“Heroes aren’t born, they are created.”
Open your eyes, and take time to listen closely. This was the essence of the event that consisted of talks that cater to the branches of one tree of thought—how can we become the heroes we want to be? If heroes can be created, then perhaps someone as simple as a student can make a difference. A small spark can light a fire, and in a room full of passionate people, these two days became the fuel to their flame.
This year’s Project Peer 2025: Be the Beacons of the Present, a leadership and peacebuilding workshop, commenced on October 13-14, 2025, at the Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) Gymnasium, gathering a population of both BA and BS Psychology students, not just from within the university, but also extending to sister schools like MSU–Marawi, MSU–Maguindanao, and even to St. Michael’s College (SMC).
This event was organized through the efforts of MSU-IIT’s Psychology Society (PsychSoc) in partnership with global organization Initiatives of Change (IofC) and its Asia Pacific Coordinating Group (APCG) together with local and international members, aiming to provide psychology students with the skills to take on the critical roles of leadership and peer support.
The Self and the World
Amidst the adversity of all that has happened, a light shines inside the campus as the first day of Project Peer commenced with a series of introspective activities prepared by the facilitators, and the harmony and echoes of meaningful conversations dominated the air. Participants were divided into family groups led by facilitators from both international and local organizations, fostering a unique and enriching experience—not only for the students but also for the facilitators themselves, one of whom shared that it was their first time visiting the Philippines.
Wadiaa Khoury, a speaker from Lebanon, spearheaded the lecture, resonating with the slogan, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” She shared insights on how we can begin changing for the better by being more mindful of our actions and looking inward. During this time, the energy shifted to a more serious tone as she delved into topics of personal change and rebuilding connections.
One key takeaway from the lecture was the concept of CCD (Connection, Correction, and Direction), a framework composed of reflective questions that encourage self-reflection among participants. This idea emphasizes applying the lessons we learn from others to transform ourselves and, in turn, positively influence the people we encounter along the way.
“I plan to directly apply the principles of listening to our inner self,” shared Rhejam Tahir Omar, a 4th Year Forestry student from MSU Maguindanao.
As the supreme student council president, she acknowledged that facing challenges is inevitable. With that, she emphasized that by fostering a culture of self-awareness, we can better equip our peers to manage their anxieties and navigate academic and leadership difficulties more effectively.
The discussions continued with heartfelt accounts from IofC speakers Yeon Yuk Jeong, Mayur Milan, and Aparna Khatri, who shared personal experiences meant to inspire. Their stories touched on themes of rekindling lost connections with loved ones, finding the strength to rise after walking down a dark path, and learning the power of forgiveness in becoming a better version of oneself.
“We cannot expect others to change while we don't always trust in ourselves,” Khoury emphasized, “As well as the importance of quiet time, quiet reflection, and inviting others to join us also. Basically, walk the talk.”
Shoufeng Tsu, one of the international speakers, also shared similar sentiments, stating that everyone is unique and can make a difference by starting with themselves. He pointed out that that is how an individual can actually bring positive change in the world.
As the workshop concluded for the day, Emmanuel Jay T. Manabat, a 3rd-year BS Psychology student from SMC, shared his thoughts in an interview. When asked about the insight he gained, he emphasized the importance of embracing leadership and cooperation, highlighting how unity can make a real difference.
“[It’s a] big part in realizing that if not us then, just waiting for the government to change, and nothing happens if we only wait. What can we do to change for the better? As they say, change starts with yourself.” 4th Year BA Psych, Ma. Colene P. Encarnado from MSU-IIT highlighted.
As the doors closed for the day, the first part of the event came to an end—with more yet to unfold. In every discussion and shared story, they caught glimpses of who they are and who they aspire to become. With hearts full of anticipation for what the next day might reveal, they walked away with a deeper sense of self, ready to explore how this newfound understanding could ripple outward to others.
What Goes Beyond “Us”
As the second day of Project Peer 2025 began, the atmosphere carried a deeper sense of familiarity and trust. What once were strangers the day before had become peers bound by shared stories and purpose.
The peers gathered for an Inner Listening session led by Yeon Yuk Jeong, fondly known as YY, whose steady voice and deliberate words guided them through the experience. He spoke about the importance of tuning into one’s true self, reminding that even a single thought can spark a life-changing decision—making it all the more important to stay in tune with your inner self.
“When truth comes in, don’t let it slip away,” he said. “Accept it, write it down, and pin it close.”
