Angelo Daniel's posts with tag: angelo
|  | Last November 20, 2006, the JCI Local Organizations in Cebu were graced by the presence not by one, not by two, not even by three, but five stalwarts of the JCI movement in the International Arena. Led by former JCIP NP and 2002 World EVP JCI Sen. Marcel Fernan, ICT Director Pedro Zaraza, Area C Director Edmond Sakai and Area D Director Zsolt Feher talked to us about the importance of Non-Profit Management and new developments from the JCI Website. I was joined by my cousin, our 2007 International Affairs Commissioner Berchman Parcon as representatives of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel. |
It has been about 11 years already since I got hooked to what is called worldwide as the JCI movement. But in truth, my first taste with what Jayceeism is all about dates back to my 4th year in high school at University of San Carlos Boys' High (now called USC North Campus). That makes it about 14 years already since first I got wind of what JCI is about. Most of my friends became part of the USC-BHS Commission for the USC Junior Jaycees. At that time, in truth I didn't have the slightest inkling to joining the group even if most of those who composed the commission were my barkadas. Little did I know that among my friends, I would be the one who would end up getting really involved with the movement, hook, line and sinker.
Another three years would pass until I would hear about the Junior Jaycees. It was during Intramurals 1995 when I was invited once again to join the USC Junior Jaycees. You may probably laugh at the reason why then and there I wanted to join the Jaycees. And what average, hot-blooded male could ever say no to several beautiful ladies entice you to join their organization? Hehehe. Exactly. I joined the Jaycees because of the chicks. Perhaps it was because of divine providence that this was the start of what could be a paradigm shift in my direction in life. I began to join the activities, involved myself in projects, get as much training I could be taught from. Next thing I knew, I was running for a seat in the University of San Carlos Supreme Student Council, losing on my first try but winning two consecutive terms the following years. I became batch President for our class in Architecture. Became Vice President for Internal Affairs in the Architecture Council. Becoming Vice President for External Affairs in the Butuanon Council at USC. I could go on and on and on. The positions that I was able to be elected to may have been very diverse but one thing is for certain, it was because of the time that I spent with the Jaycees that I was able to hone my skills that became necessary for me to fulfill the obligations brought about by these elected posts.
Being selected as the Most Outstanding New Member for the Visayas in the Phil. Junior Jaycees was just icing on the cake as I know I had more to thank the Jaycees for than the movement having bestowed on me such an honor. From the absurd reason of joining the movement because of female pulchritude, my Jaycee life began to unfold like a maelstrom of achievements. The peak of my Junior Jaycee life reached to the point when I became part of the National Officers, serving as the National Secretary General for the FY 1999-2000 after having served as Visayas Area Secretary General prior to that.
Meeting Emi is also something that I could indirectly attribute the Jaycees for. Why? If not for the Jaycees, I would not have prepared myself to vie for a post in the Student Council, if not for my stint in the Student Council, I would not have met Emi. That is probably why I am ecstatic to have her join me as a member of JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel. Emi is considered as my pillar in life, she's the one who's always ready to keep me grounded to earth and quite also the motivator who could make me soar to the high heavens with her words of affirmation.
In 2001, already a professional and hard at work at that, my good friend and mentor Vee Abellana invited me to join the regular Jaycees. Still feeling the pressure of doing good in my professional career, I hesitantly agreed to his invitation. Vee was the NVP Visayas and the National President of the Junior Jaycees when I served as the Area SG and the NSG. I am quite indebted to him because with the belief and trust that he strongly placed squarely on my shoulders, I was able to refine several skills that I had already learned. With this also, I was able to develop myself and grow into a role which was not be taken lightly since the scope of its jurisdiction already involved the regional and the national areas. Thank you, Vee.
Unfortunately, my venture into the regular Jaycee arena encountered several road blocks and hindrances. Call it a massive case of culture shock but what I had experienced during the first few months involving myself as a regular JCI member made me long for what I had experienced as a Junior Jaycee. All the more did this realization slap me silly like a rag doll when I saw first hand how politicking had wantonly disgraced what was supposed to be an honorable and respected organization. An organization for which I have attributed my leadership and personal development to. Thus I left with a heavy heart.
Exactly a year ago, Cerwin Eviota called me up to invite me over to a cup of coffee at one of SM's tenants. Being the coffee junkie that I am, I met up with him. With a unique blend of marketing his product, which came to be known as a new JCI Local Organization, he invited me to serve as the Secretary for the year 2006 for this newly-formed chapter. Still reeling from the scars brought about by memories of politics ruining the natural strengths of JCI, I was again hesitant about it and asked that I confer this with Emi first. Surprisingly, Emi told me to go for it, provided that she also join me in the movement to forever put to rest her nagging questions about how and why I am so passionate about JCI. Thus a new chapter in my JCI life began to unfold. Exactly a year has passed and this was what the new chapter, JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel had to show: from the Visayas Area Conference: Most Outstanding New JCI Chapter, Merit for Best Community Development
Program - "Big Brother, Big Sister" and Joint Work by JCI Chapters -
"Tabang Southern Leyte," and Recognition for Membership Recruitment
Program - "Let's Have Coffee," Chapter President in Cerwin Eviota, Current Member - yours truly, and New Member - Jolex Lim, who was also the Public Speaking
Champion, with Marlon Polinar as 2nd Placer. For the 58th National Convention: Merits for Most Outstanding New JCI Chapter and for Best Community
Development Program - "Big Brother, Big Sister, Good Neighbor" and
Recognitions for Best Membership Recruitment Program - "Let's Have
Coffee + Last Quarter S.T.O.R.M." and Most Outstanding Chapter
President (Category III). Quite a story, right?
Now came a pivotal turn of events, in what came to be known in my blog 'Not expecting the expected', I was elected as the 2007 President for my beloved JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel. Here I was, 11 years after joining the JCI movement because of the chicks. An incoming President for the year 2007 for a chapter, despite its infancy already has a rich history of achievements and awards.
Quite a tough act to follow. But somehow, there's something inside me that diffuses the fear and apprehension that comes with the position that I was elected to. Nobody has put it so much better than Ernest Evangelista, a good friend of mine dating back to USC-JJCI and of whom I consider also as a mentor. He said, having gone through the basic trainings and honed yourself during your Junior Jaycee days, being a regular JCI member would be just like a walk int the park.
Being President. They say that when one decides to become a member of regular JCI, they're primarily in it because of the connections, the entrepreneurial opportunities and all that business related reasons to it. Honestly, I am in this because of my love for the movement and my desire to improve myself further as a person and as a leader. Being President is merely more than its title. Being a President is knowing when it is your place to be a leader and when it is your place to be a follower. Being President is not to lean more to what is a politically-sound decision but to lean more to what is the right decision. Being President is not allowing yourself to be swayed by those who believe that because of their years of experience, they have more right to say what should be done and what should not be done. Being President is to be a leader. One who will always believe that there are decisions to be made, good or bad, as long as they are the right decisions and have the guts to live by them.
I owe JCI more than most people think and believe.
It's high time I give my payback.
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