Fledglings Soaring

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

For a country like ours, the future is not to be taken lightly. With the government heavily infected with corruption and the economy gradually descending, the Philippines is practically live bait for the jaws of economic depression. And at dark times such as these, the only light that shimmers in the distance is hope: hope that our country will be saved by the generations to come.

What CAN we do? Ask no one this question; for the real question must be: what CAN’T we do? We are young Filipinos, the sculptors who will shape our country to what it will someday be. Whether the country will fall deeper into poverty’s dark hole, or rise to be globally competitive, we have that power. And this is a power none can take from us.

No doubt! We cannot help our country if our mind is clouded with doubt and disbelief; this is the trouble every teenager runs into, self doubt. How many times must we hear that we are the future of our country? How many times will it take for the message to sink in, that the country’s fate is in our hands?

They say the youth is arrogant; this is true. We’d rather believe in what we think, than what mature adults are sure of. No point in denying it. But determination and willpower will help us, determination that is rooted upon nationalism. Use nationalism as a tool to drive us to our goal. Nationalism will pave the path to saving the Philippines. And we must have courage to take it.

Nationalism also creates concern. When we love our country, we will have concern for it. And when concern is present, so is the need to be aware. We should have awareness of our country’s status. Once we are awake to the troubles our country endures, we can help it more, and have a better chance of saving it.

Countless times, we teenagers have always heard adults advising us to study harder and reach for our goal. Realize this: we should not aim high only for ourselves, but also for the society. Eventually we will grow up and hopefully have fruitful jobs. But when we gain income and help our family, we also help our country. Simply, when we work, it is not only us who are benefited, but also the Philippines.

And to quote former USA President Kennedy: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

And so, fellow fledglings, let us soar and show the world that we truly are the Pearl of the Orient’s future.