Life after Young Minds Academy

CEBU, Philippines - Writing is a profession, a hobby or past-time, a form of self-expression; for some, the best way of expressing one’s feelings and emotions. We often write to put on paper what’s on our mind when we don’t have the courage to say it or when we choose not to say it. Almost everyone knows how to write but not everyone knows how to write effectively. It is something that could change another’s perspective or move lives.

We must accept the fact that we greatly influence those around us. If the same thought is used, we can influence and persuade others even it’s only through our point a view through writing.

The sun sets; another chapter of one’s book has been turned. Another day. A new set of obstacles. Last Saturday September 4, 2010 at the JSU-PSU Mariner’s Court, the Young Minds Academy Season 4, a youth leadership and citizenship and citizenship development program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) was concluded through the Best of Young Minds Conference, Awards and Graduation.

I talked with some of the YMA 4 scholars and I could not help but be inspired and be reminded that I too was once part of the program and that I have a lot to learn still. It’s as if the spark, the flame in me was rekindled; the passion to lead, and serve, is back.

This season, the service track option was introduced, where teams got to start implementing their proposed solutions within the season. I asked Arnold J. Echevarria Jr. how it felt to implement a project that could help our community. He said, “Although it was challenging, it was also rewarding and for the beneficiaries while still learning a lot about himself, team mates, insights and perspectives in the process.”

Another source of inspiration is from Antonette Goyenechea, who said, “I intend to continue what I have started in YMA through relentless service to my community, spreading the fact that being young does not discourage us from making steps for change.”

Roberto E. Aboitiz also shared his Bugsay Principle. Whatever you think about will dictate your behavior, your attitude, your actions and ultimately your direction in life. Your thoughts are like a rudder—they steer the rest of your body. A paddle or BUGSAY to propel yourself towards your desired future.

The program is anchored on the 3Cs framework of building Competence: strengthening Character, and promoting active Citizenship. It promotes the nine pillars of character and leadership: respect, responsibility, caring leadership, active citizenship, God-centeredness, trustworthiness, humility, fairness and integrity.

About YMA

YMA was launched in the last quarter of 2006 and started its 1st season in January 2007 with environment as theme. The following year, the theme was public health. In 2009, education was the theme. For this year, the fourth season, the theme was governance. These themes are aligned with and promote the UN Millenium Development Goals.

The program’s components and methodologies include character and leadership strengthening; capability and competence building; and citizenship education and promotion through adventure education, learning visits and exposures, youth exchange, community immersion, plenary and small group interaction, research and project development, mentoring and critiquing, conference and awards.

We may not get what we want, but surely we will get what we deserve. This is not something to convince others to join the program but rather just a simple story to share with anyone interested. This is not the end, but rather a beginning of a new chapter, a new fight for those graduating from YMA4 and probably Hello to those joining YMA-5. Bear in mind that Success does not come to the swift, but rather to those who keep on moving!

Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it. Launching a start-up business may not be easy and leading a bloggers’ organization a pain in one’s butt, but one thing is for sure, I will continue to move, to keep on writing. We must do what we can to contribute to our community, country and the world! For me, my avenue would be writing, writing about anything – the sky is the limit!

I will always bear in mind that writing is an art, to be preserved and loved. Writing is also a form of leadership because it influences others, in one way or another.