By: Noelle Contess Y.Paz

Traffic, pollution, trash everywhere… the common sight you could see in Metro Manila. I’ve been here in Manila for almost my whole life and these things blow my head off.  Sometimes, all I could do is dream about a certain place wherein I could see the beauty of God’s creation.  I thought that dream will never come true until one day, Kuya Jaylord  asked me and Joel to accompany him and his family to their province in Quezon.  I got very excited because I will have again a chance to travel. We left Manila on June 17 at 6:00 pm and we traveled for almost 5 hours until we reached Infanta, Quezon, where we stayed for that night. The following morning, we again traveled for 2 hours by boat until we reached Panukulan, Quezon. There, we stayed for 2 days. Because it’s their fiesta, I got the chance to watch an amateur boxing match and I really enjoyed it. Honestly, it was my first time to attend a fiesta.

After 2 days of stay at Panukulan, Kuya Jay decided to take us to their island. We rode a tricycle and then a boat until we reached their island. When I saw the island, i remembered my dream about a place where there is no pollution. “This is it” I told myself.  The people take very good care of their environment and they are responsible enough not to throw trash in the sea. There are many trees and the air is really fresh.

Because of our trip to Quezon, I realized many things. Including the responsibility of the people in taking care of the things, including the nature that God has given them. I really thank God for giving me the opportunity to travel and for making me realize many things.

With the VisionQ's uncle and mentor, Mr. Ben Quiñones

Mr. Ben Quiñones conducted the Build Shared Vision (BSV) Workshop in Davao for  his nieces and nephews who are aspiring to be national leaders for a better Philippines. The two-day workshop was held in Royal Valley, Bangkal Davao City. Mr. Ben Quiñones taught the team the importance of developing a learning organization, discussed the different types of learning disabilities and helped them overcome these by providing solutions.

Meet the VisionQ team

In building their shared vision, Mr. Ben Quiñones introduced the functions of a storyteller, inquirer, facilitator and documentor. He then asked the team what is their vision for the Philippines. From that thought-provoking question, each member was able to come up with positive hopes for the country. Later the team considered possible steps to achieve their goal of a progressive, globally competitive nation having good governance with citizens living in unity, who have environmental awareness and are God-fearing .

Kaycee Quiñones commented that the workshop was just like an ice-breaker that she could easily share to friends. Everyone in the group agreed that it is doable. The cousins decided to call their team as VisionQ (Vision Quiñones. VisionQ can also be ” Vision Ko” or My Vision in Filipino, replacing “ko” by the letter Q). The team agreed to meet at least once a week to plan for the first BSVworkshop in Davao City on May 23-24, 2009.

Our national hero once said the youth is the hope of the motherland. The VisionQ team is committed to do something to contribute change.

Thus, there is hope for the country.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite