You know what they say: “When the going gets tough, the tough… detox, disconnect, and discover themselves at ICW.”

Last June 20, Team Santa Barbara gathered again for their weekly Kamustahan—a heartfelt, sometimes hilarious, always eye-opening sharing session after their life-changing experience at the Inner Conditioning Workshop (ICW) facilitated by SEA Inc., as part of the IPAT-SIAD governance framework.

And let us tell you—these youth aren’t just participants anymore. They’re practitioners of change.

Dae: From Screen Time to Me Time

“Mas gumanda self-discipline ko. Maaga na ko matulog, at mas gumising ng maaga. Nabawasan na rin cellphone ko—kasi nga walang signal sa bundok!” ( “My self-discipline has improved. I sleep earlier now and wake up earlier too. I’ve also lessened my cellphone use—mainly because there’s no signal in the mountains!”)

Who needs TikTok when you have inner peace? Dae swapped doom-scrolling for soul-searching, and as a bonus, got clearer skin from the organic diet. She’s now the poster girl for “Less phone, more growth.”

Jopson: From Tocino to Transformation

“Ang hirap pala bumalik sa tocino after one week ng gulay. Pero worth it ‘yung discipline.” (“It’s actually hard to go back to eating tocino after a week of eating vegetables. But the discipline was worth it.”)

He entered the ICW as a talkative tocino enthusiast. He left a mindful, veggie-powered philosopher-in-the-making. Jopson’s main takeaway? Discipline is like bitter ampalaya—hard at first, but good for the heart.

Dawn: The Patience Guru

“Sanay na ko makinig muna bago magsalita. At yung breathing exercise? Lifesaver!” (“I’m now used to listening first before speaking. And the breathing exercise? A lifesaver!”)

Culture shock? Check. Emotional growth? Double check. Dawn went from instant reactions to intentional responses. Now she doesn’t just pause for breath—she inhales wisdom and exhales peace.

Mary Rose: Time is Gold (and Now Well-Managed)

“Natuto ako mag-manage ng time. Structured pala ang body clock kapag may routine!”

Mary Rose unlocked the secret to life: wake up early, plan your day, and you might even have time to breathe before panicking. ICW was her productivity coach—with no app needed.

Neomer: From Netflix to Nature Walks

“Nag-exercise na ko at kumakain na ko ng gulay—ICW lifestyle hits different.” (“I learned how to manage my time. Turns out, your body clock becomes more structured when you have a routine!”)

Who knew that a little eggplant and a morning stretch could do so much? Neomer’s lifestyle glow-up is a masterclass in holistic wellness. He traded snacks for squats, and honestly? We love that for him.

Crystal: Simplicity is the New Aesthetic

“Walang phone? Nakakagulat! Pero ang dami ko natutunan—mas naging simple at contented ako.” (No phone? Shocking at first! But I learned so much—I became simpler and more content.)

Crystal realized that sometimes, losing the noise means finding yourself. From the serenity of daily walks to the quiet strength of shared stories, she learned that a beautiful journey starts with… no WiFi and lots of reflection.

ICW + IPAT-SIAD = Real Change

While the laughter, realizations, and vegetable-related trauma were plenty, Team Santa Barbara agrees: the ICW wasn’t just a one-week retreat—it was a reset. The habits formed, the discipline learned, and the emotional intelligence built are now translating into better governance and deeper engagement in the IPAT-SIAD process.

Because how can you build accountable and transparent communities, if you can’t even manage your own bedtime, right?

Bonus: The CBE Experience—Nature’s Own Life Coach

“Parang resort! May fireflies, walang lamok, at ang view—para kang nasa Instagram filter pero real life.”( “It feels like a resort! There are fireflies, no mosquitoes, and the view—it’s like living inside an Instagram filter, but in real life.”)

They called it paradise, but with tarpaulins. The Center for Bayanihan Education (CBE) became a backdrop for transformation—complete with breathtaking views, peaceful silence, and no temptation to post it all on IG. And yes, they survived without their phones. Miracles do happen.

Final Reflection

“The real transformation starts within—but when done together, it becomes a movement.”

From self-awareness to social transformation, from leafy greens to leadership skills—Team Santa Barbara is ready. Ready to contribute to a better barangay, and maybe even a better world.

Because in the end, ICW isn’t just about pausing from life—it’s about learning how to live it well.

With gratitude, grit, and a little giggle along the way.