Set Forth in Faith with New Ardor and New Expressions for the Youth (Oration) - Thinkers, Writers & English Lovers Corner

Set Forth in Faith with New Ardor and New Expressions for the Youth 

Set Forth in Faith with New Ardor and New Expressions for the Youth

This is a propitious time to let voices of the youth be heard. Today, I am full of vigor knowing that only a few are given valuable opportunity to speak what’s in the mind of a person.

To our dear teachers, fellow students and to my co-contestants, a pleasant day to one and all.

            The youth, I included, are said to be the hope of the nation. Even during the time of Jose Rizal, our forefathers have already put faith on the youth as they will be the future managers of our country. I, myself has recognized this noble duty. But sad to say there are more who refuse to accept this genial responsibility and be the hope of the nation and of the world as well as defined by our forebears and thinkers.

            Many of us have been wrongly influenced by the digital world of technology. Many have forgotten the essentials of life and have been blinded by the glory of the new and high-tech gadgets, tools and devices. The priorities of most of us have turned upside down. Education now has gone to the bottom of the main concerns of most teenagers. Many of us has failing grades in the different subject areas because instead of prioritizing studies, many have been frequently found in the different internet cafes. And worst most has neglected their relationship to God. They live on a daily basis trusting on their own capacities. Many have forgotten the role of faith in their lives. Instead of strengthening communication with God they either try to find peers who are usually the wrong type of people or use drugs and alcohol to relieve their stress and help them forget their problems.

            Most of us has forgotten the role we should be playing in the stage of our own lives and in the finding of solutions for world concerns and problems. Most of us has failed to recognize that though we are just like a speck of dust, but our existence can greatly change the world.

            We are called to be part of nation building, especially in this time of moral and political crisis. But the greater importance and emphasis given to our needs and demands had gone unnoticed. There were only few who have become active participants in the societal quest for integral development.

            But can the parents, teachers, our forebears and thinkers blame the youth of this generation? In this world of headbanging noise coming from the streets caused by throngs of vehicles, modern day music and etc. it is hard to stay focus. Especially that there are peers, video games, Facebook, twitter and many more that eat our time and the youth are left with little time to think what matters most in life – our family, our studies, our relationship with God and our future.

            Set Forth in Faith with New Ardor and New Expressions for the Youth is a very timely call for educational institutions and all the other organizations advocating for CHANGE. According to the supporters of President Duterte, Change is coming. Is it? If it is, it must be in accord to the will of God.

I strongly believe that there is indeed a need for new expressions that would catch the attention of my fellow youth. And it is also vital to inculcate in their young minds to move onward through life in Faith. Life is hard. But faith makes everything possible. And most importantly, let us remember that we can never please God without FAITH.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines has urged the catholic institutions to move forward in Faith with new zeal, devotion and commitment for the youth. A challenge to these schools which as one of the youths, am very glad to hear since the present movement in our society today has posed an impending danger to our environment, livelihood, family and country in general.

To my fellow youth, let us start caring for everything that God has given us – our Self most especially, our family, our studies, our faith and our future.  Let us start ANEW. Let us journey in faith and only then we can be what our forebears had uttered – the hope of the nation. To the heads and teachers of different educational institutions, let every day be a journey in faith filled with fresh enthusiasm for the youth to become responsible managers of our community and our country that SURELY will leave a mark in the world.