The Resiliency of a Filipino

by William G. Bacani

B : Filipino is resilient
G : Since time immemorial, we are tested by countless calamities; volcanic eruptions, devastating
earthquakes and lahar flows, super typhoons, flash floods and landslides.
B : Victoriously, we surmounted these ordeals and pains, beyond imagination of the human race
G : Instant death of our loved ones, claimed by transportation mishaps and natural disasters. Thousands
also die in hunger and malnutrition.
All : Including ambushes and endless wars in Mindanao. They trampled our basic human rights, such as
the right to live
G (solo) : I lost my loving husband, who didn't want to join Abu Sayyaf.
G (solo) : I lost my only son, who opted to become a military man.
G : We lost our innocent children and women, we lost our homes and properties.
B : Survivors are Filipinos. The wrath of nature and cruel destiny may steal everything from us.
B (solo) : Wealth, properties, and family
All : But the Filipinos never give up
B : For us we are continuously scourged by the test of time. The spirit to survive and to bounce back
remains undefeated
All : I'm as pliant as a bamboo for I'm a man of Earth
G : My hair may all be blown away by the winds
B : And my legs may be crippled by the smash of waves
All : But I will stand and pick up the shattered pieces of myself and continue to live
B : Resolute to survive, clothed with an inspiration to live, not only for my family but also for my
beloved country
All : Filipinos unite in the midst of crisis, regardless of socio-economic status, tradition and creed
G : The world has seen the magnanimous spirit of the Filipinos in crucial times.
All : The gap between the rich and the poor was narrowed
G (solo) : Envy was replaced by sympathy
G (solo) : Hatred was conquered by love
B (solo) : Selfishness was set aside
B : And saving one's live is the ultimate desire
All : History tells us that the Filipinos have captured innumerable foes, natural and not. And shall
always strive to champion in all odds. Because innate in the Filipino is the will to survive
B : We may be daunted by the horrible scenes around us. But certainly, we will be strengthened by our
unwavering faith in God.
G : We have been lotted by many nations in the world, for our resiliency during disasters, others die in
saving lives.
All : But only few realize, that we are able to survive, because our spirit to fight is deeply anchored
from faith, that God Almighty will never forsake us.
B (solo) : I believe that Filipinos, divided by varied doctrines and cultures, are capable to be on top of
any situation, if united
All : Together, we can face any challenge ahead of us.
B : We may stumble and fall
All : But we will bounce back, arms stronger with vision and faith, that after darkness, after pains and
sufferings, the Filipino survives, the Filipino is resilient.
THE PLEA OF AN ABORTED FETUS (declamation)

THE PLEA OF AN ABORTED FETUS

Set me free. Let me live, I deserve to be born, I want to live. For heavens's sake, have pity.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear fathers and mothers, listen to my plea, listen to my story. I
could have been the 17th Lady President of the Philippines Republic, had you given me the
chance to live, had you not deprived me of my life, had you not taken away my privilege to
be born.

Some eleven years ago, a healthy ovum started to generate in the womb of a woman with
six other children. My coming should be a herald of joy, a symbol of love incarnate but to
my mommy it was a burden, a problem, an additional mouth to feed. To Dad, it was a
mistake, an effect of mom's carelessness for not taking the contraceptive pills.

One gloomy day in June, my unexpected coming was confirmed. It was a painful decision. I
could sense the imminent danger as Mom got inside the abortion room. I was an unwanted
child. no one loved me. No one cared. I was a rejected being, a tiny lump slowly forming
into human being with human soul. I was already beating and my thumb had already the
unique mark. As I was holding strongly to my mother's womb a splash of heat came over
me. I writhed in extreme pain.

-Mom, why have you done this to me? Am I not the flesh of your own flesh, the blood of
your own blood?

The rubber suction caught my tiny limbs and mercilessly twisted it slowly cutting it from my
body. I struggled for my life. 1,2,3 and the first part of me came out.

