THE PHILIPPINE LEADER
WORK TOGETHER. WIN TOGETHER. Written by:
JCI Sen. Mark Joseph David 2020 National President
Someone
once said “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success”. When I took my oath as the National President of JCI Philippines in October 2019, I had a whole year planned for JCI Philippines. Then 2020 came and as we all know, it was far f rom what we had imagined. First, we welcomed 2020 with the Taal Volcano eruption. Oplan Kaagapay was activated and JCI Philippines and our many local organizations were at the ground to provide immediate and much needed help. Then COVID-19 came in with a sucker punch and changed our lives as we knew it. Inductions, fellowships, and projects which make up a huge part of our JCI life were cancelled to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We switched to virtual meetings and projects. Oplan Kaagapay and Got Heart were activated and despite the limited movement
WORKING WITH PALAWAN EXPRESS & PALAWAN PAWNSHOP With Palawan Express and Palawan Pawnshop being led by Mr. Bobby Castro, a true blooded JCI member f rom JCI Puerto Princessa Oil, the partnership towards promoting quality education through our program YLEA or Youth Leadership Excellence Award remained strong on its third year and as we inspire and motivate the youth to be better leaders. In 2020, aside f rom distributing the award to students, JCI Philippines also maximized the sponsorship and supported the another national program which is Bags to School. Truly, Mr. Castro gives truth to the saying “Once a jaycee, always a jaycee”.
26
allowed, local organizations were able to deliver aid. Projects related to mental health during quarantine were also conducted by local organizations. In a nutshell, we did not allow the year that was to break us. Quite the opposite, we worked even harder to make our JCI creed, mission, and vision a reality. As we braced for the new normal and all the changes that came with it, the off icers, the secretariat and the members all did more than their part to ensure that the organization was able to cope with these changes, thrive, and come out stronger. However, what most people weren’t able to see are the partnerships made by JCI Philippines with other organizations who share the same beliefs, visions, goals and “whys”. Seeing the effect of the quarantine to our community made these organizations even more committed to partner with JCI Philippines to create positive change in our communities.
