SET C
AYALA YOUNG LEADERS CONGRESS 2008
DELEGATES
WHO MADE IT TO TOSP
2009
Name: Stephen Alexeus Gorgonio
Baltazar
School:
Course taken: Bachelor of Science in
Accountancy
Instruction: Please answer the following
questions as completely but as briefly as you can.
1.
How were you
selected as one of TOSP 2009 awardees? What does getting this award mean to you?
The TOSP
Selection process was quite long and tedious. In our case, we started in the
Region VII Screening and Eliminations. I submitted a bid book to CHED Region
VII. The bid book contained the summary and supporting documents of my Academic
Merits, Leadership Achievements, and Community Service & Extension
Involvements. Fortunately, I qualified as one of the Finalists of the TOSP
Region VII. We had a weeklong formation and series of activities which included
the Panel Interview. During the TOSP Region VII Awarding Night last April 27,
2009 at the Malacanang sa Sugbo, I was the last person
who joined the Top Ten of Region VII. I thought I will not be a part of the Ten,
but God was so generous to call me as the last person to join the Ten
Outstanding Students of Region VII.
After
the Regional Search, I then submitted another bid book for the TOSP National
Search. Fortunately, I was chosen as one of the 33 Finalists. I was also happy
because 8 of the 33 finalists are from Region VII. Amazing! We had a 9 day
national formation and series of activities which included the Panel Interview.
It was really a memorable one. With God’s amazing grace, I was awarded as one of
the Ten Outstanding Students of the
Before
the Awarding Day, I prayed to the Lord. I told him that if ever He will give me
this award, it means a responsibility to serve as a good model for the youth, to
be an inspiration for student leaders especially those who come from the far
flung provinces to dream and excel in their fields, and to be of service to our
fellowmen especially the underprivileged and the marginalized. Indeed, that is
the true meaning of the award when it was given to me on that big
day.
2.
How did the
AYLC experience help you get this award? What learnings did you get out of
AYLC?
My AYLC
experience as a whole was a good foundation in getting this TOSP Award. AYLC Learnings? I have lots of them.
During
the AYLC 2008, I learned about servant leadership, vision setting, leadership as
a call to moral courage, empowering leadership, commitment to nation building,
inspiring stories of leadership courage, and how to accomplish my
starfish.
Servant Leadership. AYLC
affirmed the meaning of a true servant leader. I understood that the servant
leaders is a servant first. A leader knows where his
passion is. The place God calls us is where our deep gladness and the world’s
deepest hunger meet.
Vision
Setting. The setting of a vision is a power tool of a
leader that gives meaning and direction.
According to Joel Barker, “ Vision without
action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision
with action can change the world!”
Leadership as a Call to Moral
Courage. I
realized that one of the greatest challenge that a
leader should overcome is the challenge of leadership itself. A leader must be
responsible, must have a good and strong character, and must have the courage to
translate his words into actions.
Empowering Leadership. An
empowered leader is ready to face complex situations, responsible for his duties
and subordinates, accountable for his actions, and replicates good
leaders.
Commitment to
Stories of Leadership Courage. The stories of Ma. Rosario Hofilena, Hon.
Aurora Sonia R. Lorenzo, and Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip were affirmations that
there are still people in the country who value integrity, truth, and
courage. They are living examples for the Filipinos especially the
youth.
My
Starfish Story. AYLC
introduced as to the Starfish Story. It was an eye opener for me. I, STEPHEN
ALEXEUS GORGONIO BALTAZAR can do something for the community and can make a
difference! My starfish was to help
two medical institutions namely the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and Vicente
Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and to lend a hand to the underprivileged
children of Cebu. As the CES Committee Chair of the Supreme Student Council, I
was able to accomplish my starfish. I and my colleagues in SSC successfully
donated medical supplies and equipment to CCMC and VSMMC last December 12, 2008
and February 25, 2009. I initiated the USC-SSC Pasko sa USC Shoebox Advocacy for
Children last December 2008. These shoeboxes wrapped like Christmas gifts
contain school supplies. Last December 18, 19, and 20, these shoeboxes were
distributed to the children of Candulawan, Talisay City, Saint Arnold Parish
Community, Nino’s Foundation, and to the beneficiaries of the Ramon Aboitiz
Foundation Inc. Young Minds on Explore (YMX).
3.
Tell me
something about your own background: family life, childhood, growing up years,
and years in school. How did your background influence what and who you are
now?
