Lately, we have been seeing advocacy-advertisements that encourage individuals to take part in the transformation of the country. Many have already joined, especially that these advocacy are led by popular personalities in media, arts and politics. Many of these are young people who have hopes for the country; young people who, in their age of strength and idealism, want to be agents of change.
The Philippine Constitution acknowledges the vital contribution of young people in nation-building; however, it is usually the non-government organizations that creates the places for the younger generation for self-expression of nationalism. Though many people have already lost their hope for change and became passive, some are still working to give the next generation a better coutry to live in.
Be the Change
The anecdote of ‘The Man Who Wanted to Change the World” is already overused but it never failed to let people realize that they can make the change they want in the society even as individuals. The story is attributed to Rabii Israel Salanter and it reads:
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was very difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn’t change my nation, I began to focus on my town.
I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have an impact on my family.
My family and I could have made an impact on our town.
Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
Sometimes, because of our too much eagerness to effect change we see beyond what we can do. We advocate for something we could not even do ourselves. If only many people would realize that as individuals, we can be the change, the impact could make a better society.
The first time I saw the TV ad of “Ako Mismo”, I was already amazed at its concept. It greatly challenges individuals to do something that will effect change. It is a call for a commitment that the individuals would do. Ako Mismo is spearheaded by DDB Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of DDB Group in the Philippines. It is undertaken with the support of PLDT Smart Foundation.
The advocacy believes that each individual, especially the youth, could bring hope and effect change in the country.
Another advocacy that is very popular especially among TV viewers is the “Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula” (BMPM) of ABS-CBN. This started from the station’s Citizen Patrol where individuals could be the reporters for their own communities. This time, the advocacy encourages individuals to be patrolers and watchers in the next national election in 2010. The role of individuals is not only responsible voting but to watch over the leaders whom they have elected. Citizen patrolling does not end when the election ends, but it would only be the beginning.
When I was in college, I experienced becoming an election reporter. It was a tough job especially that I was under the biggest radio station in our province, but that experience opened my eyes to many areas of Philippine politics. The things that I had only seen on television or heard over the radio became real in front of me.
I have already joined BMPM through online registration; and as a first time voter, I commit to be responsible in choosing the people who would lead the country. The hope may not actually come from these politicians but raising every glimpse of hope that individuals have can have great impact in the community. Change is not only a responsibility of the government but also of individual citizens.
When Small Things Become Great
The things we commit to do to transform our nation may be small. Maybe we just committed to conserve water in any way we can in our own houses. Maybe we just have committed to teach our children good values or maybe pray for our nation once a week. The things we perceive as small ones can impact our community.
It is not a necessity that each individual do big things to effect change, small things can become great when they are done responsibly and with commitment for a greater cause.
Like the man who wanted to change the world, let us not wait until we are old to realize that the best way to effect change is to change ourselves to become better citizens.
Filed under: essays | Tagged: ako mismo, boto mo i-patrol mo, change, citizens, election, individual, responsible voting, society, transformation, young people, youth
