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L.E.AP. Leaders Congress: A Story Of Hope

1st L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress

Beginnings…This congress was born and conceptualized over coffee sometime in October 2003 when then President Ma. Christina “Tina” Herrera, her husband Porong Herrera and then Vice President Corazon “Cora” Tan were brainstorming at Starbucks Katipunan for other club projects. They felt that the future of our country lies in the development of young, unjaded and uncorrupted leaders whose idealism and values, if properly focused, will propel us to “LEAP forward” towards a better nation. The idea generated excitement and enthusiasm that it was immediately proposed and approved by the club. RR Herrera coined the congress name L.E.A.P. – League of Extraordinary and Admired Pilipino Leaders since the intended delegates were top graduating college students who can be considered leaders academically and/or in school organizations are therefore worthy of admiration.

Its program was developed by Zelie Tan, a professional personal coach with Yoling Sevilla providing additional inputs. Together they served as anchor moderators for the first congress held in March 12, 2004 at Crossroad 77 Convention Center in Quezon City. The speakers for that congress were Richard Gordon, Augusto Lagman, Juan Benedicto “Dickoy” Magdaraog, and former Pres. Corazon C. Aquino. Cheche Lazaro recapped the day’s event.

Funding for this first congress came from the generous contributions of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Makati North and the support of Air 21 and Nissan Car Rental.

This first congress challenged each one to become heroes and it created such a euphoria and excitement among both students and organizers alike that subsequent congresses will find believers and supporters within the organization.

Pictures from 1st LEAP Leaders Congress

2nd L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress

The 2nd L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress was held in Feb 11, 2005 with the theme “Nasa Ating Kamay ang Kinabukasan”. The congress became a joint project of the Rotary Club and Inner Wheel Clubs of Makati North under the leadership of Pres. Ric dela Torre and Pres. Cora Tan.

Gods Lanuza of Innerview Consultancy and Maribel Aglipay of the Philippine Society for Training and Development (PSTD) become involved for the first time in developing the congress’ program and in gathering facilitators for the group activities.

The speakers for the congress were Emily Abrera, Dr. Onofre Pagsanghan, Daniel Macabitas, Dylan Wilk, Dickoy Magdaraog, Patricia Evangelista and Sen. Richard Gordon. Ed Garcia integrated that day’s speeches and was inspired to dub the congress “A Conspiracy of Hope for the Filipino People”.

Yellow L.E.A.P. buttons were distributed to delegates together with graduation certificates. Delegates attached their handprints to signify commitment to do something for our country. Major Sponsors for this event were: Air 21, Globe and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Pictures of the 2nd L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress

3rd L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress

The 3rd L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress was held February 17, 2006 with the theme “The Power of One: Finding Heroic Moments”. Pres. Tony Pastelero and Pres. Pepay Campos continued the partnership of the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Makati North in undertaking this congress.

A more formal partnership was formed with the Philippine Society for Training and Development (PSTD) thus ensuring the continuing availability of facilitators for the congress. Gods Lanuza and PSTD continued to be engaged in the program development.

The speakers for the congress were: Anna Liboro-Senga, Socorro Ramos, Dr. Onofre Pagsanghan, Capt. Dennis Eclarin, Gang Badoy, Dylan Wilk and Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay. At this congress, we developed the system of clustering delegates into 50 hero groups; ten hero groups are then clustered into each of 5 color groups. We recapped the event as “An Explosion of Hope”.

The graduation book certificate was developed by Cora Tan providing a series of 5 values to promote, ideas for self-improvement and ways to manifest patriotism and it was entitled: “Give Me 5!”. Signed post-it notes containing delegates commitments were submitted at the end of the congress. Major sponsors for this congress were: Airlift Asia and Greenwich Pizza Corporation.

Pictures of the 3rd L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress

4th L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress

The 4th L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress was held January 26, 2007 with the theme: “Pangarap ng Kabataan, Pag-asa ng Bayan”. Pres. Porong Herrera and Pres. Choi Reaño continued to be inspired to mount this next congress. Again Gods Lanuza and PSTD provided the leadership in developing the program and identifying speakers for the congress.

The speakers for this congress were: Yolanda Ong, Dr. Onofre Pagsanghan, Iliac Diaz, Ditsi Carolino, Benedict Hernandez and Antonio Meloto.

Atty. Alex Lacson donated his book: “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do for His Country” which became the graduation book certificate for delegates. He joined the congress and gladly autographed the books for delegates.

The recap of this congress is: “Ripples Become Waves”. Major sponsors for this congress were: eTelecare and Airlift Asia.

Pictures of the 4th L.E.A.P. Leaders Congress