Writers: Christine Joyce Dela Cruz, Leanne Neil Pascua, and Alisha Margareth Infante
Heart steadfast and two hands that guides a hundred more — it is Leiazel Shanley B. Albeus who breathes life into our purpose. Behind the organization’s successful pursuits and meaningful triumphs, she carries the weight of our shared dreams and hopes, kindling a future alight with vision and trust — a future we share with the children we advocate for. Miss Albeus is the current Executive President of UST Volunteers for UNICEF for the Academic Year 2024 - 2025 and had served multiple roles in the organization prior, where she served as the Vice President for External Projects (A.Y. 2023-2024), the Executive Associate to the Post-Evaluations Officer (A.Y. 2022-2023), and a part of the Junior Volunteer Coordinator program (A.Y. 2021-2022). Her burning passion in cultivating a harmonious community is a reflection of a core tenet shared within the organization — that change is possible when dreams are shared, and that it is our passion that makes us limitless and enduring. In a restless world, Miss Albeus stood through the test of time, crises, and uncertainties, and made a beautiful mosaic out of these tainted glories. Together, let’s get to know who she is and how her story started.
Looking back at your first year, what made you join UVU before, and how did that evolve throughout your UVU journey?
Ate Shan’s journey in the organization was a road unexpectedly taken. Originally eyeing to be a part of the Faculty of Arts and Letters Student Council, it turns out that it was UST Volunteers for UNICEF’s eye-catching advertisements for sponsorships that would steer her towards this path — a destiny guided by chance. But, this connection was not foreign; her personal experience of having nieces had always given her this sense of purpose. “I feel connected in a way na gusto ko sila tulungan, gusto ko sila protektahan,” she said.
While her encounter with UVU was unplanned, it ultimately led to staying for almost four years — proving that the roads we unexpectedly take can make the most difference.
From being a Junior Volunteer Coordinator to Executive President, how did each of these positions contribute to or help your growth as a leader within UVU?
Before her term as the Executive President, she also served multiple roles and, just like everyone else, started from the bottom with a lot to grasp. She was a part of the Junior Volunteers Coordinator (JVC) program, and later became the first Executive Assistant to the Post-Evaluations Officer, owing gratitude to Jaydin Galvez and other seniors who mentored her. Then, it was the Grievances and Evaluations Committee that truly introduced the technical aspect of her journey, giving her a glimpse of how papers are handled and processed, allowing her to fall in love with the system more.
During her junior year, she became the Vice President for External Projects, a position that handles no committee. While this position was not among her top choices and while this takes away her desire of handling a committee, it was a blessing in disguise come the workloads that she needed to juggle that school year.
“I had to wake up at like 6 A.M. kasi 7 to 12 ‘yung duty ko, 1 to 7 ‘yung class ko. So, parang, saan ko pa ipapasok ‘yung pagmanage ng team if magkaroon man ako ng committee,” she expressed.
Being a recipient of the San Lorenzo Ruiz scholarship, she had to render 24 hours of service per week in the campus library, which took up most of her day-to-day schedule. But, through the VP for Partnership’s flexible yet meaningful role in the organization, it made her realize how positions like this, albeit a one-person job, still contributes to the overall welfare of the organization.
During your time as a Junior Volunteer Coordinator, were there any EBs or seniors who had a significant impact in shaping your leadership style and deepening your commitment to UVU?
She expressed profound gratitude towards the seniors who guided her in her journey. It was mainly Ate Jaydin Galvez’s versatility in balancing her leadership that inspired her — that respect and trust can still grow and foster in an environment that could also cater to laughs.
“And then aside from Ate Jaydin, I think ‘yung president, si Ate AK, tapos the VP for Advocacy si Ate Hannah. Sa kanilang dalawa kasi, kitang-kita ko na ‘yung advocacy nila for the org, like, ‘yung pagmamahal nila, how they render so much hours for the org,” she shared.
She described both Ate Hannah and Ate AK to be truly committed to their works, with Ate Hannah being a medical student handling committees actively, and Ate AK being a San Lorenzo scholar who felt like the closest to understanding her personal sentiments about being a scholar and being a part of an organization.
