by Jenny E. Villar, Melisa C. Estipular, and Jonalyn C. Geronimo
The seminar titled “Elevating Leadership through Effective Communication: A Seminar-Workshop for CBA Student Leaders” was attended by the SGO officers and JPMAP officers of the College of Business Administration last November 14, 2025. Designed as both a capacity-building and professional development initiative, the seminar aimed to strengthen the communication and leadership competencies of student leaders. By enhancing these skills, the activity sought to empower them to lead more effectively, inspire their peers with confidence, and coordinate organizational activities with greater precision and professionalism.
The program formally commenced with an opening prayer, which set a reflective and respectful tone for the event. This was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the BCU Hymn, symbolizing unity, school pride, and shared purpose among participants. After the preliminaries, Sir Junik Cris Calahi, the CBA SGO Co-Adviser, delivered the opening remarks. In his message, he underscored the significance of communication in leadership, emphasizing that the ability to convey messages clearly and professionally is essential for student leaders who frequently engage in planning, decision-making, and coordination within their respective organizations. The introduction of the resource speaker was delivered by Ms. Aaliyah C. Escano, CBA SGO Public Relations Officer, who highlighted the speaker’s academic background, professional experience, and contributions to the field of research and communication.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Michael T. Sebullen, the University’s Research Director. In his comprehensive and highly engaging presentation, Dr. Sebullen shared his insights and professional experiences in relation to the seminar theme. His talk focused on the essential principles of effective business communication, emphasizing clarity of message, appropriate tone, logical organization of ideas, and adherence to standard structure and format in business correspondence. He explained that these elements are fundamental in producing professional, credible, and meaningful written communication—an important requirement for student leaders who draft letters, memoranda, event proposals, and reports.
Throughout his lecture, Dr. Sebullen presented a combination of practical techniques, real-world examples, and recommended best practices that students could immediately apply. He discussed common mistakes found in business letters, offered strategies for improving content flow, and shared tips on how to write with purpose and precision. His interactive approach and relatable illustrations made the session highly informative and easy for the participants to grasp.
After the lecture, the program transitioned to a hands-on workshop, which allowed participants to apply what they had learned. Students were tasked to draft business letters based on specific organizational scenarios, enabling them to practice constructing messages that were clear, organized, and appropriate for formal communication. Dr. Sebullen then reviewed their outputs individually, offering personalized feedback on how they could refine their writing style, strengthen their arguments, and format their letters according to business standards. This interactive component not only reinforced the concepts discussed but also helped build the participants’ confidence in producing professional written outputs for their student organizations.
At the conclusion of the seminar-workshop, Dr. Sebullen was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation and a token of gratitude presented by Dr. Cherrie Mae M. Manuel, Dean of the College of Business Administration. Her acknowledgment highlighted the value of the resource speaker’s contribution in enriching the communication and leadership capabilities of the student officers.
Overall, the seminar-workshop served as a meaningful and transformative learning experience for the SGO and JPMAP officers. It not only deepened their understanding of effective communication but also equipped them with practical tools that will support them in executing their roles as leaders within the College of Business Administration.