LETTER TO OUR YOUNGSTERS

Dear Young People of the World:

It is a great pleasure writing this letter to you. I know how busy you are in your studies, jobs or even in your personal lives. But amidst the busyness, amidst the noise of our world, amidst the many influences-good or bad, amidst many confusions and doubts, dare to pause and think for awhile

Is there something within me that can help people around me? Can I share my talents for the benefit of  my community? What can I do to build a better society where people are in peace and unity?

I know my fellow youth, you have doubts whether you can have positive answers to these questions. Dare to pause and think for awhile. You are young, vibrant and strong in health and spirit. You have the character, the capacity, the voice,  talent and ,and the vigour.  You are just lacking the will power and you let laziness rule over you.

We cannot change the world for good in just a blink of an eye. Start with the subject you know best, yourself. There are many things you never knew you have. It's up to you how to discover it.

Yours sincerely,

Roj

KABATAAN: TAON NATIN TO!

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines declared 2011 as the Year of the Youth, celebrating the theme: Standing firm in the faith; Do all your works in love. The Church is emphasizing the important role of the youth in building the nation and revitalizing the Church.

Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) Chairman, Bishop Joel Baylon said: "Let us  walk together to intensify awareness abouth the youth and their importance to the life and activity of the Church. By our witness, let us help the young in our midst - in our homes, schools, communities, etc.  - to find God in their lives and generously answer His call to service and love.

The Church is continuously urging our young people to join in its ministry, "leading to a meaningful and fruitful service that is undertaken with the fullest attention and highest priority in every way by all means in the Church" Baylon added.

DARAGA (Anonymous)

Daraga, daraga
Pasagin-sagin ka pa
sa Naga
Ika maeskwela.

Ateneo, Colegio
Class na escuelehan pa
Mayo man nin kamugtakan
Kun ika pahugak-hugak sana.

Maule ka sana
Kun mayo ka na ni kwarta
Gastos digdi, gastos duman
Mayo man nin padumanan

Estudyanteng lakwatsera
Ano ka na!
Mayo ka na sanang inatupag
Kundi an saimong barkada.


Lalaki duman, lalaki digdi
Pirmi mong kaibanan
Hanggang sa pagkabanggi
Dai mo na namaanan
Ika bados na palan.

Maule ka ki nanay mo
Pahibi-hibi ka pa
"Nanay, binayaan na ao kan bata ko"
Iyan an sumbong mo.


Herak man kan magurang mo
Na naglalapigot sa
pagpaeskwela saimo
Naghohonang may diploma ka
Ito palan mayo man sana.


Estudyanteng laskwatsera,
Iyan ang napapala
Mauli sa magurang niya
Aki ang darang diploma.

REFLECTION:

My dear fellow youth, wake up! Let us not waste our life with a non-sense things. Think of your future, thik of your parents, those people who are trusting in you. Do not let yourself befall towards unnecessary things in your life. Walk straightl towards your dream. Believe also in your capacity to help other people. It may be as simple as maintaining the cleanliness of your surroundings and it helps a lot. No matter how young you are, you have something to offer. So, young people, wake up!

MAKE A STAND

Stand Firm in the Faith; Do all your works in Love

How long must we sit and wait for a hero?

And how long must we waste today for tomorrow?

To our people that’s lost in the dark

We can be guiding hand, shining star

If we only could see that the hero is here

In our hearts, young as we are…

We can stand and make a stand

Heart to heart and hand in hand

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

And to make a stand.

Stand firm, be a guiding light to the nation

Stand proud, let's unite in one celebration

With the Power of God from above

We can tell all the world of His love

Standing firm in the faith

Doing all of our work from the heart

We've got to start to make a stand

We can stand and make a stand

Heart to heart and hand in hand

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

And to make a stand.

For together, we’re strong

Now it won’t be for long

Till we heal this broken land

If we live what we’ve learned

Take this time to take our turn

To make a stand!

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

And to make a stand.

We can stand and make a stand

Heart to heart and hand in hand

Let that voice out inside

That we can’t keep on hiding

Gotta work to make things work

Gotta change to change the world

‘Cause we cannot deny, we gotta give it a try

We are never too young to come as one

We can make a stand.

REFLECTION:

A BEAUTIFUL SONG, CALLING OUR FELLOW YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE A STAND. THE THEME SONG OF THE CBCP'S YEAR OF THE YOUTH IS TRYING TO INTENSIFY THE PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH IN BUILDING A BETTER WORLD, WHERE PEOPLE ARE WORKING AND LIVING TOGETHER. IT URGES US TO BELIEVE TO THE ABILITIES THAT WE HAVE. THE ENTHUSIASM WITHIN US COULD BE OUR STARTING POINT TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO COME AS ONE, AND TO MAKE A STAND.

PRAYER OF THE YOUTH

You, O Lord, our strength and our guide,
Our stronghold in times o despair.
Under your sweet yoke we lean upon
Teach us to become your good children, Lord
Help us help your people according to your will.

Inspire us through your words of love, that we may
Nestle our neighbors as you love them.

Aware of our responsibilities for our community
Convert our cold heart to a burning love for your people.
Trials and temptations will surely beset on us; but
In your love and light we trust.
Obtain for us the grace we need O Lord
Never let evil weaken our dreams and our desire for action. Amen

YOUTH'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1.  You shall not idolize evil influences or people of wrongdoing.
2. You shall not take prohibited drugs or even trying it.
3. Remember the struggles of your parents and the people helping you.
4. Respect your parents, elders, and all the people you live with.
5. Do not kill your dreams, work hard to achieve it.
6. Do not commit sinful advances towards people, be a role model.
7. Do not steal others dreams because of any vices
8. Do not bear false attitudes  and other heartaches.
9. Help people, environment ad your community.
10. Study well, work hard, and live life worthily.

DEEPENING OUR TEEN PERSPECTIVE

Defining the word teenager may imply different denotations. It can be as simple as the time where the age of a certain person ends in teen. But do we have a deeper understanding of this suffix, "-teen" attached in our age?

The word teen is of recent origin only having appeared in the middle of the 20th century. It should be defined as the time of crucial transition from childhood to adulthood. This is the time of maturity. A time where the child matures into an adult. Hence, lots of changes are involved including biological, social, as well as psychological.

This stage is a crucial stage of development. It can be compared to a fragile vase ready to be broken anytime. There are lots of influences triggering teenage life which affects the social as well as psychological dimensions of a teen. Generation X are having a dramatic change, and they believe that they can do whatever pleases them. There are many struggles, temptations and influences that attacks or cause the youth to be broken or hinder their maturity.

This is the time where the parents should incorporate proper guidance in helping their child. They should be a role model where the teens should look at at. The fact exists that teens are easily falling to temptations. The lack of proper guidance could be the reason why many teenagers became rebellious. It could be the cause of early pregnancies, drug addiction and crimes involving the teenagers.

Adolescent is a fragile stage. It should not be defined as a time of rebellion. It should be considered as a time of confusion, where the teenager is continuously seeking for his place in the world, his identity, and his purpose and his goal in life.