Steadiness Across Borders: Lendle Ozaeta’s Term in International Affairs

International Affairs is often mistaken for movement.
Flights booked. Conferences attended. Flags exchanged.

But in truth, it is one of the few directorates where leadership begins not with direction, but with restraint.

When Lendle Ozaeta stepped into the role of Director for International Affairs of JCI Manila, he did not arrive with a rigid blueprint for global engagement. That absence was deliberate.

“I didn’t come in with a fixed or fully formed vision, and that was intentional.”

Before defining a direction, Lendle chose to understand the role, its history, and the people who had carried it before him. He listened to past International Affairs Directors, former Presidents, and members who had navigated the international space.

But he also knew that international leadership cannot be learned from theory alone.

“I saw International Affairs as a space where learning happens through participation, not observation.”

That belief shaped the entire term.

Instead of imposing a strategy, his vision emerged through action. Conversations across borders became classrooms. Each exchange revealed new perspectives on leadership, culture, and service.

“Each exchange across borders taught me something new, about culture, leadership, and the depth of opportunities within JCI.”

Over time, this evolved into a guiding principle.

“My vision became simple but meaningful. To approach global engagement with humility, openness, and a genuine desire to learn, not as experts, but as partners.”

A Year of Measurable International Impact

Under this philosophy, the International Affairs Directorate delivered a year defined not by noise, but by substance.
Among Lendle Ozaeta’s key accomplishments were the following:

1. Successful completion of the JCI Grand Slam of Conferences, with JCI Manila attending all four JCI Area Conferences across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. This placed the chapter among a rare group globally.

2. Sustained global visibility for JCI Manila through intentional representation, often with limited delegation size, while maintaining professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and diplomatic credibility in international spaces.

3. Organic establishment of international partnerships, leading to project collaborations and training initiatives with Local Organizations from Vietnam, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.

4. Implementation of legacy international projects, including:

   • KoPinoy, in partnership with JCI Daegu Daedeok. A compassion-driven initiative that strengthened bilateral relations while delivering meaningful service to children.

   • The 3G Project, in collaboration with JCI Nagoya and Treston International College. This elevated cultural exchange into a platform for youth leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

5. Strengthening of sister chapter relationships, notably with JCI Helsinki, proving that distance can deepen partnerships when met with consistency and sincerity.

6. Active participation in regional and international platforms, including the Asia-Pacific International City Conference (APICC). This resulted in expressed interest from multiple Local Organizations to pursue sister chapter relationships.

7. Strategic groundwork for JCI World Congress 2026 in Clark, built through sustained global presence, trust-building, and familiarity established during the Grand Slam year.

These achievements were not accidental. They were carried under pressure, often quietly.

Leadership That Carried the Weight

International Affairs is a directorate shaped by constraint.
Tight schedules. Visa uncertainties. Cultural protocols. Diplomatic expectations.

In many engagements, it was often only Lendle and the President representing the entire chapter. Yet this sharpened the discipline of the role.

“Impact is not measured by delegation size,” Lendle explains, “but by presence, consistency, and how you carry the chapter’s values in global spaces.”

It was this steadiness that prompted Pres. AP to offer one of the most direct assessments of Lendle’s contribution:

“I have to give credit to our International Affairs Director, Lendle Ozaeta, the real MVP of this adventure. He bore the logistical and emotional weight of traveling with the president. If Lendle hadn’t agreed to go, this entire Grand Slam might never have happened.”

This was not exaggeration. It was an acknowledgment of leadership that worked behind the scenes. Planning movements. Anticipating cultural nuances. Managing fatigue. Ensuring that JCI Manila was represented with consistency and respect.

One of Lendle’s most demanding responsibilities was shadowing the President during international engagements. Coordinating schedules, protocols, and transitions across borders.

“Ensuring that our President was well-supported and properly represented, even when our team was small, was both challenging and deeply rewarding.”

A Term That Closed the Circle

The journey culminated at the World Conference, where JCI Manila received the Grand Slam Award.

“Standing on that global stage,” Lendle reflects, “I felt a quiet pride. Not just in the achievement, but in the journey it represented.”

Perhaps the most enduring impact of the term lies in what it set in motion.

“I truly feel that our participation helped open the gates. It laid the groundwork for welcoming the world to the Philippines.”

As JCI Manila looks ahead, the International Affairs term of this Built Different year leaves behind more than milestones. It leaves a model of leadership grounded in humility, discipline, and consistency.

“Lasting impact doesn’t always come from grand gestures,” Lendle concludes. “But from showing up consistently, learning with humility, and building relationships over time.”

In an organization defined by global connection, that may be the most meaningful achievement of all.