With the theme, “Passion and Purpose: Forming the Students of Today as the Leaders of Tomorrow,” Premier: Inter-organizations Summit, hosted by the Industrial Management Engineering Society (IMES), commenced last January 5 and 6, 2022. The event was an avenue for student leaders from different organizations in De La Salle University to collaborate, form meaningful connections, and gain new perspectives from industry leaders and fellow student-leaders.
On its first day, the attendees were welcomed by the IMES president, Jose Maria Miguel Berberabe. Following the main highlight of the night, an industry leader, Mr. Anthony Fernandez of First Balfour, Inc. and First Philippine Holdings Corporation talked about Making Things Happen: Pioneering Leadership Practices in Project Management. The biggest key takeaway from him was:
“Your values are your foundation. One of those very important values is integrity; people have to trust you. So, decide on what your values are. Usually, you have it already, so you must develop and stick to it.”
The leadership talk was then followed by a breakout room session, where student leaders are tasked to formulate projects based on the case prompt: “Using a budget of 30,000 pesos, how will you lessen the inequalities faced by the underserved Filipinos to help them cope with the pandemic and improve their lifestyle?” The eight groups who submitted their proposed projects on the first day were down to five the following day. After which, Mr. Carlos San Miguel, the Executive Vice President of IMES, gave a closing speech.
Opening the second day of Premier: Inter-organizations Summit was Anicka Teves and Mallory Gillian Cua, the project heads, giving their welcoming remarks. As one of the event highlights, the student leaders were sorted into breakout rooms to have their respective workshops from two of our distinguished speakers, Ms. Nelissa Anggala and Emmanuel Mirus Ponon.
Ms. Anggala, the Senior Manager of Automations Solutions, as the first breakout room speaker, tackled the topic, A Leader’s Framework: The Key to Creating Your Personal Leadership Philosophy. One of her notable lines were:
“There are so many opportunities for growth where you can advance in your career, and growth is not just about promotion. Always remember that. One way for you to grow as a professional is to find ways to improve your skills or learn new skills/knowledge, and you can do this by seeking out new responsibilities and experiences, even if the position is just a lateral movement.”
Meanwhile, in the second breakout room was Emmanuel Mirus Ponon, a global teen leader, who discussed the topic, Making an Impact: Building Personal Effectiveness and Leadership Presence. An inspiring message from him was:
“Dream deeper. Don’t be discouraged. Do it and Deliver. Dedicate your distinction. Once you turn your passion into action genuinely, everything will flourish.”
The workshops were followed by a panel discussion between the student leaders of De La Salle University. IMES, together with its partners, Civil Engineering Society, Initiators of Development in Interactive Entertainment, La Salle Dance Company-Contemporary, Business College Government, La Salle Debate Society, De La Salle Days with the Lord, Christ’s Youth in Action, Lasallian Youth Orchestra, De La Salle Innersoul, EXCEL2023, Physics Society, Society of Young Engineers Towards Achieving Excellence, Engineering College Government, Commission on Audit, Chemical Engineering Society, DLSU USG Judiciary, Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon, Arts College Government, DLSU University Student Government, The Lasallian, and Ang Pahayagang Plaridel, answered questions like “What is your definition of ‘leadership’ and how was it formed or how has it transformed?” The segment ended after six rotations of leadership, organizational, and project management topics.
Following the panel discussion was the presentation of sustainable projects from the groups who made it to the top 5. Capping off this segment was the announcement of the top 3 winners namely, Business Farmers, Periwinkles, and 7 MUSKeteers having the respective topics: (1) Care for Caraga: A Self-sustainable Agricultural Livelihood Workshop Series, (2) Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, at Karunungan Laban sa Pandemya, and (3) Introduction to the Corporate Market for those that are in Blue Collared Jobs and Persons With Disabilities. The three teams bore first, second and third place respectively and won cash prizes.
Ending the second day of the Premier: Inter-Organizations Summit was a message from the Vice President of Activities and Internal Relations, Aubrey Dadulo, reminding everyone to always keep leading with a passion that is backed up with purpose.
