Student leaders meet experts in business leadership summit

CEBU, Philippines - Ninety student leaders from 24 of the country’s top schools gathered at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino for the 4th Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit from July 31 to August 1.

This year’s summit aimed to provide participants “an intimate and challenging experience of corporate life as well as heighten their zeal and drive to lead and excel in their respective career choices.”

The summit was hatched four years ago to challenge the Filipino youth to step out of their collegiate mindset, look into the future, and aspire to be one of the country’s future leaders in business or whatever field they plan to pursue.

It aims to produce leaders that would promote nationalism among their fellowmen.

The delegates where chosen based on their academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, community involvement, and performance in an interview.

This year’s participants came from the University of the Philippines- Diliman, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, University of San Carlos, University of the Philippines-Cebu College, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Institute of Technology, St. Theresa’s College, University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, Ateneo de Davao University, Central Philippine University, Mapua Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University-Marawi Campus, Notre Dame University, Saint Louis University, Silliman University, University of Mindanao, University of the Cordilleras, University of the Philippines Mindanao, University of St. La Salle, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and Saint Mary’s University.

The two-day summit showcased a series of inspirational talks from industry heads, learning exercises, fun mixers, and stimulating open forums. Topics discussed ranged from leadership, customer service, personal financial management, brand building, how to have an excellent mindset, and corporate social responsibility.

Leading the lineup of speakers were Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. President & CEO Erramon Aboitiz and AEV Chairman Jon Ramon Aboitiz.

The other speakers included Aboitiz Power Distribution Group EVP Jim Aboitiz, Aboitiz Construction Group CEO & Chair Roberto Aboitiz, Aboitiz Power Chairman Endika Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation Trustee Romy Ronquillo, AEV Chief Human Resource Officer Txabi Aboitiz, AEV Chief Finance Officer Stephen Paradies, AP Power Generation Group EVP & COO Antonio Moraza, Aboitiz Transport System CEO Passage Division Ava Engel, Aboitiz Foundation EVP & Managing Trustee Sonny Carpio, and Construction Group HR AVP Chris Camba.   

Delegates were also given the chance to meet and interact with Aboitiz executives and managers.

This year’s special guest speaker was Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.

Crippled at a young age because of polio, her physical shortcoming did not stop Padaca to strive to excel.

Pandaca has been recognized with her programs for infrastructure, medical coverage for Isabela’s farmers, education and reforestation, and more so her campaign against illegal logging and gambling. — Johanna T. Natavio/JMO    (THE FREEMAN)