LAKAS KABATAAN – TINIG KABATAAN: RECHARGED!

OUR EPISODES SO FAR

MONTH OF AUGUST

AUGUST 7 EPISODE 2

1700 – 1800 HRS

SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOL… IS IT ABOUT TIME?

The first Saturday of August is the official kick-off of LKTKR after its soft launching on July 31. The past week’s news was all about family planning and population control. And, yes, the brightest (or otherwise) ideas came from our “august” Congress and the series of debates that followed was inevitable. 2 – child policy, 5 – year moratorium on being pregnant, don’t get married ‘til you’re 40… talk about comic relief amidst a potential catastrophe.

Seriously, the solution of the country’s future population status is in the Youth’s hands, and it must start as soon as NOW. Proper information from appropriate (or should we say, professional) sources about Sex and its Consequences is in demand to STOP the Cycle of ignorance and irresponsibility. So, are we prepared for a formal Sex Education in Schools? Would this create a breakthrough we’re looking for or would just end up as a classic debate? VOICE OUT!!!

BILIB KAMI SA’YO Francis Dela Cruz – our First featured guest. Okay, he’s no longer young, but his mind certainly is. Who would have thought that a person with autism would finish 3 College courses? Francis now works in Centro Escolar University library. This is a living testimony that the unfaltering support and perseverance of parents to their child would overcome all Odds and make all things Possible. Thank you to the parents of Francis for just being there with him all the way to INSPIRE the young and the old alike. Thanks to Jeif Grande for bringing Francis.

JOIN KA DITO!

Well, we should’ve joined with VOTY officers Choy and Lloyd who just came back from different parts of the world to represent our country’s young minds. Choy just got back from Australia where the Oxfam Youth Parliament was held while Lloyd was fresh from Bangkok Thailand for the world’s AIDS summit. Meanwhile, VOTY was just itching to take part in the 5^th International Youth Day Celebration, jumpstarting on August 12. No less than the Malacanang palace was the venue for the formal opening of the 3-day event. We’re looking forward to more of these activities to totally Inspire, Inform and Involve the Filipino Youth.

Time really flies fast when you’re having fun. What’s next for LKTKR? It’s up to you guys to find out!

– Peace Out - Emsie

AUGUST 14, 1700 – 1800 HRS

EPISODE 3

YOUTH ACTIVISM: Artificiality or Advocacy?

Young people have always been involved with the defining moments of the country’s political changes. The 2001 People Power Revolution is probably the highest point of youth activitism in recent history. Every now and then, students march in the streets and even in campus corridors to voice out and to show force for whatever they are supporting or fighting against.

But, is there a thin line between artificiality and advocacy when it comes to youth activism? What are the risks? Do we show patriotism if we take part of mass actions and demonstrations? Or, would it be better to become silent observers and workers? VOICE OUT!

Thank you to Cris Reyes, Secretary General of the League of Filipino Students for the interview. We are together in pushing what would benefit the students.

As for Voice of the Youth Network and your Katinig in LKTKR, we are PRO-ACTIVE. We take a stand and just do it, not by taking it to the streets but by Youth Empowerment and creating awareness in important social issues.

JOIN KA DITO! LKTKR’s first LIVE REPORT of Lloyd Luna and Al Ian Barcelona, on-site and straight from Laguna. You could just feel the RECHARGED energy of the 70 participants of the Leadership Training Seminar of the School of Tourism, Family Economics, Nutrition and Hotel and Restaurant Management from Centro Escolar University. It’s Theme: Harnessing STOURFEN-HRM student leader through TEAM BUILDING and EMPOWERMENT.

There’s more. Christopher Bernardo of UP Diliman VOTY announces the Fundraising Congress for Youth Orgs coming from different schools and youth sectors, in the CBA Building UP Diliman on August 25, 2004.

Christopher, Joel Bassig and I attended the Malacanang opening of the 5^th International Youth Day Celebration with its theme: “Empowering Tomorrow’s Global Citizens Today”. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye quoted “With great Power comes great Responsibility.” While, Five Young Achievers were the recipients of the outstanding youth service award. Congratulations to Ronal B. Aguirre for Environmental Advocacy, Serafin Arviola for Peace and Human Rights Education, Pamela Ponce de Leon for Drug Abuse Prevention, Ryan C. Guinaran for Rural Health for the Indigenous and Raymond Palatino for Youth Political Empowerment.

To cap it all up: here’s an excerpt from the message of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan:

“To prepare for the future, we must promote solidarity between generations today… Young people everywhere are preparing for productive, meaningful lives in work, society and family… (the Youth) will be able to fulfill this responsibility if we invest now, and ensure they have the knowledge and skills and to take advantage of the opportunities opening up to them.”

Amen. – Emsie