The year of Lead Beyond continues to take shape, and if there was one gathering that quietly but firmly set the tone for how JCI Manila will move this year, it was the Chairmen & Commissioners’ Bootcamp and Induction. Held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the afternoon and evening were equal parts grounding and inspiring,designed not just to orient, but to affirm.
Before titles are worn and projects launched, the Bootcamp reminded everyone of a simple truth: leadership in JCI Manila is service with structure, intention, and accountability.
Learning the Role, Owning the Responsibility
The first session, “How to Be a Chairman: Leadership Roles and Responsibilities,” was delivered by Secretary-General Robert Ben Castro. A former Community Development Director, SecGen Ben spoke from lived experience,years of working closely with chairmen and commissioners across different directorates. His talk went beyond job descriptions. It touched on the realities of coordination, decision-making, and the quiet discipline required to lead teams composed of volunteers who choose to show up.
What resonated most was the emphasis on clarity: clear expectations, clear communication, and clear accountability. For many first-time chairmen in the room, it was a timely reminder that leadership is less about authority and more about stewardship.
Fundraising with Integrity
Next came “Fundraising the Right Way,” facilitated by Most Recent Past Executive Treasurer Carlo Chen Delantar. In a landscape where fundraising can easily be reduced to targets and numbers, the session deliberately slowed things down. Carlo spoke about ethical and sustainable fundraising, framing it as a long-term relationship with partners rather than a one-off transaction.
Given the depth and relevance of the discussion, Carlo’s insights on fundraising ethics and sustainability will be discussed further in a separate Asian Pearl article, allowing members to engage more deeply with the principles and practices shared during the session.
Financial Management, Made Real
Rounding out the learning sessions was “Financial Management 101: Budgets, Control, and Accountability,” led by Executive Treasurer Joshua Aragon. The room leaned in, and understandably so. Many of the new chairmen had worked under him just the year before, when he served as Director for Special Projects.
The session demystified budgeting and financial controls, translating policies into everyday leadership decisions. Joshua spoke the language of people who have had to balance ambition with responsibility, making the discussion relatable and immediately applicable.
A First in JCI Manila: Induction of Commissioners
As the day transitioned into the evening, the tone shifted from instruction to recognition. One of the most meaningful highlights of the night was the first-ever induction of Commissioners in JCI Manila.
One by one, commissioners were called forward,not merely to be introduced, but to be welcomed. Each was personally embraced by 2026 President Edison Ke, who took time to offer words of appreciation and encouragement. It was a simple gesture, but a powerful one. In that moment, the Board made it clear that the work of commissioners is seen, valued, and integral to the organization’s success.
The induction was more than ceremonial. It was a statement: that leadership at every level matters, and that commitment deserves acknowledgment.
A Community That Shows Up for Each Other
The event, organized under the leadership of Director for Leadership Training and Business Development Vjohn Dizon, was hosted at Nissan, Quezon Avenue, with the venue graciously provided by Autohub, a company owned by the family of LOM Director Wayne Teeten. Technical support for the evening came from JET Lights and Sounds, the newly formed venture of VP Jet Tatel, whose team ensured the program flowed seamlessly.
Moments like these,where members support members,are what quietly sustain JCI Manila.
Commissioners Inducted
Community Development
- Anton Tamayo
- Daryl David
- Dave Victor Mariano
- Jansen Bernardo
Leadership Training and Business Development
- Alfonso Ramirez de Arellano
- Crissangelo Pagal
- Enrique Romeo Mendoza
- Jhabes Henry Monzones
- Julius Charles Torres
- Miguel Luis Flores
- Robin Kwee
Local Organization Management and Creative Media
- Alexander Chua
- Angelo Balanon
- EIC Dan Michael Gallego
- Jack Salamia
- Miggy Marty
Membership Benefits
- Arnold Gabriel Cruz
- Cjay Berich Prenksamar
- John Francis Pasicolan
- Kirby Ong
Membership Development
- Ernest Platon
- Javish Abichandani
- Jubil Re Geonzon
- Carlo New
National Relations and Fundraising
- Alec Velasco
- Crissangelo Pagal
- Justin Patrick Chan
- Kristoffer John Gutierrez
- Mark Vincent Ong
- Miguel Aquino
- Rexy Talamayan
- Erwin Michael Angeles
- Ron-Ron Cani
Special Projects
- Dizon Kwok
- Jeramiel Gutierrez
- Symon Tash Ancha
- Valentin Jr. Khoe
World Engagement and International Relations
- Alexander Carlos Pascual
- Michael Richmond Fangre
- Sergerard Sebastian
- Vincent Lorenzo Gustilo
The Chairmen & Commissioners’ Bootcamp and Induction was not loud, but it was deliberate. It reminded everyone in the room that before the projects, before the metrics, and before the applause, leadership begins with preparation, trust, and appreciation. And in the year of Lead Beyond, that foundation matters more than ever.
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