There is really something in the Ayala Young Leaders Congress. No one can really identify what exactly it is that makes young people become better citizens and servant leaders of our nation. We have different answers on why is AYLC special. 

AYLC is the commitment of Ayala Corporation in nation building. for 14 years now, the Ayala Young Leaders Congress gathers 70-81 young leaders from the different schools nationwide for a 4 day congress in Alfonso, Cavite. The four day congress nourishes the mind, body and soul of the young leaders through different activities following the servant leadership framework. 

My AYLC experience has brought so much in me. As most of us would describe, AYLC is a LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE. It is indeed. It changed my life, my cleared views and prepared me in the future. Though I believe AYLC is not everything, still, being part of this group makes someone feel and nurture the passion that most of us share. 

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When I graduated from high school and delivered my salutatory address, I keep on talking about making a difference and making a mark. Sincerely, that is what I wanted to do in life. But then, I was not yet guided with the basic principles. Surprisingly, when I became part of AYLC, this is the same thing that they teach. Making a difference, throwing your starfish. Wow! There should be really something in store for me here. And yes, throughout my journey in making a difference I was never been guided. AYLC provided a better path for me in making a difference. 

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One thing that I can never forget about AYLC is the question during the paper screening. It was: (In one sentence) "How do you see yourself 10 years from now?" And I can never forget my answer then. I took that seriously because it was the first question in the paper. “I see myself as co- owning an events and productions company while doing some volunteer works on the side and inspiring the students of my hometown with the little wisdom that I have though teaching.” 

I have never thought that in less than 5 years after I have written that, I will be accomplishing it. I have never thought that it will be my vision in life. Yes it has become my guide in my career path. Right after graduation, I started establishing my own photo and video company, also through the help of Ayala Foundation being my first client. Of course, volunteerism will always be there right and left. And in 2009, I started teaching college in my hometown. Surprisingly, I never thought that this profession will be the profession that I see myself staying for long. --- Oh! there are so much to share about AYLC. I just decided to write this as part of my blog to celebrate our Quinquennial Anniversary in the alumni network. I feel blessed that I will be celebrating my 5th year in the network. Excited to see the other 73 young leaders from my batch and the hundreds of young leaders who experienced the same thing that I experienced and shares the same passion for service, leadership, and nation building. 

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Don't get me wrong here. Of course, aside from AYLC, there are still a lot more institurions that helped me develop my potentials. Without my nominating school, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other organizartions that I was part of even before AYLC have great contributions why I landed in this congress. AYLC collated all these things in me and nourished all my potentials to become a better person, a better change maker, a better citizen and a better servant leader. 

#AYLC2012

first posted on August 5, 2011.

Right now, I am here in Lao, PDR for a consultancy project. I can't help it but, I am greatly affected by the death of one great person, Fr. Reddy Corpuz. I do not know why. Maybe writing will help me feel better. 

(Fr. Corpuz was the principal of the school where I finished my elementary and high school, Saint Gregory Academy.)

This is also the school where my Mom, Susan Mojica teaches since 1980. Being a son of a preschool teacher, I practically grew up in this institution. Even before I enter Pre School, Mom carries me around the school with her. There is where I have known Fr. Corpuz. It sounds ironic but, growing up knowing and "playing" with a priest/ principal is never intimidating. Maybe because I was still young then, but I never developed and fear nor anxiety with him while growing up as a kid. 

Even before his death, I have heard a lot of stories about him. Some recalled that whenever he saw a familiar Gregorian face, he smiles even though he does not know their names. Another one said that Fr. Corpuz has been a father to them because after loosing their biological fathers. And a lot thank him for giving and recommending them for scholarships in college. 

Personally, Fr. Reddy touched my life in a different way. The latest was when he invited me to be the Guest Speaker for Saint Gregory Academy's Elementary and High School Graduation. I was really touched that he have chosen me personally. More than anything else, it was the thought that makes me really proud. So sad reminisce that it was his last graduation an institution where he dedicated his life. We had so much fun then. I can still remember that we have talked about the plans for the 50th anniversary of SGA in 2015. Indeed a very positive and happy conversation.

In high school there was an instance that he disapproved my proposal, I feel really bad. But then, as I grow and mature I realized that I need that to be stronger. And true, I can go back to that experience and I feel better. Part of growing up pains and learnings that I treasure. 

I grew up knowing him to be an icon of respect. He has touched a lot of lives especially to different generations of Gregorians. 

We may all be grieving and shocked by this news. But at the end of the day we all know that a good person will always be in the arms of God. We all know that he more than touching our lives, he has also touched the lives of our families and children with the education that SGA have given us. 

Indeed Fr. Reddy is always and will always be part of every Gregorian's life. More than being an ICON, but as a true Father for he shared more than his life not just for the institution but for us- for our future. 

