Centro Escolar Integrated Schools (CEIS) participated in SIKLAB 2.0: Keep Your passion for Leadership Burning, a Leadership Webinar hosted by CEIS Manila's Student Council last October 30 via Zoom.

Mr. Hector Armando Sarion, Dr. Robert Dominic Gonzales, and  Atty. Jose Manuel Diokno, Jr., are the keynote speakers for the Webinar where they discussed the qualities of a student leader.

Mr. Sarion started his talk with a short, interactive activity with the attendees then explained the characteristics of a good student leader based on his experience.

"Being selfless sometimes is being selfish as well. Kasi, you’re being selfless to others, but you’re already being selfish to yourself,” he said, highlighting the importance of helping one’s self first before assisting others. Mr. Sarion next reminded the student leaders that they should stand with and for the students as well enjoy while serving the student body as at the end of the day, you will feel the fulfillment inside you.

"You must make a choice, take a chance, or your life will never change," A takeaway left by Mr. Sarion for Escolarians to ponder on.

Dr. Robert Dominic Gonzales delivered his topic involving the significance of a student leader in times of the pandemic with three sub-topics: core principles of effective crisis leadership; leadership habits; how to be intentional. 

"Tackle criticisms not with emotion but with analysis and critical thinking,” Dr. Gonzales said, encouraging Escolarian leaders to make weaknesses as their points of improvement.

He also emphasized that a good leader must know that a delayed decision can make a large difference, relating it to the situation at the start of COVID-19. If the airports were closed early on, then the spread of COVID 19 may not be as worse as it is.

"In challenging times, people will step up if we let them step up. But if you try to solve the world's problem on your own, your team can only stand back and watch." Gonzales stated as he tackled the 10 leadership habits to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic by Arlin Sorensen.

He later talked about the five guiding principles on how to be intentional by Stephanie Welsh. "In everything that we do, always do everything for the common good," sharing his mantra ever since he entered the door in student council leadership as he ended his discussion. 

Atty. Chel Diokno, a human rights lawyer, discussed the essence of leadership. "Kung talagang seryoso tayo magtaguyod ng isang makatao at makaturungang Pilipinas, dalawang bagay ang kailangan natin. Unang una, dapat meron tayong kamalayang pambansa (national consciousness). Pangalawa, kailangan meron tayong konsensyang pambansa (national conscience)." He said, sharing the important lessons he picked up from his father.

Atty. Diokno then explained that national consciousness should cover four aspects. Which are: we must be conscious of our history, conscious about diversity, conscious about our countrymen who are in need, and conscious of the environment.

“The freedoms we enjoy today, the rights that you have, these are the result or the product of so many Filipinos who fought for our freedom and for our democracy.” Atty. Diokno stated. Since he believes that justice should be one of the bases of our national conscience, he pointed out the difficulty to achieve justice due to the truth that is difficult to find, especially for ordinary Filipinos.

"Being a good leader means that you have a national consciousness and also that you serve as the nation's conscience." The human rights lawyer noted as he summed up his talk.

Following this is an inspirational message from Vice President Leni Robredo, the 14th Vice President of the Philippines. 

“Malaki man ang hamon, laging mas malaki ang pagkakataon na makilahok, makatulong, makagawa ng kabutihan.” The Vice President delivered, to inspire the student leaders.

She ended her message by mentioning the youth that will be the flame that lights the way for the country as we march towards the better normal we aspire.

Mr. Erwin D. Caspe, the Adviser of CEIS SHS Manila Student Council, gave his closing remarks with a message "The positions we have right now are the testaments to the trust of the student body to you. So your authority as a leader comes with great responsibility. You have to remain open to criticisms, be accountable for the mistakes that you might commit as a leader, and be transparent in everything that you do to avoid shattering the trust that they have given to you."

Through this webinar, the learnings from the speakers leave the student leaders filled with knowledge to help them keep their passion for leadership alive, making them more adequate for serving.