Representatives from Xavier University’s Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO) shared their experiences and lessons in conducting the Collaborative Service Learning Program (CSLP) at this year’s ENACTUS (Entrepreneurial. Action. Us.) competition on July 11 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
XU-CSLP coordinator Jannina Alfante and business administration student volunteers Monte Carlo Dal and Jo-anne Villa imparted on the engagements of KKP-SIO with the different sectors and communities in Northern Mindanao through CSLP, a curriculum-based service-learning experience for students in various academic disciplines as “a way of education that brings theoretical premise into proactive social relevance.”
Besides presenting the CSLP initiatives, the XU participants were invited to observe the competition as they look forward to participate in next year's finals as one of the contending teams.
A worldwide non-profit organization, ENACTUS provides financial opportunities and an avenue for students to build and realize their entrepreneurial ideas and proposals for the benefit of their community partners.
The event kicked off with a message from the keynote speaker, lawyer Oscar Moreno Jr on behalf of his father, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S Moreno Sr, a recipient of the prestigious Ramon V Mitra Award for Legislation of the San Beda College.
In his message, Moreno pointed out six things in reaching success: consider challenges as opportunities and not a problem; have the courage to face what is it to achieve one's goal; be determined; build good partnership with others; be accountable of what you chose to do; and never stop being curious.
Moreno challenged the participants from different colleges and universities across the country to come up with community-driven entrepreneurial initiatives.
Following the part of Moreno, the participants were divided according to their leagues and categories where they presented their different social entrepreneurial projects.
The jury, comprised of more than 50 company executives, has chosen the group from the Holy Trinity College of General Santos City with their products made out of stevia extract, neem and castor oil as the winning team who will form part of the Philippine delegation at the 2015 World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa on October 14-16. The team also received a cash prize worth Php40,000.00 as a startup capital for their social entrepreneurial project.
On the other hand, Arnel Paciano Casanova, another keynote speaker encouraged the participants to give importance to our faith, which for him is “critical, indispensable and it also makes us grow.”
Casanova shared to the participants how he used to live in the slums but was eventually granted with a scholarship at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. An example of rags-to-riches success story, Casanova is now a distinguished politician and at the same time the chief executive officer of the Bases Development Conversion Authority (BDCA).
An inspiration to the crowd, Casanova reminded everyone the values of perseverance and humility in every endeavor.
“May we lead with compassion and always consider the common good and maintain your integrity at all times for it is the twin of excellence,” he continued.
Among the notable participants at the event were ENACTUS-Worldwide managing director for Asia Pacific Shmita Ramkumar and ENACTUS-Philippines chairperson Jose P Leviste Jr (who is also the CEO of Oceana Gold) along with business executives across the country and teams from different colleges and universities.