Since I attended the Leadership Training Seminar (LTS) last year, I have been looking forward to be able to attend another camp. If PSYSC were Catholicism, then camp would be the Holy Week (and both are incidentally observed close to each other). This has been a retreat, a recollection, which has helped me regain focus of my chosen vacation.

Though a computer scientist by profession, ever since I entered high school, I have been fascinated by the world of science, and even more so with PSYSC at that time. Coupled with having great teachers who nurtured my enthusiasm and interest, I was able to develop this zeal of letting people in my circles know about the wonders of science, the benefits of technology, and importance of the environment. The culture of science and its propagation has become my vocation. Being with PSYSC, I can do my job at DOST better. And being with DOST, I can help PSYSC and my goal achievement would be easier.

On attending my second LTS, there was a lot of new stuff compared to the previous one. For me, there were a lot more participants, which really made me pleased as more students and advisers responded to the call.

By participating in the activities, I did have a few realizations. Personally, I never knew I already lost my idealistic self way back in college. In reflection, I have been recently taking the more practical approach to things. I guess this is how environment affects us.

By working with the advisers and teachers, I became aware of one of the causes of having the so-called generation gap. A common mistake of elder people, though not only limited to them, is when they fail to see that they can learn much, if not a lot more, from the younger generation. It is when they become stubborn that their minds become closed to other opinions and suggestions. It is time that the tables are turned, that the elders may know what is timely and current from the youth.

A few times it became competitive. Not between kids, but between advisers. It is important that we understand that by making our kids make mistakes, they grow and learn the best way possible: through experience. By letting them find out they are imperfect, they can hope for perfection.

Last night, I saw the difference on how PSYSC holds and organizes activities as compared to other organizations. The bond that the kids make with each other, and more importantly with the facilitators, has become strong in a very short period of time. They affect, if not change, each other’s lives like they have known each other for years. One cannot help but become emotional as the facilitators gave advices and thanks to all their adopted sons and daughters. To an extent, they were the ones that had the need to be rescued.

The LTS was a big success, as I can see growth in my kid. I can also see growth in me. Next year is another year, another camp. I’m looking forward to what’s in store for PSYSC in its 40^th year.

                Every beginning has an ending. I’ve been writing about my experiences for the past two days but today was especially tiring, maybe because it’s the Field Trip day. I wouldn’t start on that fact though. The activities the night before were the reason.

                We have gone through a lot of activities – the Monk’s Meal, the Entertainment Night and the Pinning Rites. The last activity was the most exciting and the longest as it lasted for three hours. It was in that activity that I first gave my hundred percent trust even when the circumstances were difficult. At the end of the night, we officially became part of the family.

I slept with a smile on my face with my heart pumping the blood of the family – PSYSC.

The Field trip day was fun also tiring but nothing beats the days of my LTS experience. Tomorrow and the days to come will be just more days of training, in real life this time.

My personal reflections were asked to be shared for the second time as the 2^nd day was filled with activities that will always be treasured.

Project Proposal was the highlight of the day because it consumed most of our time. I was grouped with my co-LTS delegates, namely Kris, Jill and Prei. Though we were not able to talk in the first day, it was friendship that overpowered us to work well together.

For the activity, we planned to propose CURE in Region IX. It will take more than 3 pages to write everything about it. When the presentation and evaluation came, I realized I haven’t thought of any of our faults. It was through our mistakes that we learned most.

Team building was the hardest for me since strategizing is not my game and hence, we were crowned last among the 4 groups. After all the proposals and games, we proceeded to the MM or Monk’s Meal wherein we were given food to enjoy and again, a lot of values were taught.

There really is a time for everything; the ticking clock tells us more experiences are yet to come.

First times are always along the way. One came along mine. They call it Leadership Training Seminar. This activity was introduced to me only during the celebration of the National Science Club Month last September 2009.

It was an opportunity I can’t have any hesitations to grab. Of course, I want to be a leader, though I am already one in my own ways.

