Wanted: Young people who dare to dream

There are a number of rare gems in this workaday world – artists, scientists, philosophers, inventors, and leaders. At a time when most would rather just go about their own lives, not really bothering about the rest, there is a dire need for people to come forward ... to create change, to foster development or simply, to inspire dreams, great dreams.

CNN anchor Veronica Pedrosa once called our time the "Pacific Century." Thus, if we were look at the world in terms of potentials and opportunities, we would be sitting on a pot of gold. I know how doubtful this may sound, but once you get to know these people you’re about to meet, your doubts would probably fade away.

I had the rare opportunity to meet some of the country’s young, great minds. They’re driven. They’re motivated. They’re determined. And they’ve got the brains to match their ambitions. They’re also part of one organization that encourages them to be more and do more. I’m talking about the Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI).

Established in 1996, the Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative is a cause closest to Hitachi’s heart. It’s an honored commitment that this multinational company, with a corporate policy of contributing to society, intends to pursue for as long as it can. The HYLI wishes to do its part in molding the future leaders of Asia by giving them a venue where their thoughts and concerns can be voiced out as they share ideas with one another, along with some of Asia’s leaders today. Hitachi recently hosted a send-off dinner at Makati Shangri-La for these young leaders who will meeting with their counterparts from other parts of Asia for the 7th HYLI set in Kuala Lumpur on July 11-15.

Walking into the Pasay ballroom of Shangri-la Hotel Makati, I find myself in great company – young, vibrant people in animated chatter. There’s nothing better than a a good conversation to go with a good meal. I was more than happy to join these young people. It was also great to be reunited with friends, specifically three of the delegates to the 6th HYLI, which I covered for Young Star in Bangkok, Thailand in December, 2003. These were Eric Ebro, Philip Ranada, and Maida Salcedo.

The night kicked off with casual talks over drinks as we waited for all the guests to arrive. I got to know some of the previous HYLI delegates who happily shared their enthusiasm about the program. And then the night’s program began.

Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippine branch general manager Nobuaki Furuse welcomed everyone to the night’s celebration. Chairperson of the HYLI selection panel Atty. Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura presented the Philippine delegates to this year’s HYLI conference who will be joining delegates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 11-15. These are Philip Francisco U. Dy, Mark Gregore G. Gloriani, Pamela B. Manuel, and Carl Nicholas C. Ng. Just like their HYLI predecessors, there’s more to each of these delegates than meets the eye.

Philip Francisco Dy is a senior student at Ateneo de Manila University majoring in Development Studies and minoring in Global Politics and Philosophy. Ever the super achiever, Philip graduated valedictorian in grade school and salutatorian in high school. Things have not changed much for Philip who’s a consistent first honor Dean’s Lister in college. He has just been voted Student Council president at Ateneo. He was formerly assistant principal and budget officer for a non-profit tutoring organization called Sibol-Hesus School. On top of his studies and school activities, Philip finds time to pursue his other passion – acting. An active member of the Ateneo de Manila High School theatre group, he has done several roles on stage.

Also a fourth year student, Mark Gregore Gloriani studies at De La Salle University where he is taking a double degree in Applied Economics and Management of Financial Institutions. A DLSU star scholar and a top Dean’s Lister, he’s a candidate member of the Jose Rizal Honors Society. Besides running an extremely busy academic life, Mark is involved with the DLSU Economics Organization, where he’s currently the assistant vice president for academics. In high school, he was the editor-in-chief of Ang Ubod, the official student publication of Manila Science High School. He also served as a volunteer catechist for his local parish in Taguig City for two years. Pamela Manuel is a sophomore, pursuing a Master of Arts in Asian Studies degree at the University of the Philippines, where she finished her undergraduate degree in broadcast communication with cum laude honors. Early on, she joined and led the Campus Crusade for Christ, Mass Communicators Organization and the UP Debate Society. She’s also won numerous awards in debate contests and was an active student council officer all through high school. Now a staff member in the policy office of the Office of the President of the Philippines, Pamela is as busy as ever.

Carl Nicholas Ng finished college at UP with magna cum laude honors and now, he’s taking a master’s degree in International Studies. Also a consistent achiever, Carl won the Procter & Gamble Student Excellence Award last year, in addition to several awards in debating. He’s the current president of the UP Debate Society (UPDS).

After dinner, the new HYLI delegates got a lot more to chew on via some inspirational words from HYLI alumni Eric Ebro, who is now with Procter & Gamble, and Leslie Ann Tan, who now works at the ING Bank N.V. HYLI alumnus Atty. James Arthur B. Jimenez, director for education and information of the Commission on Elections, capped the night with an inspiring closing toast, together with Nobuaki Furuse and Atty. Antonio Eduardo Nachura.

Theme of the 7th Hitachi Young Leaders Invitiative is "Balancing People, Planet and Profit in Asia’s Future." As in the previous years, the theme is divided into three sub themes. This year, the sub themes are: "Asian Economic Integration-Challenges and Opportunities," "The Changing Role of Education in a Dynamic Asia," and "Translating Environmental Awareness in Action." This will certainly keep our Filipino delegates hard at work as they meet with the other 20 delegates and prepare their white paper. But of course, they’re up to the challenge and raring to make a difference in their part of the world.

* * *

E-mail the author: ice_wave_42@yahoo.com.