Today, I woke up to one of the most inspiring announcements in recent Church history—the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA). Seeing the Holy Father’s face, humble and tearful, brought me back to my own spiritual journey and mission.

The motto “𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑶𝒏𝒆” (In Illo Uno Unum), proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, the newly installed Holy Father affirms that in Christ, all divisions dissolve and true communion begins. It is a sacred call to unity—reminding the world that we are one human family, bound by love, mercy, and shared responsibility. As he steps into the papacy, Pope Leo XIV invites us to renew our faith through service, compassion, and a deeper commitment to building a more just and inclusive world in Christ’s name.

His presence reminded me of the sacred values that shaped who I am—faith, knowledge, and service—values instilled in me through fourteen years of Augustinian and Dominican education. From St. Rose of Lima School under the Sisters of the Order of Preachers to my alma mater, the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, where I earned my AB Political Science degree in 1993, I learned that true leadership is service rooted in love.

As Pope Leo XIV so beautifully declared:

“To serve is to love, and to love is to give oneself completely, just as Christ gave Himself for us.”

This message is not only spiritual but deeply aligned with my personal mission as a public servant and digital advocate. For over two decades, I have committed myself to bringing technology, innovation, and opportunity to underserved communities in the Philippine countryside. My mission has always been anchored in this belief: Digital empowerment is a moral imperative—because access to knowledge, skills, and digital livelihood is not just about economics, it is about dignity.

In my work as Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), I continue to push for inclusive digital policies, ethical AI adoption, and the creation of digital jobs and opportunities, especially for the youth in the countryside and pioneered and help create platforms for synergy among academe, government, and industry—because community transformation must be collaborative, inclusive, and values-based.

The papacy of Pope Leo XIV is a reaffirmation that service and innovation are not contradictory, but complementary. It is a call to all leaders—to reexamine our motives, to act with compassion, and to serve with integrity.

This moment, marked by the historic rise of Pope Leo XIV and his call for unity in Christ, strengthens my resolve to advance my lifelong mission of inclusive digital transformation. It renews my commitment to empower the next generation through digital literacy and ethical leadership, fostering a culture of integrity and innovation. It compels me to champion resilient and digitally connected rural economies, ensuring no community is left behind in the digital age. As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape our world, I will continue advocating for their responsible and just use, guided by human dignity and fairness. Most of all, this moment deepens my passion to uplift women, the youth, and marginalized sectors, creating opportunities through technology and nurturing communities that reflect compassion, equality, and faith in action.

In Pope Leo XIV’s face, I see the face of every servant leader who has chosen a life of quiet but courageous service. And in his Augustinian heart, I find resonance with my lifelong mission—to build not just systems or structures, but a more dignified, inclusive, and faith-filled future.

In Illo Uno Unum—In the One Christ, we are One.

Let us continue to walk together in this sacred path—fueled by faith, guided by values, and driven by the unwavering desire to serve.

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