filipino youth

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Keynote Speech during the TAYO 16 Awards Ceremony

23 January 2019

 

Maraming salamat, palakpakan po natin si Pepot Vinta.

 

Alam niyo po, every year sa TAYO, para tayong nagre-reunion na mga magkakaibigan. Ang problema lang, ang mga youth leaders parang hindi tumatanda pero kaming mga organizers lang ang tumatanda. 

 

The first time that I’ve met Pepot was TAYO3. TAYO 6 was also the first year that Coke became part of the family. San Miguel became part of the family about 6-7 years ago also. Smart has also been part of our family through the years. And of course our friends from Jollibee, Ayala, and Lenovo are also here with us. 

 

Round of applause for our sponsors! Maraming maraming salamat sa inyo. Pero ang pinakamlakas na palakpakan, ibigay natin para sa ating mga TAYO finalists. 

 

Congratulations for being here and thank you for making our country better. 

 

Thank you for giving us a healthy dose of positivity and inspiration, especially this week. Lalo na ngayon na pinag-uusapan ang pagbibilanggo ng batang Pilipinong siyam na taon lamang. Thank you for providing us an alternative story for all of us today. 

 

Kayo ang paalala at pruweba na ang kapag may tamang gabay at oportunidad ang kabataan, kayo mismo ang magsisigurado na aasenso ang Pilipinas, at aasenso ang bawat Pilipino.

 

Kaya maraming salamat sa inyo! It is an honor to be here speaking to such accomplished and passionate young men and women who have done so much for our country.

 

Yung tanong ko lang… Ano pa ba ang maibabahagi namin sa inyo?

 

Sa totoo lang, lahat naman mahahanap niyo na sa internet. Ano pa ba ang laban natin sa world wide web?

 

Kung gusto natin ng pinaka-magagaling na speech, maghahanap lang tayo sa TED Talks, naroon din ang mga paburito niyong kanta at TV shows, mga lifehacks, pati photos at IG stories ng crush niyo – lahat na ay mahahanap online at sa social media.

 

But while the internet has opened up our world to so much content and possibilities, we also know that the internet and social media has a dark side.

 

Napansin siguro natin in the past few years, habang dumadami ang mga life halks, nakakatawang kuwento, at mga inspirational stories, dumadami rin ang mga nakikita nating negatibo sa internet. 

 

Actually po, namimiss ko na yung 4 to 5 years ago. Dahil 4 to 5 years ago, ang mga trolls ko noon ay mga masasayang trolls. Hindi mga galit na troll. Ang ginagawa nila dati, pinapalitan nila ang Wikipedia Page ko ng kung anu-anong nakakaaliw na kuwento.

 

One time, sinabi nilang ako’y isang Ninja Turtle. Ginawa na rin nila akong hip-hop dancer, master-twerker, at kung anu-ano pa. And honestly, we didn’t feel that bad about it kasi it was all done in good rumor. 

 

Unfortunately these days, grabe na ang social media. Grabe at dumami na rin ang fake news at paninira. Ang pinakamasama na dito ay noong tinawag akong terorista.

 

Pero sa totoo lang, hindi lang yan nangyayari sa mga taong nasa pulitika. Alam natin na ang ating mga kabataan ngayon, marami na ring hinaharap na negativity sa kanilang buhay. Nandyan ang mga nagsasabing: 

Hindi mo kaya!

Kalokohan ‘yan!

Wala kaming pake sa ginagawa mo!

 

In fact, just the other night nung nagdinner kami, I found out that a number of our finalists focus on mental health of the youth. Dahil napaka-grabe na ang sitwasyon ng marami nating kabataan pagdating sa kanilang mental health. 

 

I was so shocked to find out that in one of our finalists pools, in one batch that they were helping students in, more than 10% had actually tried to commit suicide. 

 

Itong negativity at napakasamang mga boses na umiiral sa ating buhay at sa online world ay talagang napakasama at kailangang labanan. 

 

But, dear friends, we cannot allow these voices to win. We cannot allow these voices to get even louder!

 

Kailangan nating isigaw at patunayan na “Kaya Natin!”

Para sa atin at sa ating mga pamilya, para sa bayan “Kakayanin Natin!”

 

Holding on to this voice of hope, especially through times of adversity, is what will make all the difference in our lives.

 

Which is why I want to share with you the story of Geraldine. 

 

Nakilala ko si Geraldine noong bumisita ang aming Libreng Kolehiyo Caravan sa Iloilo.

 

Si Geraldine ay pangatlo sa labing isang anak. At mahirap ang kanilang pamilya. 

Dahil dito, mababa ang tingin sa kanila ng kanilang mga kamag-anak. Hindi na daw sila aasenso.

 

Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, noong nag-graduate si Geraldine ng High School, namasukan muna siya sa kaniyang tiyahin.