Family
Life
It was 2:55 A.M. when
a 5-gram, handsome, innocent boy came out from the cave of ignorance and began
to see the light on February 10, 1987. This baby was full of hope that he will
explore this vast universe and triumph in his existence. This cute baby was me.
I was nourished with love and was carefully nurtured by my parents, Mr.
Alexander Moreno Baltazar and Mrs. Elizabeth Gorgonio-Baltazar. I was given full
attention by my parents who dreamed that I will grow smart, virtuous, and to be
of service to others. My parents wants me to live an exemplary life that is why
they named me Stephen Alexeus in honor of the first martyr Saint Stephen and
Saint Alexeus. I had one brother named Seasun Anthony who unfortunately died two
days after birth. This was God’s plan so the family had to accept it
wholeheartedly. At present, our family lives a happy life. My father works as an
Oiler Seaman. My mother is a teacher and English subject coordinator of the
Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (F.C.I.C) situated in A.
Bonifacio Street, Baybay, Leyte. On the other hand, I just graduated Bachelor of
Science in Accountancy from the University of San Carlos. In spite of my
parents’ distance, we still live happily by keeping in touch thru communication
gadgets like cell phones. Our distance makes our hearts grow
fonder.
Student
Life
I spent my elementary
education and formation in a Catholic Franciscan school; the Franciscan College
of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC). I graduated Salutatorian and received the
Philippine Jaycees Leadership Award for being the Student Body Organization
President.
Because of my dream to
know life better and to be of help to others, I enrolled high school at the
Leyte State University Laboratory High School (LSULHS); now Visayas State
University Laboratory High School. There I was exposed to what student life is!
I learned how to sustain life by knowing the “whats” and “hows” of Agriculture,
which is the science and art of cultivating the soil for plant production and
raising of livestock. With the knowledge my mentors in LSULHS had imbibed to my
mind, I was able to skillfully apply them successfully by planting rice, corn,
vegetables and raising chickens. During High School, I did not only excel in
Academics but I also handled multiple responsibilities. I was an officer and
leader of various school, church, and community organizations. I was an SK
Councilor, a sacristan and trainer of our parish, and an active student leader
in LSULHS. I graduated Salutatorian
and received 12 special awards for academic and leadership excellence during the
Commencement Exercises.
With my further quest
for truth and excellence, I enrolled BS Accountancy in the University of San
Carlos. During college, I had to be away from Leyte and move to Cebu. It was
hard to adjust at first that’s why my first year in college was focused only on
academics and church activities. Although my priority during my first years in
the university was academics, I also involved myself in extra-curricular and
co-curricular organizations. I also joined and won the USC-SSC Carolinian
Freshman of the Year 2005. This recognition propelled me to share my time and
apply my leadership talents and skills to serve
others.
It was during my
sophomore years that I shifted a bit from academics to extra-curricular
involvement. I founded the Integrated Samar and Leyte Association of Students
(ISLAS-USC). ISLAS on its ten months of existence in the university was awarded
as one of The Outstanding Campus Students Organizations of USC for Academic Year
2005-2006.
Third year was a tough
but memorable year. I was President of 3 Extra-Curricular Organizations namely;
Integrated Samar and Leyte Association of Students (ISLAS-USC), Alyansa sa mga
Bisaya nga nia sa Sugbo (ABS-USC), and Movement of United Students Towards
Better Environment (MUSTBE-USC). Moreover, I was the Division 3 Chairman of the
USC Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (USC-JPIA), a co-curricular
organization of Accountancy students. Third year was also the time when I fell in
love with my bestfriend, courted her for a year, and received rejection from her
for 13 times or more. Ouch! Oh! I had to fight for my academic standing as
well. It was hard to juggle all those but I made it to fourth year alive with a
plaque as one of USC’s The Outstanding Leader. Yehey!
Fourth year was the
peak of my career as a student leader. I was the President of our big
co-curricular organization; the USC Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants.
This was also the year when I served as founding president of the USC College of
Commerce Collegiate Student Council. I was also Executive Vice-President of 4
Extra-Curricular Organizations namely; Integrated Samar and Leyte Association of
Students (ISLAS-USC), Alyansa sa mga Bisaya nga nia sa Sugbo (ABS-USC), Movement
of United Students Towards Better Environment (MUSTBE-USC), and Student for
Progress Organization (SPO-USC). I was also a Board of Director of STUDENT POWER
PARTY (SPP), a political party in USC. Aside from my organizations, I had 8
major subjects in my Academic Curriculum as well. The saddest part, my grandma,
passed away this year. In spite of what happened, Stephen stood still, received
the National Federation JPIA The Most Outstanding JPIAn Award, and welcomed
fifth year with a smile.
