The Revolution of the Filipino Youth

Let's start the Revolution of the Filipino Youth
Inquirer
Last updated 01:08am (Mla time) 08/09/2006
http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=14208
Published on Page A14 of the August 9, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

WE need a new breed of Filipino leaders who will exemplify John F. Kennedy's famous admonition, "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country."

Obviously lacking in competent and service-oriented leaders today, the Philippines suffers from a state of national inertia. As countries around Southeast Asia including Indonesia, march on the road to progress, our country, like many of the poorest African states and tiny nations, remains a "sick man," sliding down the road of poverty.

Nowhere in our history has the Philippines been like this. Thus, I urge my fellow generation of young Filipinos to rise up to the challenge of creating a new breed of leaders who will not squirm in the face of today's biggest challenges, to live by the Christian values taught to us and to promote principled leadership. We need new leaders who can:

1. Brainstorm with the country's best economists, educators and scientists.
2. Implement our laws vigorously, stamp out crime and corruption, and promulgate laws objectively without delay.
3. Reform the government through dialogue and innovation.

These are indeed simple statements but quite hard to live by. The current administration, by refusing to come clean on the controversies hounding it, has lost all of its credibility. But the opposition cannot offer a viable alternative. Our present condition has caused a national paralysis, not unlike the situation of a dying man on his deathbed.

Only the youth can save this country now. We need young leaders who have their eyes on creating a truly great Philippine republic -- strong, vibrant and rich! The Filipino youth can rise up to this challenge. It is high time that the youth of this country claimed the national leadership. We represent 60 percent of the country's population, we ought to control the way things are done.

I urge young Filipinos to actively get involved in the current affairs. Denounce the railroading of Charter change! Denounce abuse of power! Denounce cheating in elections! Denounce the lack of funding for education! Denounce the current breed of corrupt leaders!

If you believe it is high time to change the course of Philippine history, e-mail me at javometa at yahoo.com and Let us start the Revolution of the Filipino Youth.