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By Audrielyn E. Ulloa, BA Comm 4 OJT

Paul Vincent L. Tirador wants to become an agent of change as a Boy Scout.

This story is about Paul Vincent L. Tirador, a grade 10 EARTH student from CPU Junior High School. Paul, who has been a Centralian for almost four years now, brought home the bacon after being elected as Regional Scout Representative for Western Visayas on March 12, 2022 during the virtual and limited face-to-face Regional Scout Cyber Jamboree at Pavia National High School. Out of six provinces, Iloilo got majority of the votes from the voting delegates. Paul shared his reaction after finding out he was elected.

“During the 5th Plenary Session, I was so nervous,” he said. “Given the fact that I have a lot of competitive and great colleagues this year, the pressure is on me but it is good pressure. When we found out that I was the newly elected Regional Council Scout Representative, I was so shocked while crying inside.”

Paul revealed he had a mixed reaction and explained he was going to cry because the victory he witnessed for himself would make him the 3rd Centralian Scout who got that award. Before him were his manong Jethro Mark Jerez and manong Vance Raphael Anthony Praire.

Paul continued, “When the results came out, we were all silent for almost five seconds. Then we all started shouting together.” Those with Paul cheered for him, yelling, “Tirador, Tirador, Tirador.” It was truly a momentous victory.

But how Paul came to be the Boy Scout that he is now happened in July 22, 2018. He recalled, “I was walking in the hallway of the department when I saw a group of young people forming around the flagpole. I was curious and interested. Therefore, I asked my classmates how to join scouting. The next day, I was invited. I entered the flagpole area and introduced myself as someone who is very innocent and was a first-timer at everything.” Days passed and eventually he fell in love with the movement.

As a young freshman back then, he understood his advocacies must be attainable and sustainable. He shared, “I was able to understand deeply and find my directions on this movement until today’s endeavors. Therefore, I must conclude that I joined Scouting because my heart said yes to this and my curiosity in everything leads me to advocate for sustainable causes that contribute to our environment and to be a catalyst for change.”

Paul emphasized, “I firmly stand to the duties of a scout to become an AGENT OF CHANGE.”

As a Boy Scout, one achievement Paul talked about was their very first, “OUTFIT 346 BSP-ECO FRIENDLY PARK” which is an eco-friendly park for Layog Elementary School, Maasin, Iloilo. He shared, “It was our very first project in my batch as an outfit that provides facilities for that remote and demographic community. No amount of joy could be as measurable as we see the full blast smile of each learner enjoying the park while making them learn that they could have it even at home by recycling. Making everyone smile and inspired in just a little act is a huge achievement of mine.”

Aside from being Council Scout Representative 2022-2023 and Regional Scout Representative 2022-2023, Paul has accomplished a lot as a student, being Vice Governor of the CPU Junior High School Student Council 2021-2022 to being a Voice of the Youth Award Finalist. Some extracurricular activities he’s taken part of are the following: CPU Koalisyon, Kabataan Sa Kartilya Ng Katipunan, Youth Advocates of the Philippines, Padayon Kabataan Ng Pilipinas, and Young Men Christian Association (YMCA). He’s also a CPU Volleyball Athlete.

When asked about who he would like to show his gratitude to, Paul answered, “Firstly, I would like to thank my Council, the Iloilo (Confesor) Council, who gave their all-out support during the forum and campings. They are my Outfit Advisers, Ma’am Christine Joyce A. Lacson, Ma’am Maebelle Junsay. My Outfit 346 Manongs, all the scouts, staff, CSE’s and the members of our Local Council. My ����ר�� JHS Department, the Student Council, my beloved teachers and my JHS principal, Ma’am Charlette Dianala. Secondly, my relatives who were always there to show support on my journey, my Mother and Father, my CNU friends who helped me cope up with my classes and activities, and best friends. Thirdly, everyone who lifted me, inspired me, and mentored me throughout my scouting and non-scouting journey.”

When asked what his next steps will be after being elected as Regional Scout Representative, Paul answered, “At the moment, we are preparing for the national scope of the forum.” The latter will be from April 21-23, 2022.

Indeed, Paul has learned a lot from being a Boy Scout. One is to always be grounded and the other is to be a better citizen for our community. As an individual, Paul upholds to promote sustainable advocacies, equality, and good responsibilities as a good citizen of this nation, something he’d like students of CPU to practice too. When asked what his message for those who want to try being scouts would be, he said, “Just prepare and present yourself wholeheartedly and stay curious, future scouts.”