“Filipino Youth: Facing Challenges, Developing Talents for ASEAN Competitiveness”
Mari Justin P. Akut/Grade 10 Goethe, LDCU
“ A flower doesn’t compete with the flower next to it, it just blooms.” This is a famous quote that, for me, tells us exactly how the Filipino youth should act. We need to realize that we grow as an individual not because we want everyone else to be afraid of us, rather, we grow because we want to be better versions of ourselves. However, in a world where everyday people are striving to become the best out of everything, does the youth still stand a chance at this? We all hear the words “irresponsible”, “rushing into romance”, “lazy”, and even “useless” to describe the Filipino youth. And as one, I find it heartbreaking that people actually think of us like that. Everyone is different and we should all perceive that the youth, though sometimes irresponsible, are not delinquents in the making. We should not always believe in the stereotyped people throwing at the youth for sometimes, stereo-types aren’t real.
Take for example Efren Peñaflorida, the mastermind of the “pushcart classroom”, Kesz Valdez, the boy who taught street children during his free time, John Pecayo, the boy who fought for his dreams, and even Rusty Quintana, the misguided teen who found his way back because of the good around him. These Filipino youth have one thing in common: the burning passion to help others and to be better individuals themselves. These brave Filipino youth have the talent of becoming selfless, the talent of compassion for their fellow Filipino. Also, let us remember the different talents that the Filipinos have successfully shown the world. El Gamma Pinumbra, Jessica Sanchez, Lea Salonga, Shamcey Supsup -- these are some of the Filipinos who showed their talents to the world and was able to prove that, indeed, Filipinos are globally competitive.
The challenges we face are not easy. But life doesn’t wait for anyone. it doesn’t wait for you to be ready for it -- you just have to be. The youth should let their voices be heard. “Raus mit der sprache”, out with your words in German.
I used to even think that the youth are just a bunch of people who are so glued on their Facebook or relationship status. However, as I entered the contest venue, I have witnessed countless amount of youth, just like me, who has this positive spirit of being able to share this excitement, their thoughts to the world. Life is a giant leap of faith, all it needs is a head that strives to be better and a heart that believes it can do so. Personally, I have encountered challenges that made me give up. Yet, I always say, “If the most hopeless person in this world can do it, then so can I.” I am glad that there are a bunch of people who give importance as to what the youth thinks. I am so glad that the youth are given a chance to be able to express themselves freely. After all, age shouldn’t be a hindrance for someone to have the freedom to express his thoughts, right?
The private Schools and School Administrators Association of the Philippines ow what is commonly known as PRISSAAP is one way for the Filipino youth to reach the same level of other ASEAN countries in terms of competitiveness. Truly, “big things come from humble beginnings,” for nothing in life ever comes easy. It’s either one does it little by little or nothing at all. And as what Father Robert told the assembly a while ago, “PRISSAAP is a gateway for the youth to encounter different ways of learning.”