 

Sabi ng tiyahin niya na papaaralin siya sa kolehiyo kaya umasa si Geraldine. Pero imbis na paaralin, pinagtrabaho lang siya.

 

Kaya umalis si Geraldine at nakahanap ng trabaho bilang mananahi ng mga bag. Sa kita niya, nakapag-enrol siya sa kolehiyo!

 

Pero noong kapos at kinailangan niyang umutang, hindi siya pinautang ng kaniyang amo at hindi rin siya pinautang ng kaniyang mga kaklase. Kaya ang ginagawa niya ay lumalabas siya sa kanyang eskwelahan, nagpupuyat, at bumabalik sa mga factory ng bag at ginagalingan upang makaipon at makabalik sa eskwelahan. 

 

Buti na lang, hindi nagpatalo si Geraldine sa mga boses na nega at nagsasabing:

Hindi mo kaya!

Kalokohan ‘yang pangarap mong makapag-college!

At wala kaming pake sa iyong sitwasyon!

 

Ngayon, 3rd year college na siya at ginagawa na nila ang kanilang thesis! Mas may oras na siya na mag-aral dahil Libre na ang Kolehiyo sa kanyang eskwelahan sa Iloilo! Ang dating 10,000 pesos per semester na kanyang kinakayod sa mga factory ng mga bag, ngayon ay libre na.

 

Kaya nakita natin kay Geraldine na hindi siya nagpatalo. Hindi nagpatinag at tuloy-tuloy niyang inabot ang kanyang pangarap. Sa tulong ng libreng kolehiyo, I am sure na by next year, g-graduate na siya at makakamit ang kanyang pangarap. 

 

Noong naging Chairman tayo ng Committee on Education, naisipan namin ng aming oposina na gawing prayoridad ang Libreng Kolehiyo at itrabaho ang pagpasa nito sa Senado.

Kahit noon, maraming nagsasabi na hindi kaya iyan:

“30 years na yan tinatrabaho sa senado, walang makapasa-pasa ng batas na yan”

“Masyado ka pang bata para makapagpasa ng napakalaking reporma.”

 

Napakaraming mga negatibong bagay ang binato sa amin. Pero hindi kami nagpatinag. Hindi kami nagpatalo. 

Hindi ko na lang po sasabihin kung sinu-sino, pero marami ang kumontra sa repormang ito. Ang pangunahin nilang sinasabi ay kapag libre na ang edukasyon, hindi na pahahalagahan ng kabataan ang kanilang edukasyon. Na alam naman naming hindi totoo dahil sa kuwento ni Geraldine at libu-libo pang mga kabataan na naghahangad na makapagtapos sa ating bayan.

 

Every step of the legislative process had a challenge. And until the last moment – kahit noong nasa Malacanang na at nagaantay ng pirma ng pangulo, may mga balita pa rin na ive-veto ito. 

 

Buti na lang malakas ang positivity! Hindi lang ng aming opisina, pero pati na rin ng milyun-milyong naghangad na maging batas ang repormang ito. 

 

Ang lagi naming sinisigaw: ‘Tuloy ang laban! Para sa bayan!”

 

Hanggang ngayon, kahit malakas ang boses ng paninira sa batas na ito, tinatrabaho pa rin namin sa Senado ang napakahalagang reporma na ito. Kaya sama-sama naming sinasabi na “Kaya natin at kakayanin pa natin to.”

 

Dear friends, when we sift through stories of revolutionaries and change-makers, we find that there were always critics and there were always naysayers. People who will say that you can’t do it. 

 

But the inner voice of optimism can triumph and shine through!

If Bill Gates gave up after his previous business ventures failed, we may never have had “a computer in every home.” If Steve Jobs gave up whenever his ideas were shot down, we wouldn’t have “a computer in every pocket.”

 

If Mahatma Gandhi gave up those countless times he was thrown in jail, we would never have known the power of non-violence.  If Cory Aquino believed those that said a housewife could never be president, who knows if we would have freedom and democracy today.

 

They had the willpower and a strong, hopeful voices that cut through the criticism and negative chatter to drive revolutions, drive reforms, and ultimately, create change that we want to see in our world.

 

Like them, we need to strengthen our inner voice that says, “Kaya natin! Kakayanin natin!”

 

Pero sa panahon natin ngayon, hindi na sapat ‘yun. It is simply not enough. With social media and all the negativity in our society these days, sometimes that voice can easily be overwhelmed. 

What’s the challenge for us today? Especially to the TAYO finalists? 

 

Kailan nating magtulungan. Kailan nating suportahan ang isa’t isa. We need to be that voice for others as well. 

In these times, it is not enough to strengthen our inner voice. We are called to be that voice for others. We are challenged to support each other, to support those who are doing well for our country amidst all of those voices that seek to bring us down. 

