By Sophia Genido
While on earth, Jesus showed His people what, how and why a leader should be. His followers, disciples and apostles not only obeyed Him, but they also cherished Him. But in the contemporary world, what makes a leader great?
Aljon Abalos Conde, a 22-year-old engineering undergraduate from Cavite, claims to have assumed many leadership roles throughout his life journey—so much that they often coincide in priorities.
In the past year, Aljon remarkably stood as the student regent of the Technological University of the Philippines, a prominent state university in the country. He was also the president of the student government. Aside from this, he was a director of Young Ambassadors for Christ, an eminent religious organization that recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and an assistant director of the Contemplative Youth of the Blessed Sacrament Ministry.
Aljon professes that handling all his duties and responsibilities have proven to be difficult most of the time, especially with the global pandemic and lockdown that started in the same year he assumed being the university student regent.
"We were able to serve with the highest degree of integrity, responsibility, loyalty and efficiency and we made it because of the trust, love and participation of all the students out there"
“The pandemic brought us many hurdles to overcome, but it did not stop us from providing the best service. We were able to serve with the highest degree of integrity, responsibility, loyalty and efficiency and we made it because of the trust, love and participation of all the students out there,” he said.
He claims that his devotion to service is inspired by helping his fellow students and it was done through and with his faith in God. When asked for an interview, Aljon exuberantly agreed, saying, “As long as it means that I will help inspire people.”
Aljon also wishes to properly acknowledge the officers and his friends and family who worked alongside him, all of whom he claims he was able to achieve these great things with.
When asked if he considered himself a great leader, he quotes Mother Teresa, stating, “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together, we can do something wonderful. And that is true. That is true for me.”
One thing is for sure: all of us are called by God to service. A time will always come in our lives where we will have to become leaders—in big or small things, and in our own ways. And in our journey there, may we remember and look back to Aljon’s story for inspiration.
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