26/03/2026
FEATURE| A Gov- HER- norโs Destiny to Lead
โThere is no such thing as perfectly balancing the workload. Rather, it is a matter of compromise.โ
In a seat of responsibility that she did not chase but chose to embrace, these are the words that guide Euvanica Grace M. Jacinto, who now serves as College Governor of College of Engineering and Technology Student Organization (CETSO). Though only in two months in her position, she leads with not just an experience, but with principles of leadership shaped by service, discipline, and purpose sharpened through her journey as a Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) scholar and Regional Director of the MIMAROPA Integrated Network of DOST Scholars (MINDS 4B).
Her story is not only fueled by ambition alone but of resonance. Because sometimes, leadership is not something you chase. Sometimes, it makes its own way to you, knocking at your door.
Before becoming College Governor, Jacinto had already embraced a different path. She decided to set aside her plan to run for the position, choosing instead to serve as Vice Governor while focusing on spearheading MINDS 4B.
She intended to walk this path. She wanted to put herself in broader societal issues and serve beyond the campusโa worldview shaped by her experience as a DOST-SEI scholar. Through programs such as national congresses and leadership camps, she came to understand that leadership goes beyond building credentials, it's more about genuinely caring for people.
โThe people who need me are what keep me going,โ she shared.
Yet no matter how she stepped away, the position found its way back to her. Following the resignation of the former governor, Jacinto was appointed to the positionโsomething she had once set aside, now entrusted to her. She took on the role not to chase authority, but to serve. A leader who did not pursue the position, but chose to commit when the call to serve came.
โBeing a leader is no joke.โ
Jacinto admits that leading is not a piece of cake. In her two months as College Governor, she meets the challenge of responsibility, balancing academic demands as Civil Engineering student while leading the college organization. For her, balance is not about perfection.
โIt is not always possible to balance responsibilities fairly and equally; instead, one must prioritize and make compromises.โ
This is the reality of her daily life. She manages her workload through careful planningโtask lists, prioritization methods, and digital tools like trackers and calendars. She approaches her academic work first, and then moves on to organizational responsibilities. But beyond the tools and routines, her leadership is rooted in perspective.
โSometimes, the most effective way of leading is not by taking the leadโbut by understanding.โ
As College Governor, Jacinto aims to ensure that CET students never feel lonely during their college journey, inspiring them to become instruments of change in the future while pursuing her broader purpose of bringing something good to the people of this nation. It is a humble goal yet carries great impact especially in a demanding field like engineering, where pressure often overshadows emotional support.
With CETSO, she has implemented student engagement initiatives and programs, designed to build stronger connections and support systems, underscoring her conviction that true leadership always begins with care.
Jacintoโs leadership extends beyond the campus. As Regional Director of MINDS 4B, she led Project LIGHT UP, a program that extends across several provinces in MIMAROPA region, providing students educational and hygiene kits while promoting literacy and health awareness. Yet she does not claim this as a personal achievement. Instead, she sees it as a collective effortโand a privilege to serve.
โAll glory belongs to God,โ she emphasized, grounding her leadership in faith and humility.
Like any leader, Jacinto once doubted herself. One of her experiences of doubt came when everything was going well. She felt unnecessary and uncertain of who she needed to be in that situation. But she later realized that these feelings were not a sign of failures; rather, this is a sign of success, as she led her team effectively that they could now operate independently.
On the other hand, there were also times when progress was slow, Jacinto questioned her effectiveness as leader. Instead of forcing control, she chose understanding.
โYou do not fully know what others may be going through,โ she said, realizing that personal circumstances can affect productivity and that leadership works best with patience and empathy.
Sometimes, leadership is not about pushing forward but about patiently holding space until others are ready to act. When asked about women in leadership, Jacinto offers a grounded perspective. She does not define leadership by gender.
โAnyone who carries the heart of a leader and the willingness to compromise in the name of service is fit for leadership.โ
For her, empowerment is deeply personal.
โAn empowered woman is someone who understands what she is made forโฆ and chooses her purpose for herself.โ
Jacinto challenges the idea of being an โaspiring leader.โ She sees leadership not something to wait for but a choice she lives in a moment.
โYou do not have to be perfectโฆ you simply have to begin.โ
Her point is simple: if you know what you want, prepare for it, and take the first step, your willingness to serve and passion for change is enough to begin your journey as a leader. At its core, Jacintoโs leadership is not defined by titles or the time she's held in position.
It is defined by consistency.
By choosing to show up, even when it is difficult.
By choosing to understand, even when it is easier to judge.
By choosing to serve, even when no one is watching.
A woman who grows one percent every day.
And in that quiet, steady progress, she reminds us that leadership is not about chasing visibility or recognition. But about being the one who never stops moving forward.
// written by Rhea Lee Gado
