Ronin Leviste: Tomorrow’s nation builder

Politics was never an alien concept to Ronin Leviste.

Seeing his father, Batangas vice governor Mark Leviste, work closely with communities inspired him to follow in his footsteps.

As a student at Xavier School, Ronin developed outreach programs such as the installation of a solar light building in underprivileged dim communities in Batangas and Mindanao.

While in college at De La Salle University, he received the Br. Gabriel Connon Award and the Gawad Francisco Ortigas Jr. Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader Award. In his final year, he served as vice president for External Affairs of the University Student Government. He graduated magna cum laude in Development Studies with the Best Undergraduate Thesis Award.

Ronin soon began building his political career, serving as Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad in Makati and as the Youth Affairs head of the Office of the Vice Governor. He then ran as Municipal Vice Mayor of Lian, Batangas, as an independent candidate.

"Education can uplift people from poverty and give them an extra sense of fulfillment. I learned so much from it, but it also taught me that there is still so much more to learn, so much more to do, so much more to serve," the newly-elected 23-year-old Municipal Vice Mayor of Lian, Batangas said during Xavier School's 192nd Commencement Exercise.

The common thread that binds us are talents, opportunities, and skills, he added.

"We all have an equal role to play in the development of the Philippines that we call our home. So when our country needs us, we must always respond with unconditional service to the nation because to build the nation is to love," Ronin said.

Part of his vision is to build a tomorrow together.

"It is a daunting task ahead, but our generation has shown that if anyone can lead this change — it's us," Ronin concluded.