If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
I would ask: “Ano ang dapat panghawakan ng isang kabataang Pilipino para magpatuloy at mag-strive, hindi lang para sa sarili nilang kinabukasan kundi pati para sa kinabukasan ng bayan?” I ask this because I’m also in the middle of searching for what I should hold on to. Honestly, it’s hard to keep striving when the future feels so uncertain. Sometimes I feel torn between pursuing my passion or just facing the reality in front of me. This question matters to me because I want to feel acknowledged—that what I’m holding onto is still worth fighting for.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
My biggest “aha!” moment was realizing that there are many different ways to lead. Leadership doesn’t have to fit one mold—it can be expressed in different styles, each effective in its own way depending on who you are and the situation you’re in. That made me feel less pressured to lead a certain “perfect” way.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
To be honest, I’ve always struggled with leadership because of my fear of failure and, more than that, my fear of responsibility and accountability. But through this kubo experience, I’ve learned to ease up a little. It feels like a gentle reminder saying, “Relax, it’s okay to try, it’s okay to learn as you go.” It’s slowly helping me see leadership not as something to be afraid of, but as an opportunity to grow, to discover my own style, and to lead in a way that feels authentic to me.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
I would ask: How do you define success for yourself, and not just what others expect from you?
- because a lot of young individuals experience pressure to conform to social or familial expectations. Hearing this question, in my opinion, can serve as an example that success should be meaningful and personal rather than centered on living up to the expectations of others.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
biggest "aha! Seeing how much we can learn from one another’s unique skills was a “moment.” I first believed that I had to work things out on my own, but I’ve now come to see that exchanging ideas makes things simpler and more imaginative.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
- I’m learning from this kubo experience that effective leadership is about striking a balance between guiding, supporting, and letting people shine. It is helping me to develop my mission to not only lead but also to inspire those around me so that we can all advance together.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
If you could pinpoint one habit you developed that you can attribute to a win (no matter how big or small) you obtained in life, what is it?
There’s a famous book called 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that really helps ground me and get me back on track when faced with difficult situations like burnout, demotivation, or background noise. If you could add to this along with a personal anecdote, what would it be?
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
I think it was really realizing that leadership isn’t just management or getting a team to complete tasks. It’s about inspiring a shared purpose, empowering people, practicing real empathy, and having a bit of creativity to get through whatever problems we may be faced.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
My kubo experience is shaping my idea of leadership and purpose by letting me see up close what others truly care about. Being able to work with people from diverse backgrounds widens my view, helps me practice empathy, and reminds me that even small, steady actions, as long as my purpose is strong within me, can ripple out and make a real difference.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why? **If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
I would ask what could be the biggest issues the youth will face in 5 years? I want to ask this question as I would like to see their insights on what trajectory is the world facing, how does that affect us and how can we manage it.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
I will very welcomed in the community itself and feel like I can express and be who I am without judgement.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
As of now, meeting all these people has widened my perspective on how different people act and what I can learn from them.
If my Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, he’d ask:
“What is one change you dream of creating for your community or the country, and what’s the first step you think you can take to make it happen?”
Why? Because it sparks self-reflection and empowers them to see themselves as agents of change. It also encourages immediate action, no matter how small, building momentum toward bigger transformations. Plus, hearing their dreams would reveal what truly matters to their generation.
What about you? If you had that one minute, what would you ask?
My biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience is that the major challenge for young Filipinos isn’t the absence of opportunities, but rather the difficulty in accessing clear, trustworthy, and youth-focused information to guide them. Many students finish high school or college feeling unsure about what to do next. Others face challenges like managing finances, coping with stress, or knowing their rights. As a result, young people miss out on opportunities—not because they aren’t available, but because they don’t know where to look or how to take advantage of them.
My kubo experience shaped my idea of leadership and purpose. Initially, I thought leadership was just about giving orders or being in charge. But through that experience, I realized it’s more about listening, empowering others, and working together toward a common goal. Seeing how even small acts of support and encouragement could inspire others made me understand that true leadership is rooted in service and purpose, not just authority.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
If there wasn’t anything holding you back from doing something you genuinely like, what would it be?
I want to ask this question because a lot of us have setbacks when it comes to doing what we actually love and contributing to our country at the same time. A lot of youth ended up sacrificing their dreams and aspirations due to poverty and other circumstances. I hope that this question would make them remember what their passion is.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
My biggest “aha!” moment in this capstone is that good leadership is about listening to people, improving yourself and being open to criticism.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
It is shaping my experience by becoming more aware on how to become a better version of myself, and learning how to effectively communicate and cooperate with other people despite of the differences.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
If my Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, the question that I would ask is “How do you know if you can do it and show up to challenges?”. Because there was I time that I didn’t know and can’t take a responsibility that was given to me, just thinking about the role that I was given makes me down, that it is too much, I was not used to this, that is why I transferred my role to other people. So I want to know how to do it, to face the challenges.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
My biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience is that you have to go and get to know people. That really communication is the key to understand each other and to address our worries. Getting to know people makes me say “aha!” that you just have to go with the flow and enjoy their company.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
My kubo experience shapes me to know the value of being in charge and being a follower. That sometimes we have to not be in our shell and express our ideas to move forward. Initiative also and being able to understand humbleness because there is always someone who is greater than us.