Fifth year for my
Academics part was a bit light at first but very heavy during the Second
semester review sessions. For my organizations, I was elected Councilor of the
USC Supreme Student Council, a Board of Director and Head Mentor of the Student
Power Party (SPP), and was Vice-President of 4 Extra-Curricular
organizations.
Finally, I graduated
Cum Laude with Citation as The Outstanding Graduate and with 3 Special Awards
last March 20, 2009 Hurray!
Influenced My Life
The teachings taught
by my parents at home, the learning I had in the
Catholic
Christian school where
I spent most of my education, the doctrines I learned from the church and from
the Holy Bible, my exposure to the rural community and my experiences in life
especially my failures greatly motivated and influenced me to where I am
now.
The reasons of my
inspiration would have not been possible if not for my Lord Jesus Christ and the
people who rallied behind me. That includes my parents, my relatives, my
personal mentors, and my trusted friends. These persons played an important role
in contributing to the values and principles that I apply in my day-to-day
life.
First
and foremost, I am inspired by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My relationship
with God is a fountain of refreshment and inspiration to face the daily
challenges of life. Without God, I am nothing.
Next are my parents,
Mrs. Elizabeth Gorgonio-Baltazar and Mr. Alexander Moreno Baltazar. I believe
that the home is the basic unit of society and is the first training ground of a
child. The principles and values taught by my parents like honesty,
perseverance, respect, hard work, diligence, and humility molded me into the
person that I am now. The good training and discipline of my mother when I was a
child greatly contributes to the responsible, dedicated and God-fearing Stephen
of today. My mother is simply the best!!!
Third, are my
relatives and loved ones. These are the people who help, support and encourage
me. I am so grateful to them especially my cousin Daisy Gorgonio Cachuela for
all the things they do for me be it big or small.
Fourth are my personal
mentors. My personal mentors include significant persons in authority and my
teachers and administrators in school whom later on I have established good
relationship with thus calling them my personal mentors in life. My mentors like
Madam Ma. Luisa Cane has instilled in me not only the lessons of the subjects
that I enrolled but as well as the good values and principles in life that have
motivated me to be a good student leader and to achieve greater heights. My
other personal mentors include Mrs. Nimfa Alo, Ms. Mary Ann Badal, Rev. Fr. Mark
Mathias SVD, Mr. Manuel Gorgonio, Dr. Charity Tecson, Dr. Alicia Villar, Mrs.
Marissa Baldecir CPA, Mr. Benjamin Escolano Jr. CPA, Mrs. Filomena Lim-Gatillo,
and AYLC Congress Director Mr. Simon Mossesgeld.
Last in the list are
my close friends. These are the good people whom I hang up with. Chatting long
conversations. Going out to have fun and enjoyment. Sharing opinions and
secrets. The aforementioned are just a few things that I and my close friends
do. Simple yet they also influence me a lot.
Summing up, God, my
family, relatives, personal mentors, and close friends greatly influenced and
inspired me to be who I am now.
4.
What are your
dreams, aspirations and goals for yourself?
I dare
to dream the dream I dare to dream!!!
I am a
person who has a great ambition. I do not dream for myself alone, but for my
family and for our country as well.
Twenty
years from now I see myself as a successful CPA Lawyer happily married to my
beautiful wife and living with my healthy children. By that time I will be operating my own
business and establishing a foundation for the children, the youth, the
underprivileged, the marginalized, and the less fortunate members of our
society.
Thirty
to forty years from now, I hope to be the next President of our Republic or if
not a Senator or a Congressman of the Fifth District of
Leyte.
5.
What are your
hopes for our country?
In spite
of all the problems and crisis that the country is facing nowadays, I know that
there is a beacon of light for this nation. As long as there are Filipinos who
love this country, then there is hope for a better Philippines!!!
I
foresee a better Republic – a country that is not only economically progressive
but also alleviated from poverty, unchained from illiteracy and freed from
corruption, crimes and terrorism. I envision a nation wherein companies exercise
corporate social responsibility and globally competitive citizens are
collaborating to make a community where we can enjoy life to the fullest!!!
BUT
unless one dares; unless one risks; unless one takes a single brave step; the
dream of a paradise will remain a fantasy.