 

We need to be that voice of understanding for those who have known nothing but judgment.

 

And be that voice of confidence for those that have known nothing but disappointment.

 

Be that voice of inspiration for those who are paralized by their failures.

 

We are called to speak up, for them, and not remain silent. We are called to silence the hopeless and hateful voices that weigh so heavy on the shoulders of our young countrymen!

 

As we step out of this room and back into the dim world of critics, skeptics, and defeatists, let us become the loudest voices of inspiration.

 

Let’s use our stories of hope to weave a more joyful, more passionate, more productive Philippines!

 

Maraming salamat at magandang umaga para sa inyong lahat.

Sen. Bam to youth: Government needs you

More than ever, the government needs young, passionate and idealistic leaders to help change it from within.

Sen. Bam Aquino made this pronouncement in the light of moves to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated in the last Monday of October this year.

 According to the senator, more young Filipinos are joining the national conversation, taking to the streets to air their grievances and using social media to voice out their opinion and stand on matters of national importance.

“The SK is an opportunity to go beyond the streets, beyond social media and really work on programs to change their communities for the better,” said Sen. Bam, a former chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

“Many people underestimate the capability of the youth to lead but in my experience, big changes can come from the youth sector. Marami tayong youth leaders na nakakatulong sa kanilang komunidad at kailangan sila ng ating bayan,” he stressed.

 “Tama na ang walong postponements! Let’s roll out the new and improved SK and start developing better public servants for a better future,” said Sen. Bam, pertaining to Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.

 “The new and improved SK will give the youth a chance to contribute to the development of the country and emerge as better public servants in the future,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

Earlier, Sen. Bam opposed the government’s plan to postpone SK elections and appoint barangay officials instead.

 “Mahalaga na mismong taumbayan ang magpasya kung sinong lider ang nais nilang iluklok. Sa ganitong paraan, makikitang gumagana pa rin ang demokrasya sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: Go out and register for Barangay, SK polls

Go out and register.
 
Sen. Bam Aquino urges qualified individuals to register for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections before the non-extendible July 30 deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), stressing this is an opportunity to effect change in their communities.
 
“Sayang naman ang pagkakataon na makatulong sa pagbabago at makapamili ng mga karapat-dapat na lider sa ating barangay at sa kabataan kung hindi natin sasamantalahin ang pagkakataong ito,” said Sen. Bam, co-author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act.
 
Sen. Bam issued the call after the Comelec announced that it will not extend the registration period for the Barangay and SK elections.
 
The SK Reform Act is the first legislation with an anti-dynasty provision as it prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.
 
Aside from its anti-dynasty provision, the new law adjusts age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.
 
Sangguniang Kabataan officials will now be required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.
 
The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.
 
The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.
 
“Nakakapanghinayang naman ang mga pagbabagong ito sa ating SK kung kaunti lang ang lalahok dito,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam urges youth to be agents of change in May elections

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Filipino youth to be agents of change as the country selects its next set of leaders in May 2016.
 
The senator made this call during the 13th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awarding ceremony at Malacañan Palace Thursday.
 
“Once again, we have the opportunity to place our vote on Filipinos we believe will lift the country to greater heights, not just for ourselves, not just for a chosen few, but for each and every Filipino – especially those that are living in poverty and isolation,” said Sen. Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth
 
Sen. Bam stressed that the vote of the Filipino youth is critical, with 40 percent of total voters falling within the age of 18 and 30 years old.
 
“Sadly, many have low expectations of young Filipinos, believing that they would be easily swayed by propaganda, entertaining memes, and catchy jingles,” the senator said.
 
TAYO 13 winners

TAYO 13 winners

 
Sen. Bam also encouraged the youth to erase this notion and silence doubters by “choosing wisely, choosing selflessly, and choosing with the Philippines at heart.
 
At the same time, Sen. Bam hailed the 19 TAYO finalists, calling them “exemplars of Filipino youth”.
 
“You, all of you, are the reason I can say to all these detractors… that young men and women from across the Philippines can and will make better decisions for our country, for our future,” Sen. Bam said.
 
This year’s TAYO 13 winners are the School of Law Advocacy and Community Enrichment of University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City, I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference), Inc. from Mandaluyong City, Tanay Mountaineers from Rizal, Kanlaon Theater Guild from Bacolod City;
 
Environment and Climate Change Research Institute of De La Salle Araneta University in Malabon City, Keep Hope Alive Mansalay from Oriental Mindoro, Youth Sports Advocacy from Quezon City, Bayugan National Comprehensive High School of YECS Bayugan City, Tobog Youth Organization from Oas, Albay and UP ALCHEMES (Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students) from Quezon City.
 
