By Mariah Louise Miciano

When two windows of opportunity opened for second-year Tourism Management student Justin Marty Tomilas, he immediately took this as a chance to explore places and appease his curious wonders. He flew across the seas to share his intellect and abilities, while also trying to learn ways that can help with his own advocacies—giving pride to the University and the whole country as he promotes a call for action on social issues.

Tomilas became a delegate in four international conferences held by the United Nations wherein participants engage in discussions about social, economic, and political issues. The delegates from each participating country are encouraged to formulate diplomatic and peaceful resolutions to these issues. 

Two of them were in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last August 2024 and January 2025, while the other two were in Bangkok, Thailand last November 2024.

The first window that started everything

Tomilas’ journey started when a friend asked for a favor in a side hustle. During his senior high school (SHS) years, he started working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor.

“I started working as a tutor during my senior high school years because of my friend who's a public school teacher who's [also] doing a sideline job as an ESL tutor. She [referred] me to the company since they badly needed someone to help with the tutoring program they offer,” the Tourism student shared. 

After months of tutoring, he found himself enjoying the ability to teach and help other people through this ‘favored side hustle.’ So he continued his journey as an ESL. 

During his first months of teaching, his primary tutees were both Japanese and Korean, but now as a college student, he only teaches the latter. 

Usually, in this kind of commitment, schedules are packed, which is why he chose to focus on solely teaching Koreans to balance his time for academic responsibilities and international engagements.

Hence, amid the usual routine of being a part-time student-tutor, he still finds it hard to balance both worlds. Thus, he found a way to maximize and decide which area to prioritize first.

“Being a working student is very hard, balancing the nature of study and work. In this college days, I am not working as hectic as my SHS days. I am just working if they need my service… the reason [working] is very tolerable now,” he expressed. 

Despite the drawbacks of handling two heavy obligations at the same time, becoming an ESL tutor felt like a privilege which provides him the strength to strive and continue, gaining more knowledge and experience along the way.

“Things that motivate me are the knowledge and experience that are being molded in every step of the way. I know that no matter how hard the journey is, there's wisdom that is being formulated from it,” Tomilas said. 

Tutoring was not initially part of his dreams, but it has led him to opportunities that fuels his interest to keep aspiring for more. 

“I know my little self didn't dream about this, but here we are. We are still not on the finish line, we still have a lot to learn and explore,” he shared. 

Another window seized 

To keep igniting his love in helping other people through his skills, he continued to try different approaches that may enhance it. 

So when another friend from Indonesia introduced him to international conferences held by the United Nations, he took interest and tried to apply.

Tomilas explained that joining these conferences was not easy because he had to go through a long screening process to earn an invitation to become a delegate. 

So when the moment Tomilas passed these steps, he started receiving exclusive invitations to attend different conferences as a recognized delegate. 

Although the delegate described the feeling of lingering pressure, he could not turn down the opportunity of a lifetime to represent the country.

“Representing the Philippines on an international stage is both an honor and a responsibility. I feel a deep sense of pride knowing that I can showcase my country's diplomatic and leadership abilities, but at the same time, I also feel pressure to perform well and uphold the values and intelligence expected of a Filipino delegate,” he asserted. 

The delegate also added that the most tedious part of the whole experience was the long and crucial process of preparation. 

“Before flying to another country to participate, I need to invest a significant amount of time and effort in writing speeches, drafting position papers, and conducting extensive research,” he shared. 

In these conferences, he was awarded as the Most Outstanding Delegate and was also invited to join an advanced council. 

Moreover, his experience in tutoring ESL among foreign students highlighted the English language competency of Filipinos. 

Both of these factors paved the way for him to receive the Dangal ng Lahi Award, an award given to those who meet the main criteria of giving pride and honor to the country's reputation and capabilities in different fields globally. 

As an awardee, he makes sure that he uses this recognition to keep learning and widening his knowledge. 

At the same time, he’s also taking part in initiatives that target both local and international issues to foster personal growth and continuous excellence while helping to solve problems faced by communities around the world.

“I intend to give back to the community through community service initiatives like projects that will empower Filipino youth and help them become more globally competitive, and organizing events to equip aspiring diplomats and young leaders with the necessary skills for success in international diplomacy,” the awardee explained.

After all, his main goal was to leave an impact that would hone a better future for everyone in the country.

So, he advises aspiring delegates like him to always be willing to learn, adapt, and embrace different perspectives. 

He believes that being open to change and constructive criticism helps us improve and refine our skills while still being able to apply ourselves despite the constant changes in the world. 

“If we strive for continuous growth and excellence, we can become outstanding representatives of our country. More than just participating in international conferences, the goal is to make a real impact and contribute to global discussions that shape the future,” the delegate advised. 

Representing his home country's competencies and abilities to another has helped Tomilas explore different perspectives, cultures, and beliefs. Traveling to different places enhances his views as an individual and pushes him to have an open mind. This promotes another opportunity to expand his wings and fly through different wonders without fear while also advocating for what is right, embodying the character of a brave Tamaraw. 

(Photo courtesy of Justin Marty Tomilas)