From lantern's wish to the boardroom: VSU Student Regent Kyle Ambid

A prayer that was etched on a lantern in Taiwan. A year later, with confirmation.

The moment crystallized for #ProudViscan Kyle Ambid that he would take his seat on the VSU Board of Regents as the student representative of Baybay, Alangalang, Isabel, Tolosa, and Villaba.

When his election as USSC Federation Chairperson was confirmed, he was overcome with a mix of emotions. 

"I knew that I was being entrusted with something else aside from another student leadership post. I was being entrusted to represent the students of the entire Visayas State University in the Board of Regents," he said.

Following in distinguished footsteps

Kyle took over the Student Regency after Sanny M. Dumpa Jr., who served as the voice of the studentry in the VSU Governing Board in AY 2025-2026. 

Dumpa, a 4th year BS Biology (major in Zoology) graduate, has been a student leader since he was a freshman.

As a a member of the Public Relations Committee of the then College of Arts and Sciences Supreme Student Council in 2022, he rose from the ranks to becoming a member of the Board Directors of University Supreme Student Council (USSC)-Baybay and chaired the Committee on Justice and Students Rights.

In his third year as a college student, he was elected as Vice President of the USSC Baybay and later took the helm as President after his predecessor was elected to the Board. He was also appointed as the Public Information Officer of the USSC Federation and the VSU SDG 16 Ambassador under the G17 University Ambassador Consortium Philippines.

Now with Kyle as the new Student Regent, the baton passes on from one distinguished student leader to the next.

The road to the Board is paved with personal belief

As a Bachelor of Science in Development Communication student, Kyle saw and understood the burdens student leaders bore.

He climbed the steps of the University student council system and became USSC-Baybay President for the AY 2025-2026.

While he expressed gratitude to his family and friends who have prayed and supported him throughout his journey, one personal experience stood out for him.

"I once wrote a wish on a lantern, a quiet prayer for the chance to serve in a position where I could make a greater difference. At the time, it was only a hope, something I whispered into the night and let go. A year later, when my election was confirmed, that lantern came back to me, and I was overcome. I realized how far that prayer had carried me, and how much responsibility it had placed in my hands," he said in an interview.

However, Kyle knows well that it was not faith alone that brought him to this point.

"It was not because of luck. I prayed for the opportunity to serve but I had to make it happen," he added.

The path to leadership was well-traveled by Kyle, with stops along the way at the 4-H Club of the Philippines. He served at the Bohol Provincial, Central Visayas regional, and eventually the National Federation levels and as National President of the 4-H Club of the Philippines.

"Each level has taught me a thing or two about service," he said.

Listening first, leading with students

Unlike his predecessors, Kyle said he will not come into the federation with a set agenda.

"Before anything else, I want to talk to campus presidents and hold student dialogues with all campus organizations, faculty councils, and the USSC," he said. 

"I do not want to come into the federation with a direction already set. Our direction should be with the students, not for the students," he added.

His approach will follow a multi-campus representation model, where all campus units have differentiated considerations.

Among his immediate concerns are the improvement of the Student Development Fund Guidelines, the revision of the Student Handbook, and the institutionalization of the Red Days Policy.

“Our priority should not only be limited to leaving new policies but to leave everything better than we found it.” he told UIMPA. 

The burdens of the position

"When the workload becomes overwhelming and I start to think that maybe I am not doing enough, I go back to the people who have given me their trust, to why I took on this position, and to my faith," he stated.

Kyle described servant leadership, transformative action, and student-centered governance as the pillars of his leadership.

To fellow Viscans, Kyle has this to say: "I hope you will never be afraid to speak, question, and participate. Your concerns are not an interruption to the University's operations, but they are part of the process.” 

"I don't want you all to just trust me to speak for you, but to speak with me, challenge me, and hold me accountable," he added.

As a student representative to the VSU Board of Regents, Kyle knows well that he speaks for the student body.

"I may occupy the seat at the table where decisions are made, but I carry the voices of those who are not there," he said.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education and SDG No. 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

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