This is Our Moment – Christ-centered Youth as Agents of Change

“Bella esperanza de la Patria mia”

“The youth is the fair hope of my fatherland.” These were golden words from our dear national
hero, Jose Protacio Rizal. Do you agree with this? Most likely an uproaring yes is expected
especially from most of us here. But come to think of it, the Philippines today is tormented with
various social afflictions – poverty, crime, pork barrel issue, indifferences, and the recent natural
calamities that took thousands of lives and properties. So how can we address these social ills
plaguing the Philippine Society? What role does the youth play in addressing these social ills?

Ladies and gentlemen, in the very first place who are the youth? One may define the ideal youth
as a balanced individual exhibiting a highly spiritual life informed by absolute moral values and
whose behavior demonstrates qualities such as righteousness, friendliness, dynamism, honesty,
humility and conscientiousness in everything he/she does. They are the warriors ready to risk their
lives.
However, many people are quick to criticize the actions of the youth of today. Yes, young as we
are, we are definitely vulnerable to all these brandings around us. And who is to be blamed?
Wherein fact, all around us emerge shifts in the face of overwhelming economic and social
problems. Advances in technology shrink boundaries while global economics become more
interdependent. Environment problems become global in context. A growing number of youth is
faced with varied temptations written, oral and visual media offer. The inhuman disrespect of life
from womb to tomb is rampant.
I know this is such an awful sight for us youth to travel on. In fact, everytime we see our national
political scenario, we feel weary and frustrated. We get hurt. We know even more than everyone
thinks. And we long for change.
Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow youth, in this most trying and tragic times of our being Filipinos,
let us show to the world that the Filipino youth has the strongest determination thrice as the
strength of Typhoon Yolanda. Name calling and blame passing and finger pointing will just increase
the damage and add to the confusion. Let us celebrate what is right. Let us do what us right, the
right that we can do no matter how small. Let us not allow the magnitude to overwhelm us. It is
high time to accept responsibility for building our future. It is time to stop accepting the world as
it is – corrupt, inefficient, unfair and unjust – and start visualizing the world as it can and should
be. If each of us does our part in our areas of interest, then maybe we can reach what Malcolm
Gladwell calls the Tipping Point – when the momentum for change becomes unstoppable. It starts
with a vision for the future – how things can be better. Then you spread that idea person to person
before we reach the critical mass of the tipping point – and change the entire system. That change
begins within us. We need to stop standing by the sidelines complaining and start doing something
to change what we do not like.
There may be countless ways to grab development with these dedicated buds at hand, but it
all boils down to one thing: The kind of family defines the kind of community, and the kind of
community shapes the future of our dear country. If we desire development for this nation, then
we must start investing now by training, educating, molding and involving the youth in nation
development. Instill Christian values which are first learned at home and reinforced by the church,
school and community. Most likely, one will live with the values he grew up with. The youth who
were once untapped will eventually become partners in nation development and agents of change.
As what Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Be the change you want to see.” Will you take it or leave it?