I didn’t raise my hand.
I didn’t volunteer.
But somehow — ako ang tinuro ng classmates ko.
That’s how my leadership journey began.
Back in school, there was a term we used: volunturo — short for “volunteer” and “turo.” It’s when you didn’t actually sign up, but someone pointed at you and said, “Siya na.” That moment, funny as it was, marked the beginning of a role that would shape so much of who I am today.
I became a class officer, team head, project lead — not because I planned it, but because others saw something in me. And over time, I began to see it too.
🌱 What being a volunturo taught me early on:
- Leadership isn’t always chosen. Sometimes, it chooses you. What matters is what you do after you’re chosen.
- Courage grows in action. I didn’t feel ready — but showing up taught me more than any classroom could. From organizing events to resolving conflicts, I learned by doing.
- Responsibility refines character. Handling group tasks, deadlines, and decisions as a student made me more accountable, more empathetic, and more aware of how my choices affect others.
- Your early roles matter. Those small responsibilities in school? They were training grounds for the real world — shaping the way I now lead people, manage teams, and stay grounded in service.
Now that I’m in a leadership role professionally, I look back at those “volunturo” moments with gratitude.
Because without them, I wouldn’t have discovered my voice.
I wouldn’t have learned to lead with heart.
And I wouldn’t be able to inspire others to rise — even when they don’t feel ready.
So if you ever get “tinuro ka” again in life — maybe it’s not an accident.
Maybe it’s an invitation to grow.
📝 Reflection Prompt:
Have you ever been pushed into something you didn’t ask for, but it turned out to be a blessing? What did it teach you?
Life With No Regrets 
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