For the youth with big dreams and ambitions for their society, country, and the world, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said they should be prepared, and surround themselves with like-minded individuals in order to be agents of positive change.

In a speech delivered during the celebration of the International Youth Day on Friday, Aug. 12, Sotto emphasized the essence of preparedness and mutual collaboration.

"Kung gusto mo lumangoy, hindi ka muna tatalon sa gitna ng dagat. Doon ka muna sa swimming pool, tabing ilog. Mag-aaral ka muna. Paano ba lumangoy? Magpapaturo ka muna sa marunong na (If you want to swim, you must first dive into a swimming pool or the river, not the ocean. You must study first. How do you swim? You must be taught by those who know how to swim)," Sotto said.

For preparedness, Sotto highlighted two aspects -- the theoretical, which requires reading books, and practical that involves active participation.

"All leaders were readers first," he said.

"Ang pinakamalungkot o frustrating na nakikita ko ay pag mayroong mga lider -- mga tao na kabataan na pumapasok sa larangan ng pulitika, gobyerno -- whether pulitiko, appointed, o career official, na maganda yung intensyon, layunin, nasa tama yung puso, pero pag pasok , nakakain kaagad ng sistema at ganon din ang ginagawa (The saddest or more frustrating thing that I have observed is when a young leader who has good intentions, goals, and whose heart is in the right place, gets eaten by the system as soon as they enter politics or the government)," Sotto said.

"Sa pagtitingin ko sa iba't ibang grupo, tao, ang napansin ko po, nangyari po iyon dahil hindi sila handa. May mga nakakausap ako, hindi nila alam na labag pala iyon sa mga batas (In my observations of various groups and people, I noticed that it happens because they were not ready. I have talked to people who did not know their actions were against the law)," he added.

For mutual collaboration, Sotto stressed the need to surround oneself with people who have similar values, principles, and beliefs.

He said that a person cannot accomplish their tasks and mission alone, no matter how good, efficient, and honest they are as individuals.

As a youth leader himself, the mayor recognized the common frustration shared by young people who want to enact change, whether tangible or for aspects that are invisible.

He reminded them that "the sky is the limit" for the youth.

"Nakikita naman po natin na hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong daigdig, pag mayroon pagbabagong matindi na nangyayari, lagi pong nangunguna ang ating mga kabataan. Wala pong makabuluhang pagbabago ang nangyari sa kasaysayan ng mundo na hindi po kasama ang mga kabataan. Mula sa malalaking rebolusyon hanggang sa maliliit na bagay sa ating barangay, at paaralan (We see not just in our country, but in the whole world, that the youth is at the forefront of intensive movements for change. There is no profound change in the history of the world that was not driven or led by the youth. From the massive revolutions to the small reforms in our barangays and schools)," Sotto said.

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (LP) in Pasig City hosted the IYD 2022 celebration led by the National Youth Commission (NYC) on Friday, Aug. 12,

The workshop was attended by around 200 youth representatives from various cities and sectors.