Analyzing the Sangguniang Kabataan

Philosophers and thinkers have acknowledged the vital role of the youth in the development of a society. One of the most quoted lines of Jose Rizal in fact delivers this message; the youth is the hope of the nation. The Philippine Constitution also recognizes this. In Article II, Section 13, it is stated that “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

Youth participation, indeed, plays a key role in determining the future of a nation. But there must first be a venue wherein they are given the chance to be involved in shaping their society. This is where the responsibility of the State comes in. As the promoter and keeper of the law, it has the duty to provide the respective venues wherein the youth can actively participate (in accordance to Article II, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution). It also has the duty to encourage the youth in nation building and ensure that they would be a responsive collective.

Just For a Day

our trip (c) Z. Aeson Dantis

People say that one can learn more outside the classroom; that is, experience can tell more than what the book says. So our class (PS197: Special Topics in Political Science: Indigenous Peoples), decided to have an exposure trip in a community of Dumagat in Rizal.

The goal of the exposure trip is to better understand the situation of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines through the case of Dumagats. This involves learning if they are able to preserve their culture, understanding their political processes, and knowing the problems that they encounter as members of a vulnerable group, which we know as the indigenous peoples. Living with them even just for a day is better than a whole year studying about them in the classroom.

He’s My Dad

Engr. ALFRED A. DANTIS – He is my dad.

Whenever people ask me about my dad, I picture him on their bed trying to catch some sleep after doing things for his office, or for me and my sisters. You see, my dad is good at almost everything – name it, he’s good at it. All those who know him would agree with this. And all of them respected him because of his pakikisama despite being the “boss”.

Eighteen

cake from CWL friends - don't mind the digicam battery charger on the side. (haha!) (c) Z. Aeson Dantis

June 21, my eighteenth birthday.

Usually, when ‘ladies’ reach this age, they celebrate by holding a formal party. I could have done that, but I chose not to – for all the pragmatic reasons. My parents asked me to choose between having a party (a beach party, para maiba lang) or just get gifts from them. I chose the gifts because, well, it is more practical. Besides that, some members of my barkada and other friends are not here in Manila. A party would not be complete without them.

San Jose (Mindoro) and My Seven Dwarfs

Hello world!

Did you know that May 1, 2010 is an important date for the people of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro because this marks its centennial and the feast day of Saint Joseph, its patron saint? Celebrations had been occuring left and right. Fun and excitement is felt everywhere.

If the “Sleepy” in me is asleep (in other words, when I’m awake) and the “Sneezy” part of my allergies does not bother me, I share their fun spirit. A trip to Agbiliwa, going to church, hearing about different programs – I love those. The “Happy” in me enjoys seeing how many people crowd the street to watch programs and how every person celebrates the centennial of the town we all love.

Pressure this Summer

After months of  “toxicity”, summer is indeed a blessing to escape the pressures from school and family. This is usually the time to eat, sleep, and relax.

School work is a no-no during Summer. You can make me read books, but only if I am willing to. No terror professors to force me to study. No parents who fuss over my grades. This summer there can be NO PRESSURE. But, somehow, there is still something that pressures me. I am pressured to do something productive and worthwhile. The pressure comes from ME.

Oppressing Women

The society that we live in treats women in different oppressive ways. Whether putting them on a pedestal and venerating them or exploiting them openly, the different members of the society are oppressing women. By venerating women, we are given a false impression that women have a high position in the society and that they are already empowered. But this is not true! Women are still struggling to get equal treatment and opportunities like what the society provides men.

Women are not yet empowered, mostly because of the cultural factors, that are already embedded in every member of each society, play a part on how we are suppose to view women and men. These factors set up norms, that we have to follow, else we are perceived ‘different’ and ‘deviant’.