(By Jones Rey Emmanuele L. Tirol, vice president of Tuburan Adventure Club)
ON FRIDAY, September 19, 2025, Dr. Jerome G. Kliatchko delivered a special talk on Formation for Leadership organized by the Tuburan Adventure Club (TAC) with the support of the PAREF Westbridge Student Council. The event took place at the Garnet Hall of Vermillion Hotel from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with around 35 high school students in attendance.
Jerome G. Kliatchko, Ph.D., is a Doctor of Public Communication from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. He began the graduate program in Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) in 1997. In 2005, he initiated the Annual Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards which honors products and brands that do well by doing good to consumers. He is currently the Dean of the School of Media and Marketing of the UA&P.
In his talk, Dr. Kliatchko highlighted nine key qualities of a good leader and explained how each of these traits plays an important role in shaping an effective and inspiring leader. One important quality he gave is that good leaders start with a “why”, a clear sense of purpose. People will most likely follow a leader with a clear “why”. Leaders motivate through vision, shared purpose, and trust.
Leadership is not about power but about serving others. Leaders put people first. They are the last to eat. They inspire because they try to be a good example to others and do not manipulate their people.
Another key point he raised was that leaders must think long-term and focus not just on short-term solutions but build something that lasts and is meaningful. He encouraged the participants to see leadership as a form of service and legacy. It should not be used for personal gain but to uplift others and leave behind a positive impact.
The talk concluded with an open forum where participants asked follow-up questions to further explore the ideas presented. This allowed them to deepen their understanding of the talk and reflect on leadership.
The event was nothing short of insightful and inspiring. It challenged participants to have a fresh look at leadership and guided them to reflect on their values and leadership journey. Leadership is not a position of privilege but a lifelong commitment to serve and inspire.
*The Tuburan Adventure Club (TAC) was organized at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year as an officially recognized Club of Westbridge. Its membership is also open to other schools. Apart from Westbridge students, it has active members from PSHS Iloilo, UPV Senior High School, ISAT-U, WIT, UI, and USA senior high and college students.
The club aims to promote character, resilience-building, social responsibility, and a deeper understanding and living of the Catholic faith among male high school and college students through a variety of “adventure activities” such as sports, excursions, outdoor camps, leadership and work camps, medical missions, and team-building activities. All these are done with the active help and support of the fathers of the club members and some Westbridge teachers.
The activities are planned and organized by student officers with Mr. Rene Tan as the club’s moderator.
The club’s next activities are:
1) A Concert for a Cause with the Mecosono Chamber Orchestra on October 25, 2025 (Saturday) at 5:30 p.m. at the Westbridge Quadrangle. Proceeds will go to the TAC’s Christmas Outreach; and
2) “Catalysts of Change: Student Leaders who Transform the World”, a Leadership Seminar with Mr. Mann Rentoy, November 27, 2025 (Thursday), 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The venue is still being finalized.
For more information and inquiries, you may visit the club’s FB page through this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CzQLBxwbw/
“The youth is the hope of our future.” — Jose Rizal/PN
