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Salamat sa pagtaya at maligayang pagdating. Bilang isang komunidad, handa kaming umakay sa inyong patuloy na paglalakbay!

- Jay, Batch 11

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Welcome home!

Thank you for braving yourself to apply and pushing through in joining ASLA this year in this very extraordinary times. Yet you're here, and I want you to know that we are so proud of you :')

Kamusta ang puso? Punong-puno ba? I hope that the congress stirred you deeper back to your whys, of why you joined ASLA, of why you continue to choose to serve.

Maraming salamat sa pagpili na magtaya at magmahal. Nasa labas ang laban. Kitakits! Padayon, ASLAn!

Amyel, ASLA 18

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Welcome to the ASLA community. I hope that this past month has made you think more about your role as a leader and as a person.

To start, I would like you to remember this sentence.

This is not normal.

Life as we know it, even without a pandemic, will continue to be difficult; do not fear difficulty. Use it as a means to know yours and the world's boundaries. Let it be the reason behind your goal to change the world in the ways you (and only you) are talented in doing so. The world does not need more perfect individuals; it needs more of people like you and me.

In your quest to face the challenges of today and to change the world for the better, always remember to be humble. While there may be many problems that are rooted in other people, know that change starts with you. Call yourself out if you need to, and hold yourself accountable as much as you wish to hold others accountable.

I now want you to take the phrase I asked you to remember earlier. Forget that, and replace it with this.

This is not normal, and it is our shared responsibility to create what is normal.

In dreaming of a better normal after the pandemic, I hope you never forget the thoughts that made you question reality. Remember those instances that made you think, and most importantly, made you feel and do something. Try your hardest to impart that to other people, as others have done throughout your Congress.

Know that you are not alone. You have the ASLA community behind you, ready to help you rethink your life goals and the challenges you will encounter. All I just hope is that we all never forget to make this "new normal" the best one we can ever have.

With love,
Kevin
ASLA 17

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Welcome to the ASLA Community! We are proud to welcome all of you – dreamers, leaders, change makers, and now, ASLAns.

I know that this journey came with challenges, especially it being the first online congress. I hope that ASLA was able to give you the space to challenge yourself and grow from it, expand your notions of leadership, and develop your vision – whether it’s the people you serve, a society you want to transform, or the Philippines in general. While this might sound cliche, ASLA for me was the best view comes after the hardest climb.

As you go on your “Day 6”, the challenges don’t end there. At least this time, you won’t have to face it alone – you have your fellow small group, batch mates, FaciCore, and the rest of the alumni bringing more light to a dark world.

Change the world!

Sincerely,

Sophie

ASLA 18

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Welcome to the ASLA community!

Thank you so much for being so brave and open throughout this entire journey! The whole process was a ride. I've enjoyed seeing your faces throughout the Saturdates, the reacts and messages you send in the chats, and the little interactions we've had over one month.

I'm so excited to see what you can do after the congress; know that we'll support you guys in any way we can. You have our support and our trust!

Dream, ideate, create, work, and rest. Salamat sa tiwala, sa pagmamahal, at sa oras na inilaan niyo (at patuloy na ilalaan) sa ASLA (at sa mundo)!

Justine, ASLA 18 💚

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Congratulations on finishing the program. I’m sure it’s been challenging for a whole host of reasons. Aside from the usual emotional ride that is ASLA, you’ve had to go through all of it online alongside all the other turbulences of a global crisis.

I sincerely hope that in your time in the congress, you discovered a few things about yourself to take along with you. But please know your ASLA journeys have not yet ended. If there’s anything ASLA teaches, it’s that leadership is a constant process of disturbance, discernment, and action. There is no end-point.

Wish you all the best as you move forward with Day 6 and the rest of your lives. From this point onward, ASLA is a place for you to return to when the world gets a bit too heavy. So we hope you come home!

“Hindi man tiyak kung saan tayo patungo, laging may sapat na liwanag para sa susunod na hakbang.”

Hans
ASLA 18

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Congratulations and welcome to ASLA!

It's been a long journey to get here but I'm so proud to have seen your growth throughout the app process and congress proper. Thank you for trusting ASLA with your leadership journey. I know that signing up for an online congress probably isn't what you envisioned but I hope that this experience was still meaningful nonetheless.

So excited for everything that's in store for each one of you. All the best and welcome to your Day 6!

Annika | ASLA 17

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Congratulations on completing your 5 days of ASLA!

It's been a pleasure to see you grow throughout the month of February. Without a doubt, you guys are ready to take on the world and make great things happen, both for yourselves and your communities.

We, your ASLA Family will be here to support you in your Day 6 journeys and maybe one day collaborate on a project together!

Rooting for you always,
Bianca
ASLA 18

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Maraming salamat sa pagtugon sa tawag ng (tanghalan chz) pamumuno sa kabila ng kaguluhan. Going through the program in itself is already a challenge and I congratulate you for finishing strong and hopefully more equipped to face the world. I invite you to share your stories and experiences beyond the ASLA circle so that they may be inspired to take on the challenge of servant leadership as well. Nandito lang ang buong ASLA community para sa inyo and I personally look forward to meeting you and hopefully working with you as well! We need more young leaders like you. Muli, maraming salamat at patuloy lang!

