Joey Speaks: PALs for TEENs 1 in Manila and Batch 9 in Cebu

We just finished the first Personal Awareness & Leadership (PALs) for TEENs in Manila and Batch 9 in Cebu. In the year 2007 ago we decided to do the PALs for TEENs, we have been having a lot of success with the adults but we notice everyone commented that they should have known all of these things when they were younger. I myself feel that my life would have turned out better had I known some of the principles earlier in my life. So the first batch of the Personal Awareness and Leadership was created in the summer of 2007. We were flexible though and accepted some older ones, our oldest "teenager" was 27 years old.

It has been quite an experience and a blessing doing the seminars with the teens. I was pleasantly surprised that they were so receptive and open to the success principles we shared. We treated them as responsible teens and they responded positively. I think the reason why some teenagers have a hard time is sometimnes we expect them to act like adults but treat them like children, so they act like children. This is the essence of the pygmallion theory that people live up to expectations other people set. I have witnessed many miracles working with the teens. There have been teens who discover their confidence and become a new person after three days. There have been teens who become more responsible and become leaders in their schools and communities. The teens tell us that it has helped them in their lives. Some graduated with honors in school with some even landing scholarships, somehow I feel proud of their achievements although we only spent 3 days together, although some of them came back to join as volunteer staff for the other batches.

A lot of them come back every time there is a new batch of teenagers in Cebu. So the community is growing but soon they will be adults and I can only wish that the seminar has helped instill the lessons they need to make the most of this life and make a difference in other's lives.

Some grads dropping by Parklane

Some PALs Teens 9 Students with staff on opening day

Now that we have many graduates who have seen how the seminar has helped them
It was different having a group of teenagers with all their energy.
There have been a lot of good things that came from the 8 batches of PALs for TEENs in Cebu that we decided to launch it in Manila. We got 19 participants in the first ever batch here in Manila including the mother of a blind student and one 25 year old guy. The chief of staff was my son Kevin.

PALs for Teens 1 in Manila

It was a great first batch and I am looking forward to the next batch and hope that they also get to bond in the same way Cebu grads have been able to keep in touch. Of course Cebu is much smaller compared to Manila.

I was sitting during one of the breaks in Cebu as the grads from the earlier batches visited and they were all looking like adults now. Bigger, more facial hair, college for some, working already for others and I saw 10 years into the future. When they would visit with their wives and babies in tow.

link to Pictures of PALs Teens 9 in Cebu

Joey with Cebu Teens 9 Chief Charles Cataluna

Former Cebu Teens Chief Mio Fernan and Future Chief Dale Garcia

Staff Dale and Claudine with Paolo Cataluna in Cebu Teens 9

It is amazing what 3 days of a seminar together can create. Bonds of friendship, lifetime lessons, memories forever. When teenagers get aware at this young age, their potentials multiply exponentially. And when they get the clarity of goals and the confidence to go for them, they have a greater chance of success. The good thing is they also are aware that failure is just a step in the pursuit of success and happiness.

I think a major reason for the teens receptiveness and they are still children at heart and open to possibilities and yet starting to think about life and the future as incoming adults.

The youth are the future of our country and I believe we should work to prepare them for this responsibility.