1. If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
“What small action can you take today that brings the change you dream of closer?”
I had a hard time thinking of just one question, but if my Koach hypothetically had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, I would ask this. Why? Well, I believe this question pushes the youth to think beyond big, abstract goals and instead focus on what they can actually start doing right now. Many of us have great visions for each of our own futures and wants, but it’s easy to get stuck waiting to strike at the “right time.” This question reminds us that even if a day or two of small steps—that isn’t a hindrance—but rather a step closer to your dream or progress.
2. What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
My biggest “aha!” moment was realizing how much progress occurs when everyone feels heard. It became clear to me that effective leadership is not about having all the answers, in fact, the act of listening can be just as powerful as speaking. When your members know that their input and thoughts matter, a sense of trust grows and creativity naturally follows. I have also learned that real collaboration is more than rushing to solutions, but giving space for different voices to collectively shape the outcome. Through this approach, you’re providing an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute to creating an impact.
3. How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
My kubo experience is helping me view leadership as an opportunity to grow alongside others. This experience helped to value the importance of listening attentively, adapting to different perspectives, and learn from the people around me, especially my kubo mates. Every discussion, whether it was filled with a lighthearted or profound tone, was valuable to me as it showed that leadership is also a collaborative effort where we support one another, overcoming challenges together, and continue to move forward as a united group.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
I often ask myself this question to remind me of my purpose. I just thought it would be nice to hear answers from other people, too. “What’s one thing you’re willing to stand for with your whole life, even if you think no one would care about it?” I have always been fascinated by the things we do in our quiet moments, because I think that’s who we are when we know no limits or expectations. The thing is, it’s easy to fight for something when there’s a crowd. It’s normal to speak of something that we are expected to fight for. I guess I’m just curious what unseen battles or refreshing advocacies people would choose to fight. What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
I realized there’s not one definite description of an ideal leader. You don’t have to be the loudest or the brightest in the room to move people. I have come to see that leadership, more often, could come from asking the right questions or allowing yourself to find the right words before you speak. I realized we don’t need to force ourselves into one mold of a leader. We can lead in a way that feels more authentic to ourselves. How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
We were still kind of reserved towards each other, but if there’s one thing I could say for sure, it feels like standing in front of a mirror. You see people who share the same values, the same convictions, the same vision. And the more you look at them, the more you want to connect with them. This gives me more insight into what kind of leader I am striving to be. I don’t want to be followed. I want to connect.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
I would ask my Koach, “What would be the first thing you want to say to the youth who’s scared to step out of their comfort zone?” I think the struggle of many of the young generation, including me, is the act of expanding their achieved skill sets and applying it to something that, to them, is challenging. With an insight from my Koach, who’s had a lot of experience and wisdom in terms of developing their potential, I hope that everyone can learn a motivating quote or two, to inspire them to take that step.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
Leadership starts with the self. I think this has been a profound reminder that I often forget because at times, leaders take all the responsibility, because “it’s their job” as a leader. But I learned that true leaders inspire others to help them grow, maybe as leaders too, all to build cooperation among team members who can contribute something, towards a common goal.
How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?
My kubo experience has been a time of getting to know my kubomates, and it has been refreshing. It’s new, but then it’s cool to meet others who I will be working with on our Kapstone. But it’s not just “working.” I think this chance to meet others would be about building connections with strangers and training ourselves on how we interact with other people. Hence, my kubo experience is teaching me that leadership should build bonds that improve ourselves to become effective members.
“What kind of future do you want to build, and what are you willing to do today to take the first step toward it?”
Because it challenges the youth to dream beyond the present and reminds them that their choices now shape the nation’s tomorrow.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
My biggest aha! moment was realizing that leadership isn’t about controlling or knowing everything. It is more than that it’s about creating space for collaboration, listening deeply, and empowering others to take initiative.
The kubo experience showed me that it is a safe space to everyone shares space and contributes, leadership means embracing simplicity, being present, and ensuring that every voice is valued in building something bigger than yourself.
If your Koach had one minute with the entire youth of the Philippines, what question would you ask — and why?
My question would be, “What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try or change in your community, but you’ve been waiting for permission or the ‘right moment’ to start?”
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?
My biggest “aha!” moment was realizing that despite all my anxiety about not doing enough, I was actually being brave just by showing up to this workshop. I’ve been so focused on feeling like I wasn’t contributing or making a difference that I missed the courage it took to say yes to this growth opportunity.
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How is your kubo experience shaping your idea of leadership or purpose?**
The speakers we’ve heard have really impacted me, showing that leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about being willing to learn and grow even when it feels uncomfortable. This experience is teaching me that sometimes the most important leadership act is simply choosing to invest in yourself, even when you don’t feel ready.
What was your biggest “aha!” moment so far in this capstone experience?