The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary’s leadership training program for young people. Basically, I believe that everyone who was invited to be part of the youth camp is truly an aspiring leader or better yet, is already a leader in his own way. Weeks before this set event, it already came bugging me because of getting so excited that early. Well, given that the venue will be in Caliraya Resort and that there are lots of benefits we could acquire, who wouldn’t feel the same, anyway? So, here is how it went. On the first day, the delegates met at the Victory Liner station in Pasay City, around 8:30 am so they could all leave for Caliraya at around 9am. Lumban, Laguna is quite far from the city that’s why I really found it difficult to search on how to go there on my own. I have classes on a Friday and I can’t miss the very first one because of an exam so I, together with our president, Ryan Escuton, just had to follow. We are so lucky to have our very own, supportive Rotarians to let us go to the camp with them.

As what is expected in every first day of such conferences, first things first. There were the rules plotted, acknowledgement and remarks of our Rotarians. Afterwards, everyone was called to Spark! The activities we had was facilitated by the My Masterpiece Movement Workshop. Too bad, we weren’t able to join the first ones. But at least, we were able to join the drum circle and of course, that’s when I felt the spirit of the camp. At the end of the activity, we were asked to share what we all learned and felt about the bonding that was formed through the activities that we had that time. The rest of the day was left for us to start enjoying the place and make friends.

For the first night, it was fun to start sharing with new people to mingle with. The pool was all ours, so we just had to jump in to the water and be cool. The first people whom I had bonding with was my roommates. We were five in the room and one of us had to leave on the second day because she had to join a game for their university. For that, we decided to make the most out of the remaining time because it would probably take us too long to meet each other again. Lights off, it was already time to sleep for tomorrow’s going to be a new experience to be fondled.

The second day started with some morning energizers facilitated by our very own Ate Cathy Gonzales, together with her co- facilitators, Ate Camille Depano and Kuya Mennen Gonzales. We sang and we prayed and listened to our District Governor 3830, Ismael Villareal about how he feels and how he foresees the youth with such leaders who are determined enough to enhance their self realizations and good works. With the theme of “Recognizing our Youth’s competencies to live up to their potentials and Achieve self- fulfillment”, we should always start with ourselves. Just like how the first day was conducted, the activities today also gave us lots of grasps and awareness about how a group should work and why communication is really important. Also, every after an activity, there is always a song taught to us so that could make us feel the message deeper.

Some of the songs were Kaleidoscope World and Next in Line. Obviously, there is a single message that these things would like to let us know.

We are different people all around the world and even if we are different, we could still work and join together as one group- a group who has its own advocacy- to come up with simple but substantial plans for the people around the place. We shall always remember that whatever place we are in, the simple things we do represent how we care for the world and the most importantly, how we share the love of God.

And of course, the idea of all the activities conducted revolves around the leadership attributes a leader should possess and should learn to be able to be a good one. SPARK! Live an inspired and extraordinary life. To be a good leader, you need to communicate well. Listening skills are important because leaders are not just who tell you what to do. Sometimes, they should also lend themselves to their members so everyone would feel comfortable about the company of each other that would bring the spirit of openness and cooperation. SIGE, RYLA! Know, Value and Improve yourself!

The second night was the most memorable. It was when we already have known almost everyone in there and that was the last night of our stay. The whole group gathered around for the bonfire and for some raffle prizes that were prepared by our Rotarians. As everyone was laughing, I got to see the essence of the whole camp. It was that we should learn how to give love, all the time. Deep as it may seem, but it is the very obvious thought of it.

The Caliraya experience was, indeed, awesome and fantastic. This has once again, showed me that The Rotaract Club is not just “something” because, in fact, It is a big thing. With all the humblest thoughts, I am proud to be part of the club and I’m getting more inspired to help other people.