LRC, Pahinungod hold team-bldg and leadership training for ARDS grantees

Eight members of the Society of Agricultural and Rural Development Scholars (ARDSS) took part in a team-building activity and leadership training facilitated by the UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod volunteers on Feb. 23. Kim Reiner D. Casiño led the event as the main facilitator, with the participation of Arjay B. Bedaña, Janessa Elayne V. Peralta, Ivan Adriel A. Austria, Kimberly Anne A. Canon, Angela R. Esperida, and Paula Nicole O. Mojica. Ian Mhar Gabriel Aguila, vice president of ARDSS, expressed his gratitude as it is the society’s first time conducting face-to-face activities in the last three years. The ARDSS scholars said they had fun at the training as it allowed them to make memories with their fellow ARDSS scholars. “The team-building activity and leadership training helped us to know more about each other,” they added. They also said that they realized the importance of having a strong connection with members of an organization, “By having this kind of relationship inside the organization, the members can be truly empowered, which can lead to more harmonious organizational dynamics.” Arjay B. Bedaña, an MS Soil Science student and a first-time volunteer facilitator, shared his experience. ”Nakakatuwa na nagawa namin ng maayos yung mga tasks, naka-facilitate kami ng isang leadership training na may na impart sa mga participants at the same time, kami din bilang faci ay may mga natutunan.” (I was glad to have done the tasks well, to facilitate a leadership training and impart knowledge to the participants, and at the same time, learned from the experience of being facilitators.) Jannessa Elayne V. Peralta, a BA Sociology student from batch 2019, also expressed her joy as a first-time volunteer facilitator. “Masaya at nakakaba manguna sa harap. Kaya naman isa ito sa mga bagay na hindi ko makakalimutan. Dito ko napatunayan na mas masaya pala gawin ang mga bagay habang takot kasi mas marami kang matututunan.” (It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time to talk in front [of many people], which is why it was an experience I will never forget. Through this experience, I have proved that it is more fulfilling to experience new things, especially ones that make you fearful, since you’ll be able to learn more.) Both Bedaña and Peralta made a pitch for the UPLB Pahinungod Peralta also encouraged others to participate, stating, “Maraming bagay ang maituturo at maimumulat sayo kapag nag pahinungod ka.” (When you join Pahinungod, you will be taught a lot of things and you will see them in a different perspective.) For his part, Bedaña encouraged those who want to join activities of the UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and experience giving back to the community, to get in touch with them. “Napakagandang maging bahagi ng Ugnayan ng Pahinungod. Hindi ka lalabas ng Bahay Pahinungod na hindi handang humarap sa Komunidad.” (To be a member of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod is great. You won’t get out of Bahay Pahinungod without being prepared to face the community.) The team-building activity and leadership training was concluded with Sheryl Edd Hermosa-Ebron, University Extension Associate II and ARDS Coordinator of LRC, giving encouraging remarks. Overall, the participants proved the experience to be highly rewarding and enriching. The scholars were allowed to give back to the community while learning essential skills about teamwork and leadership.