Filipino youth leaders urged to live, work with a purpose

CEBU, Philippines - The president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) challenged young and aspiring Filipino leaders to live and work with a purpose for a brighter future.

JCI World President, Bertolt Daems, who visited Cebu City yesterday, challenged young aspiring leaders to have a clear vision, passion and courage to change the world.

He said such personal dedication and passion also comes with a huge price.

As president of JCI world, Daems constantly travel around the globe leaving him little time for his family in The Netherlands.

“My passion to create and to work tirelessly for a better world comes with its personal sacrifices,” he said, adding that it is a sacrifice he is willing to take everyday as a leader.

He said JCI seeks to create an opportunity for young leaders to grow as a person in a journey of self discovery and service to other people.

Daems said a leader should never give up in “living their dream,” otherwise people will die with their dreams still intact.

Two lucky Grade 6 pupils from Mandaue City yesterday received the JCI Youth Leader Excellence Award (YLEA).

Paknaan Elementary School student body president, Rika Ella Ributada and Mandaue City Elementary School Class President, Ivy Joy Jabagat, received JCI’s Top Youth Leader Award at the Waterfront Hotel and Casinos in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Both YLEA awardees had their share of hard work and dedication which they described to have paved their way to success as young students and leaders.

Ributada told The FREEMAN that her tireless pursuit to learn is not enough to sustain her journey.

She said her mother, Elvira, chose to stop working just so she could guide her daughter. This gave her the support she needed in her studies. For Elvira, it was definitely worth the sacrifice.

“Wala gyud ko nagmahay. May kapalit sad na, ang ilang mga achievements, (I never regretted (stopping work). It also has given me something in return, their achievements.)” she said.

Jabagat, on the other hand, aspires to be a lawyer who can help others.

She expects it would not be an easy dream to fulfill, but a dream she vowed to reach in the future together with the support of her family and friends.

YLEA is a project of JCI-Philippines geared towards giving due recognition to outstanding elementary and high school students in public and private schools.

Awardees are chosen to inspire young aspiring leaders to reach greater heights for themselves and for their respective communities. — (FREEMAN)