-Mom, why have you permitted this? Am I not Dad's pledge of love to you? Then it was
followed by another rubber suction sucking the other part moving it with force until both
were fully amputated.

-Mom, why have you done this to me? Am I not God's image you promised to love and
protect? Then I felt shaken once, twice, several times until I do not know anymore what has
been going around. I gushed forth my breath. . .

Then came the final blow, my head- the abortionist termed as No. I was totally cut from my
torso; total annihilation.

Gone is my chance to lead a healthy normal life.

Gone is my chance to behold the many lovely things God created for us

Gone is the promise of a blissful life.

Gone, gone forever.

I AM THE YOUTH OF TODAY – Oration Piece
Standard

By: Lovella Chris L. Palma

I am the youth of today. I am a descendant of the brave Katipuneros and the strong-willed
leaders of the revolution. I wear the red banner and carry the torch of my guerrilla forefathers.
The blood of my ancestors runs through my veins. I was not delivered into this world in defeat.
The resilience of the past centuries nourishes my will but I am still fighting for my freedom,
justice, and peace.

To our distinguished members of the board of judges, to my fellow contenders, friends, visitors,
ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I stand before you to speak for democracy, that our heroes died for, the unfortunate and unjust
strived for, and the present and even the future generation’s endeavour. Honor and dignity flow
in my blood and my heart beats for freedom.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Filipino heroism is our legacy. It is found in the determination that
made it possible for our Banganhon brothers to fight for freedom. It is in the courage that
sustained them to seek justice for the brutal Banga massacre many years ago. Let the blood of the
courageous Katipuneros run through the veins of our children. Let their cries be echoed to our
youth. Let us revel in the victory and peace that our forefathers gave their life for.

But where is our freedom? Through the agony of the three hundreds of years under the Spanish
colonization, several years under the Japanese and American occupation, I should think we are
liberated from foreign forces… but a fellow Filipino dictator once again threatened our peace.
When victory became ours, the seed of democracy in our country began to take root and sprouted
to grow. I should rejoice, and shout. However, ladies and gentlemen, I can see pictures of our
Mother Land in reality at the present and she is chained. Her shackles are those of poverty and
inequality. Her chains are those of injustices, human rights violations, corruption, and treason.
Her eyes are blinded by media, and social networking. But her heart breaks as she sees her sons
point their guns at each other. She sees her daughters slaving their way in foreign lands to earn
money to buy food for their families. Is this what freedom has cost her?

I am the youth of today, I am free to do what I want without prejudice. I am free to say what I
want without fear of incrimination. I have grown fond of TV shows, love teams and teleserye,
and fight over them in social media. If only my fellow youths can defend our land from
domestic terrorist groups, like how we defend AlDub or Pastillas girl. If only we can protect our
West Philippine Sea from foreign invaders like how we protect our love teams from rumors.
Then I can say that our forefathers’ heroism is not in vain.

Fellow Banganhons, I am the Filipino Youth of today. I enjoy social networking like facebook
and instagram. I like taking selfies and posting it online. But what I do online does not define
me. It is my thoughts – thoughts that will always contain memories of the meaningful virtues our
ancestors passed down to us. It is my words – in the stories that I will tell my future children and
grandchildren of how Aeaw-aeaw came to be. It is in my actions that embody the true nature of
Saguibin – helping one another.

As Dr. Jose Rizal once quoted, “He, who doesn’t know how to look back where he came from,
will never reach his destiny.” The only way to reach our dreams for the future is to have a clear
understanding of the past. What has already happened can never be changed but they can be
lessons we can learn from.

I am the YOUTH of today. I am a descendant of the brave Katipuneros and the strong-willed
leaders of the revolution. I wear the red banner and carry the torch of my guerrilla forefathers.
The blood of my ancestors runs through my veins. I was not delivered into this world in defeat.
The resilience of the past century nourishes my will but I am still fighting for my freedom,
justice, and peace. Ladies and gentlemen, where is YOUR freedom? Once again, good afternoon.