Last times, along with the first ones, also came along. Sometimes, they come together. More like partners, more like father and bride walking down the aisle. To me, they came as conjoined twins.

Royale Tagaytay Country Club is the place. It was a very nice venue for the camp and for the LTS. I went there with twenty other schoolmates and two teachers. We enjoyed before everything started.

One sunny afternoon of April 7, 2010, I met others who, like me, wanted to become an efficient leader.

The activity started immediately. As expected, the traditional “Meet and Greet” sessions were first. Then, kuya RJ, the National Executive Council President talked about the organization where he belongs and where we belong.

It was called, as written on our schedule, “Ang PISOYSI.” In that lecture, I have learned more what really the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs is: its past, the stories behind it, and even the stories of the people behind it.  It includes everything about the family of many other science enthusiasts all over the archipelago; everything about my family.

The organizational behavior was the second topic on the list explained by Kuya Ryan. It was very well explained by Kuya Ryan. That was when I’ve learned about the organization’s organizational chart. I call it my family tree.

Too much I’ve learned, too much to write. Maybe I’d just write a little in every topic.

Next was about a word found in the acronym LTS: Leadership. Kuya Ryan explained it. Like the first, it was undeniably clear, crystal clear. I’ve learned what a leader truly is. Lipinan and Hakala, if I am not mistaken, expanded the ten traits a true leader should possess.

After that, Ate Tin explained how the PSYSC committees work. Specifically, the committees for the camp they were handling. It’s a good thing they taught us that. It is because my schoolmates really wanted to have a school camp, the PSYSC way.

There were so many things to talk about in the first day. There were so many experiences to treasure. I didn’t even feel tired. I felt lucky, though these two feelings don’t connect. I was blessed to have an opportunity to become a leader in every sense.

Trust. When you are part of a group, trust is a must. To learn to trust in your teammates or other people for that matter is indeed a hard feat but one thing I learned from this camp is TRUST. I learned how to trust in my group mates and in our Ate’s and Kuya’s as well. Of course, when you give your trust to someone, there will be forces who will want to break the bond. In this case or activity, our Ate’s and Kuya’s just wanted to test that bond. That particular activity was called the Pinning Rite.

The Pinning Rite is actually the most memorable part of the camp for me. It helped us to be closer with each other and to trust and depend on each other’s capabilities. The tasks were quite challenging and there’s so much pressure especially from Kuya Rex who became the “Big Brother” with his really big and booming voice. Every second he would be shouting “Sundan ang boses ko!,” everytime he yells that, I get jumpy. Then, the Ate’s and Kuya’s aso imparted to us some values of the PSYSC organization. It was really memorable for me and for the other participants as well.

Trust was also seen and portrayed in the movie “Freedom Writers.” This film was all about the students who were juvenile and the teacher who wanted to change them. It wasn’t easy at first as the time goes by they started to put their trust in their teacher and so they were changed.

I guess this was the message of this essay. Trust.

Another day has come. Again, it was full of activities and lectures. Thanks to our Almighty God for our fun Ate’s and Kuya’. They really made the boring topics fun and humorous. I would really prefer Kuya Ryan than my Math teacher when it comes to lectures.

The topic the whole day was project proposals – about how it was done and such. They explained the different parts of the project proposal thoroughly. Some of the parts of the project proposal that was explained were the project title, date, venue, theme, participants or the target audience, implementing agencies, the Line Item Budget and the Gantt chart. They explained that every part of the proposal is unique and important. I know it is not easy to make a good project proposal.

Our next topic or activity is doing exactly that – making a good project proposal. So we each saw what our common ground was. Like what’s the problem that is similar in the three regions. At first, I really thought that this activity will be done individually but I was wrong. I had 2 group mates and together we thought of a suitable project. I could say that we really did our very best. We had a lot of help from our advisers.

