The Writer Meets the Leader
Rennie Renato O. Papa II
Oreanne Lorice Dayanghirang Honofre, better known as “Yana,” is one of those students who at first will not catch your glance as she is an average looking student, but she possesses great things. Usually one sees her studying together with her friends, singing the responsorial psalm, leading basketball girls to victory, and standing as the president of the college council, but little does he/she know about what this girl is really all about. She’s truly an angel for the LCC[u1] and the nursing family for being one of the top five most outstanding Paulinians in the recent 2nd SOS search. She received the award on 9 February 2012 in the Fleur-de-lis Theater.
Rennie: So congratulations on being one of the top five outstanding Paulinians in the Philippines. May I know how you felt when you got that recognition?
Yana: Actually the moment that my name was called I didn’t quite know how to react especially when you just freeze there and then your seatmates get more excited than you are, and then you’d ask yourself for the second time and blink to check if your name is called. It was an amazing feeling, I felt so happy and I’m so proud that at least a student from our school got into the top 5. I was teary eyed and my parents were there for me. It was truly an experience that made me realize that being here is not just being here; it is an honor.
Rennie: What were the preparations that you make so that you could be one of the students to be nominated as most outstanding Paulinian student in the Philippines?
Yana: Actually if you would notice the things mentioned about us when we entered the auditorium was that some of us actually went to international competitions, became an ambassador of this and that, but what it with me that captured the attention of all may be different. My achievements include being a leader for my own college for almost four years and being part of the nursing basketball team, nothing special or too grand, but I’m proud of it. I chose to be simple, I do what I want to do, I did this to please me and to satisfy me. I never did anything that would not please me, so singing, playing basketball, and the like are my hobbies. So for preparations? Just doing what I want to do and just doing what is due, I don’t mean to please everyone because you can’t please everyone.
Rennie: Other than academics and being a leader, what makes “Yana” so much more than that?
Yana: Well, during my elementary days I used to play a lot of sports, which included volleyball plus track and field. During high school I went for basketball. I sing in our church. I also have a love life, well, I’m a normal person, I do also fall in love. (Rennie chuckles) It’s just that if in this aspect of my life I’d not be given that shot, then what do I have left? I mean, I am still doing what makes my parents proud and where can I find another guy like him, he’s so patient and caring especially when I have meetings to attend, he would wait for me to finish and even just lie down on the benches to wait for me and my meetings sometimes end in the evening.
Rennie: Well, that’s really cool, so what is that x-factor in you that makes you a very prominent leader?
Yana: I believe that humility makes a leader stand among the rest; you are serving others as you share whatever you have with them and then taking no credit from them. Like I always tell myself that it doesn’t matter if people would recognize you as long as they appreciate what you did for them. For those who do not put their trust in us, I’d say that better take a look of our accomplishments rather than our failures and with that you could really see how far we’ve gone. Also, respect the people around you and they will give you the respect you have given them. Being grateful for the things that are given to us- like blessings that come from God, we should not waste these and just be thankful. Integrity, it makes you who you are, when you stick to your principles you will never get lost and you can tell whether you’re doing a good job or not. Equality, for I treat my fellow officers as my equal; I do not see myself as as their boss, I always give them ample respect and allow them to grow with me.
Rennie: Any words or acknowledgments to your nursing family and to others?
Yana: I’d like to thank the whole nursing family, administration, my friends, parents, relatives, and my boyfriend for the support and the trust. I could still recall when my name was called the nursing family started an uproar with their banners and their cheers. It felt good and I’m in so much debt of their appreciation. I’ve been challenged so many times, and many times I thought I would fail and yet I came out strong and God let me pass through it. You guys could do it too, just believe in your principles and you’ll never get lost.
Congratulations to our fellow LCC for being one of the top five most outstanding Paulinians.
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