PNoy tells youth: Don’t just spend time on selfies, be involved in govt

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday enjoined the Filipino youth to be involved in government instead of spending too much time on fads in the Internet age.

 

Speaking before youth members of the Jesus is Lord Church Movement, Aquino said indifference among young Filipinos would put his administration’s reforms to waste.

 

“Kung pipiliin ninyong magwalang-bahala, mapepeste ang ating pinaghirapan at mababalik tayo sa lumang kalakaran,” he said in his speech.

 

He further encouraged the youth to discuss politics among their friends.

 

“Ngayong panahon po ng selfie at Internet, napakadali na ng pag-uusap tungkol sa pulitika at pakikisangkot sa lahat ng aspeto ng pamahalaan,” the President said.

 

“Malinaw ang papel na ginagampanan ng ating mga kabataan sa pag-abot ng mga adhikain. Bilang mga magmamana ng bunga ng ating mga pagbabago, di hamak na mas matagal matatamasa ng mga kabataan bunga ng ating mga pagsisikap,” he added.

 

A government census in 2010 showed that three in every ten Filipinos are below 15 years old, which means that the country has a young population.

 

The same census showed that in 2010, half of the household population was younger than 23 years old.

 

Be critical

 

At the same time, Aquino reminded young Filipinos to be critical about what they see online.

 

“Huwag ninyo sanang kalimutang maging mapanuri. Hindi porket nakalagay sa Internet ay totoo lahat. Hindi porket viral o trending ay dapat pagkaabalahan,” the President said.

 

Describing himself as “young at heart and young looking,” Aquino even made reference to current trends, such as taking selfies and mobile applications. He even described these fads as "distractions."

 

“Huwag puro selfie at pagpapalakas ng town sa Clash of Clans ang inyong aatupagin,” the President quipped, drawing loud applause from the audience.

 

Interestingly, Aquino agreed to take a selfie with a member of the audience who flew all the way from Canada after the event. — RSJ, GMA News