FINDING ANSWERS
Former Senator
Atty. Joey Lina
Yesterday’s observance of National Heroes Day got me thinking anew that while Filipinos of all ages can be national heroes, it is the young people who have the greatest potential especially with their boundless energy and idealism.
Even our foremost national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, knew the potential of young people to become heroes in pursuit of nation-building. “Where are the youth who will consecrate their golden hours, their illusions, and their enthusiasm to the welfare of their native land?” Rizal wrote in his novel El Filibusterismo where one of the characters, Padre Florentino, uttered the famous question.
Our Constitution (Article 2, Section 13) declares that “the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”
And to get young people involved early in public and civic affairs, I pushed for a law that enabled them to do so when I first became senator in 1987. Being the youngest senator then, youth concerns were my primary focus and, thus, I worked for the lowering of the age of majority from 21 to 18 years of age as among my first bills that became law.
Young Filipinos can indeed change the quality of life of our nation. They can be prime movers in establishing an effective and honest government. Being the largest block of voters, they can choose God-fearing, competent and compassionate leaders who will create jobs and livelihood for the people, and bail out the country from poverty, underdevelopment, injustice, inequality, and a host of other factors that hamper ideal nation-building.
History is replete with examples of young Filipinos who sacrificed their lives to achieve freedom and fight oppression. Rizal, along with Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Gregorio del Pilar, and many others shined during the Spanish era. Macario Sakay and Miguel Malvar defied American occupation. Countless young Filipinos fought Japanese invaders during World War II. And my generation, the youth of the 70s and the 80s, did our share to resist oppression under martial law.
Empowerment of the youth is essential for every generation. Our fathers and mothers, and those before them, acted in their youth to harness the resources and technology of their time to become empowered and make a difference.
Today’s youth should be able to use information technology and social media not just for trivia and play, but as powerful tools capable of reaching millions of people, influencing them with ideals, and mobilizing them to act together to change for the better the life of a nation.
In pursuit of youth empowerment, the Order of the Knights of Rizal—for which I had served as its Supreme Commander in 2006—continues to train and develop the youth in character building, citizenship training, democratic leadership, patriotism, universal brotherhood, and dedicated service to God, country and people. It also is tasked, among others, to study and spread the ideals, teachings and exemplary life of Rizal and exhort them to emulate and practice the examples set by our national hero.
When fully enlightened, inspired, motivated, and mobilized, with hardly any vested interests to protect, and with time on their side, today’s young Filipinos can certainly emerge as heroes.
Email: [email protected]