“Children of Rizal’s 100 years: Surpassing the Past. Fulfilling the Future”
A Sublime Dream of Rizalized Youth: Moving Forward
“When your body is frozen with oppression to move, your mind is losing in labyrinthine chaotic reality, your heart is sealed with thorns and vines of injustices and emergence of crisis; just remember one thing, dispel them all with your faith, will and determination.”
Before, I was just reading some news in the past issues of our publication about the prestigious conference of National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute that is annually organize by the Order of the Knights of Rizal (Chartered Under RA 646) and Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (youth counterpart of the order). The university is sending delegates to compete in different competitions and train them to become effective leaders. In fact, during the past years, some alumni had lorded over in different contested areas nationwide from the said conference, like Rodel Q. Amita who was once a champion in Rizal Quiz Show and a finalist in the most coveted title of Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines (JRMSP); Ismael T. Fisco, Jr. who was once a silver medalist in Rizal Extemporaneous Speaking; and James John Peter Paul Bada who also once a bronze medalist in Rizal Essay Writing Competition. Hence, I told to myself that someday I will be one of those who will represent the university – even just a delegate.
I remembered the day when I was heading to our publication’s office after class. When I arrived in there, I saw the Federated Supreme Student Government President (Daimel Delos Reyes) sitting alongside the window. I greeted him and after a while, a thought came from my mind or perhaps a wishful thinking that had burst out. I asked him about the NRYLI without the intention of joining to it. Then, at that time, they were hunting another delegate who will represent the university in Rizal Essay Writing Competition. Yes, I was fortunate indeed! That I had been chosen! And I thought that this is my sought after sublime dream - chance of a lifetime.
And the day came for our departure from Zambales to Baguio City. As I recalled, I traveled with seven strangers and some total strangers within eight hours inside the bus.
But when we arrived at the coldest part of our archipelagic country, it seemed that the low temperature made us bonded with each other.
It was a five-day conference and training and I didn’t know what to expect from it because it was my first time to attend NRYLI. I thought that it was just an ordinary conference with different hues of mind motivated by their own motives. I had a vague idea of what will happen to me before. All I had in mind was the contest. I prepared for it before we go because of the thought of bringing home the bacon.
However, as the days went by and the contests and some lectures were done, I had a little satisfaction about my literary piece but I forgot about it. All I know was that I did my best.
My attention was diverted to the conference per se; I came there with totally indistinct idea of what will happen to me and to what purpose why I was able to join there. Many questions blasted inside my cranium but as I recognized, I had my own group commission (Rose-Pink), with my co-commissioners of different blend of mind and personality and a dear coordinator, Ate Castle.
From then on, I felt a sense of belongingness from my co-commissioners and it was fun. Every time when there were lectures and activities about various topics – about life, people and our country – we always made it to the point of listening and doing the activities wholeheartedly.
Hence, I learned variety of things about our world, our country, our government, our economy and more importantly about myself. I have learned and realized everything that our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wanted for us to be – the youth of today as impetus for nation building and reformation by making his idealism come into reality.
But a question came out, how can I become one of the young ones as impetus for National progress if I am still attached to my own chaotic-individuality?
Then, I realized that I was living in my past because of my resentment and resistance to it and that I had been very much worried about my future. I realized that revenge will never be the key for emancipation of heavy baggage within me. I realized that I had a false and ambiguous vision and goals in life. I realized that I have to improve myself first before enacting and leading.
A Sublime Dream of Rizalized Youth: Moving Forward
“When your body is frozen with oppression to move, your mind is losing in labyrinthine chaotic reality, your heart is sealed with thorns and vines of injustices and emergence of crisis; just remember one thing, dispel them all with your faith, will and determination.”
Before, I was just reading some news in the past issues of our publication about the prestigious conference of National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute that is annually organize by the Order of the Knights of Rizal (Chartered Under RA 646) and Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (youth counterpart of the order). The university is sending delegates to compete in different competitions and train them to become effective leaders. In fact, during the past years, some alumni had lorded over in different contested areas nationwide from the said conference, like Rodel Q. Amita who was once a champion in Rizal Quiz Show and a finalist in the most coveted title of Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines (JRMSP); Ismael T. Fisco, Jr. who was once a silver medalist in Rizal Extemporaneous Speaking; and James John Peter Paul Bada who also once a bronze medalist in Rizal Essay Writing Competition. Hence, I told to myself that someday I will be one of those who will represent the university – even just a delegate.
I remembered the day when I was heading to our publication’s office after class. When I arrived in there, I saw the Federated Supreme Student Government President (Daimel Delos Reyes) sitting alongside the window. I greeted him and after a while, a thought came from my mind or perhaps a wishful thinking that had burst out. I asked him about the NRYLI without the intention of joining to it. Then, at that time, they were hunting another delegate who will represent the university in Rizal Essay Writing Competition. Yes, I was fortunate indeed! That I had been chosen! And I thought that this is my sought after sublime dream - chance of a lifetime.
And the day came for our departure from Zambales to Baguio City. As I recalled, I traveled with seven strangers and some total strangers within eight hours inside the bus.
But when we arrived at the coldest part of our archipelagic country, it seemed that the low temperature made us bonded with each other.