Jeong introduced five key points to guide inner listening: Thanks, Sorry, Who, Change, and Do. Each one opens a door to self-understanding. For ten quiet minutes, the room shifted to silence as the peers were given time to get lost in their own reflections.
One student shared that she had expected something like a team-building seminar when she first arrived. “But this felt different. These activities come from the heart. You can’t really help others if you haven’t learned how to help yourself,” she said. Another student resonated with the sentiment, stating that it is essential to resolve one’s own issues before extending aid to others.
Yet the day was not only about looking inward. Facilitator Aparna Khatri encouraged everyone to turn self-awareness into action. “It doesn’t stop with listening to ourselves,” she said. “The real question is: how do we go beyond ourselves?”
Earlier sessions invited everyone to look inward, to listen, to reflect, and to find truth within themselves. But as the morning unfolded, the focus began to shift outward and gave way to the thought: what happens when those inner truths collide with others?
Conflict does not come from what we believe in, but how differently we see the world. The next session, given by one of the guest speakers, Khoury, explored the topic of conflict resolution within the family and the community. She emphasized that while misunderstandings are natural, clinging to them can prevent healing.
Facilitator Roy Tan, fondly referred to as Kuya Roy, shared a story that made everyone listen closely, talking about his own childhood experience of being sent away to live with his grandmother. All the resentment he had built up toward his parents made his life miserable, but gradually, he learned to see them less as obstacles and more as people, even through all the pain. His story grounded the morning’s lesson about conflict, showing that it is not resolved by winning an argument but by learning to see beyond ourselves—to listen, to understand, and to choose compassion where resentment once lived.
One participant echoed this thought, reflecting that many tend to ignore the struggles of others simply because they are not directly affected. But in truth, we all share the same world, and every act of care ripples outward. “If people cared more,” he said, “the world would be a more beautiful place.”
“Celebrate each person’s journey, celebrate each person’s life.” Facilitator Milan quoted, a reminder that every person carries their own story, struggles, and quiet victories. In that moment, everyone felt what it meant to be truly seen, valued, and appreciated, not for what they do, but for who they are.
The day’s learning deepened as guest speaker Tsu came onto stage again, this time to share the story of Initiatives of Change (IofC) and its youth outreach work. “Where there are people, there is politics,” he said. “And where there is politics, there is conflict.” But his message was not about cynicism—it was about hope.
Tsu encouraged the peers to shift their mindset and make politics their business, not in pursuit of power but in pursuit of compassion. Mentioning one of facilitator Tan’s initiatives, a child development program that started during the height of modular learning in 2022, he shared how the program began with one Grade 1 student who could not read and soon grew to help 26 students become able to read after 80 days.
“True service can’t be bought,” Tsu emphasized, capturing the essence of IofC: giving without expecting and helping simply because you can. As the facilitators reminded everyone, change begins with willingness, and no one is ever too young or too old to be part of something meaningful.
Students from different universities who attended the two-day event shared their reflections.
Norhafida Adiong from MSU–Marawi spoke about taking the risk to come and overcoming shyness. Coming from a place where mental health is often overlooked, she said that the event helped them start healing and reminded them to understand both their story and others’ before passing judgment.
From MSU-Maguindanao, student leader Omar, expressed her gratitude to MSU-IIT and her friend Haya, the project head. The experience was something she will take home: the value of listening to other people with no judgment.
Moreover, Mary Russel Jadulco from SMC added: “We’re grateful to PsychSoc for inviting us,” she said. “As student leaders, we’ve learned a lot about leadership, not just the technical side, but the human side. This was a privilege to be invited. Thank you so much.”
In essence, the event was a truly inspiring and memorable experience. It invited participants to reflect on themselves while embracing other people’s stories, creating a space where differences were fostered and transformed into bridges of empathy, compassion, and leadership rooted in understanding and inner change.
Guided by the international and local facilitators (IofC), who shared not only their lessons but also their hearts, the workshop became more than just a program but a beacon of the present, illuminating light on what it means to trust, understand, and bridge hearts across the world’s divides.
Written by Jazel Ann Maghilum and Bea Khryss Bongado
Proofread by Eula Grace Logarta and Andrea Ross Sedero
Photos by Andrea Deligero, Schwarzydale Zamoras, Charlize Carvajal, and Janine Patrice Estrada
Photo Edit by Ezer Neil Pasco
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