The Reverend Kwon Young Soo Missionary Leadership Award honors young individuals who embody the values of faith, service, and transformative leadership—principles that defined Reverend Kwon’s lifelong mission. Among this year’s candidates is Emerald Vindex A. Dumpayan, who stands as a quiet yet powerful testament to what it truly means to lead with purpose. In an era when titles are often chased and recognition is sought after, Emerald delivered a speech that did more than recount her accomplishments—it told the story of a life rooted in service and compassion.
“I didn’t become a student leader, journalist, or volunteer for recognition. I did it because something greater called me to act,” she shared.
From her early days as an auditor in the Inetgen organization and staff writer for Loquitur, to eventually becoming Prime Minister of the Supreme Student Council and Managing Editor of the campus publication, Emerald’s growth as a leader was never about personal gain. Each role she embraced became a stepping stone in a larger journey—one marked by empathy, advocacy, and meaningful action. Moreover, she helped lead student initiatives like AquaEdu, Kapekapehan, and Student’s Day, participated in press conferences and writing competitions, and volunteered in outreach efforts and environmental clean-ups.
But it was her participation in the Global Goals Youth Summit 2025 that crystallized her purpose.
There, surrounded by fellow changemakers and young refugees from Somalia and Pakistan, she realized her leadership wasn’t limited to school grounds—it had global significance.
“That experience made my purpose even clearer: I’m meant to serve and stand for the youth.”
Rev. Kwon Young Soo Missionary Award
The Reverend Kwon Young Soo Missionary Leadership Award is a prestigious recognition presented by King’s College of the Philippines (KCP) in honor of its beloved founder, Reverend Kwon Young Soo. A Korean missionary who dedicated 34 years of his life to serving the Cordillera region, Reverend Kwon embodied the heart of Christian service and community-building.
His visionary leadership led to the founding of KCP. The institution still provides quality education and nurtures future leaders rooted in compassion, justice, and faith. Reverend Kwon built his legacy through missionary service. He uplifted the marginalized, empowered youth through education, and served communities with humility and faith.
The award aims to recognize young leaders who reflect these same values. It is given to students who demonstrate:
- A profound commitment to service through volunteerism and advocacy,
- A tangible impact in their communities through leadership and action,
- And a deep alignment with Christian values such as empathy, resilience, and a calling to serve others.
More than a title, the award is a mission—one that seeks to inspire a generation of youth to follow in Reverend Kwon’s footsteps and become changemakers in a world that desperately needs them.
Emerald’s journey resonates deeply with this vision.
“Through every volunteer work, publication deadline, leadership role, and academic challenge, I gave pieces of myself—not to fill a résumé, but to fill a need,” she said.
She hopes to become a teacher—someone who empowers, advocates, and inspires the next generation, just like KCP inspired her. Her leadership journey is about action, not accolades; impact, not applause. She reminds us that true leadership is quiet, steady, and rooted in love for others.
In recognizing Emerald Vindex A. Dumpayan, we don’t just celebrate a student—we honor a mission. One that began with Reverend Kwon Young Soo, and continues today through the lives of young leaders ready to change the world—not for praise, but for purpose.
