BALANGA CITY — With so much time and resources poured on gadgets and technology, the youth can channel their acumen to inspire and help the Philippines progress.
“Malaki ang tiwala ko sa ating mga kabataan na sila ang magsusulong lalo sa ating bansa. (I have great confidence in our youth that they will advance more our country),” William Beltran, Philippine Information Agency Regional Director, said during the post-celebration of 119th Independence Day at Plaza Mayor yesterday.
Beltran encouraged Filipino youth to use their abilities to foster change and progress using their shrewdness on modern technology.
“With all the available technologies that we have now, it’s very easy to influence people. With the power of social media, it’s very easy to influence people. I just hope that our youth will learn to inspire other people,” he said.
Filipinos, he added, must also learn to trust the government in its policies,especially now with the ongoing crisis to battle extremists in Mindanao.
With the country fighting a different war today, the celebration of Independence has remained a nationwide commemoration as reflected in Central Luzon where grand rites were staged in historic Barasoain Church in Bulacan and Pamintuan Mansion in Pampanga.
“Ang inakong responsibilidad ng ating mga bayani ay mapalaya ang ating bansa laban sa mga mananakop. Ngayon, ang responsibilidad naman natin ay ang alalahanin yung mga sakripisyong ginawa nila upang matamasa din natin ngayon kung ano man ang kalayaan at kasarinlan na dinadanas natin ngayon.(Our heroes held the responsibility of freeing our nation from invaders. Today, our responsibility is to reminisce the sacrifices our heroes did so we can cherish the freedom and independence we are experiencing today),” Beltran said.
The ceremony was graced by Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia with wife Raquel, city government officials, and representatives from partner organizations who all participated in a parade to the plaza.
Among the highlights of the event were the wreath-laying ceremony before the monument of Jose Rizal and the cultural dances of Balanga youth. –Mar Jay S. Delas Alas