Whether we lack the time or whether we have too much of it, we, as youths, can only do so much regarding the Spratlys issue. We deceive ourselves into thinking that the youth is blind to the nation's blemishes because of the fact that our willpower can only bring us so far. In school, we are taught the things that we, as tomorrow's future, can do to make the country (if not, the world) a better place. Yet, when we look around, the very adults that take us under their wings to educate us cannot do anything about the affairs themselves. Very soon, we will reach their stage of life. And, fleetingly, we are becoming like them.
More than ever, our country is being plagued with massive, incoherent issues. Whether we, as youths, choose to ignore them or not, our subconscious train of thought still possesses valuable ideas that can in fact “make a difference”. A major current issue is the dispute over the Spratlys, in which the Philippines is one of the countries laying claim over the islands. Obviously, it would be impossibly foolish to mix ourselves up with the heat among the conflicting countries. Our options to pave way for small changes need to be nationally relevant, yet at the same time, they have to be sound and practical.
My stand on this issue is resolution through the use of ink, which a great hero once did to inflict tabooed knowledge to his fellow Filipinos. Throughout my scholastic career, I have been made aware of my country's past and current issues, and have been furthermore asked to write reflections; a say regarding the subject at hand. These “paper works”, often viewed by most youths as merely assignments, may in fact be vital for our country's development. Once they are read and digested by the majority, these fresh opinions become significant to the coalescence of new and old insights. There are publications that allow us to do such. One is The Philippine Daily Inquirer, which offers Youngblood, a column profoundly dedicated to the youth and their stand regarding current global issues. This section distinctly recognizes national concerns – seen through the eyes of the youth. To each his own opinion, every voice matters, no censorship or anything of the like: it's not difficult to contribute.
For the Spratlys issue, it is also wholesome for us youths to support the Philippine navy, which not only plays a most vital role in protecting our oceanic territories, but also puts on the line the lives of its men, guarding the most harrowing coastal areas to ensure a nation's safety. It's sad to think that they're doing all those things for a whole that do not completely recognize them or their sacrifices. A little “thank you” never hurts. Considering that we, the youths, have the most direct access to and the more voracious knowledge of the social media, it is relatively easy for us to potently spread our gratitude. Facebook, Twitter, and blogs are some of the mediums that can aid us in our campaign of supporting the Philippine navy and distinguishing their mission as “Guardians of the Philippine Sea”.
We Filipino youths must maintain proof that to end disputes, we do not need arms or brutality – an idea that is actually possible. Words don't need to hurt. A war does not deem a nation victorious, but rather, devastates an entire world. There is no harmony in these undertakings. The Philippines is not big enough for China, let alone the Chinese military. Once a nation so flourished, ours is now viewed by most as a dependent third-world country that is too small to thrive and make claims on important resources. And unless something is done to make the tables turn around, we will continue passing on this sad fact to the next batch of youths. Ever wondered if that sought-after impact will come from our generation? I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.
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