West Visayas State University (WVSU) student leaders continued their leadership formation on Aug. 28 as the Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP) 2026 entered its second day, with sessions focused on event leadership, management, and resilience in navigating challenges.

Now on its second day, the three-day program brings together more than 170 representatives from the University Student Council, College Student Councils, university-wide and college-based student organizations, and student publications. This year’s SLDP carries the theme “Resilience: The Strength to Continue, The Vision to Advance.”

The morning sessions focused on practical leadership lessons that student leaders can bring into their respective organizations and activities.

Alumnus John Paul Supapo, a 2023 The Outstanding Student of Iloilo Awardee and currently a faculty member of Dumangas National High School, led the session “Fundamentals of Event Leadership and Management.” The session explored the essential considerations in leading and managing events, helping participants develop a stronger understanding of the planning, coordination, and leadership involved in bringing organizational activities to life.

The second session, “Resilience in Leadership: The Day the Nets Slipped Away,” was facilitated by alumna Sandro Silverio, a Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus teacher and recipient of outstanding student and leadership awards, as well as outstanding teacher awards in 2021 and 2023.

Through the session, participants reflected on resilience as a necessary quality in leadership, particularly when plans do not unfold as expected and leaders are called to respond, adapt, and continue moving forward.

As with the Day 1 sessions, each talk was followed by facilitated open forums and breakout activities, allowing participants to engage with the speakers and connect the discussions to their own leadership experiences.

The afternoon shifted from the classroom to the field as the eight guilds take part in team-building activities, putting collaboration, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving into practice.

The day culminates in the much-awaited Mr., Ms., and Mx. SLDP 2026, bringing participants together for an evening of fellowship, celebration, and camaraderie.

As SLDP 2026 moves into its final day, student leaders will continue building on the lessons and experiences gathered throughout the program, strengthening not only their individual leadership capacities but also the connections they share as members of the WVSU community.