The Switch: Para sa Derecho

Tonight, I switched over the lanyard from my GE ID to my FE ID.  These two ID's represent two very different roles--two very contrasting stages of my recent life.  One was for position, honor, and the chance to serve my college; the other one is very much different.




It's been barely 5 months since March 2012, when I learned that I would not be serving as the College President of SOE. It was one of the most painful moments I had ever experienced; it was something I had worked for since November of 2011 and, by extension, really was a journey that started upon being elected as LA Representative for my batch in March 2011.  I was one of 69 candidates--12 running for Executive Committee positions--that made incredible sacrifices and worked long days and nights for the General Elections.  I was also one of the 21 that didn't make it.

In the aftermath, the decision to be co-SCG (Santugon College General) for SOE was not an easy one, but one that I eventually made.  It was not so much about redemption as much as it was about sharing what I know with the lower batches.  Still, the feeling always lingered--the feeling that I would not be at peace until I found a reason, some purpose, for losing in March.

I found that purpose here.  I found it in the three candidates we so proudly chose and fielded this Freshmen Elections--Ira, Reese, and Micah.  Most of all, I found it in being--and I say this reluctantly--"Papa" Sam to ID112 and the 21-0.  I found that I had so much to share to the next generation of leaders.  I found purpose in pushing them to be better, passing on good values, and sharing my own experiences.  I knew what I could contribute--and I made sure I did.  It was a major shift in practice, thinking, and skills needed from what I was used to as a USG officer--but I never felt like I was dragging myself to do my work.  Truly, I found my passion here.


The photo below is of me in 2009.  It was our high school's Foundation Week; I was part of the Yellow Team, and we had shirts made with nicknames printed on the back.  I didn't choose this name for myself; my teammates did, to my disfavor.  Now, over three years later, it just tells me that, maybe, everything that has happened until now was meant to be.

Today, I challenge the ID112--particularly those of SOE.  You've seen the campaign, heard the slogans and catchphrases, and learned about the candidates and platforms.  Behind all the marketing, the paraphernalia, the speeches and posters--what is it that you look for in your leaders?  Pete Docter, one of the main minds at Pixar behind Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and A Bug's Life, was once asked what advice to give students who also wanted to make it big.  I quote:

"In the end, hard work and passion beats out natural talent." - Pete Docter

The passion that I always gave--whether as an elected officer, or during campaign and elections, or as a Daddy to the 112 candidates--is the most important value that I pass on to the three people I helped train for weeks to become your first set of leaders in college.  Beyond the vision and plans that they worked so hard to fit for this batch and beyond their past experience as leaders--puso talaga ang puhunan nila.  I can attest to that.  Every night, we sing and pray the "Prayer for Generosity," which has a line that goes: "to toil, and not to seek for rest; to labor, and ask not for reward." I am beyond confident that Ira, Reese, and Micah are ready to serve you to their fullest capacity, just as I have continued to serve--and that is what you truly deserve.

What will it take from you, you ask? Very simple:

Isang botong DERECHO. ✓