End note:

Whoo! I just found myself in tears.. You got a place in heaven and in our hearts.

Yesterday, I have learned that we need to submit our proposal very very soon. Our proposal defense will be last week of November. That means I only have less than a month to finish my Chapters 1, 2 and 3! (Oh my!) I felt a sudden adrenaline rush because I have not yet done anything as of now aside from the thesis title. (By the way my thesis title is “Preparedness of Philippine Open Universities in Offering PhD in Communication Education.)

But yesterday, I was too lazy. (Justification: I am working very hard since Wednesday, including weekends and even beyond office hours. I think I deserve that break. Haha!) I did not dwell into that sudden adrenaline rush, instead, I what I did is I conditioned my mind that I will start doing it now and will finish Chapter 1 in 3 days. Good luck to me!

Thanks to the 3 links that my dear friend Adette sent to me. It surely helped me. Aside from the contents of the link, it also helped me condition my mind and started opening Microsoft Word, typed my thesis title, and continued.

Oh well, at this point, I realized that I am pushing myself very hard. Considering a unique topic is hard already, but considering a sample that includes the whole Philippines might be torturing myself very much. So I decided to limit it. I added “Polytechnic University of the” to the title. Now, it’s “Preparedness of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines- Open University in Offering PhD in Communication Education”.

That sounds a little relief. Reviewing my accomplishments tonight, I am finished writing my objectives/ problems after reading some RRL. Introduction and Background is drafted. I found a good theory and scribbled my framework. Significance and definition is outlined. I guess that makes my Chapter 1 around 35% complete already.

Note: Hayaan nyo na ako sa ilusyon ko please, this motivates me. Haha! Writing during Undas, right after going back from the Cemetery. Haha!

***Gees! Creative writing through a blog after academic writing is a good therapy. :)

*** I do not know how will this look like.I did this while in transit. Jeepney ride from Trece to Indang. Thanks to my Blackberry for the notes. :) 

While working for this video for World Health Organization, I have come to realize a lot of things. Things that I think I won't be able to think of if I did not engage my self here. 

One great realization is that, health systems are important for a nation to grow and prosper. I am not disregarding other social systems. I am also part of the others. But when we talk about health in general, will there be peace and order if the population is unhealthy? Will there be good governance for an unhealthy nation? Health may not be as equally important as other institutions for others. But for me, it should be allocated with as equal priority as education. (I am not saying this because I am part of both fields). 

I am in the field of communication. with this project, I realized the great power that communication plays in any field. True enough, communication, both as an art and a science collaborates with various disciplines. 

There was a line that is said by Dr. Margaret Chan (WHO Director General), "... policies make the difference." Yes, indeed. Even if you conduct all programs and projects with sustainability, you can never get an assurance of its long term impact. But, when we talk of policies that are properly implemented, then, we can be more assured of its sustainable impact. And how are you going to be part of any policy making body? Be part of the government. And that made me think.

Today, I finally decided to fToday, I finally decided to formally start my hiking adventure towards that mountain called Graduation. Whoo! The first day of the 6-7 month trekking is not that easy!

What I did today: First I submitted my final paper in Research II. I know that what I need to submit is supposed to be the same paper that I need to submit for proposal defense. But due to limited time and resources, I was not able to finish my real paper. So there, I submitted an old research paper that I did in the past and edited it.

What I intend to research is actually about Communication Education. Inspired by my profession right now and flamed by the recently conducted Young Communicators’ Congress, I really wanted to study Communication Education as a major program offering in PhD. of course.

Going back to what I have found out today, I now confirmed to Dr. Gapasin, our Chairperson in Master in Communication (PUP-OU) and hopefully my thesis adviser, if we really passed the comprehensive exams. Well, she did not confirm, but she told us that we can now start writing our paper and submit the proposals ASAP. I think, as I interpret it, it is more than a confirmation. (haha!)

So, there it goes. I started to search about communication education over the internet. And I tell you, it is not easy… never easy… I am becoming a little hopeless, but Dean Angie helped me (so kind of Mama Angie as always). I found this exciting online communication journal (http://ijoc.org/). The first thing that she said to me is that “The idea of offering online PhD courses might be questioned itself” sad.

I need to explore a lot more of things through the Review of related Literature. One thing that inspires me in doing this is the idea that this is exciting (nyahahaha!) and maybe one of the first to research in this topic. Another thing is that what is happening to me is actually a “premonition” of something. Hahaha!

Researching over the net for an hour I found that UP is offering PhD Communication Online. Whoo. I think that saved me a little. :)

Here are the things that I need to work on (sort of like these):

            CHED Memo on PhD in Communication

            CHED Guidelines in MA in Communication

            CHED Memo in Online PhD

            Local studies/ literatures on Communication Education

            Distance Education both local and foreign

So help me God reach the apex of mountain on time. :)

ormally start my final trekking a