THE XAVIER STAGE. Company challenge simulation during the Basic Orientation and Leadership Training Seminar of The Xavier Stage. Supplied photo.
By Audrey Castañares, Aubrey Dadulo, and Dynn Ebio
On October 29, Sunday, The Xavier Stage (TXS) held its Basic Orientation and Leadership Training Seminar (BOLTS) with the theme “That’s the Spirit!” with the objective of shaping and developing leadership skills through various lectures and teambuilding activities.
The event was open to all the TXS members, namely, the faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
BOLTS is an annual event, participated by the org members to build camaraderie and develop sportsmanship and leadership skills.
This year, it was facilitated and organized by TXS officers John Roel Cabana, Michael Lagazo, Camille Magnanao, Shenzen Golez, Maika Guitguit, Louise Dinopol, Anthony Lim, Queenie Roluma, and Charyl Jauculan; supervised by TXS artistic director Hobart Savior and TXS human resources officer Tat Soriano.
The 30 attendees, wearing their Sunday's best, started their day with an early mass at the XU Church.
The mass was followed by some physical activities on the soccer field.
TXS MEMBERS. Participants loosening up for the physical activities on the soccer field. Supplied photo.
Exchanging ideas
The morning continued as Savior talked to the participants, stressing the importance of knowing what The Xavier Stage means to everyone.
Savior shared with the members: “The Xavier Stage is my religion because it is where I find God in me. I feel alive with the talent that He gave me.”
"The Xavier Stage brings us closer to our future selves because it helps us develop ourselves into something that might help us with our future careers," said Carl Ivan Cagulada from Batch 9.
Another member, Aubrey Dadulo said, “The Xavier Stage is the stepping stone to my career,” adding that TXS hones their skills, in preparation for their field, through learning the basics in a workplace.
“The Xavier Stage is like a mirror to me because it helps us reflect on the things we do in life through the advocacy theater it gives its audience,” said Carl Ivan Cagulada.
Member Orial Gallardo also shared: “The Xavier Stage is like a seed. A seed is a symbol of growth that we start out small. We grow and improve ourselves through all our struggles, that when we mature ourselves, we branch out to others and share the fruit of our labor for all.”
TEAMWORK. Team Yellow Jellyfish on its banner-making activity. Supplied photo.
Company challenge
Groups were formed and instructions were given to prepare for one of the highlights of the day, The Amazing Race. There were three groups namely the Blue Electric Eels, Yellow Jellyfish, and Red Lobsters.
Several challenges scattered in different stations were prepared to test the groups' teamwork and wit.
Despite racing and competing against each other to be the first to finish, the teams displayed an admirable quality of sportsmanship and everyone voiced out that they had a fun and remarkable time.
The last activity of the day was a company challenge. All the participants were expected to work together to accomplish a difficult task. This was to transfer a tire — with several ropes tied around it — from one tall pole to the other. Strict rules and a time limit were given; the participants had a hard time finishing the task.
COMPANY CHALLENGE. The Xavier Stage members having their third attempt at their Company Challenge. Supplied photo.
Accepting reality
After the physical activities, Savior discussed that embracing reality is one way of knowing our very own limitations. These limitations act as guides on our path to become better by improving our strengths and weaknesses, thus, overcoming such limitations in the process.
"Realism takes over when the company accepts that we have limitations, and I hope that these limitations will make each one of us strive for the better. And by that time, we might be able to achieve our goal,” a wrap-up statement given by Savior.
At the end of the day, the company had a small salo-salo in the covered courts as they had their processing session, sharing each other's insights about the training.
"BOLTS helped me realize the importance of staying physically fit," said Queenie Romula from Batch 7.
Being part of a theater company means having enough energy and vitality to accomplish in various duties as performing artists.
"[Aside from] the work that we do in the company, it is really the bond and friendship we form in TXS that keep us going," said TXS secretary Shenzen Golez.
The Xavier Stage is a theater organization that aims their members not just to become respectable actors, but also to become benevolent individuals with an authentic sense of leadership.
Teamwork, as one of the core lessons of the training, would become their beacon of light towards a better camaraderie among the company members to present excellent plays and social events.∎
YOUNG ACTORS. Realism and idealism discussion by The Xavier Stage artistic director Hobart P Savior. Supplied photo.