Then, we had an evaluation. I was nervous because I would be explaining our proposal. Thanks to my teammates, it turned out quite well. Actually, the project proposal that I made here was better than the one I made back home. I was really happy that the advisers and Kuya Ryan liked the AYWAC project. But then, they liked all the proposals.

This day was filled with lesson that I would be able to bring back to Davao and even use it in my studies. Now, I even find the project proposal quite interesting. Is it weird? :p

                2010 National Youth Science Technology and Environment Summer Camp is a 4-day camp which is very much anticipated by the high school students and the elementary students alike. The camp is expected to enable the students to learn more about the theme and have fun at the same time.  Students from different parts of the country responded to the invitation and came here for that purpose. Why should we expect less when we paid a lot, right? No doubt, PSYSC didn’t fail us and kept us happy and comfortable.

                Aside from the activities in the camp, there is something offered only to the selected or elected representatives from all the different regions – it’s the The Leadership Training Seminar (LTS). Yes, it’s a training, and I thought it would come in a strict and very serious approach. The ates and kuyas proved me wrong. They were all so accommodating, friendly, and always with a smile on their faces.

The first topic was all about PSYSC. They shared the great history of their organization. They presented it so well that I forgot to be bored. They communicated with us and encouraged us to talk.

The second topic was about Organizational Behavior, followed by Leadership. I do believe in the statement that “Leaders are not born, they are made”.  It speaks to me since in my younger years, I was not the type of person who partakes in many activities. I was much less of a leader, but I realized that the qualities of a leader can be learned. I, for one was definitely not a born-leader but I was nurtured and still in the process of becoming a fully developed one.

The last topic was about PSYSC Committees and how they function, and I know that what they have been doing is not an easy task.

I know this is only the beginning. But all in all, I really liked how this day turned out to be.

Leadership Training Seminar or LTS is a yearly NYSTESC activity that may no longer be interesting. But as Regional Coordinator of Region X, it was an opportunity for me to attend LTS year after year. I view every LTS as a new and different learning experience.

The format and activities may be the same, but the dynamics are far different than each previous year. There are old faces, like old friends I met and renewed friendships with. There are also new attendees who are student participants with different talents, strengths and weaknesses. The venue is a different place which adds to the list of the beautiful places we have visited.

Worth mentioning is the increase in the number of participants that has made the activities a more participative and competitive experience among students and advisers. The essay assignments allow students and advisers to be more attentive and be able to respond and express their views on the lessons.

This year’s LTS acknowledges the critical role of advisers as provided by the necessary equipping through the film viewing and participatory activities.

To PSYSC, you have done your job well with utmost commitment! Continue to be creative, and innovative! Thank you for the valuable learning that would help me become a better mentor of the Regional PSYSC X!

On this second day of my adventure, I will be embarking on another task of faith, love and hope. A cup of FAITH, a glass full of LOVE and a pinch of HOPE are my ingredients in planning lives and building friendship among us.

Just like constructing a building, leaders are also called up to plan the lives of their constituents. They are the source of unity, the frontliners in every activity and the root of the dreams in an organization They should be the core value of the youth. In line with planning, we first need to build the livbes of our fellow friends, our fellow leaders. We must inculcate in our minds that there should be a strong friendship to be developed so that whenever there is a storm of challenge we can be able to overcome it. We should cement in our hearts our commitments and responsibilities as a youth leader.

As of now, I am grateful of everything that has happened during my stay in LTS and I am hopeful that the seed we plant today will bear its fruits tomorrow.

“The youth are the hope of our country,” that has always been a striking quotation from our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. I was an ordinary and typical student from Cagayan de Oro City before. Wake up early in the morning, study hard, make friends and do assignments, those were my jobs during weekdays.

That practice however ended at the age of fourteen. I started to enter the public service arena. Having been equipped with some courage and talents I was able to prove unto many people what I really dreamed of.