According to her, they were the role models that prompted her to believe in the fulfillment the organization could give her, despite the responsibilities it brings.
Having spent many years with UVU, what key skills or values have you developed that you believe will remain with you throughout your personal and professional life?
One key value to have is passion. Ate Shan emphasizes that, whether in the org or life in general, unforeseen circumstances and problems are inevitable. However, if you have enough passion for what you are doing, you won’t perceive those hindrances as obstacles. Rather, you will remain committed and driven to continue advocating for children's rights without losing your passion and enthusiasm in your work.
In relation to passion, Ate Shan also emphasizes the importance of time management. “Your responsibility doesn’t end with the org. Student ka, family member ka, friend ka.” she said. Each one of us must learn to balance and manage our time for every role we play in life━while fulfilling our duties and responsibility as a student-leader, a family member, and a friend.
She also highlights the importance of people skills, as members should communicate with one another—especially when someone needs help or is struggling with their tasks.
“So, magtulungan, walang pa-angatan sa org,” Ate Shan adds, explaining that for her, the perfect recipe for creating a harmonious environment within the organization involves connecting, communicating, and collaborating.
With this, all members can develop a collective passion—a passion that fosters and strengthens their love and eagerness to serve and protect the rights of children.
Can you talk about a specific moment or project at UVU that solidified your passion for child advocacy?
For Ate Shan, the project Eh Kasi Bata, which she spearheaded along with Kuya Emman, now the Executive Auditor of UVU, and other JVCs, has solidified her passion for advocating for children’s rights.
Prior to the events she had handled, this project was remarkably memorable for her as it marked her first time as a 2nd-year college student taking on an officer role in a university-wide organization like UVU. It was her first exposure in managing an event without the guidance of any senior members with proper and enough experience.
“Usually kasi inside the org, kapag baguhan ka pa lang na officer, merong mga senior na who have the enough experience who can also guide you. But then in our case ni Emman, we were the only officers tapos we were just guided by 3 or 4 JVCs. So yun na yung pinaka project heads—project and assistant project heads, yun na yung working team,” she noted.
Eh Kasi Bata is an advocacy program that helps parents and children understand the changes they go through during puberty. As Ate Shan explained, “Hindi pwedeng i-expect mo na adult agad siya.” The program also highlights validating the feelings of the child in the naturality of experiencing changes brought by adolescence.
During the event, which took place in May, only a few members volunteered to help since the summer break was just around the corner. Because of this, Ate Shan, along with the other project heads, had no choice but to take on multiple roles. “Alam niyo ba nag-host ako, tapos nag-technical ako, tapos also ako yung nag-li-live update,” she shared. For Ate Shan, she did all of this because she wanted the event to succeed and to share this advocacy campaign with the parents, children, and the Thomasian community.
This experience became a stepping stone for her to realize that UVU is more than just an org—but a passion. A passion that she is more than willing to step out of her comfort zone and even sacrifice her sanity in the name of love for the organization and advocacy for children’s rights. She also thanked Kuya Emman and the other JVCs who were equally committed, who were all for the kids.
Assuming there would be no limitations, If you were to create a new project that you want to conduct or see the organization do in the future, what would it be?
During Ate Shan’s deliberation for the position of Executive President, she proposed a fun run in partnership with other organizations in the university. The track would be around the UST campus, and participants would choose a community partner for children in need of help, which is where the proceeds would go.
However, due to a lack of resources and the tedious planning phase, the proposal did not push through.But still, Ate Shan sees it as a great opportunity and exposure for UVU to be reached out to by other charities and organizations, not only within the campus but also possibly nationwide. “Just imagine if like ano—feel ko nga ma-fefeature pa tayo ng mga news article kasi as one community, as a university we’ve come together to do something na hindi naman for fun lang like—physical activity rin siya, pero it’s for a great cause,” she said with hope.
Now may not be the right time, but Ate Shan hopes that one day it can be implemented and carried on by the next set of officers. And who knows, the fun run could even take place in larger spaces beyond UST.
