Yeah, I guess it's a little too late to post this one. I wrote this oratorical piece a month before my graduation day. Here is it:
To my well-respected judges, my
beloved teachers, my fellow contenders, and to the trainers and visitors: a
pleasant afternoon to all of you. I must say that I lack knowledge in Politics,
but somehow, I hope that my presence and speech today will make a better place
for me and my generation.
“A real decision is measured by the
fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly
decided.” In other words, our decisions are the cause of our actions. In
everything we do, decision-making is involved whether we like it or not.
Do you ever wonder what
Philippines will be like in the future? For sure, predicting the events are
difficult, therefore it puts our deeds in the present at the top of priority
for the actions of today has a great effect tomorrow. As our national hero, Dr.
Jose P. Rizal has said, “Ang Kabataan and Pagasa ng Bayan”. As a youth, this
principle should motivate us to take part in our society’s huge event that will
affect us a lot – the upcoming General Elections 2013.
Voting is a matter of decision.
In the most common sense, as said earlier, it is easy for an individual to
choose if he knows what are his needs and desires. People can’t be blamed if
they choose the politician with most promises of betterment. This is due to the
trust that a group of people have given to this candidate who happen to be
undeserving of trust. However, we must face the fact that we are the very first
person to be blamed is ourselves in case the true colors of a politician is
revealed. As voters, we are held liable for any circumstances after the
election. So, may I ask you, how and to whom do you give your precious votes?
Is he the person who puts his name to announce he is helping? Is he the person
who enumerates his previous positions to justify his qualification on a higher
position? I hope not. Because these people are often owners of broken promises;
they end up forgetting all their pledges and just sit in an air-conditioned
room, letting his subordinates do the job.
For the previous years,
Philippines had a troubled economy and deteriorating morality and significance.
These are some implications that during the years of deprivation, the Filipino
citizens have failed to choose the right and effective leader. Yes, aside from
being right, a leader must be effective as well. In order to achieve
sustainable living, we need a leader to lead us to the right path, and the best
way to produce a good leader is to use our ability to vote. During election,
politicians do their best to get known and to be liked. They try to impress
their market with their campaigns and promises once they get elected. But have
we not heard enough of free housing, more jobs, improved education, better
living and more promises? Aside from this, the thought that these promises will
only take effect once they get elected is a fallacy. Helping can’t be associated with having
positions, therefore if a leader’s one and only intention is to help his
country and not his self, then with or without political power he will eagerly
do his duty. The Philippines is a
democratic country, wherein freedom in every area is felt. But my friends,
democracy cannot be attained unless those who choose are prepared to choose
wisely. Vote not according to the past achievements of the aspiring
politicians; vote for their ideas on how to face challenges of the present as
well as of the future.
We often hear how a single vote can make a difference, but do we really
know how powerful our votes can be? According to Mr. Lyndon B. Johnson, “The
vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down
injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are
different from other men. ” I believe that voting is the first
act of building a community as well as building a country. A vote has the power to put an official out
of his position if his people don’t like what is happening. Moreover, a vote
has the power to put the appropriate person in position to lead the people.
Now, let me introduce to all of you the right person to be voted.
Ironically, those who make good
political leader are often those who least persuade the people to vote them and
do not seek power but have the authority conferred upon them by others. A good
leader is someone who serves as an example of integrity and loyalty to the
people he represents. He is someone with the courage to stand up for what is
needed to be said yet brave enough to admit his mistakes. He is someone who can
resist various temptations and lures of the politics, and most of all, he is
someone willing to listen to the murmurs of the common people. Let us vote
those who use their political powers to inspire and to motivate, and not those
who use it to manipulate. In order to choose the right person to vote, we must
look beyond what we see and listen to what is unsaid. The sight before our eyes
may deceive us and so do the voices that we hear. Let principle be the guide in
decision-making and regard not to the accomplishments and words of a man, but
to his character.
To my fellow youth, we are indeed
the hope of this land. I challenge you to deliver our motherland to the edge of
success and prosperity rather pulling it to the mud of shame and poverty. Our
choice lies in our everyday living, for our decisions from time-to-time daily
will contribute to the final destination of the Philippines.
To the distinguished guests, to
the teachers and trainers, to my fellow contenders and to the well-respected
judges: The true essence of nationalism can not be found in the sweetness of
words, nor can it be found in high ambitions. The true essence of nationalism
lies within the causes of our perspiration. Going back in history, the Martial
Law holds every right of the Filipinos. They cannot speak and act against the
politician. The People Power that happened on February 25, 1986 ignited the
nationalism of every Filipinos, and this is the start of liberty. Now, my
fellow Filipinos, let us not waste what our ancestors have fought for. We must
continue this struggle tomorrow and the day after and carry with us the
dedication to choose the right leader for the Philippines to achieve better
living onwards. Voting is one of the remarkable rights of Filipinos, so we
better make good use of it. If a single vote can make a difference, what more
billions of votes can do?
It is your input and participation in democracy. Democracy is a
government by the people and for the people. Therefore if you don't like how
your government is run, change it by voting.
I believe that voting is the first act of building a
community as well as building a country.