Last March 20, 2010, I was elected as the chairperson of Region 10. Compared to my electorates, I had no experience but I only had my indomitable spirit that I bring everywhere I am. I felt that was the peak of my life, but little then did I realize that was only a few pages in the book that has been told. The 2010 National Youth Science, Technology and Environment Summer Camp was coming. I was so reluctant at first, but then I gained so much inspiration from my parents and from the students of my region.

I find experience as a very good tool as a teacher for me. The good thing about it is that you are that undergoes and you are still the one who can pick important lessons in your life. And I do believe that the 2010 NYSTESC will contribute many useful things in me.

“Once a PSYSC, a PSYSC forever”, that was a very inspiring statement for me. Not only that you hear that from many people, but it drives you and pushes yourself to the limit. I also knelt knowing that PSYSC came from a humble and dedicated group of leaders. It is also very inspiring to know that there are those who until at this point even time had gone through them; they are still a PSYSC by heart.

“One cannot function that well without the help of the other,” that is the capsulated definition of an organization. Every single individual has its own strengths and weaknesses. In an organization the weak point is being molded and the strength is being sharpened. The fact that you meet different characteristics and personalities alone is the challenge for every one of us.

“A leader is someone who has mission and vision who can make impossible things into reality,” that is how I define what a leader should be. As Socrates once said, “It is easier to wear your shoes than to carpet the whole world.” That means that we need to embrace the truth that we cannot change the whole world if we do not change ourselves. A proper way of throwing our garbage can save the 90 million lives of Filipino people. That is the challenge for us on how we can divert such mission and vision into reality. Ninoy Aquino once said, “In the age of darkness you can be the candle that brings light or the mirror that reflects its light.” Being a leader is very hard, sometimes you really need to give everything from you for the people to be in comfort.

“Good leaders work hand-in-hand,” that’s what a committee should be. The task is easier when there is a common goal of a team and there is always a hand that is available in the times that we need it. The Pyramid of Giza wouldn’t be standing today without the collaborative effort of the people during that time. The human race would not exist without the sweat of Noah when he and his animals built the Ark.  There would be no ships, airplanes, trains without the word “service.” Now we really see how the word really helped us even from the period of our existence.

As I always remind myself and my fellow youth, that we may not be brilliant as Einstein nor as heroic as Rizal but we have our own God-given uniqueness that could help in making a difference. It doesn’t really matter what great things you had done, it’s all about doing little things that most people may just take for granted.

A memorable experience is about to end, no matter how we do ways to present it, it is unchangeable. But thinking the fact that this would form new pages of our lives and opening another more door for a new beginning. This day is filled with activities done to attest our leadership and interaction not only as a group but also as a family.

The pinning rights gave me additional useful insights although I was not included in the sense that during the whole duration of the affair, I’m looking back on my experiences in the same event. I keep comparing the batch I were with last year and the group that I am with this day. What’s good was that I am enlightened that there were no differences aside from the number of participants who attended. Upon seeing them with their struggles to stay still as a team and stayed strong in spite of the challenges, it made me realized what I had in the last year’s LTS, which I believe was more challenging.

One of the highlight of the camp held was the field trip which somehow gave me fun and new learning. It was something to be treasured not only for a certain span of rime but also for the rest of my life. It bonded us more, where we really walked and observed as a team.

There is no single sentence or even a word that could describe what I had for this 4-day activity because it taught me a lot of new knowledge not only mentally but with all aspects of myself. This is what I’m thankful of; not only to Kuya Ryan, Ate AJ, Ate Tin, but also for my co-participants who accepted me as what I am and most especially to PSYSC who had given me this opportunity to meet and know new personalities which I believe will help accept all the people around me.

Day 3 of the Leadership Training Seminar: A glimpse of what to expect and what to partake in this new day started to trigger my whole thinking. Upon seeing the program of activities, a feeling of stability filled me because of my past knowledge of the topics to be taken. Even though, the nervousness was still there. Knowing that this would be another fruitful day in this seminar, a second thought never came even once in my mind.

