I am the youth of today.

I am a descendant of the brave Katipuneros and the strong-willed

leaders of the revolution. I wear the red banner and carry the torch of my guerrilla forefathers.
The blood of my ancestors runs through my veins. I was not delivered into this world in defeat.
The resilience of the past centuries nourishes my will but I am still fighting for my freedom,
justice, and peace.

To our distinguished members of the board of judges, to my fellow contenders, friends, visitors,
ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I stand before you to speak for democracy, that our heroes died for, the unfortunate and unjust
strived for, and the present and even the future generation’s endeavour. Honor and dignity flow
in my blood and my heart beats for freedom.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Filipino heroism is our legacy. It is found in the determination that
made it possible for our Banganhon brothers to fight for freedom. It is in the courage that
sustained them to seek justice for the brutal Banga massacre many years ago. Let the blood of the
courageous Katipuneros run through the veins of our children. Let their cries be echoed to our
youth. Let us revel in the victory and peace that our forefathers gave their life for.
But where is our freedom? Through the agony of the three hundreds of years under the Spanish
colonization, several years under the Japanese and American occupation, I should think we are
liberated from foreign forces… but a fellow Filipino dictator once again threatened our peace.
When victory became ours, the seed of democracy in our country began to take root and sprouted
to grow. I should rejoice, and shout. However, ladies and gentlemen, I can see pictures of our
Mother Land in reality at the present and she is chained. Her shackles are those of poverty and
inequality. Her chains are those of injustices, human rights violations, corruption, and treason.
Her eyes are blinded by media, and social networking. But her heart breaks as she sees her sons
point their guns at each other. She sees her daughters slaving their way in foreign lands to earn
money to buy food for their families. Is this what freedom has cost her?

I am the youth of today, I am free to do what I want without prejudice. I am free to say what I
want without fear of incrimination. I have grown fond of TV shows, love teams and teleserye,
and fight over them in social media. If only my fellow youths can defend our land from
domestic terrorist groups, like how we defend AlDub or Pastillas girl. If only we can protect our
West Philippine Sea from foreign invaders like how we protect our love teams from rumors.
Then I can say that our forefathers’ heroism is not in vain.

Fellow Banganhons, I am the Filipino Youth of today. I enjoy social networking like facebook
and instagram. I like taking selfies and posting it online. But what I do online does not define
me. It is my thoughts – thoughts that will always contain memories of the meaningful virtues our
ancestors passed down to us. It is my words – in the stories that I will tell my future children and
grandchildren of how Aeaw-aeawcame to be. It is in my actions that embody the true nature
of Saguibin – helping one another.
As Dr. Jose Rizal once quoted, “He, who doesn’t know how to look back where he came from,
will never reach his destiny.” The only way to reach our dreams for the future is to have a clear
understanding of the past. What has already happened can never be changed but they can be
lessons we can learn from.
I am the YOUTH of today. I am a descendant of the brave Katipuneros and the strong-willed
leaders of the revolution. I wear the red banner and carry the torch of my guerrilla forefathers.
The blood of my ancestors runs through my veins. I was not delivered into this world in defeat.
The resilience of the past century nourishes my will but I am still fighting for my freedom,
justice, and peace. Ladies and gentlemen, where is YOUR freedom? Once again, good afternoon.
“I am but a small voice, I have but a small dream, the fragrance of a
flower in the unpolluted air.” These are the lyrics of the song: “I have a
Dream.” Yes my dear friends, our voice can be heard if we live in a
peaceful place with democracy having equal opportunities to obtain
justice.
To our dear teachers, fellow students and to my co-contestants, a
pleasant day to one and all. Being a student, I am fully aware of what is
happening around me. From the daily news we can hear, read and view
that crimes are rampant especially in urban areas. Getting the life of a
person is so simply done in daylight time. Poor becomes poorer while rich
becomes richer. Democracy is now being disregarded and justice is only
for the wealthy ones. Rich people can buy justice but poor will just be
put to jail. Sad to say that democracy is no longer for the people, by the
people and of the people. How fortunate are those people who were
blessed with good luck and power because of their high and supreme
positions. How lucky are those political people who can pocket the funds
of the government. How wise are those people who hypnotized and made
the citizens think that they are spending a lot of millions for their
illusionary projects. Are these just signs of injustices? I can say these are.
Injustices had made our country suffer poverty and left our nation in the
world of violence and disturbance. Well, these are just done by the
people who aim to be in a government position and are attracted to
shivering gold. Others will step on the shoes of somebody in order to
reach their ambition. Is that the kind of living we want to continue?
Precisely, all of you will answer “NO!”… No, because we all want a happy
and harmonious life where we have undisturbed tranquillity and peaceful
environment, to practice democratic way of government with equality
and balance civil rights and to have the perception of justice for all. We
all want a prosperous and blameless future and a satisfying government
handling for the generations to come.
The question that blocks our minds is can we maintain all of this?... Yes
my dear friends, I have seen the light of justice and equality and freedom
and my heart has been lifted by the vision of democracy, and I shall not
rest until my land and the people shall have been blessed by these,
beyond the power of any man or nation to subvert or destroy. Let us do
our part, give out our best and let our voice be heard all over the
universe, let there be peace on earth and good will to all mankind. Thank
you and good day!