.jpg)
Developing both voice and purpose, the candidates of Mx. IIT Influencer 2026 participated in a series of workshops on speech development, personality growth, and pasarela training on Wednesday, March 25.
The morning session, held at the Graduate Dorm Conference Room, combined speech and personality-building activities designed to strengthen communication, self-awareness, and presence.
“In this very room we are trying to create change,” Mx. IIT Influencer 2025 Jhon Dave Manos highlighted in his opening message.
He emphasized that voice, intellect, and talent are essential tools for making a meaningful impact on the platform.
The speech development segment, facilitated by Luigi Almodiel, began with candidates sharing their expectations.
“This is what I’ve looked forward to the most,” Mx. Justine Nicole Bunao of CSM said.
Building on that, Mx. Jausten Rhaine Borromeo of CCS added, “I want to see how good I am at something and make it better.”
While Mx. Shaniah Keren Madrio of CEBA noted, “I want to assess myself and improve.”
Similarly, Mx. Marielle Joyce Buot of CHS expressed wanting to focus on refining their speaking pace. Alongside this, Mx. Elson John Bagasol of CED shared that he expects to improve his speaking skills, reflecting a similar intention to enhance his communication abilities.
Lastly, Mx. Joanna Mae Andrada of COE shared, “I want to make my weakness a part of my strength.”
Candidates then engaged in exercises such as hashtag discussions, one-liner responses, and photo interpretation to practice clarity, critical thinking, and composure under time constraints.
They applied their perspectives to topics including Philippine politics, support for local industries, miscommunication, and digital dependence.
Madrio, Mx. CEBA, described politics as “like a play that humors the rich,” emphasizing the need to study and understand systems to help the community effectively.
Transitioning to cultural advocacy, Borromeo, Mx. CCS, highlighted promoting local goods, saying, “It’s a drive to promote culture and unity despite diversity.”
Andrada, Mx. COE, reflected on communication challenges, noting, “We should be very careful how we deliver our thoughts,” while Bagasol, Mx. CED, observed, “Most kids spend too much time on gadgets, missing meaningful connection.”
Almodiel guided the candidates on handling broad topics and time limits, reminding them that early-round responses require direct answers, while final Q&A speeches demand persuasive, audience-centered delivery.
The session further deepened as Hannah Valerie Acama, Mx. IIT Influencer 2024, guided candidates through a structured exploration of self-awareness, beginning with a simple yet revealing prompt: “When you see yourself in the mirror or on camera, what do you think and feel about yourself?”
To illustrate the complexity of identity, Acama introduced a philosophical analogy, noting that while objects like a chair have defined materials, makers, and purposes, human purpose is far less fixed.
She emphasized that it is “complex, evolving, and discovered over time,” reinforcing that self-awareness involves understanding one’s emotions, thoughts, behaviors, values, and goals. Personality development, she added, is not something one can “finish in one sitting,” but a lifelong process of growth and change.
Candidates engaged in a personal SWOT analysis. Strengths ranged from skills such as writing and performing to personal traits like empathy and optimism, with some even citing lighthearted qualities like having a “good hair day.”
Weaknesses were reframed as areas for improvement, while opportunities included joining competitions, trainings, and networking spaces. Threats, meanwhile, acknowledged barriers such as health constraints, personality tendencies, and environmental challenges. Volunteer sharings also offered deeper insight into individual journeys.
Mx. COE cited empathy, curiosity, and communication as strengths, while noting challenges in adjusting to a new environment and managing perceptions.
Mx. CEBA shared both creativity and relational strengths, while candidly admitting tendencies such as “oversharing” and the need to become “more sensitive,” reflecting a balance between confidence and self-awareness.
Transitioning to communication and interpersonal skills, Acama underscored that effective communication depends on alignment: “your verbal message, your vocal delivery, and your body language should match.”
She stated that even subtle cues such as posture, gestures, and eye contact shape how a message is received.
The Mx. IIT candidates were encouraged to refine their delivery by practicing tone variation, avoiding sounding unintentionally aggressive when aiming to be assertive, and using intentional gestures to maintain audience engagement.
The discussion then shifted to productivity and stress management, where Acama framed productivity as self-leadership: “setting meaningful goals, having discipline, and taking consistent action even without external pressure.”
While acknowledging that procrastination can work for some due to adrenaline, she cautioned that it often leads to burnout.
In addressing well-being, Acama encouraged participants to recognize and reflect on their stressors, noting, “people around you can be either sources of support or stress.”
She outlined both the emotional and physical effects of stress and shared practical coping strategies, including exercise, mindfulness, and journaling. Introducing a stoic perspective, she advised candidates to “focus on what you can control—your thoughts, your reactions, your decisions—and let go of what you can’t.”
Building on these themes, candidates reflected on moments when they first recognized their influence on others. Mx. COE recalled guiding younger relatives, emphasizing the responsibility of being looked up to.
Mx. CED shared how following a role model led them to take on various pursuits, later realizing that others began to follow their example—highlighting the importance of “walk the talk.”
Mx. CCS spoke about growth through supportive friendships, saying these connections helped them “step up and be more confident.” Mx. CHS described a debate experience where speaking “from the heart” allowed them to fully “own” their space.
Mx. CEBA reflected on a class activity that helped restore confidence after a period of self-doubt, while also learning to shift from being a “yapper” to practicing active listening using a more thoughtful “sandwich” approach.
Meanwhile, Mx. Rich Jasper Adonis of CASS shared a personal story of connecting with a younger sibling, emphasizing how influence can mean “creating a safe space” and meeting others with empathy and understanding.
In her closing remarks, Acama echoed the words of Jean-Paul Sartre: “Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself,” reinforcing the session’s central message—that identity and purpose are not predetermined, but continuously shaped through one’s choices, actions, and self-reflection.
Following the morning workshops, the candidates proceeded to the University Dance Studio for pasarela training under Gymm Karl Arboladura and Faith Izzy Bengil, which focused on refining stage presence, poise, and confidence, guiding candidates through posture, turns, and runway movement.
Emphasis was placed on projecting personality and advocacy through body language, allowing each candidate to translate the skills from the morning sessions into a polished, commanding stage presence.
The Mx. IIT Influencer 2026 candidates continue to develop their skills and identities as advocates, committed to making a meaningful impact within the IITian community.
Written by Tresha De Villa
Proofread by Andrea Ross Sedero
Photos by Schwarzdyle Zamoras and Charlize Carvajal
Post a Comment
Any comments and feedbacks? Share us your thoughts!