This day, I believe is the most central part of the whole even in the sense that in this day is when we know each other deeply. We bonded much more than the past days. It was like the different poles of a magnet which needs more force due to the differences. This attainment had really helped us especially to be productive and functional enough in the activities handed on that time since we already knew each other.

We had series of lectures and workshops about the topic, on how to make a project proposal. There were a lot of actual practices which enhanced not only my mind but most importantly my skill in different aspects. Team building was done to test our actions as a team or a group. Although I was not included in the games, there’s a lot of new learning to be gained by just looking on how my co-participants worked aside from the lectures given and catered by the LTS lecturers.

The day ended with a blast – a blast that I could never really forget in my entire living because it had exposed me in different qualities of a leader like sensitivity, sharing and sacrificing. It is a new activity and a good undertaking to test and strengthen our sense of leadership.

As I took my first step, leading me to where the training was held, a sudden chill embraced me. I breathed deeply enough, that I can feel my chest pounding, reminiscing my last year’s moments in the past national Leadership Training Seminar. Upon turning the knob, I saw all the eyes of the people around rooted upon me. A feeling of ignorance, as if my confidence was fading, dominated my entire thinking, but a sudden thought of representing region 9 in this endeavor purged my mind, leading me into a realization “No! It is just the beginning.” Why should I feel this way if I know inside me that I am trusted and was chosen to partake in this event and if I know the reason behind it?

Moving my head, gazing around gave me my purpose in attending this seminar: to share knowledge, learning at the same time through interacting with these individuals characterizing different personalities. Knowing these strangers in my sight is such a useful compliment to my purpose in its pursuit.

The activities and actions were made enjoyable and fun to learn. All the lectures and sessions were effective, that we were able to absorb important facts that we can apply in the conduction of different activities in our respective regions. Even though these are just some among many more things that they could catch in us, these made me thankful enough already that I was given a chance to be a part of this and that my time and efforts will not be turned to waste. I’m still looking forward for a wider range and fresh knowledge that I could gain in the next days to come.

by Rachel Anne Pagador 

                Though we are people from different parts of the country, with different ways of thinking, different attitudes and characteristics, we are still able to prove that we can be and will always be ONE, in sharing one vision and mission to promote the public understanding of science, technology and environment.

By the monk’s meal alone, we were already sensitive to one another’s needs. We showed the importance of sharing and teamwork to finish the meal. We proved the possibility of unity in diversity. More activities allowed us to concentrate, focus and listen to one another. All the challenges did not break us, instead made us stronger. Leaders will always encounter challenges and distractions but these should not be taken negatively but be a source of strength and experience.

For everyone who have helped us – ates, kuyas, advisers and lecturers, I would like to express my deepest gratitude! We were able to prove to ourselves and to others that the youth leaders will always be one and will never give up on challenges. Thank you for all the inspiration and motivation!

Have you ever written a project proposal? Honestly speaking, I never tried making one until a discussion we had in our LTS. It was really a wonderful experience for me because I was able to try something new. At the same time, we were also doing something for our regions. Project Proposal Making sure did a great thing for us all.

As we progressed through making our proposal, there were really some things we had to focus on. Some parts needed to be based on our specific regions, the place itself, the supporting companies, the schedule and many more. It was fine because it made us really think. Also, we had to plan something for the benefit of our school.

We were able to learn from the suggestions and comments of the different advisers on how to improve our proposals. The experience was really great since it made us value the importance of planning – indeed, it was inculcated in our minds that the Key is to Plan. 

LIDE learning Center, Inc., Region 8 

Am I the leader I believe I truly am? This was the question that kept on roaming my mind during the discussion of our third topic, leadership. With Kuya Ryan’s meaningful quotes and wonderful presentation of the traits of a good leader, I was able to reflect and really examine my own self id I am the leader I perceive myself to be. Questions started to flash thorough my mind, asking myself if I possessed those traits. That was the part when my mind started to recall some past experiences. As the discussion continued, I realized that in some instances in my past encounters, I had been more of a boss and not of a leader. I admitted my weakness and flaws and decided to focus on what traits I needed to develop, to learn and to acquire. After criticizing myself, I was able to note my weaknesses which gave me more reason to learn as much as possible during the camp’s seminar. I felt that I had the responsibility to acquire as much skills and knowledge in leadership so that I can use it and share it to my fellow students in Leyte for the benefit of our school and of our region. There was still plenty of room for improvement within myself. With the discussion alone, I became more inspired and motivated to unleash the best leader inside me.

