CMO BN, PA CONDUCTS ANOTHER YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

2LT GLEN D GANO (CAV) PA

        

          

          Believing on the vital role of the youth in nation building and as advocates for peace, the Civil Military Operations Battalion, Philippine Army under the tutelage of Col. Buenaventura Pascual has successfully concluded another Youth Leadership Summit held at National Capital Region Command Grounds on May 27 to 29, 2009. Forty Four High School and College students from various schools of Metro-Manila participated in the three-day summit. The recent event was in partnership with Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation of which, the participants were among the said NGO’s beneficiaries. The CCM staff composed of social workers who are handling the participants  headed by Ms. Catherine Gacutan, OIC of CCM Foundation have also took part in the event.

 

          Major Arnel B Cabugon, the Deputy Commander of Joint CMO Task Force welcomed the participants in the camp as well as graced the commencement of YLS activities on its opening ceremony. Installation of camp tents, orientation on the objectives of YLS and leveling of expectations among the participants followed.

 

          The Summit’s primary objectives are to develop God-fearing, morally upright, disciplined and socially responsible youth leaders, promoting peace and development, and to protect the youth against exploitation of unlawful organizations and associations that may destroy the foundation of the family and their future. True enough, the objectives were achieved through the series of team building activities and personality development lectures. Among the Lectures were about Leadership Principles and Attaining Success which was conducted by Prof. Virgilio Orbillos, a graduate of University of the Philippines and Manager of the North Luzon Express Way. Moreover, Mr. Christian dela Merced, a youth speaker of CCM further lectured on Personality and Leadership Enrichment, while Mr. David Ballila, an Agriculturist, shared about environmental awareness and the role of the youth in the preservation of the environment through zero waste management. The spiritual facet of the students were also renewed through the group devotions lead by Mr. Alex Bontigao, a Social Worker of CCM and the head facilitator of the summit.  Cpt Mario Jose M Chico, Operations Officer of CMO Battalion also presented a lecture on Saving our Youth, an information drive on the ideals, deception and recruitment of CPP-NPA-NDF in the youth sector. The presentation, most especially the video clips about the fate of recruited youth increased awareness of the participants not to be deceived by the leftist organization, more importantly, instilling the value of education and family in the realization of their goals and ambitions in life.

 

           

          The summit has also became a venue for the participants to enhance their social and communication skills as they were given time to showcase their talents during the YLS Solidarity and Fun Night on May 28, 2009. The different teams actively flaunt and impressed the judges in their various presentations. The participants have indeed enjoyed the socials with their fellow participants and with the soldiers and officers of the Battalion.

          The concluding day of the summit was a recreational and guided tour to the facilities of Camp Aguinaldo. The group were brought to enjoy a swimming time at AFPCOC swimming pool alongside with facilitated team building and water games. They were later toured to the AFP museum, learning the AFP’s history and what it is today. After the guided tour, the closing ceremony subsequently took part at the Multi-purpose Hall of NCRCOM with Colonel Buenaventura Pascual, the Commander of Joint CMO Task Force and CMO Bn, PA as the Keynote Speaker. Col. Pascual in his message shared to the participants the values and character a leader must posses to successfully achieve a goal and mission. Special awards were also given to some individual participants and winning teams. Sharing of impression from the participants and CCM staff about the summit concluded the program.

          The Participants were very much glad and overwhelmed with the learned experiences and knowledge they had during their stay with the camp and the successive activities of the YLS. Moreover, the participants developed not only good rapport among themselves but also to the soldiers who became their “Kuya and Ate” during the summit. Further, enlightened of the vocation of soldiers in peace building and as much elated that soldiers are also but simple people having common personality as they are.

          The Youth Leadership Summit is one of the experiential programs of the Philippine Army to inform inspire, empower and develop the youth to achieve their potentials as leaders and peace advocates, living their lives purposively  contributory to the society. This is the second time that the unit had conducted a similar event. The foremost YLS was successfully conducted to the student government leaders of Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa, Manila on March 27-30,2009.

 

          "CLICK to see more SLIDESHOWS"