-Aeron, Batch 15 :)

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Congratulations and welcome to the ASLA family!

Thank you for continuing to lead despite all the challenges and difficulties of the world. This year's ASLA may have been online, but we know that you picked up lessons that you will be using for throughout your leadership journey as well as questions that you will asking yourself during your seasons in life.

Just remember that we will always be here to support you on the exciting journeys that you will embark on! Please feel free to message us anytime you need someone to talk to.

I'd just like to say that you are all amazing people with amazing leadership stories! I can't wait to see how you guys will change the world (Africa, 2021)!

Looking forward to meeting all of you again very soon!

Sending everyone virtual hugs as you move into your Day 6!

Best,
Oona
ASLA 12

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You’ve made it. You’re finally finishing as the pioneer  batch to have gone through ASLA online. A feat for both you and the core team. I admire the steadfast dedication and time you have put into this. I pray that you have found the time throughout the month to make use of the learning and really go back to yourselves and see how your own leadership story has made waves inside of you, your fellow batchmates, and the communities you belong to.

As you venture to new heights in hopes of making a difference, a dent—a ripple, remember that it takes a step to do so. It may be the hardest, but witnout doing it, nothing will take place. The best way to learn is to try and hopefully in this congress you picked something up thay you can take with you for the rest of that journey.

ASLA has never been about getting answers from the toughest questions. It was about hearing from one another that there are ithers who also have the same questions, the same dreams, the same visions, and the same problems—and together you can now face them in hopes of making things a bit clearer than it used to be. Amidst everything that is now in your mind and your heart, take it with you when you commit to however big or small a step you will be taking.

Mabuhay, Batch 19. Nawa’y naaninagan niyo sa   ASLA ang hinaharap na kay liwanag.

Ian Agatep
ASLA 8

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It was an awesome opportunity to get the chance to be part of your ASLA journey in this online congress. Interviewing some of you during the application process, and sharing with you some experiences in my leadership journey through the ASLA Speaker Series, I am extremely humbled and amazed by the passion and potential you've exhibited!

Now, as you really start you "real-life" leadership journey after the congress, I want to reassure you that we are all here to support you! Here are some nuggets of advice that I've come to learn through the years, and I hope they'd be helpful as well in your growth as a leader and as a person:

1) Take comfort in the uncertain. It's okay to feel confused or clueless especially as you figure out the advocacy closest to your heart. It doesn't come overnight. Don't overstress yourself!
2) Surround yourself with the people who inspire you and bring out the best in you. In turn, be that source of inspiration as well to others - the ripple effect!
3) Discovering your ikigai ("reason for being) is a lifelong journey. Just ask yourself these four things:

A) What you love doing?
B) What you're good at?
C) What the world needs?
D) What you can be paid for?

Personally, I'm very much excited to see you all unleash the best versions of yourself. I'd be happy to connect with you as well and if you have any questions, challenges, or anything, please do not hesitate to reach out through Facebook, face-to-face gatherings, etc! :) Hope to see you all soon personally in safer times. Take care!

Cheers,
JP
ASLA Batch 4

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Thank you for taking a chance on yourself. This 'high' you're feeling? It will fade. But your resolve won't (that is, if you won't let it).

All you're really looking for is a starting point — and you have a whoooole entire community backing you up.

Change the world? 🌎
LEZ DO DIS!!!!!!!! ⛰️

See you out there! 💙

Cheers,
Joddi 🍊
ASLA 18

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First of all, thank you for stepping up as I know it’s not easy to be leaders in this day and age given everything happening around us. I hope you learned a lot about yourself, your co-delegates, and your community throughout your ASLA journey. But I’m sure a lot of people would say that the journey doesn’t end after the congress and pagbabasbas. You’ll still encounter a lot of things, gain tons more life experience, and learn a lot along the way. I guess really, all I can say is this:

Stay strong. Stay grounded. There aren’t a lot of dreamers and go getters in the world today, but always remember there’s a huge community behind you who believes in everything you are capable of!

Congratulations and welcome to ASLA! 💙 Wishing you all the best on your Day 6.

Issa
ASLA Batch 11

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It's so nice to see you all part of this inspiring, energetic, and just overall, crazy community. We hope that as you enter into your Day 6, you find your voice and create the ripples of change.

The world has never been crazier than this situation we find ourselves in. But this is exactly when our country needs people like you to think outside the box and be the spark.

Hoping to see you all soon!

All the best,
Mac
ASLA 10

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Welcome to the wonderful community of ASLAns!

Although your congress may have been different in format this year, I hope your experience has helped you grow, challenged and disturbed you, helped you learn (and un-learn!) a lot about yourself and your leadership, and reminded you of the change that you can make.

