Let me start this blog by greeting BUKLOD a happy anniversary :) So ayun, Happy Anniversary guys! :D
I have been a part of Buklod for only 6 months, but yeah, I am currently the vice chairperson. As I look back, its funny how a typical college student who have decided not join any organization actually became part on one and, to top it all, became part of the executive committee.
I have always been a supporter of Buklod way back my freshman year. I remember telling myself back then that I'm gonna join that organization when I'm already allowed to (freshmen are not allowed to join an organization in our school). Besides, I love being a leader; I love serving and I know it's one thing I'm good at. But when you see the political situation in UPLB, trust me, you would want to just back off and not get involved.
So first semester of sophomore came and I still didn't join the organization. I actually attempted to join another organization but I quit-ed for a lot of reasons (haha!). And because of my failure in pursuing to join an organization, i thought to myself, naaah, maybe organizations are not for me. Imma just gear up and focus on my studies...until second semester came.
***Just a little bit of a back ground, it is really my dream to become a mayor in our city some day. I told myself that after college, I'm going back to my city and serve. I mean, walang ibang makikinabang saakin kung hindi Batac. But being in college, a lot of opportunities and possibilities opened and I kindda lost the track where I'm suppose to go back to my city and be a mayor. But God is indeed faithful, because just when I was starting to believing that serving my home town wasn't my calling in life, He got along the way and gave me people (and organization) who would bring me back to my original calling.***
Febuary of 2010, I found myself signing a certificate of candidacy for University Student Council. This is another part of the story, so I'm not gonna elaborate on it much right now. During the training, Kuya Arvin imparted to me the vision of and the reason of Buklod - to disciple the campus, and instantly I received that vision. Sad though that through out the years, people and culture changed the reason for Buklod. The organization lost its meaning and purpose and it was a challenge left on us to rebuild the organization, to bring it back to its rightful place - under God's control, not human's.
I can say that somehow, me not winning (I wasn't an official candidate to start with. LONG STORY.) for USC Councilor was a blessing, because it allowed me to be a part of the execom where I can focus more on making strategic actions to rebuild the organization.
The rebuilding process wasn't easy. I mean, (ok, I don't wanna point out issues or drop names) it's not easy! And I have to admit, that I almost gave up on Buklod, just like a lot of people did. I despised those people who 'moved up'ped, but I realized that I couldn't really blame them. I myself, wanted to move up just as they did. I wanted to quit, just like they did, but again, His grace is sufficient that He pulled me together and brought me back to me senses :)
The reason for the existence of Buklod was to change the 'political system'. It aimed to produce leaders, not politicians. It wanted to manifest servant leadership just as Jesus did. And I just realized through my moments of reflection (I needed a lot of that lately because I am sooo tireeeddddd because of BUKLOD, and I so wanted to quit.) that God placed me in this organization, not just to help in rebuilding it, but for Him to teach me how to be a leader and how to serve :) Talk about God blessing you so that you can be a blessing to others :)