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Is this for real? Am I really in? These were just some of the questions that popped up when I learned the unbelievable news that I made it to the 14^th National Ayala Young Leaders Congress. All I can say is “wow”. The first time I heard it, I was like - are you joking or what. I was in great shock. It never sank into me – that I was a delegate of the said congress, until I was there. Even the first few hours of the bonding I had with my co-delegates still weren’t enough to convince me, that I am part of that, that prestigious and great congress.

Arriving at the congress venue, then and there have I only realized I was really living the dream that only few can attain. The warm hospitality that made us smile and made us feel so welcome really was the start of a once in a life time journey that I knew I was able to take part in. Upon arriving at the venue I was able to mingle with my co-delegates. I was able to see and feel for myself the so-called AYLC magic and that magic was the feeling you have known a person for so long but you only met each other then at the congress proper for the first time. It was amazing.

This journey was a roller coaster ride for me. I was like a child ready to take on this grand roller coaster ride for the first time. I was hesitant at first and full of worries. I was like a pessimist at the start. Thinking of things like – can I really take this on, do I have what it takes, what if during the course of the ride I would suddenly want to quit. These were the dominant thoughts that I exactly had before the congress. But guess what, like any other ride - I learned to conquer it. I faced it, embraced it and learned to love it. In the end it was life changing.

 Crossing paths with people of their caliber was indeed an experience to treasure. After that first ride I got the hang of it and never again did I got intimidated. I met people with brilliant minds and of great character. From them I learned things that I will always remember. We did not only learn from each other’s leadership experiences but also from each other’s journey in life. This congress was a manifestation of the countries diverse culture. I met people from different races with different language and culture and from them I found not only friends but as well as a new family.

This year’s congress theme is Winning Hearts and Minds: Changing Paradigms and the congress I believe did it in each one of us. They won our hearts and minds and they changed our paradigms. And now, we have a vision for ourselves, I personally have this vision of touching or winning hearts and minds to be able to change paradigms as many as I could.   

We were able to meet great people that shared a bit of their lives that had a great impact on us. I am referring to the persons who have graced us with their presence during the congress. AYLC arranged some of the great Filipinos of our time that lives with an advocacy so strong that changed lives of so many. From them we have gained knowledge and understanding towards issues concerning not only the leader part in us but as well as the totality of our being human as well.

This for me was the beginning of a new chapter of my life. It was by far one of the biggest accomplishment I had and one of the greatest blessings I have received from God. I am very thankful for this opportunity that He has given me. It has opened new doors for me – doors that I believe that will eventually lead me to my success. I have built a new foundation of myself that strengthened my totality as a person. It greatly helped me realized how bless I am and how capable I was. I thank Ayala for giving us young leaders an avenue to grow and dig deeper in our hearts on what can we do, what must we do and how can we do it. Their advocacy of producing and grooming leaders for tomorrows need was tradition to be maintained.

Up to now I can’t describe this whole journey in just a one word. I believe no word would suffice the whole experienced we had. People always asks me, what did you do, what is AYLC like, what did you learn and so much more but right now, all I can say is – This once in a lifetime experience is an amazing memory to be treasured and it is a life changing one. AYLC is a magic that won my heart and mind and changed my paradigm.