborers who constantly seeks ways to improve the quality of life.

This extends not only to the rich or the educated, but even to the poor. For example, students who are excellent serve as inspiration to other students to strive for excellence as well. Laborers who work hard and are recognized by the company for their efforts inspire others to also be productive in their work and attain the same success. We all need to work together and transform this excellence to a productivity that can help society raise itself from growing disillusionment.

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

Prioritization has always been my key to leading a balanced life. As a student, I made sure that I was fully aware of my responsibilities, whether academic, personal or social. Time spent in the classroom was devoted to the lesson. Once out of the room, I fulfilled my other obligations in my organizations – attending meetings, managing projects and the like.

Saturdays were usually spent for community service, while Sundays were off-limits, meaning, I devoted myself entirely to my family and friends. In order to develop myself not only intellectually or in terms of skills, I also immersed myself in small pockets of “personal time”. These are moments that allow me to take a breather from the world and to prepare myself for the next task. I spend it quietly or with the company of friends. It is also important to love what you do – this allows aspects of your life to blend together, always giving you more motivation to face life’s challenges.

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?

“To whom much is given, much is also expected.” I live each day with passion and dedication, because time is fleeting – and with it passes moments and opportunities to make a difference.

There are several people that have made a significant contribution to who I am today.

a) My parents taught me to be self-reliant and God-fearing. More importantly, they taught me the value of humility. I am not a perfect person; I can make mistakes. I need to accept those mistakes as a part of life.

b) The people I have dealt with in organizations have shown me that I am not alone; they also have the same ideals for our society’s future. Each experience I have shared with them has strengthened my faith and commitment. These are organization presidents, officers, members, youth leaders who have shown willingness to share their talents and capabilities.

c) Ms. Ma. Paquita Bonnet and Mr. Jose Miguel Lisbona, who have taught me the value of integrity, sensitivity and passion for service. In the many instances that I have asked for their advice, I have been reminded that the true power of a leader lies in his people. If I am not sensitive to their needs, then I will never be effective.

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?

A person’s character is determined by his values. I continue to live by the values of faith, integrity, passion for service, honesty and fairness, simply because they are the core of my being. Having just joined the corporate world, it enables me to reach business goals while not losing track of social responsibility.

It is our values that make us human. These are significant to my life because they keep me on the right path. These values help me when I need to make a decision that directly or indirectly affects several people. These values help me stay selfless, and they help me keep in mind what’s really important – people over money or power, helping others over recognition. By standing firmly behind these values, I can serve as an example for others to do the same.