Educators from the De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) have recognized the crucial role of the youth in nation-building and leading change.
Students from rival universities, De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) along with the representatives of 1Sambayan, officially launched on Wednesday, Aug. 25, the coalition's university chapters.
During Dude, Pare Change: 1Sambayan Ateneo-La Salle Joint Launch on Aug. 25, former President of DLSU Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, emphasized the young peoples' contribution to democracy.
"Hindi natin dapat payagan na yung mananalo ay yun lamang magpapahirap sa bayan, kailangan ang panalo ay ang taong bayan. Ang maaaring magpanalo sa taong bayan, ay walang iba kundi ang mga kabataan (We must not allow those who will only jeopardize the country win, Filipinos must be the one who will emerge victorious. The youth has the capability to advance the welfare of the people)," Luistro said.
He described the 2022 elections as "the battle of the century."
"Kailangan palawakin natin ang papel ng ating mga kabataan sa susunod na eleksyon (We must expand the role of the youth in the upcoming election)," Luistro reiterated.
Moreover, 1Sambayan Youth Convenor Rae Reposar elaborated on the importance of creating space for meaningful discourse where everyone can voice out their opinions, including the youth.
"Critical thinking is established through encouraging people to voice out their own opinion, no matter how wrong they are, no matter how right , our goal is to make sure that can be trusted with their opinion, that it could be safe for them to say something, and we're the ones who will guide them to make sure their opinions are on the right side of things," Reposar said.
"Napakaimportante , kasi yung age na yan kumikilos na yan, hindi na kayo musmos. Kaya kaya nyo nang manindigan, maging responsable (The youth is very important, because a this age, you're already capable of mobilizing, you are no longer young. You can stand up and be responsible)," Fr. Albert Alejo of AdMU added.
"Hindi ka lang basta anak na nasa loob ng pamilya, pero mamamayan ka rin, botante, at kailangan nang makilahok (You're not just a daughter or a son, you're also a citizen, a voter, and you need to participate)."