By the end of the discussion, we were given the time to be engrossed in working the different committees. At the programs committee, where I volunteered, I was able to enhance my skills and boost my confidence due to the exposure I had when we prepared and collected the venue, supplies and outputs of the caption-making for Photojournalism. I can honestly say that I was able to do the best of my abilities during our immersion. I can feel the sense of pride and satisfaction in a job well done. I truly appreciate Kuya Mike’s recognition and appreciation of the simple deeds that I did during the immersion. It proves the fact that leaders need to appreciate, to recognize and to empower their members. He showed me a fantastic example of a leader and that’s what I wanted to be. The committee immersion helped me in many ways. It did an awesome job in enhancing my skills, improving my strengths and slowly correcting my flaws. After all, leaders are made, not born. Leadership skills can certainly be learned, given the right exposure and proper venue for development.

In this country, we really need good leaders, not merely bosses and managers. It is said that a boss says ‘Go!” while a leader says “Let’s go!”. I firmly believe that each and everyone has the potential and capability of becoming a great leader in some ways or another. All we really need to do is to make a choice and to conduct a little “self-check”, examining the potential leader within ourselves.

Trust! That is what our Kuya’s and Ate’s wanted. They told us to put our full and undivided trust to them in order for us to know what it means to be a good follower as well as a leader.

Yesterday, we conducted the Pinning Rites which was the highlight of the camp as far as I’m concerned. Before we conducted the Pinning Rites, I and my fellow LTS participants were unaware of the activities to come. We all thought that this was just another activity for leadership that includes lot of talking and less physical and emotional adventures.

In actuality, the Pinning Rites is a series of tests upon the physical, emotional and mental aspects of being that will grind you to become a leader. Furthermore, you can’t help but to think about the reason for this harsh but beneficial exercise.

All throughout the night, a very dictatorial voice was dictating our every move. In this exercise, we wore blindfolds in order for us to truly give our trust to our facilitators. The challenges went from forming a straight line to making imitations of our favorite superhero. Furthermore, at an end of each task, there will always be a voice telling us a fact of great realization. We were refreshed with the knowledge and importance of history, the PSYSC and leadership.

The next day, we went on a fieldtrip wherein we learned about the Aguinaldo Shrine and the various types of animals in Paradizoo. It was a real experience for it taught us a hero’s history and also the fact that our country has a large diversity of exotic plants and animals.

In summary, I can say that this camp is very well done and a continuation of PSYSC is a must. Lastly, the LTS was a blessing in disguise for at first I thought it to be a rigorous task but in the end it was a very enjoyable and beneficial event.

At the start of the day, I was expecting to have a very light schedule because of the seemingly simple activities prepared for us. What I hoped to be the easiest day turned out to be the most challenging. Although it had our brains and eyes chisel, I helped myself by staying calm and seeing the benefits instead of the difficulty.

The first topic we tackled was the development and creation of project proposals. Kuya Ryan explained to us the very framework of all projects and the importance of a project’s preciseness and simplicity. Moreover, I was enlightened at how project proposals can make a project stable as possible.

The last topic was the presentation of project proposals and I can honestly say that the experience was a real treat.

All in all, the 6 hour session was very beneficial to us. Furthermore, the activity allowed us to be comfortable with one another and consider ourselves a family.

At the beginning of the camp, I was a bit disappointed upon hearing the differences of my schedule and location to those of my schoolmates. It saddened me for I was hoping to stay with them and have minimal differences in our schedule. But nevertheless, I was alleviated by the supportive words of encouragement that my teachers and my schoolmates had given me.