Allow yourselves to be sharply awake and reasonably disturbed. The journey towards your summits won't be easy—I'm sure you know this by now—but you are not alone. This community is here for you! Sapat lang ang iyong liwanag para sa susunod na hakbang. But if all of you bring your own light, the room gets a bit brighter. Continue being candles that add a bit more light to the dark room!

We may or may not have encountered each other–whether in small group (ily @Shuavery Chickens!!!), big groups, or even just being in the same Zoom call every Saturdate; but nonetheless, I am honored to have gone on this ASLA 19 journey with you.

Change the world, ASLA 19!!! Best of luck on your Day 6—this is the rest of your life!

Love,
Avery | ASLA 18

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Thank you so much for still continuing to push through with the program even if it's now online...thank you for keeping ASLA alive <3

We are in a time where everything's such a 'mess' and full of 'I-don't-knows' but if there's one thing that I want to tell you, that is to NEVER LOSE HOPE.

There will come a time wherein it'll be better. It may not be right now or even this year, but I tell you things will be better. There are countless amazing people who are trying their very best to help us have a 'better normal'.

For now, just...take care of yourselves (physically and mentally  <3) so that when the time comes, you will now be ready to take on the world; be the student leader that you are and help your own communities! Wishing you all the best on your Day 6!

Sincerely,
Camille
ASLA 16

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First of all, I'd like to welcome all of you to the beautiful and empowering community that is ASLA! Your congress this year is unique as it is the first time it's online, but you still end it the same way, by entering this community of future changemakers and leaders. May you carry all the things you learned in your congress with you in your leadership journey and do not be afraid when uncertainties and difficulties come your way, because not only do you have more learnings to look back on, but also more people who are there to help you in realizing the dreams you have for the people you serve.

Always in all ways, serve with a full heart, and always live everyday like it's ASLA Day 6! I hope to meet you guys soon, whether online or onsite :)

much love,
Gero, ASLA 18

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Welcome to the growing ASLA community!

I hope you were able to learn, re-learn, and unlearn a lot of things in the first 5 days of your ASLA 19. journey. Look forward to your Day 6-- the day when you start creating ripples of change in your respective communities.

Congratulations! Ite infiammate omnia! Go, set the world on fire!

Best,
Aldwin
Batch 8

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Welcome to the community, and welcome to the start of your Day 6! I hope your ASLA experience has been rewarding as much as it has also been "disturbing".

I hope that you carry with you everything that you have learned, and maybe "un-learned" as you went through the congress. For some, it might have been reinforced what you have already been set on, for some, it might have challenged your beliefs and plans you have initially made prior to the congress. Regardless, I hope that you always remember that you are not alone on the path you decide to take; you have a community rooting for you, and is ready to support you in your endeavors.

I wish you all the best, and I hope you make ripples of change in your own unique way. ✨

x
Macky
ASLA 9

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First, congratulations for continuing and choosing to complete the first online ASLA congress. That in itself is already a feat.

Second, despite the online setup I hope you will take advantage of the friendships and connections you have made in every session. I know it's gonna be hard to kindle these relationships but I hope you take the effort to keep them alive.

Third, welcome to a family of leaders and changemakers (awow), but seriously, I've met a lot of trailblazers in ASLA and I hope wag kayo mahihiya to ask around and build further connections. These are the people that you can count on to take on challenges in these uncertain and turbulent times.

I wish you all safety and good luck with your endeavors and path to self-discovery and of the society as well.

In Hope and Service,
GJ
ASLA 16

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Thank you for bravely taking on the uncertainty of ASLA by opening up to each other, your facilitators, and your core -- despite the strange waters of the online/distanced space in which we find ourselves.

Each ASLA batch is different and unique, but yours is the first to undergo the congress in this space. I hope that, by now, you know that you have not been short-changed. You are ASLAns; you are leaders. Carry with you all the stories, learnings, and unanswered questions on your (unending and metaphorical) "Day 6".

This congress is just one step in the entire journey of leadership, but trust that from now on, you will never be alone. We're in this together, every step of the way.

Na-nosebleed ako sa English
pero buti love ko kayo,
Riz || ASLA 15

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First of all, thank you for allowing ASLA to be part of your journey as dreamers.

Second, I hope that this journey helps you not only to remember your "why," but to drive you to your "how." There is so much work that needs to be done beyond this congress and beyond ourselves. So let's do that! You will never be alone.

Love,
Colene

ASLA 11

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Congratulations and welcome to the family!!! <3

Napakaraming nangyaring hindi natin inaaasahan pero nais ko pa rin kayong batiin dahil pinili niyo pa rin sumali sa Congress.

Sana sa paglalakbay ninyo sa buong congress ay mas nakilala niyo pa hindi lang ang inyong sarili kundi pati ang inyong fellow ASLAns.

nagmamahal,
Hakim
ASLA 18

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Welcome to the ASLA community batch 19!

I hope you set out continue to ground your why and keep on moving. The community is out here to support you and lift you up!

Best,
AC

ASLA 11