In an aim to prime the youth of leadership with purpose and integrity, the Business Development unit of Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF) spearheaded a seminar-workshop dubbed NCeanKnows on Friday, June 27, at the V-Gallery x Museum Function Hall.
With the theme “Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,” two dynamic speakers led insightful discussions and workshop activities before a hundred Junior High School (JHS) students from the Basic Education Department (BED), which centered on leading from within.
In a welcome address, Mr. Melvin S. Del Puerto, NCF Trustee, announced that NCeanKnows will be “a series of events” crafted to support the growth and development of the youth beyond academic learning.
“This is a big step towards [establishing] your confidence not just in the academics but in service and leadership. We aim to help you grow in a slow and effective manner. This is the start of a series of events to develop young individuals like you,” Mr. Del Puerto said.
Ms. Marie Christine O. Abiog, Administrative Officer at the NCF Center of Rural Entrepreneurship Development (CREED) and a psychology professional, tackled “How to Overcome Peer Pressure?,” where she expounded on its root cause as “a silent force.”
“The very root cause of peer pressure is the desire to fit in. It is a silent force, yet almost all of us experienced peer pressure during our youth because we didn’t know how to set boundaries,” Ms. Abiog stated.
Meanwhile, Hon. Jefson Felix, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President of Naga City, broke down the dynamics of leadership, regardless of age, while also stressing the impact of standing up to lead with “credibility and accountability.”
“We can lead in our own capacities. It is not about the age but the ability to see the need and do something about it; to serve a community without a title or position but with credibility and accountability,” he remarked.
Following the talks, students engaged in a plenary discussion, seizing the opportunity to ask questions that the two speakers enthusiastically addressed.
Moreover, the resource speakers further equipped students with purpose-driven leadership skills through workshop activities, addressing positive and negative peer pressure scenarios and guiding them in establishing their leadership profiles.