Time went by fast and I found myself in a room full of strangers, sharing “Hi” and “hello” with a believable smile. Although I tried to savor the “you-can-do-it” words of my teachers, the very thought of pressure and hardships of the coming events was building up inside me.

It was 3:30 pm and we just got off from my first hitch-hiking experience. It is sad to say that punctuality wasn’t present in our arrival. At that time, I temporarily obliviated myself from the tingle of embarrassment and failure and gave myself a short-term confidence-boost to blend and adapt to the environment.

Our first topic was “Sa PISOYSI”. It introduced to us the LTS 2010 expectations as well as the PSYSC itself. Furthermore, extensive introductions were made about the very core of PSYSC and its branches as well as its fruit bearings. I was amazed at how some people value the sense of the organization and camaraderie that it provided to them.

As Kuya RJ was telling us stories about cancer survivors and business moguls that thanking PSYSC for being a part of it, I kept thinking about the reasons why they are doing so. At that time, a little spark of inspiration, which was the yearning of emulation, was ignited within me.

Next day came without knocking on the door to give us challenges that will test our title as leaders.

At the start of the day, Kuya Ryan gave us a very detailed and enjoyable description of leadership and its framework. Although I considered some ideas known, I was still captured by some of the descriptions of leadership that experts had thought of. Furthermore, the hierarchal system of leadership within the PSYSC and the functions of each were said and explained in order for us to emulate and use the system in our schools. Moreover, we were also enlightened about the different PSYSC committees as a framework as well as a preparation towards the committee immersion.

The committee immersion was a real treat. All throughout the afternoon, I followed Ate Jayvee going back and forth all over the grounds. Even though I was out of breath for a few moments, I still enjoyed the lesson.

I know now that food can also bring other people sadness.

“This is my destiny,”  Benigno Aquino III, the Liberal Party standard bearer for the May 10, 2010 Presidential Elections, said. Does it mean that he is destined to become the next President of the Philippines?

This question flashed my mind as we started the 2010 Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, Inc. (PSYSC) Leadership Training Seminar (LTS) for the 13 regional chairpersons or representatives of the different Regional Councils of the PSYSC. If one is already destined to become a leader of a multitude, what is the relevance of the LTS to the regional leaders and advisers today?

The great lives of the great leaders in the history of salvation like Abraham, Moses, Joseph, King Solomon and even the apostles of Jesus Christ will show similarities. They became leaders because they were called by God. All of them responded to this call.

Did they undergo a leadership training seminar workshop? These chosen leaders did not only undergo LTS but total immersion to the different realities and challenges that were attached to their destinies.

The apostles of Christ had to learn their responsibilities as they followed him during his public life. It was only when Christ realized that they were ready for their mission that they were given the chance to go and spread the good news.

In the Old Testament, the chosen leaders were not only guided by God but also the chosen elders of the multitude. These years of immersion allowed them to develop the qualities of the effective leader. What were these common qualities? They were all God-fearing and committed to the vision and the mission God wanted them to perform.

The LTS provides this venue for the young leaders to reflect on their response to the call for leadership. Their response through their attendance in the LTS opens their eyes to the realities of the great responsibilities instilled in them by the PSYSC organization.

The LTS facilitators, Kuya Ryan and Ate AJ, became the modern elders for them. Through the LTS, the participants did realize that it is not enough to answer the call but one should possess the qualities of a leader.

What does it take to become an effective PSYSC leader? Kuya Ryan said that it should start by being God-fearing and must be followed with the unwavering commitment to the vision and mission of the PSYSC organization.

The LTS serves as a candle for those new young leaders of the organization. There will be dark nights ahead of them but the inputs, insights and experiences of the 2010 LTS will help them to become the new fighters and new advocates of the PSYSC for the multitude in their region.

Is the LTS still relevant? LTS is not only relevant now but it will become more important in the future.