Significantly Changing My Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - The best and the brightest students from 35 colleges and universities across the country gathered here for a two-day summit that aims to inspire them to rise to the challenge of stepping out of their collegiate mindset and aspire to be one of the country's future leaders, act as catalysts for change in the Philippines in whatever field they plan to pursue, business or otherwise.

The 7th Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit had for its theme "Significantly Changing My Philippines." During the event, promising college students here engaged in various activities deemed to help prepare them for their role in nation-building, encouraged them to develop a renewed faith in the country, and motivate them to respond to the everyday call for leadership.

The FREEMAN asked them a generic question: What's wrong, really, with the Philippines (why can't it seemingly take off unlike its Asian neighbors) and how can a leader like them enforce reforms capitalizing on their expertise and competencies?

Here are the answers:

"I wouldn't really say that there's something wrong with the Philippines right now. I would only say that the Philippines is in a journey. We are leading somewhere better. So, there's nothing wrong. Maybe a couple of flaws but there is really nothing a generation of leaders and good citizens can't fix. Creating meaningful change starts with one person at a time. I can actually see a vivid picture of the Philippines. But right now, as for me, it's still far from here and now. As for my contribution to change, I have this advocacy - green entrepreneurship. Through a community-based project, Basura Eskwela, we sell bags from recyclable materials like tarpaulin. We use this to send kids to school. In terms of accounting, we provide livelihood to women to empower them. That's where my course comes in. — Ma. Jerilee Cabello, 21 y.o. of Barangay Apas, Cebu City; Accountancy 5 (University of Southern Philippines Foundation)

"It has something to do with the mindset of the people and how we are being managed by politicians. People lack self-confidence to really spur the Philippines to a better country and uplift their lives. As a leader, I need to share sound practices. I need to have the determination to share the passion to do things right." — Raymund Villacorta, 18, Danao City; Electrical Eng'g 3 (Cebu Institute of Technology-University)

"Apathy. Most of the people don't care. Many of the youth don't care about Scarborough Shoal. They don't care about Corona. We also have problems in management of financial and human resources, or the lack of fully utilizing them. In building our businesses, we have to have that right culture. Shun away from nepotism. As for me I'm a Human Resource Development planning major, the biggest challenge would be to inspire others, to serve as role models. I believe in the ripple principle. I'm just one drop, but from there I can start change." — Hannah Joyce Pardo, 18, Punta Princesa, Cebu City; Business Administration 3 (University of San Jose-Recoletos)

"I think the main problem is apathy among the people. A lot of them don't act on the problems that they see. I think that the reason is because people are not well informed of the possible solutions we can do. So as a communicator, I can become that tool for effective communication and dissemination of information on solutions to significantly change this country. There are also some moments that media practitioners lack the necessary ethics to effectively carry out their duty because of internal factors. But I think that should not be seen as a problem in its entirety, rather focus more on the good things that's happening." — Sean Timothy Salvador, 19, Liloan; Mass Communication 4 (University of the Philippines Cebu)

"Lack of initiative. I think that for the Philippines to take off it needs people who have the initiative to work hard for their country. People tend to rely so much on our leaders. We don't have initiative within the self level. Since I'm into money matters, transparency and accountability would be my contribution to change." — Jennilyn Yase, 19, Barangay Luz, Cebu City; Accountancy 4 (University of Cebu Main)

"Undeniably it's poverty. Creating more jobs would be a solution. For me, my best contribution would be to do my job with integrity. As I prepare financial statements, I should see to it that there is transparency in the corporation. In relation to that, there is stability of jobs. We should not allow corporations to use our profession in tax evasion, as taxes from these corporations would redound to the benefit of the public.” — Marmie Dyan Deniega, 19, Mandaue City; Accountancy 4 (University of San Jose-Recoletos)

"It's not about the government. It's about the people. Change has to start within the self. So in relation to my course, I can be a fine example of an accounting professional in the future." — Beauty Cartoneros, 19, St. Bernard, Leyte; Accountancy 4 (University of the Visayas)

"Poverty. Given the chance to lead as a chemical engineer, I would help develop more industries and more employment in Mindanao where I come from. There is not much development yet happening in some areas there, so it would be a challenge to lead in optimizing our natural resources." — Lucky Bajalla, 20, Zamboanga del Norte; Chemical Eng'g 5 (University of San Carlos)