TAYO 13 finalists
 
The winners of the TAYO People’s Choice Awards are I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference), Inc. for Culture and the Arts, Peace and Human Development,  UP ALCHEMES (Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students) for Education and Technology, TUP Instrumentation and Controls Students’ Society (City of Manila) for Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Youth Sports Advocacy (Quezon City) for Health, Nutrition and Well-being and  Philippine Junior Jaycees – Tacloban Sinirangan Chapter for Livelihood and Entrepreneurship.
 
 

BIDA KA!: Bida ang Kabataan sa SK Reform

Mga Bida, noong mga nakaraang buwan, naimbitahan tayo sa Far Eastern University (FEU) upang magsalita ukol sa maiinit na isyu ukol sa kabataan sa kasalukuyan.

Tinalakay natin doon ang ilang mga paksa, gaya ng social enterprise, Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) Awards at ang mga panu­kalang reporma sa Sangguniang Kabataan.

Sa huling paksa, napukaw ang ating atensiyon ng daan-daang estudyante dahil marami sa kanila ang nagtanong ukol dito sa ginawang open forum.

Naikuwento ng ilan sa mga nagtanong ang kanilang mapait na karanasan sa pagtakbo sa SK elections.

Ayon sa isang nagtanong, bilang SK chairman sa kanilang lugar, maganda ang kanyang mga naisip na programa para sa kanyang komunidad ngunit hindi siya pinapansin sa kanilang lugar.

Tinalo kasi niya ang anak ng kanilang barangay chairman na mas popular at mas malawak ang makinarya sa kanilang barangay.

Inireklamo naman ng isa ang kawalan ng de-kalidad na proyekto ng SK sa kanilang lugar. Madalas, puro paliga at beauty contest lang ang mga proyektong nakalinya para sa mga kabataan.

Ang isa naman, isinumbong na walang alam sa mga polisiya ukol sa kabataan ang mga naupong SK official sa kanilang barangay. 

***

Mga Bida, magandang balita ang hatid natin sa mga nagnanais ng pagbabago sa sistema ng SK sa bansa, na ating isinusulong bilang chairman ng Senate Committee on Youth.

Noong nakaraang Martes lang, ating pinamunuan ang Bicame­ral Conference ang Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act.

Kabilang sa mga pagbabagong nakalagay sa nasabing panukala ay may kinalaman sa anti-dynasty.

Sa repormang ito, bawal nang tumakbo sa anumang SK position ang pamilya o kamag-anak ng sinumang public official — mula national, provincial, city/municipality at barangay levels pati na ng appointed — hanggang sa ikalawang antas ng pagi­ging magkamag-anak.

Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa ating pagsisikap na alisin ang SK mula sa tradisyunal na pulitika. Ang hakbang na ito ay magandang simula para sa mas malawak na anti-dynasty bill na umaasa tayong maipapasa sa kasalukuyang administrasyon.

Pinalawak din ng panukala ang edad ng SK patungong 18 hanggang 24 anyos upang magkaroon sila ng pananagutan sa kanilang mga pagkilos.

Dagdag pa rito, titiyakin ng panukala na may alam ang mga uupong SK officials sa kanilang paninilbihan dahil kailangan nilang sumailalim sa mandatory training programs upang magkaroon ng sapat na kaalaman na magagamit sa kanilang tungkulin.

Sa tulong ng mga training programs, matitiyak na may sapat na kaalaman at magiging magandang halimbawa ang ating SK officials sa mga kabataan.

Isinusulong din ng panukala ang pagtatatag ng Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), isang konseho na susuporta sa Sangguniang Kabataan at titiyak sa mas aktibong partisipasyon ng mga kabataan.

Ang LYDC ay bubuo ng mga kinatawan mula sa iba’t ibang youth organizations sa komunidad gaya ng student councils, simbahan at youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations at community-based youth groups.

Bukod pa rito, mabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang SK officials upang pamahalaan ang kanilang budget at mga programa. Sa ganitong paraan, maiiwasan ang pamumulitika upang mabigyang diin ang tunay na galing at talino ng kabataan. 

Mas malaki na ang kanilang responsibilidad, dahil sila na ang magiging may pananagutan sa kung ano at paano nila gagamitin ang kaban ng bayan. 

*** 

Mga Bida, inaasahan natin na raratipikahan ng Kongreso at Senado ang panukala. Pagkatapos noon, ipapadala ito sa Malacañang para malagdaan na ng Pangulo at maging pormal ng batas ito.

Mahigit na isang dekada na nating isinusulong ang mga reporma sa SK na nagsimula pa noong naging chairman tayo ng National Youth Commission. 

Kaya nakakataba ng puso ang pagpasang ito at buong galak kong ibinabahagi ang magandang balitang ito sa inyo.  Nawa’y lalo pa nating mapaigting at mapatibay ang pakikisangkot ng ating kabataan para sa ikauunlad ng ating mga komunidad at ng buong bansa!

 

First Published on Abante Online

 

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