“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ‘Ah, Lord God! I said. I know not how to speak; I am too young. But the Lord answered me, ‘Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 1:5-8)
The young Hebrew prophet Jeremiah is indeed a typical youth--reluctant of power, uncomfortable of being on hold of responsibility. He seems contented to live a life free of care, of imminent dangers, or of leading his nation. For him, looking after the affairs of the state belonged to the seasoned and the physically and intellectually strong adults. Give him anything but a role in politics and in public service. That’s a Jeremiah youth. And undoubtedly, we can see many Jeremiahs in our youth today.
These youth believe that their role is only a spectator, an observer of our nation’s spectacle as it unfolds in its garish mundaneness. But, they are wrong.
Unknown to most of them, the burden set and prepared before them might come in a bit of a shock if they will realize that they are enlisted as essential agents of nation-building. As Article 2, section 13 of the 1986 Constitution puts it, “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall protect and promote 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.” Its enabling law, R.A. 7160 or The Local Government Code of 1991, puts the Sangguniang Kabataan in-charge of all the Katipunan ng Kabataan to enhance their social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual and physical development. Any idea of national development is considered fictitious without the active participation of the youth in it. National development, thus, is like a relay race. The old generation passes on the stick to the waiting team. And to win the race, this waiting team needs to run and play their part well.
Overwhelming isn’t it? This burden together with the current trends presented in various media pressures the youth in a disturbing manner. In screens, monitors, radio, and in print, the youth are presented as humans capable of anything grownups think as impossible. They are shown as young people who have dreams, passion and hopes. Majority of them are impatient and dynamic. Therefore, their bubbling enthusiasm has to be regulated and utilized. Their surplus power has to be exploited for the welfare of the country. And, with proper guidance and direction, these things can bring them in the forefront of national development. Ako ang simula, ako mismo—they are not supposed to sit back and relax. They have a role to play, and they cannot make their innocence as an excuse to be lame or weak in this role. They’ll fail frustrated if they cannot do their job. They have the power. They only have to realize it. For anything to come out, it presupposes that it is already inside. Thus, the youth must bear in mind that they have brains and not just a spinal cord. If they plunge themselves into this scene, they’ll realize that their reticence is baseless and that their fears sprang only from phantoms and delusions made only by themselves. |
| St. William Parish Youth Coordinating Council, Christmas Party |
Unfortunately, ideals are easier said than done. The enthusiasm and bravado of the youth are oftentimes met with objections coming from no other than their immediate models—their parents. These parents chastise their children for not meeting their expectations, for not conforming and for not obeying commands. As the song Perfect tells us, “Hey dad, look at me. Think back and talk to me. Didn’t I grow up according to plan? Do you think I’m wasting my time doing things I wanna do, but it hurts when you disapprove all along? And now I try hard to make it. I just want to make you proud. I’ll never gonna be good enough for you. I can’t pretend that I’m alright; and you can’t change me! ‘Cause you lost it all. Nothing lasts forever. Sorry, I can’t be perfect… ” And true enough to mimesis, this common reaction of grownups to the young hinders the creative process to effect favorable changes in the youth’s psyche.
Parents need not confuse these ideas with discipline. Of course they have to be firm, but they must be creative in doing so. Because what the youth needs is understanding and an open mind, they are not to impose strict prescriptions of their unrealized childhood wishes. They need to allot plenty of room for mistakes and patience. And I guess any grownup who contemplates into becoming a procreator of a child vital in nation-building needs to secure a degree in Psychology and Human Growth and Development. Or else, the youth will fail.
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| The Youth... fun-filled stage... |
If there is any weakness in the production of children, this comes from those who produce them. Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. Problem parents tend to produce problem children. Problem children tend to grow up into problem adults and problem adults tend to produce more problem children. And the cycle continues.
Anyway, enough of that dismal process; let us go back to the Dalaguetnon youth. Well, they might have to feel weary of their responsibilities in nation-building at first. That would be an expected reaction. Later on, this will be abated by various realizations. Their tech-savvy and muscled fingers, they’ll realize, are not only built for online gaming but also for surfing relevant information to make them adept in their role. For this, they might as well be labeled as, at a loss for something more original, Generation Z, because they follow Generations X and Y. They've also been referred to as Generation Net or "iGen," since they've never known a world without the Internet.
Being aware of their role from the good people and from the many plugged screens they face everyday, the youth developed seasons of wishing they could die gloriously instead of just being grocery clerks and going on with their humdrum lives. Virility and arthritis-free joints enhance these thoughts. And the goal of realizing ideals—ideal society, culture, and environment, becomes clear and attainable objectives.
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| LWYD @ San Carlos Seminary |
Moreover, their education and their attitude towards work will also play a part in the success of their career in public service. A sound set of values would also be of great help. Soon they would realize the urgency of doing the best in everything they do and of serving without expecting anything in return. Models of good values critically chosen by the Church, schools and their families remind them to be good citizens but not self-righteous individuals.
Whoah! That might be a tall order, but they can do it if they would only remember to have a vision and set their trust from a heavenly altitude—God. Like Jeremiah, the offer to serve appeared overpowering to them. But like Jeremiah, if they would consider God as the wellspring of their strength and wisdom to lead, then they would be great leaders and excellent partners in nation-building. God sees great things in the youth. The youth need not worry for they are created to have the role they should play.
Luckily, the Dalaguetnon youth have always been showing signs of exemplary attitude towards responsibility. Gatherings concerning societal issues are not in absence of large representations from the youth. They are concerned; they are conscious. These set them as a cut from the rest. But beyond that, the Dalaguetnon youth today, apart from being conscious individuals, has every arrow pointing in the direction of continued high expectations and optimism. Things might be bad sometimes, but they think THEY will make it. Take it from somebody who knows.
Leo Carlo D. Casinillo, 24 years old
Former SK Chairman; presently a Second-Term Barangay Councilor of Consolacion, Dalaguete; San Guillermo PYCC Internal V-Pres; and a Faculty Member and Student Activity Coordinator of St. Mary’s Academy.
