It felt like it was just yesterday when I was learning how to become a responsible Filipino citizen, using teamwork to overcome difficult obstacles, pledging to be a leader of the youth, striking a drum to one rhythm and beat, discovering what it means to be a person of integrity, and of course, making new friends along the way. That was the 11th EDSOR Peace Conference on January 21 and 22 here in our beloved school, St. Pedro Poveda College, a joint gathering of Povedans, ICAns, Xavierians, and La Sallians.

The morning ceremony started with the introduction of our theme: “Bayanihan sa Bayan ni Juan. Bayang may integridad: Handa sa Pagbabago.”

Ms. Emma took the stage for the opening remarks. She told us why we were there as representatives of our school and how honored Poveda is to be hosting the conference this year. She explained how the youth has power over the future by elaborating on one of St. Pedro Poveda's sayings: “You ask me what you can do, youth. You can conquer the world. No more, no less.” I was truly inspired by this, because it meant that if we want change to come to the world, it has to start with the future generation. To start change, we must do it ourselves. We are not limited to do tasks expected of our age, our stature in life, or where we come from. We have the freedom to make a change, but do we have the courage to do it?

Our host for that day announced that we would be having a guest speaker to talk about our theme for this year's conference and his book: “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.”

The guest speaker turned out to be none other than Mr. Alexander Ledesma Lacson, a lawyer who finished law at U.P. Diliman and took postgraduate studies at Harvard Law School. He gave a lot of inspiring stories and insights but there were two which struck me most.

The first was about his college roommate who wanted to become the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. This guy read a book for an hour each night to enhance his vocabulary so that he could achieve his goal. And so he did this every night for a year and then the next year he did it again and he continued this habit of his until after a few years he applied for the position of editor-in-chief. Did he get the job? Yes.

Mr. Alexander Lacson explained that: “Thoughts are powerful for they become actions. And actions become habits, which can become a way of life, and later become our destiny.” He then explained what would happen if we will try, in our own little way, to do something dignified for our country.

For me, the message is clear. Once you start to do something, it can become your destiny. So if you want the destiny of our country to change, all we have to do is start thinking AND working for a better Philippines.

The second story was about a painter named Michelangelo, and his timeless masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel's frescos. From his story, I learned that little things make something extraordinary. When those little things are put together, they lead to greatness. This gives us the power to alter the course of history because we exemplify those little things, the new generation. So if we want a better tomorrow, all of us have to pitch in and do something about it.

After listening to the keynote speech, we participated in“Hamon kay Juan,” which was like the Amazing Race, only instead of a team of 2, we had a team of 10. All of the barriers we needed to get over required a lot of teamwork. At the end I felt relieved to have finished it and it definitely brought our whole barangay together.

Then came the Panatang Kabataan activity, where we had to make our own oath as the next generation of student leaders. We had to write down what we have to do for our people and our country.

My personal favorite, the “Nagkakaisang Himig ni Juan”, came next. We had to play a percussion instrument while following instructions. Our mentor showed us how a whole orchestra with each instrument playing its own beat would sound unorganized, horrible, and just plain dreadful. But when there is a leader to follow, there is harmony. If we take time to listen to the leader and to those around us, we can perform the tasks assigned and create harmony in society and in life. In this way, the Filipino people can prosper and unite, if we take the time to listen to each other.

As we were ending with the closing prayer I felt so inspired and full of ideas. I learned the meaning of integrity, what it means to be a student leader, and how listening to others will help us understand more about them and what we can do to help each other out. The most important lesson I learned though is that all of us can make a difference in the world because we are persons for all, we are leaders, and we are the youth.

All great things have to come to an end and so the conference did. We sadly said our goodbyes to each other, all of us wishing the conference didn't have to end. But with all endings, come new beginnings...