26/03/2026
๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ค ๐๐ฉ: ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐๐๐ง
Envision someone standing before a podium, holding a microphone, making enthusiastic gestures with passion. The audience, still in their seats, can only smile and nod to how that power on stage stirs their nation-building heart. And from a corner, two mentors watch with pride and contentment spilling over their faces. That leader over there is still in elementaryโ the next gen in the making.
All for show, all for the clout; critics argue that a significant number of advocacies from both political leaders and candidates are just โtaglinesโ with no impact. However, truth sheds light to how Ms. Gelei Waking and Mr. Arcel Magalong creates and continues their advocacy of serving people with the strength of language.
Speak by Action
On the 23rd of March, the Association of Language and Literature Students (ALLS) collaborated with Waking and Magalong in extending their services to Virac Integrated School in Itogon, Benguet. The activity aimed to enhance studentsโ communication skills, leadership abilities, and teamwork through an engaging seminar and interactive group activities. Mr. and Ms. ALLS helped ensure smooth program flow and active participation. The Amazing Race was one the highlights of the day, consisting of four mini-games. Mr. and Ms. ALLS assisted in managing the stations, each dedicated to values of fun, control, detail, and peace.
Guide Lifeโs Amazing Race
On the surface, they were just mini-games. A burst of laughter here, playful movements there. But beneath the fun and energy lay a thoughtful framework of learning, where each mini-game became a powerful tool to build essential skills that would serve the young participants long after the dayโs activities ended.
Charades had participants relay actions and guess words, highlighting how clarity and creativity are key to effective communication. Command Leader tasked one pupil with guiding their team to a hidden flag, emphasizing confident, supportive, and direct leadership. One Pen Puzzle required groups to manipulate a single pen with yarns, fostering patience and attention to detail as every movement needed precise coordination. Leader Transport had pupils safely move a peer without letting them touch the ground, tying all lessons together with a powerful message of trust and cooperation.
Advocate by Impact
Magalong, a dedicated advocate of youth-focused initiatives, emphasized: "Impact doesnโt come in an instant โ it comes from shared efforts of sustainability, inclusivity, and community. Taking part in the activity made me come up with an ideal that will impact the future of such endeavors.โ
In a landscape filled with advocacies, it is the tangible impact that distinguishes true leaders. The strength of speeches and plans is measured not by their delivery, but by actions that take root in the real world. Through meaningful impact, resources are deployed with purpose, credibility is forged through results, systemic change begins to take shape, and accountability remains firmly centered on the communities being served.
โSeeing a Grade 3 representative participate in the seminar was truly inspiring, it shows that leadership has no age limit and can be cultivated early in life,โ Waking recalled, who has witnessed firsthand how young participants are already stepping into roles that shape their communities.
Expand Initiatives
โAs a pre-service teacher, I plan to continue and expand this initiative within my classroom and in the school where I will be teaching. I aim to integrate leadership-focused activities into my lessons and create opportunities for students to develop their skills and confidence,โ Ms. ALLS shared.
With the program now concluded, the candidates are focused on building on the momentum created and ensuring the lessons learned continue to benefit young learners in the region. Mr. ALLS emphasized the importance of building solidarity through collaboration, noting that advocates should actively participate in similar initiatives moving forward. Additionally, he highlighted his recognition of his role as an advocate for inclusion and diversity, through which he engages in civic activities both within and beyond his communities.
Encourage Leadership
โExtension activities are not mere campaigns and accomplishment reports-sake opportunities. They are avenues for self-growth, socialization, and sparking inclusivity,โ Magalong advises those leaders with objectives of extension activities for the youth. โOrganizing events demand so much from us โfrom efforts shared and plans after plans, that boils down to a sense of communal commitment.โ
When leaders invest thoughtfully in our young learners through well-crafted, heart-centered initiatives, they lay the groundwork for stronger communities and empower the next generation to lead with purpose and compassion. To put this into practice, Mr. and Ms. ALLS lead by example, actively participating in every phase of activity planning and ex*****on, from conducting pre-activity orientations to engaging directly with learners during sessions. They consistently demonstrate respect, integrity, and enthusiasm, showing young people what dedicated service looks like in action.
โBy working together and staying committed to the goal of helping learners grow, organizers can create impactful extension programs that inspire, educate, and empower the next generation,โ Waking concludes.
๐๏ธ: Jeric Bautista
๐: Mishaelle Erazo
