BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Gladys P. Mangiduyos, Vice President for Administration and Planning, addressed 671 Junior and Senior High School student leaders from 14 schools across the country during the 14th National Student Leadership Assembly and Talent Fair held September 3–5, 2026, at Hotel Henrico Legarda in Baguio City.Organized by the Association of Philippine Private School Administrators and Mentors (APPSAM), the national gathering carried the theme, “Empowering the Youth: Leading with Purpose in a Changing World.” The assembly brought together young leaders, advisers, and moderators for learning sessions, leadership formation, and opportunities to showcase students’ God-given talents.

Mangiduyos was invited as a plenary resource speaker on “Character First: The Role of Values in Achieving Success.” APPSAM, under the leadership of its President, Dr. Helen S. Los Bañes, extended the invitation, along with Dr. Lourelli Carreon Siy, Managing Director, and the organization’s leadership team.

In her plenary session, Mangiduyos challenged young leaders to view success not simply in terms of achievement, recognition, or position, but as something that must be anchored in values, character, and the ability to think critically.

“Values guide what matters. Character shapes who we become. Critical thinking helps us examine, question, and choose wisely,” she emphasized, explaining that while the three are distinct, they become powerful when developed together.

She stressed that values alone are not enough unless they are translated into repeated choices and habits. These choices, she said, eventually form character, while critical thinking helps people examine whether their choices are reasonable, ethical, and consistent with their values.

The session became particularly engaging when Mangiduyos introduced the students to her “Pause. Ask. Choose.” critical thinking movement. Instead of merely listening to a lecture, participants stood, moved, and danced together as they practiced the simple framework.

Through Pause. Ask. Choose., she encouraged students to pause before reacting, ask before assuming, and choose with clarity, responsibility, and conviction.
Mangiduyos explained that the practice is especially important for young leaders growing up in a world saturated with social media, artificial intelligence, competing narratives, and an overwhelming volume of information.

Leadership, she told the students, is not simply about knowing what is right. It requires developing the discipline to examine information, question assumptions, weigh consequences, and make decisions grounded in both reason and values.

The plenary became a learning space where students were not only listening but also moving, thinking, reflecting, and interacting, reinforcing the idea that leadership formation can be both intellectually meaningful and joyful.

Mangiduyos, a TEDx speaker, author, and critical thinking advocate, has been advancing critical thinking education through her work in leadership development, education, and her advocacy on Critical Thinking in an Age of Noise.

The national assembly provided student leaders from different parts of the Philippines an opportunity to learn from speakers and from one another while strengthening their sense of purpose and responsibility as emerging leaders.

For Mangiduyos, the encounter with the 671 young participants carried a simple but important message: lasting success is not built on talent or achievement alone. It grows from values that guide our choices, character that gives those values form, and critical thinking that enables us to choose wisely.
As the students returned to their respective schools, the challenge was clear: live your values, strengthen your character, think critically, and lead with purpose.

Article by OVPAP
Photos courtesy of OVPAP