Home 
College students were encouraged and inspired to have passion to become future leaders in business or in any field of endeavor during a business summit for future leaders.
Top officials of Cebu-based conglomerate, Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), gave students a glimpse of how the conglomerate served the Filipino people during the recent 4th Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit.
“During this summit, we will be sharing with you our experiences as a conglomerate with over 100 years of service to the Filipino people. It is our deepest desire that with our sharing, we will be able to inspire you minds and inspiring your hearts towards becoming future successful world-class leaders in your own right,” said Jon Ramon Aboitiz, AEV chairman.
The AEV is the investment and holding company of the Aboitiz group, which are into the business of power, banking, food and transport.
Jon Ramon Aboitiz led the officials of the Aboitiz's group in inspiring about 90 students from different colleges and universities across the country.
“The summit is intensive in a business sense. They introduced you to the corporate world. Through this summit, I was inspired to look for my passion. Before this event, it was clear to me that I was going to be journalist. But now, I also want to work to share my talents to other people especially the needy,” said Archad Ayao, Notre Dame University, Cotabato 4th Year Mass Communications student.
Aside from the sharing of experiences from Aboitiz officials, the students including Ayao were divided into 10 groups and were given a challenge to to solve a business problem to make the conglomerate float amid the economic crisis and the issues on climate change.
Group 9 won. They presented their solutions in a news broadcast format and won the best case presentation.
The group was composed of Patricia Andrea Paleña of STC - Cebu, Crystalin Duran of USC - Cebu, Chris Virgil Pescadero of UV - Cebu, Chris Edgar Ancheta of Saint Mary’s University - Nueva Vizcaya, Diana Fe Mantalaba of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Irvin Paul Pastoriza of UP Cebu, Lyza Marie Canto of Mindanao State University – Iligan, Mark Kevin Dellosa of University of Santo Tomas and Jeremiah Jayson Jay Delos Angeles of USJR – Cebu.
Enrique Felisario of USJR-Cebu won as the the best essay writer. His piece highlighted the passion that makes an average person extraordinary.
The participants, who did not win any award, were happy to be part of the summit for the values they learned.
“I feel blessed to be a part of this group. It feels great; it’s very enlightening, and inspiring. The things I have learned through this summit; know your role, staying grounded and keep things simple,” said Fiona Lauren Molina, UP Diliman 4th Year Business Administration student.
“I learned that there is so much more I can do, that I can be more than I could ever imagine. Now, I’m more driven and challenged to bring out the best in me,” said Patricia Andrea Palena, St. Theresa’s College, Cebu 3rd Year Mass Communications student.
This year's batch of participants was the biggest since the Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit started four years ago. /Contributor Toni Marie Despojo
