The 2-day President-Elects and Secretary-Elects Leadership Seminar (PESELS) 2026, with the theme “Waves of Victory: Create Lasting Impact”, was attended by the Rotaract Club of Makati’s Secretary-Elect Darlah Leonardo and Club Officer Ron Saquing through the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Makati.
The first day of the seminar was held on May 30, 2026, at the Makati Rotary Foundation Center,Inc. The event commenced with opening remarks from Rotary Club of Makati President-Elect Christopher “Chris” M. Ferareza, followed by an inspiring message during lunch delivered by District Governor Reggie Nolido, who encouraged the incoming leaders to embrace their responsibilities with passion, and a commitment to service.
Participants then engaged in insightful and transformative sessions on Leadership Skills Development Training, including Blanchard’s Self Leadership and Mastering Motivation, facilitated by Ms. Marie Segura and Mr. Rodrigo Segura. One of the key insights from these sessions was the concept of development levels, which emphasized that growth is not always linear. Individuals move through different stages of competence and commitment, and each stage requires self-awareness, humility, and action.
Progress begins when leaders honestly assess where they are and proactively seek the support, knowledge, and opportunities needed to move forward.
The seminar also featured a thought-provoking discussion on High Ethical Leadership led by Prof. Ed Garcia, one of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. He emphasized that leadership is grounded in character, commitment, and courage. Participants were challenged to uphold integrity, remain steadfast in their principles even when faced with difficult decisions, and continue working toward positive change. One particularly memorable message was that hope is not passive but rather “the passion for the possible” reminding leaders that meaningful change begins with the courage to believe that a better future can be created.
Participants were further inspired during the “2027 Finish Line” presentation, which outlined the goals and priorities for Rotary Year 2026–2027. The session was presented by Governor Jasmin Limon and Rotary Academy Executive Director Liza Mapagu, providing a clear vision for the year ahead and encouraging participants to align their leadership journey with Rotary’s mission and values.
To conclude the first day, the District Officers organized an engaging team-building activity designed to strengthen camaraderie among the incoming leaders of Rotary Year 2026–2027. Through five interactive game stations, participants experienced firsthand the importance of collaboration, communication, trust, and teamwork in effective leadership.
The second day of the seminar was held on June 5, 2026, at the Ramon Magsaysay Center. The program opened with inspiring messages from Past District Governor Sid Garcia and Ms. Susan Afan, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. In her presentation, Ms. Afan introduced the Ramon Magsaysay Center’s 3Is – Inspire, Interconnect, and Ignite Action – which serve as guiding principles for creating meaningful impact within communities. She challenged participants to embrace the mindset of “I am the solution in this space” and encouraged leaders to continually ask themselves, “What can I do to build the morale of my community?” Her message highlighted the importance of taking ownership of challenges and transforming inspiration into action.
Participants were also honored to hear a keynote address on Transformative Leadership from Hon. Conchita Carpio-Morales, 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and former Ombudsman of the Philippines. She emphasized that leadership is about empowering others to innovate and act on creative and unconventional ideas without expecting recognition in return. Leaders, she explained, must share a compelling vision of the future and fully harness the aspirations and potential of those they serve.
The day also featured a meaningful panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by the Co-Designing Credo breakout groups facilitated by Ms. Pie Mabanta-Fenomeno. These activities encouraged collaboration, reflection, and the development of a shared vision among participants.
A proud moment for the Rotaract Club of Makati was the induction and pinning of Immediate Past President Emmanuel Adrian Manuel as a District Officer for Rotary Year 2026–2027, marking another milestone in the club’s commitment to developing servant leaders within the district.
The event also highlighted the continued pursuit of the “2027 Finish Line,” with District Rotaract Representative Vincent Naval presenting his thrusts for Rotary Year 2026–2027, followed by area meetings and a guided tour of the Ramon Magsaysay Center.
The seminar provided valuable lessons on leadership, motivation, ethics, integrity, and service, equipping incoming leaders with the knowledge and inspiration needed to create lasting impact in their communities. Together, we continue to lead with integrity, pursue excellence, create lasting impact, and uphold the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self.
