Communication builds confidence for students navigating real-world opportunities.
Kahit Kabado® Team | Photo by James Matias
At The Manila Times Student Empowerment Forum 2025, students from different backgrounds gathered with one shared goal: to better understand how they can prepare for the future they want to build. Hosted by The Manila Times, the forum brought together voices from education, corporate, and advocacy spaces to equip young people with practical tools for growth.
Among the speakers was Gia Abao, who centered her talk on a skill many students struggle with but deeply need: communication. While other speakers shared insights on leadership, impact, and career pathways, Gia’s presentation focused on a common yet often overlooked challenge: knowing what to say, but freezing when it is finally your turn to speak.
The forum featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including educator and content creator Lyqa Maravilla; Filipino genealogist and TikTok creator Mighty Magulang, who is known for her educational content on Philippine history, economics, and civics and is also an advocate for disability inclusion; Caitlin Punzalan, Corporate and Government Affairs Lead of Mondelez International; and Juvhan Rebangcos, Data and Impact Assessment Manager of Teach for the Philippines. Each speaker brought a distinct perspective from education, public awareness, corporate leadership, and social impact. Together, they reflected the forum’s shared goal of helping students take ownership of their growth.
The event was designed to help students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and navigate real-world challenges beyond the classroom. It emphasized not just academic excellence, but also the soft skills needed to thrive, including communication, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Gia’s talk directly addressed this gap.
She opened with a relatable reality: many students already have ideas, insights, and opinions, but struggle to express them clearly under pressure. Whether it is during recitations, presentations, interviews, or group discussions, the challenge is rarely about intelligence. It is about articulation.
Instead of framing communication as a talent, Gia reframed it as a trainable skill.
She introduced the idea that confidence does not come first. Clarity does.
When students focus on structuring their thoughts instead of trying to sound “perfect,” speaking becomes easier and more natural. This shift removes the pressure of performing and replaces it with the goal of simply being understood.
Throughout her talk, she shared practical ways students can start improving immediately.
One of her key points was the importance of having a simple structure when answering questions. Many students experience mental blocks not because they do not know the answer, but because they try to organize everything at once in their head. By using a clear structure, such as answering directly, giving a short explanation, and supporting it with an example, they reduce overwhelm and gain control over their delivery.
She also emphasized that communication is closely tied to how others perceive you. In academic and professional settings, people often equate clarity with competence. When you speak clearly, you are more likely to be seen as confident, prepared, and capable.
This is especially relevant for students preparing to enter the workforce.
Gia highlighted that communication is one of the most transferable skills across industries. Whether you pursue corporate work, creative fields, or advocacy, your ability to present ideas, collaborate with others, and express your thoughts will shape your opportunities.
Another key message in her presentation was learning how to handle pressure.
Students often associate speaking with high-stakes moments, such as graded recitations, thesis defenses, or interviews. These situations naturally trigger anxiety. Instead of trying to eliminate nervousness, Gia encouraged students to work with it.
She explained that feeling nervous is normal. The goal is not to remove it, but to stay clear despite it.
By practicing in low-pressure environments, such as speaking during small group discussions or recording themselves, students can gradually build familiarity with expressing their thoughts. Over time, this reduces the intensity of fear during bigger moments.
Her talk also touched on the importance of self-perception.
Many students hesitate to speak not because they lack ideas, but because they fear judgment, especially around grammar, pronunciation, or sounding “wrong.” Gia challenged this by reminding the audience that communication is not about perfection. It is about connection.
When you prioritize being understood rather than being flawless, you become more willing to speak. And with more practice comes improvement.
As the session progressed, her message became clear: communication is not just a skill for speaking. It is a skill for creating opportunities.
Every time you answer a question, introduce yourself, or share an idea, you are shaping how others see you. These small moments compound over time and influence the opportunities you receive.
What made Gia’s talk resonate with students was its practicality.
Instead of abstract advice, she gave them something they could apply immediately. Speak even when unsure. Structure your thoughts simply. Focus on clarity over perfection. Practice in small moments.
In a forum designed to empower students, her message grounded that empowerment in action.
While other speakers expanded on leadership, impact, and systems, Gia zoomed in on the individual, the student sitting in the room, thinking, “I know what I want to say, but I do not know how.”
By the end of her talk, that student was left with a different perspective.
You do not need to wait until you feel confident to start speaking.
You become confident because you start.