As I write down my thoughts, my pen is not just centered on a blank sheet of paper.  But through the course of its writing, it is more focused as to how it would make amends on different problems our country is besetting nowadays.  I believe that as it freely shouts its voice in this wide paper called world, it can go places.

            I was once a typical teenager who doesn't care about political and economic situation in our country.  I would often prefer to go upstairs inside my room and listen to the radio while the elders downstairs are very busy arguing about the current issues in front of the television, usually every evening.  Like all the other parent, my mom encourages us to be aware of the news by subscribing to monthly news magazines, having an Internet connection to our family computer and buying newspapers daily.  This is her only way for us to be updated, lest we spoil ourselves into computer games and other vices that are a waste of time—sometimes, I can't understand why they would opt to discuss these things and not just leave them all to the concerned officials responsible for the kind of business.  Why, of all the beautiful things under the sun, they would busy their selves in problems forever unresolved? Besides, headlines always contain bad news.  And I thought to myself, it is very impossible to solve these crises in just a snap of a finger.

            Frankly speaking, the reason why I don't subject myself to these matters is because of its complexity to my age.  This is true among young people.  Most of us think of economic and political issues as brain draining.  Of course, we would go for talking about the latest versions of iPod, our admirers and the like than politics.  It is very rare that we talk about national issues.  Many find it really boring and not a good icebreaker.  Just try it yourself and you will feel outcasted. 

            However, my numbness about our country was healed when I became a writer of our school newspaper.  Because of the endless responsibilities being handed down to us, I have developed and acquired qualities, which will be needed to reach my fellow students. Sooner, I became not just a student journalist, but a student leader as well.  Little by little, I have expanded these qualities and thought of other ways on how I could better serve not just my schoolmates, but also my country and its people.

            Let me share to you my story.

            I am a junior staff writer of our school publication.  Since all of us are amateur writers except the editorial board, who are more competent and experienced than us, they have decided to conduct a free workshop for us this summer.  This would also be our preparation for our competitive exam or search for new editors this June that's why we were obliged to attend the said training.

            During the first month of the training, I was more attentive to the creative writing session.  I always listen keenly to our literary editor and I always comply with his commands.  He was encouraging us to try our luck in on-going literary contests this summer and told us to write a poem for our literary folio and if it be chosen, it will be submitted in a prestigious poetry contest.

            A couple of days after, we were very excited to submit our poems. Our literary editor was thirty minutes late so we decided to comment on each other's works.  When he came and started to read our poems, we were very disappointed that he rejected all of them.  Why? Because all have typical themes—teenage life and love.  He even added: "Don't dare pass these poems to Palanca Awards because no love poems ever won a literary contest"

            Then as I scanned winning pieces of famous poets through Internet, I noticed they all have things in common: they write for our country and for the people.  While reading some of them, I realized that my pen has the power to change people's views, or at least, help them make a move just like what their pens did to me.  I realized, there are endless possible themes in a poem such as abortion, corruption, national elections, poverty, human rights, nationalism and even local news that needs more attention than emotions.  Ever since then, I have become more aware of my motherland and wrote my insights in a poem.

            Now, if you're going to ask me, how did I develop my nationalism? My answer would be simple: because I love writing.  Not to mention the incentives given in writing contests, I have become more aware now of becoming an active citizen in my country because it relates through my passion.  And for that, I would do anything as long as I wouldn't give up writing.

            My advice to the government officials is simple, yet, I believe, very powerful: focus on young people's enthusiasm and passion.  Stimulate their minds to be nationalistic by their interests.  Like what a famous orator once said: An architect and a writer can give different definitions of Sierra Madre Mountains.  Same goes with the youth.  A fine arts student, a student leader and a varsity player can have their different ways on how to love their motherland.

            I suggest that the government should create avenues to showcase youth's interest.  Give the young a chance to become useful citizens by targeting their different fields.  By enacting more laws and programs that would engage youth involvement, the children become useful citizens in our country.  To the new lawmakers of the Philippines, My indelible ink signifies that I have done my part, and I left my ballot with trust that you will do your part.

 As told once by our National Hero: 'the youth is the hope of our country'.  I believe that during these times when our country is under crises, we must give more attention to the youth.  Assess them in their rights and duties.  Develop in them the love of country.  Most importantly, give them reasons why they should love our country.

            Therefore, these are my advices to the young: if you're a singer, sing for our nation.  If you're a painter, add color to life of our countrymen.  If you're a computer programmer, find ways to delete errors in our system.  If you're a photographer, always give your best shot.  Do your best in everything you do but don't be centered on yourself alone.  If you want to be successful, your desires should be focused on our people.  Life is so short and time is gold.  If we plate our time all our lives, we will be forever shining and genuine.  The best time is now—while our bodies are strong and opportunities are coming, we should give time to other's lives.  By this means, we not only help build a better nation, we also glorify the name of the Lord. And if we glorify Him, He will help and guide our nation. 

            Lastly, these goes to the elders and guardians of the youth: practice in them democracy.  They say democracy starts at home.  Don't deprive them of their rights and train them to do their duties.  Simple things like giving them the right to explain their wrongdoings, assigning them to do household chores and providing your children equal number of viands can contribute a lot.  Give more attention to their potentials, and help their abilities be converted to skills.  Help them use their skills not for their own profit.  Teach them to ask not what our country can do for them, but what they can do for our country. By doing these, you also become active citizen in our democratic country.

            Years later, they would be ruling our country and the will become people of the next generation.  I hope that you leave them by instilling in their hearts these attitudes wherever they go.

            If I would relate the things I've learned in poetry and relate them on how to become concerned citizens in a democratic society, I learned that you learn if someone critiques your work.  At the same time, if someone appreciates, you strive to create more.  If someone appreciates our country, we must strive to make it better.  If we notice flaws in our government, we should stand to correct them.  We are the writers of our destiny.  And our destiny depends on how beautiful the work is.   But in poetry, we have creative criticisms—all things can be resolved in a constructive and creative manner.

            Before I put down my pen, I want to personally thank the organizers and staff of this literary contest for giving the youth a chance to engage in reform in a positive way.  I just want to inform that I am doing this not because it is a requirement, neither of the honorarium nor because national themes always win writing contests—I write simply because I have something to say.  I write because I love writing.  And as I write, I believe my pen can make a difference.