“The youth is the hope of the motherland.” This is just one of idioms that our Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal once enunciated. This means that the future of our nation lies on the hands of the youth of today. More so, the youth have the power to reshape the nation's present appearance. However, this meaningful and echoing idiom has been passing through our ears for years but it seems that no improvement has evolved.
The generation of Rizal has gone a long time ago and the said idiom traveled from generation to next generation but the brilliant idiom has molded nothing. Filipinos just keep on murmuring this line but they take no moves to actuate their stand. Even though there are few who really pursue their patriotism, they are overshadowed by the many that decline to move.
The progress of a nation does not solely depend on the youth, but on all the people. We might have doubts on how the youth can shape the image of hope when in fact they are still young and dependent on their parents. They do not have the voice in national affairs and they are currently striving with their lessons in schools.
We are considering the youth as the nation’s hope for transformation, and that they are going to take the gigantic task of running the nation in the future. They will take charge of everything tomorrow. That is why, these days, the present society formulates empowerment activities to train the youth’s potentials as servant leaders of tomorrow.
For the past few years, youth organizations are sprouting to promote leadership skills and to foster youth friendship in the society. One of which is the Sangguniang Kabataan. This political organization where the youth is into is a good manifestation of creating a path towards the development of the nation. These people are exposed to handle groups of youth where their leadership capabilities are tested and honed. The younger ones are encouraged to join to sustain the existence of such organizations and to maximize the youth’s productivity.
However, these organizations nowadays are being gradually influenced by people who are in the mainstream of nation’s politics. It is a disappointing reality that the youth who wanted to become leaders are misguided by the wrong-doings of the elders. They are using money to gather votes. The question is: where did they get the money? Do they have any source of income? My dear friends, we have the facilities to make things right.
Our brain can think of brilliant ideas and thoughts, so let us use these ideas for a noble purpose of helping our nation. Our eyes can see the reality, so let us bear witness to truth and honesty. Our ears can hear the vibrations of humanity, so let’s listen to their point-of-views. Our nose can smell the fragrance of exceptional achievement, so let us embrace the essence of success. Our mouth can speak the words of wisdom, so let us stick to the principles of morality and share it to the world. Our hands have the mighty power of writing, of doing things, so let us start working on the picture of innovative leadership. Our hearts can feel the beat of the humankind, so let us offer them affection. And finally, our knees are supple, so let’s accept the corrections of our mistakes and learn from it.
Just believe in your own capacity that even how young you are, you can move a muscle. Use technology and any available resources to spread the good actions. Influence others in righteous ways. Disseminate meaningful messages to awaken the youth’s conscience.
We, as young people, as young professionals, should look around and get involved in what is happening around us. Let us open our eyes and look on the bright side of every action. OUR NATION NEEDS US. Our motherland that is brazenly neglected needs our idealisms and fresh perspective of leadership just like us who need the guidance of our elders. Let’s speak out and let our voices be heard.
We are educated; thus, we are aware of the goodness of every action. We are rational gift from God; thus, we can identify right from wrong. We are full of idealisms; therefore, we can share something worthy for motherland’s development. We are creative; therefore, we can exist with our styles and techniques. The youth are vigilant; thus, we can never conceal the lies. And finally, we are the products of our parents, who pampered us with love, care, and wisdom; of our teachers who always encourage us to develop love of our country, inculcate the value of perseverance and hard-work; share knowledge and help us to become honourable men and women of the society.
I call on you, my fellow young citizens of this country; let us emulate our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and be truly the hope of our motherland.
