Calls for change resonate in Pilipinas 2.0

With negative news such as the derailment of preparations for the automated elections, rumors of a Constituent assembly, bickering among politicians, and killings of militant leaders, could anyone still have the energy and effort to believe in this country?

In an effort to raise the youth's political awareness, the Philippine Online Chronicles (POC) and Kubol Pag-asa in cooperation with COMELEC gave 15 different advocacy groups a chance to speak in front of students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) for Pilipinas 2.0, a program that aims to get students involved in the 2010 elections.

The groups were COMELEC, FCAID, Kubol Pagasa, Silent Society, I am Ninoy Movement, First Time Voter's Project, Kaalagad, Gawad Kalinga, NAMFREL, Pagbabago! People's Movement for Change, Youth Vote Philippines, Kaya Natin Movement, UP Babaylan, 10 for 2010, and the PLM Student Council.

Diverse points of view were given by each speaker. Silent Society, a formation group and spiritual movement, said that spirituality can save Filipinos. You Act Now highlighted the large portion of the country's budget that goes to debt payment, thus sacrificing our budget for education, health services, and agriculture. The First Time Voters Movement stressed the small number of youth who have registered in the past elections and encouraged the youth to participate, register, and vote.

"Maging bayani ka sa sarili mong bayan," said a Gawad Kalinga representative, encouraging the students to help the nation by building houses for less fortunate Filipinos.

The ideas presented by the speakers showed a number of ways in which the youth could participate and contribute to Philippine society. Despite the fact that each group had different philosophies and agendas, they all angle toward the need for change. One of their common aims is to widen the youth's understanding of the country's political situation - the urgent need to work together for the nation, to create the system that they would like to see in the coming years.

"Ang boto niyo ay hindi pa nabibili sapagkat kayo ay hindi pa nabebenta," said Father Robert Reyes, emphasizing that the youth's participation is crucial in the country's fight for a better government.

Two speakers from PLM also participated by suggesting simple actions that the students could do to help. "Let us walk our talk. Huwag naman natin sayangin ang enerhiya na meron tayo ngayon. Let us leave a legacy to this country, and let us be that legacy," said one student leader, following a statement highlighting today's youth becoming too absorbed in the Internet.

PLM president Atty. Adel Tamano welcomed Pilipinas 2.0 in the university, saying, "If you're looking for the best students in the Philippines, you can actually find many of them here in PLM." He cited a reason why the upcoming elections will affect the students' lives - their intelligence contrasted with the harsh economic realities they face will push them to get involved in different advocacies.

Governor Ed Panlilio provided words of hope when he said, "pwedeng mangibabaw ang prinsipyo at paniniwala." He also added his realization that ethical leadership is not a dream, telling the students that they are not losing hope in the Philippines.

Heber Bartolome, Noel Cabangon, and Papa Dom of Tropical Depression performed songs that both entertained and informed. Comedians Jun Urbano (Mr. Shooli) and Mae Paner (Juana Change) entartained the crowd with their satirical takes on Philippine politics.

Urbano entered the stage as the famous Mr. Shooli, a Mongolian who remains shocked and confused at how Filipinos can't get things together. After a couple of jokes drawing attention to the classic Shooli accent that has made thousands laugh since the '80s, Urbano shifted to his natural voice.

He encouraged the students to take a stand, saying, "Nakita ko na ang bayan natin ay 'di na katulad ng bayan 'nung ako'y bata pa. Tanungin niyo sa mga lolo niyo, sa mga tatay ninyo, kung ano ang Pilipino noong araw. Ang Pilipino, iginagalang. Ang Pilipino, sinasaluduhan maski nasaan sya naroroon. Ngayon, ang mga Pilipino, kinukutya...sinasabing alila, alipin, kung tratuhin parang mga hayop. Hindi po dapat ganun, because we have been there. Nanggaling na tayo sa itaas. Tayo po ay kinilala, dinakila ng buong Southeast Asia."

The stereotypical image of the Filipino youth as being indifferent to societal concerns may soon be a thing of the past, for there remains a large number of students who are willing to get involved in shaping a better future for the country. Their heightened awareness, which is expected to lead to active paticipation, will play a major role in the Philippines' re-emergence as a nation worthy of praise and respect.

Things are likely to get tougher, not to mention dangerous, as the 2010 elections near; but with the participation of the youth, we could see a turnaround.

Photos by Ofelia Sta. Maria. Licensed under Creative Commons