Throughout your experience, how and what were ways that helped shape the UVU community to become the successful organization that it is today? How can we further improve ourselves to achieve more as an organization?
Ate Shan believes that the core of UVU’s success lies in its passion for the cause and its commitment to children’s rights. “Kasi we are an organization wherein we cater to the needs of the children. An advocacy-based talaga siya. So if you’re not passionate about that cause, how would you continue?” she shares. She acknowledges that many members join with different motivations, but what ultimately keeps them committed is the realization of the importance of the cause.
The culture of UVU, which fosters a sense of belonging and unity, also plays a key role in its growth. “In UVU kasi, we want to strive na magkaroon ng child-like hearts. Gusto natin maging simple-minded, and doing things like kids,” Ate Shan explains. This mindset of treating each other like family—'ohana’—creates a nurturing environment that encourages members to contribute their talents and skills.
In terms of improvement, Ate Shan emphasizes the importance of staying relevant and adaptable while preserving UVU’s core values. The organization has always strived to innovate and introduce new projects to cater to diverse needs. “We try to create more new projects every year, like those for children with disabilities. So, just imagine, nagwiwiden ang scope natin,” she says. Additionally, she believes UVU could further improve by taking a firm stance on global issues affecting children, such as those in conflict zones. “We should be able to come as one and take a stand on these issues to show that we are not downplaying them,” she suggests.
The key to UVU’s continued success lies in maintaining the passion for children’s rights, fostering a strong sense of community, and always adapting to meet new challenges. As long as UVU remains committed to its advocacy and responsive to the needs of its members and communities, its impact will continue to grow.
How do you see UVU's mission evolving in the future, and what role would you like to play in shaping that vision, even after your term as Executive President ends?
Looking to the future, Ate Shan hopes that UVU will continue to be the leading organization advocating for children’s rights at the university. “The vision natin is to be the primary organization ng school in upholding children’s rights,” she says, stressing the importance of maintaining UVU’s unique position. While there are other advocacy-based organizations within the school, UVU's focus on children sets it apart. Ate Shan envisions a future where UVU’s collaborations with the university expand, ensuring the organization’s recognition and influence grow.
Even after her term, Ate Shan sees herself continuing to support UVU. “As a senior, hindi naman ako mawawala. I would still be there to share all the knowledge and expertise that I gained throughout the years,” she assures. Whether providing guidance or supporting future projects, she is committed to helping UVU grow beyond her leadership. “I really believe na maganda ang future ng UVU,” she concludes, confident that the organization’s mission will continue to grow through the passion and advocacy of its members.
Ate Shan’s vision for UVU is one of sustainable growth, where future leaders build on the strong foundation of children’s rights advocacy. Even after her term, she will remain a steady source of guidance, ensuring the organization remains focused on its mission to support vulnerable children and expand its reach.
What advice would you give to the new members and aspiring members of UVU who hope to someday take on leadership roles like yours?
Ate Shan encourages new and aspiring leaders to take risks and step outside their comfort zones. “Nothing is lost in trying,” she says. She believes that growth comes from trying new things and learning through challenges, even if it involves failure. “Kapag inilabas mo sarili mo, you give yourself the opportunity to grow. You may fail, but that’s part of the journey,” she adds.
She also stresses the importance of volunteerism and encourages all members, especially those new to the organization, to embrace the journey of service. “When you start to volunteer, you’ll realize na ang meaningful pala ng life, there’s more to it than just basic things,” she shares. Beyond technical tasks or deadlines, the true value of UVU lies in the difference its members make in the lives of others.
To the current members, Ate Shan expresses her gratitude, noting that the continued growth and interest in UVU is a testament to its strong impact. She hopes that they will continue to embrace the joy of service and advocacy, ensuring that UVU remains an organization that fosters meaningful change.
Ate Shan’s advice to future leaders is to embrace challenges and volunteer with heart, as the experiences gained through service will shape their leadership journey. The more members are willing to contribute to the cause, the more UVU will continue to make a lasting impact on those who need it most.