31/10/2025
๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟโ๐ ๐ค๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐บ ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ถ๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Stepping into freshman year, our journey toward victory gradually unfolds with every brave step we take โ and for Kim Margareth P. Joson, now a 3rd-year Civil Engineering student and the current Governor of the Engineering and Technology Program (ETP), time became her most trusted ally, helping her build the momentum that finally claimed the title her program had awaited for 19 long years.
The spark for leadership comes only with experience and opportunity โ a call made by fate, a force beyond her reach. During her Senior High years, Kim took charge in the classroom and joined her schoolโs COMELEC, gaining the experience she needed to become great. Her role soon grew as more opportunities knocked on her door in college. In her first year, she was elected Vice President for Finance of the General Engineering Mathematics Society. Then, in her second year, she was appointed External Secretary of the LSG and became the team captain of their cheerdance team.
Unbeknownst to Kim, before her second year would end, that โforceโ had already accumulated into something that would change her trajectory in life. Everyone saw it before she did โ her classmates pointed at her to run for Governor, her friends cheered for her, and her program dean had believed in her. โThe first time na he talked to me kay ni refuse ko, kay lagi nahadlok gyud ko,โ Kim shared, โSo like, akong thoughts ato kay unsaon man na nako pag lead, unsaon mana nako pag govern sa program if wala koy in ani nga specific nga mga aspectsโฆโ
Amidst those fears, the certainty that came from the people around Kim became her strength that pushed her to take the role of the Governor of their Local Student Government. It was a challenge, but with assurance from her officers, she created programs and took the initiative to build a stronger relationship within her community, ensuring that everyone was heard and seen.
When the 124th University Days began, Kim faced immense challenges in fighting for the title of overall champion โ a test that would define her leadership and resilience. This moment was more than just a competition; it was a culmination of her years of experience, teamwork, and dedication. Leading her program through both triumphs and setbacks, Kim learned that true leadership is not measured by victory alone, but by the courage to stand firm when the odds are against you. The struggle became her proving ground, transforming her into the leader her program needed to finally reclaim its long-awaited glory.
In-between meetings with officers and deliberate preparations, Kim shared that they also had to make sacrifices. โAng pinaka-challenging nga decision nga akong nabuhat during U-days, is kanang naa kay i-give up nga sport,โ she admitted. Regardless, the momentum remained as she and her officers continued to choose hope amidst doubt.
The roles and positions Kim took made her face struggles, pain, and criticisms; made her grow into the kind of Governor that her program needed and waited for. โYou made it this far gyud, like you did not lose hope; mas ni strive ka ug mas ni dako imong passion sa kung unsa gyud imong gusto,โ she reflected from her past experiences. โIโm really really proud nga imohang na take home (ang overall champion), ikaw gyud mismo as the governor karon, thank you because wala ka ni give up.โ
Kimโs ascension to the title of overall champion was not a matter of luck, but a story woven from years of determination and unity within her program. A reminder that with faith, time rewards quiet perseverance with the loud applause of success. Through the power of unity and the unwavering support of her peers, Kim grew into the capable captain her ship needed, steering her team through challenges with grace, strength, and an unbreakable sense of purpose.
Write-up by: Sharmaine Mutia
Photo by: Danford Lopez
