Philippine News by MySearch Philippines

For most people, Tagaytay is either where they can get a glimpse of Taal volcano, or the alternate spot for vacationers out to avoid the summer heat.

But from the 16th of February up to the 18th, Tagaytay was more than just a summer getaway for 70 students gathered from all across the country.

Gathered at the San Miguel Corporation Management Training Center, these young students were to be come part of the 7th Ayala Young Leaders Congress - the AYLC.

Established in 1998 by the Ayala Group of Companies, the AYLC was seen as "an investment in the youth and the future of the country."

The Congress provides these students access to mentors and role models from all sectors of society - from development work, to politics, and even the performing arts.

The AYLC also provides these aspiring leaders to meet other people like them and hopefully, form bonds that will be sustained as they graduate from school and plunge into whatever fields they've chosen for themselves.

Ayala Group of Companies president Jaime Zobel de Ayala thought that 1998 was as good a time as any to establish a congress that helps encourage leadership among the youth.

"We wanted to address the need for young people to start getting aligned with leadership goals and start learning leadership skills," he says.

"The country itself was lacking young people with leadership skills, and we thought that it would be a great contribution on our part if we could get together once a year and get to meet role models they can look up to."

Ayala goes on further to add that the Congress teaches the students something unusual by Philippine school standards.

"Here, they're taught to question," Ayala says. "We try to bring out those who are questioning the establishment to make a difference, and help them question in a productive way."

STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS

Getting to rub shoulders with some of the country's most outstanding minds and development workers is certainly something not to be trifled with, and the Congress' organizers make sure that only those who deserve to be part of the group get in. And sometimes, those who are most deserving aren't exactly the usual suspects.

"When it comes to leadership, people sometimes focus on good grades in school and doing well. The whole concept of leadership is sometimes not taken that seriously."

Ayala says about the Congress requirements, some of which state that applicants need to be part of the top 10% of their college or department, have excellent communication skills, and be an active leaders or officer of any student organization.

Ayala Foundation president and Ayala Corporation managing director Victoria Garchitorena further explain the Congress selection process.

"We ask the school to have their own selection process. It allows them to nominate students leaders with different perspectives," she says."

"After that, the people from our own companies subject them through a paper screening. They go through the documents submitted and look for students involved in projects outside of school. We make it a point to look for leaders and not just for good grades."

"Of course, sometimes the mavericks don't end up getting nominated," she admits. "But we haven't thought of a better way."

RONALD S. LIM – February 21, 2005 - Manila Bulletin

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