oration piece

I AM THE YOUTH OF TODAY

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.

The Filipino Youth of Today

By: Ellaiza Mae T. Gravanza

We are now existing in a modern world – a world where morals are slowly decaying. I
agree that this generation is somehow proud of being “Pinoy”, however, their
nationalism had been gone. Gone are the days when Filipinos admire the locals. Gone
are the good old days when the youth cherishes their homeland. This! historical
period is truly affecting the individuals.
People either rise or fall from who they are. People either expand or balance the
civilization of others. People either adapt or attack the ways they outgrew.
Perhaps from generation to generation, learning has not been such a big deal which
made them look back on the past.

Years ago, when I always watch my neighborhood, I could see kids playing Filipino
games such as tumbang preso, luksong tinik, patintero, Chinese garter and so much
more with smiles plastered on their faces. Even though how envious I was of the
thing called fun they had, atleast they had lived the Filipino’s way.

Nowadays, what do kids do? From cellphones to laptops, Xbox to iPods; the system of
technology is slowly eating their senses! If too much love can kill, then too much
technology can wreak havoc! And just like any form of influence, it made them sit
all day, worshipping the virtual world, where Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are
a must.

It is not always about everyday trends. It is about how our spirit is burning to
resist the impact of modernization. We are not just Filipinos by blood – we are
Filipinos carrying the value of our forefathers’ land, Pearl of the Orient Seas, to
always make a difference to prove other nations that their judgments are wrong. So
instead of disputing, we should rather widen their narrow minds that we are not
only good in abrasive ways but we do have intelligence, abilities, and skills which
are better than the yesteryears. This modernized and competitive world has failed
to instill confidence – a confidence that might be a key to success and preparation
of how Filipinos face the hurdles of life.

According to Adrian Pantonial, our
process of our future. Individuals
the youth must be prioritized. But
to be put first, one knows that in
character counts and must not only
now is the product of our past choices and the
have a significant role. Some even wondered why
out of curiosity, we can attest that if we are
the midst of a better country, inculcating
be taught but also be applied.

You, you, and you do know that some of the Filipino youth has not been nurtured –
an opportunity that was not grabbed that could have changed lives. Many were not
given the privilege to experience how to be in school that results in teenagers to
remain ignorant and oblivious to what living with education looks like.

Every Filipino youth generation often complains to other generations on how much
they contrast yet they even criticize their own – such a shame. How ironic it is
that even with their personal bundle, to judge is their weapon. Instead of
recognizing their faults, they happen to credit others. Each generation does have
its identity. However, one should not be a hindrance to individuals for they
originate from different worlds, and the evolution of sole somehow develops. Wake
up! Bad deeds are worthless; changes should occur with the actions we do and with
the mindset of older generations.

It is important to remember that we are allies of making this nation a strong

foundation. Let us join hands together so that we don’t look back into our
juvenescence with regret. We may have lost some people from the yesteryears, but we
have gained many.
As a youth of this land, we should aim high and strive for improvement because no
matter what happens, the future lies in our hands. With all our heart, mind, and
soul, we must be able to serve our country and be a good role model to the upcoming
generations for we are the backbone of this nation. Because life’s essence is not
always about complying; it is about how our spirit is burning with all our wills
and efforts.

Challenges are not simply just challenges; it is about how we handle those
challenges. We must not fail the hard work of our heroes and resolve the broken
roads to raise again the pride of our nation. Now is the time to stop the
competition and replace it with equality – always accept the differences between
individuals.

Live and imprint in your mind that he who does not look back from where he came
will never reach his destination. I am even one of them that cries for; the
greatest glory in rising every time we fall, the balance of what we can control and
cannot, and adapt the changes so that learning would still be a process without
end.

Face to face, heart to heart, and soul to soul. We, the Filipino youth of today,
are the backbone of this land I call, Philippines.

I speak for democracy

I am a Filipino, who live in breathe in this country of paradise-Philippines.

I am a successor of the past of our mighty heroes which made their sacrifice for
our freedom. I carry the torch of hope, justice and love.

I am a crusader for the democracy and a believer of free speech. I stand for our
beliefs and principles. I fight for the right and oppose the wrong. I am the body
meant of freedom, equality and peace.

I am an agent of change, for the country and for the whole world.

I stand before you to speak for democracy, my heroes died for, the unfortunate and
unjust strive for, and the present and even the future generation’s endeavor. honor
and dignity flow in my blood and my heart beats for freedom.

Though the agony lasted for a number of years, from the Spanish colonizers the
second world war, the seed of democracy in my country began to take root in
sprouted to grow.

However, I can see the pictures of my motherland in reality at the present.

Poverty reigns most in the society.

Women and children sell their flesh just to earn money.

Human rights violations are committed.

Inequality governs each family.

Disorder gives birth at a time.

The trial forms undeniably in the government.

My dear friends, look at our land!!

Wake up!!

As Filipinos, is this what you really want to see?

The twilight we shed should be over. We must witness another sun to rise, for in
every ending starts a new beginning.

Yes! I truly speak for democracy!

I am-

what I say,

what I think

and what I do.

Together, we stand as a nation and together we can make democracy a living legacy –
not to be subverted but to be protected and preserved.