BY KC THEA D. APDUHAN
ONE OF the most prominent national heroes of the Philippines, the great Dr. Jose P. Rizal, once said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” But what does it mean? How can these young ones help and the hope of one’s contemptible state?
Nowadays, one of the most active participants in political discourse is the youth. They speak with a loud voice and intervene in crucial and effective discourses; Filipino youths nowadays tend not to speak just for themselves but also for the people. The confidence of young people to voice out and reach for idealistic capability, youth possess energy, fresh perspectives, and a strong capacity for innovation. They can propel societal and political pivotal change, as seen in our historical milestones, where young people mutate and play essential roles in political dilemmas.
The potential of youth must be nurtured through quality education, economic opportunities, and a stable political environment. Their determination to out-optimize the government, enrichment of technological advancements, and civic involvement will surely change the fate of the future nation.
Youth are the hope where they ignite their perseverance to assist a better future, collectively participate in social, grassroots movements, pushing for reforms on human rights, climate change, right to education, and good governance. With technological advancement, young people introduce new forms of political participation, such as digital activism, online petitions, and voter education programs.
These innovations enhance political awareness and accessibility, which helps them be strong enough to actively engage in social movements and exercise their right to suffrage; these young people help spread awareness, fight misleading information, and encourage essential discourses on the internal and external affairs of the nation.
However, a sad reality is that some adults mock these young people for speaking their minds and principles, disregarding the points and concepts they have. Nonetheless, the essence of being a citizen and as part of the sovereignty is to protect our rights and liberate our freedom of expression — meaning, even young people have the right to speak and give their ideas.
As a youth, I stand with you that we are the hope of the nation – this nation! With everything that happens in the political aspect, the mere voice of the young people would drastically deteriorate the atrocious mindset of the old ones.
Never underestimate the power of the young; without them, we may face unemployment and political apathy or even be used as tools for instability. Young people are not ignorant. The extreme contravention of the old seized them. Thus, the essential role of youth can be a powerful force for change, as they are the “hope of the nation,” depending on how society empowers them to fulfill this responsibility.
Our national hero was never crooked by having faith in the young ones; that youth is indeed the nation’s hope. Youth possess great potential in political affairs; their impact depends on their level of political awareness, access to education, and opportunities for meaningful participation.
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KC Thea D. Apduhan is a political science major at the University of Cebu-Main. This piece is written as part of their introduction to newswriting.
