The Filipino Youth

August 7, 2007

To the Filipino youth

(Tessa Madjus)

 

Before I begin, let me first share with you a question that puzzles me. Does Filipinism still exist? Well, if you’ll say yes, then how about if we’ll ask ourselves, why I am really attracted to buy imported goods and why do I want to work abroad? In that case, do we not doubt our loyalty? Should we ask ourselves again, do we still uphold Filipinism? Well yes ladies and gentlemen.

 

Filipinism is not lost within us, just because we speak foreign languages or because we plan and work abroad, not even if we live there, as long as in our hearts and in our minds we will remember and retain our values, our traits and keep our heads up and we will say, “I am proud to be a Filipino”.

 

Bu t on the other hand, we could lose our Filipinism, if we will aim to destroy and ruin the beauty of our country by producing pollutants that could lead to the extinction of our wild life, loss of some of our countrymen’s source of living and deprivation of children to see the beauty of nature. Worse, if we will forget our values and virtues and if will be ashamed to admit that we are Filipinos.

 

At this moment, I feel sad, for many of our Filipino youths nowadays are involved in drugs, prostitution, crimes and other vices.

 

I would like to convey this thought to you my fellow youth that, we must not disappoint our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal when he said that, “the youth are the hope of our fatherland”. We must feel the sense of responsibility he passed on to us. It’s not too late to make a difference, we still have a chance to work and influence others to fulfill their dreams. Let us make the corrupt government officials realize their wrong doings for them to bleed in shame. We must act now before it’s too late.

 

We don’t have to wait for the government to teach us, for we have the time and privilege to live long Filipinism just like our dreams. We must not wear away this opportunity but rather we must gather our faith and help one another to promote our country, let us not be crab-minded citizens, we must love our countrymen and our beautiful country Philippines.

 

I understand that, as a youth we may not yet be ready for such a great responsibility like this, because youthful years are the time to explore and enjoy. But fellow youths, when will we be ready and start to care and be aware of what’s happening around us? Why don’t we enjoy and explore life while helping restore and preserve our county’s pride?

 

I know, it would be a burden for us, but if we really love our country, we will be willing to help in promoting Filipinism and to give our support to our co-Filipinos who work and give their best for our country to be known, because if we will give an equal slice of love to our country and to our countrymen, we just don’t promote Filipinism but also we bring back to ourselves the pride of our country that we once have thrown away. Let us cherish the beauty of our country young ladies and gentlemen.

 

Let us one of our hearts and mind for us to live a happy and peaceful life, for in doing so, we will likened ourselves to a ship that sails in a troubled ocean with us, as the crew but because we are one at heart and mind, we will continue to brave the storm, until the ocean calms and until our ship safely reaches the shore.  

 

But the eminent threat to Filipinism my fellow youth does not stop right there and it is our role to protect and maintain its existence and importance to each one of us and keep ourselves not to be slave of selfishness and greed, because if we will let that happen, do we still have the right to promote Filipinism?.