It was a five-day conference and training and I didn’t know what to expect from it because it was my first time to attend NRYLI. I thought that it was just an ordinary conference with different hues of mind motivated by their own motives. I had a vague idea of what will happen to me before. All I had in mind was the contest. I prepared for it before we go because of the thought of bringing home the bacon.
However, as the days went by and the contests and some lectures were done, I had a little satisfaction about my literary piece but I forgot about it. All I know was that I did my best.
My attention was diverted to the conference per se; I came there with totally indistinct idea of what will happen to me and to what purpose why I was able to join there. Many questions blasted inside my cranium but as I recognized, I had my own group commission (Rose-Pink), with my co-commissioners of different blend of mind and personality and a dear coordinator, Ate Castle.
From then on, I felt a sense of belongingness from my co-commissioners and it was fun. Every time when there were lectures and activities about various topics – about life, people and our country – we always made it to the point of listening and doing the activities wholeheartedly.
Hence, I learned variety of things about our world, our country, our government, our economy and more importantly about myself. I have learned and realized everything that our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wanted for us to be – the youth of today as impetus for nation building and reformation by making his idealism come into reality.
But a question came out, how can I become one of the young ones as impetus for National progress if I am still attached to my own chaotic-individuality?
Then, I realized that I was living in my past because of my resentment and resistance to it and that I had been very much worried about my future. I realized that revenge will never be the key for emancipation of heavy baggage within me. I realized that I had a false and ambiguous vision and goals in life. I realized that I have to improve myself first before enacting and leading.
I realized that I must leave things behind and accept the gift of life - the present.
I learned to forgive myself from those failures, shortcomings and disappointments in my past. I also learned to forgive the significant people in my life that caused sufferings and miseries to me like my parents. I had let go of the dark side of me, and now I am ready to partake.
As the youth of today, we must first improve ourselves to fully lead in nation building. We must have the positive attitude in every life’s struggle; vivid imagination of what we will become; written goals as guide; focus and taking actions that all contributed to the secret of our success.
As young leaders of our own self, of our family, of our university and of our country, we must visualize our goals using our belief and action to attain the sought after result. We must cling to the idea of the will to perfection in the wide road of progress by using our means now – by treasuring our education.
“Por la educacion recibe lustre la patria.” It is only in education that we can acquire the luster of our nation. True to those words of Rizal, that this is our role and guiding principle as Filipino youth to change the overused belief systems and paradigms of our country, and build a moral community using our faith, will and determination that will become the impetus for National governance, prosperity, respect, integrity and liberty.
I remembered what Don Rafael Ibarra (a character from Noli Me Tangere/Touch me not/ Social Cancer) once told to Crisostomo Ibarra, his son, this things.
“You are a man now and you must think about your future and about your duties…You must learn the science of life. If you remain here in my shadow, you will not learn to look far ahead…You must think of other and greater things…sacrifice for the future.”
Yes, and it is very much apparent that a life which is not dedicated to a great idea is useless and more likely - futile.
In the end of the conference, though I didn’t win, still, I will never cease to write because it was never about the contest – it is about me - the learning I have gained that helped me evolved as one of the children of Rizal. I can say that I am a Rizalized youth for I surpassed my past and ready to fulfill my future - a sublime dream of our National Hero to relive his legacy and idealism!
NON OMNIS MORIAR
“Not everything in me will die.”
As the youth of today, we must first improve ourselves to fully lead in nation building. We must have the positive attitude in every life’s struggle; vivid imagination of what we will become; written goals as guide; focus and taking actions that all contributed to the secret of our success.
As young leaders of our own self, of our family, of our university and of our country, we must visualize our goals using our belief and action to attain the sought after result. We must cling to the idea of the will to perfection in the wide road of progress by using our means now – by treasuring our education.
“Por la educacion recibe lustre la patria.” It is only in education that we can acquire the luster of our nation. True to those words of Rizal, that this is our role and guiding principle as Filipino youth to change the overused belief systems and paradigms of our country, and build a moral community using our faith, will and determination that will become the impetus for National governance, prosperity, respect, integrity and liberty.
I remembered what Don Rafael Ibarra (a character from Noli Me Tangere/Touch me not/ Social Cancer) once told to Crisostomo Ibarra, his son, this things.
“You are a man now and you must think about your future and about your duties…You must learn the science of life. If you remain here in my shadow, you will not learn to look far ahead…You must think of other and greater things…sacrifice for the future.”
Yes, and it is very much apparent that a life which is not dedicated to a great idea is useless and more likely - futile.
In the end of the conference, though I didn’t win, still, I will never cease to write because it was never about the contest – it is about me - the learning I have gained that helped me evolved as one of the children of Rizal. I can say that I am a Rizalized youth for I surpassed my past and ready to fulfill my future - a sublime dream of our National Hero to relive his legacy and idealism!
NON OMNIS MORIAR
“Not everything in me will die.”
1 comment:
writing is not all about you. remember that you write not for your own sustenance. we owe our thoughts to the people who struggle, for theirs is the most inspiring stories that we can tell the mankind. rizal's pursuit was not about him, it was about liberating his people. let the words that u knit together become an expression of the people's unspoken words, never never procrastinate.
"The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis." (Dante Alighieri, 1265-1321)"
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