Youth told age doesn’t define who leaders are

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato—Age doesn’t define leaders and the greatest enemies of the youth of today are themselves.

These are two of the things that young people, like Clarisse Charity Mosquito of Notre Dame of Midsayap College here and Robert Eleizen of University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan town, were taught during the three-day North Cotabato Young Leaders Congress which started on  Oct. 28.

“I’ve learned that leadership is never about age and that no matter how young we are, we can do great things, especially if you have the passion and the heart to serve,” said Mosquito, who was among the 100 participants in the congress.

Eleizen, a fourth year Engineering student of USM, said he became convinced that everyone can contribute to change provided they “take courage and conquer our greatest enemy—ourselves.”

Single mother Angel Babe Banua, 18, a second year Education student at Central Mindanao Colleges in Kidapawan City, said poverty is no obstacle to being a leader.

Anjerie Rivera, of Southern Christian College here, said one only has to have the commitment to lead and influence other youths to make a difference.

Another participant, Gel Sarci Barlas, of Southern Baptist College of Mlang town, said the congress opened her eyes to her potentials to be a leader.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza, who started organizing the youth congress last year, said she believed that the congress is a venue for the youth to “discover their capacities to transform as individuals.” Edwin O. Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao