Sorsogon City, Philippines — The Schools Division Office of Sorsogon City successfully conducted the 2025 Banyuhay and Angat Lahat Training of Trainers (ToT), a capacity-building initiative that strengthened self-leadership and advanced gender-responsive education among educators and school personnel.

The program began with a Division Staff Orientation on September 1, 2025, at the Sorsogon East Central School, followed by the Training of Trainers Workshop on September 3–5, 2025, at the Sorsogon Pilot Elementary School Hall.

During his opening message, Division Superintendent William E. Gando, CESO VI, emphasized to the participants the importance of personal transformation as a foundation for educational change.

“If you want to be the catalyst of change, be that change yourself.”

The Banyuhay Modules, anchored on the theme “Transformation for the Better / Metamorphosis,” focused on self-awareness, self-management, self-leadership, and self-mastery. Sessions guided participants in strengthening discipline, resilience, stress management, and conflict resolution—skills vital for teaching and leadership.

The Angat Lahat Modules tackled critical GAD topics, including gender mainstreaming, gender issues in education, gender-fair language, SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics), and breaking stereotypes and sexism in schools.

Resource persons included Lalaine Jarical, Jodie Marie Jadie, Markson Mejia, Ma. Theresa O. de Castro, and James Christian D. Nabong. More than 70 school GAD focal persons and representatives from different public schools and districts in Sorsogon City participated.

At the conclusion of the three-day training, participants were instructed to conduct school- or district-based re-echo programs to cascade their learnings, aligned with their School GAD Plan and Budget.

The closing program on September 5, 2025, culminated with the awarding of certificates and a group photo session that symbolized the collective commitment to self-leadership and gender equity in education.

The GAD Focal also extends special thanks to Principal Neleuterio Dellosa for generously allowing the Sorsogon Pilot Elementary School to serve as the venue of the training, to the GAD Secretariat for ensuring the smooth flow of the three-day activity, and to SGOD Chief Florena Deuna as the project owner who steered the successful implementation of this initiative.