Daphne Liz Julienne M. Regalado

Daphne Liz Julienne M. Regalado, or simply Daphne or Daph, is a 2nd Year BA Global Affairs and Diplomacy student who sees herself as bright, determined, and bubbly. Her journey is shaped by curiosity, leadership, and a deep desire to understand the world one conversation at a time. From the debates she joined in high school to the organizations she now leads in college, Daphne continues to walk her path with purpose, hope, and a heart that knows how to rise.

Daphne’s interest in global affairs began in senior high, when she found herself joining public speaking and debate competitions. Many of the topics centered on international politics, something she wasn’t familiar with yet. Instead of stepping back, she leaned in, researching on her own, asking questions, and exploring ideas that challenged her to dig deeper. This hunger for understanding eventually led her to Miriam College’s website, where she discovered the program that felt right for her.

Before entering MC, Daphne graduated senior high with high honors. When she stepped into college, the transition wasn’t easy. She compares it to being thrown into a maze without a map, only a compass. There were days filled with pressure, deadlines, and responsibilities that felt too heavy. Yet these challenges became her turning points. Despite the twists and dead ends, she adjusted, learned, and persevered. Being part of the Dean’s List for both semesters of her freshman year is an achievement she treasures because it represents her resilience, not just her academic skill.

Daphne’s light shines even more through her involvement in organizations. She served as the Head of the Publicity Committee of CEDAW Youth MC Chapter, where she earned the Committed Leader Award and the Service Star Award. She is also an active member of the Organization of Diplomatic, Humanitarian and Economic Affairs, and serves as the Core Team Captain of the Miriam College Debate Society. She also spent her freshman year volunteering in Talitha Cumi under the Logistics Committee. These roles taught her humility, teamwork, problem-solving, and how to lead with purpose. They also gave her a sense of belonging, a community that helped her grow beyond the classroom.

In everything she does, Daphne hopes to inspire others. When she speaks, whether in a debate or an everyday conversation, she wants people to feel encouraged. She doesn’t expect others to follow her exact path; she simply wants them to believe that they can achieve great things too. For her, inspiration doesn’t always come from big victories, it can start from something as simple as telling someone, “You can do it.”

As an Honor Scholar for almost two years, Daphne holds her scholarship close to her heart. When she once faced rejection from her dream university, she felt lost. But God opened a different door, one she didn’t expect but eventually grew to love. Her scholarship is a reminder of God’s guidance in moments she doubted her place. It gives her strength to keep moving, to strive for excellence, and to stay grounded in gratitude.

Her Talitha Cumi sisters are a huge part of her journey as well. They are her support system, her safe space, and one of the first communities where she felt she could be fully herself. The friendships she found here, whether quiet, silly, or deeply heartfelt, remind her that she is never walking her journey alone.

When Daphne reflects on her life achievements, she realizes that they come in many forms, not just awards or recognitions. Sometimes they appear in moments that seem small or even embarrassing, like tripping down the stairs. To her, achievements are every experience that shapes her character, strengthens her faith, and builds her identity. They are reminders that growth comes from embracing both the triumphs and the missteps.

The advocacy closest to Daphne’s heart is peace. She studies it not just as a concept in politics, but as something deeply connected to mental health and personal wellbeing. She continues to learn, reflect, and explore how peace can be lived out every day, through creativity, conversations, writing, and gentle acts of understanding.

Looking ahead, Daphne sees herself pursuing diplomacy or international law, but she wants to remain the same passionate girl who loves to draw, cosplay, and explore new hobbies. She hopes to carry her values of hope and peace wherever she goes, no matter how professional or serious her career may become.

This academic year taught her to be true to herself. She learned not to fear expressing her individuality, whether through clothes, hairstyle, or ideas. She also learned to listen to her body, to rest when needed, and to never pretend to be okay when she isn’t. For her, authenticity is a form of strength.

Daphne carries with her a guiding principle from her favorite artist, Porter Robinson, from the song “Look at the Sky”:

“Look at the sky, I’m still here. I’ll be alive next year. I can make something good.”

These words remind her to pause, breathe, and find hope in the ordinary. The sky is a reminder that God’s presence is constant, and that purpose unfolds in His timing. She believes that as long as she keeps moving forward with faith, she will grow into the person she is meant to be.

To her future self and to other dreamers, Daphne shares this:

You matter. You are still here. Keep choosing hope, and trust that light will always find its way back to you.

May Daphne’s journey continue to shine with courage, curiosity, and the hope she so freely shares with the world.

Write-up by Ariane Soriano, External Vice President
Layout by Gen Torres, President and Khym Diaz, Secretary