The Filipino Youth as Exemplary Leaders

   

 Filipinos can be great leaders. Each one of us has a leaders deep inside ourselves. Both men and women do have the strength to stand for their people. Young or Old, all of us have the same freedom to be a leader.

     "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan" A famous quote from Dr. Jose Rizal. What does that mean? We, the Filipino youth are the next heroes. We are the ones who will build a strong bond of an honest and cultivating country. To be an exemplary leader, we must start within ourselves. We must be the sign of hope to our fellow youth. We must keep in mind that we are the foundation of our nation's future. We will look beyond the unknown to innovate new ideas that will improve our society. We'll always keep in mind and our hearts that failures will make us better, that we should never give up no matter what. We must motivate each other to do extraordinary things for our country. Dr. Jose Rizal is indeed a great model for being an exemplary leader, who stood among all the youth of his time, who deep in his heart know his potentials, who desired to believe in what is right. Just like him, the youth of today should stride on the same path he has crossed and be the leaders of change. These young leaders across the nation shall be molded into great exemplary leaders to bravely face all the trials our nation will be facing. We must look into our hearts and live out the flaming desire to serve our country with dignity as exemplary leaders.

     Yes, to be an exemplary leader is one of the hardest things to do,. But the determination and passion to uphold freedom at all costs, that's the reason why we remain steadfast. It is us who will continue our history. It is in our hands the greater responsibility of contriving changes in our nation. We, the Filipino youth shall have the love for our country and fellowmen. We should live out the goals of our great heroes and make new ones as we persist to value life. The voice of the youth must be heard across the nation. To be a great leader, we must also be a good follower. We need to work hard to make a difference. Words mean nothing without action. Even the little things we do can make the biggest difference we could ever imagine.

Opinion| Pol Medina Jr.'s Pugad Baboy Controversy

Pol Medina Jr.’s Pugad Baboy controversy was the headline news on June 4, 2013. His comic strip pointed out that we, Christians, are ‘hypocrites’. And that we are against gays and lesbians. And the most talked about, the mention of an exclusive all girls school.

Pol Medina’s, Pugad Baboy volumes tackles about the realities in our society. His choice of words are very strong and competitive. I like how Pol Medina voice out what he feels through his comic strips. In that way, we can learn more and at the same time have fun.

But, on June 4, 2013, Pol Medina’s contribution on PDI made a great impact in my perspective. Pointing out that we, Christians, are ‘hypocrites’ is not a good idea. The term he used to describe us, Christians, makes our image as religious people unfavourable. Yes, other Christians are ‘hypocrites’ but accusing all Christians gives out the worst in it.

In the issue that we, Christians are against gays and lesbians. Not all agrees with gays and lesbians but some Christians do. We are not totally against bisexuals but in terms of how they act, it depends. We are all made by God equally and unique. We are who we are.

Mentioning an exclusive all girls school is not appropriate. Especially, he is tackling about a sensitive issue. I think, anyone will be insulted if someone mentioned them involved in a particular issue. This time, Pol Medina Jr. crossed the line. He took a big risk to express his thoughts and it turned out to be a failure.

Anyone can express their feelings and thoughts but with the right words to consider how others will think. Pol Medina Jr.’s way of expressing signifies our freedom as a free nation. Even though he’s involved in this issue, I still idolize him and I still want to see more of his works in the future.

Last Days of Summer '13 ☀

In about two weeks or less summer will be over and we'll be back to the 'real' world. But we can still make the most out of the remaining time. In these days last minute vacations are pretty hectic but time is so precious why do nothing? With the days just remaining, why not think of something memorable that will make your last summer days be an amazing one?

Go to a nearby Resort or a Theme Park or somewhere relaxing but fun. Different activities will do! Swimming, Mountain Climbing, Sight-seeing, relaxing, etc.

Read a good book. After all, reading something would help your mind stimulate while your away from school. Books can take you somewhere you never thought you'd be. In that way, you can think that your in a paradise, swimming underwater with different species of fishes or drinking a fresh smoothie while lying under the sun with the sea lay before your eyes.

Spend a day with your BFF'S or your family. Do whatever you like to do together. Listen to music, watch movies, food travel or just talk about things all day long.

Do shopping! It can make you happy and at the same time it can use your extra time.

Do a DIY project. You can use your time for something you can be productive. You can help recycle things and turn it into something you like and up to date.

Attend lessons. It can enhance your skills and add more skills. Attending one will not waste your time.

Join organizations that's advocacy is for a good cause. Your time will be spent for a good cause at the same time you can meet new great people and be one of the good people.

Do what you are good at. Draw, Play badminton, Write a song, Play the violin or your clarinet. Doing what you really love does and will make you happy, right?

Holy Mass

Nowadays, people seems to forget what the Holy Mass really means. They tend to forget how to act inside the house of God. People go to church not because they are willing to go but because they need something. For students, the common reason is because it is a requirement in their religion class, sometimes, because their parents is forcing them to go. For adults, because they need help for financial, love or they want a car. Yes, it's not bad to pray to God that you want a new car or a new partner in life but some people is just relying to God and seems to forget that they also have to make a move to get what they want.

The importance of the Holy Mass in the life of Christians is very big. The Holy Mass is a way of communicating to God, to pray sincerely for God's guidance. Holy Masses is for us to be enlightend by God's love. Jesus died for us, for us to be forgiven. In the Holy Mass it is for us to give thanks for all the things that Jesus have done for us. In the Holy Mass we receive the body and blood of Christ for us to be blessed. In the Holy Mass we learn good values that we can implement in our daily lives.

Without the Holy Mass people will be burdened from mental and spiritual needs. Christians have to attend masses. The Holy Spirit fills us with the love of God. The importance of the Holy Mass is truly a great part of us Christians.

Poem| Unique Figures

Let us remember those different shapes

And those wonders that from them we can make

The houses, buildings or even a cake

That little kids would like to eat and take

It can be in fixed form or regular

Like those triangles which is angular

Or it can be free form; irregular

Like mother earth's shape which is circular

Convex, concave and zigzags are curvy

That sometimes it can make us feel dizzy

Shapes like rectangles and squares are constant

And that makes them become more important

Different shapes can be seen everywhere

Some has curves, others has sides and corners

It also comes in any form and size

And nothing matters if it's tall or wide

**(c) Ma. Issabela J. Villalino**

Copyrights Reserved

Photo Diary x Fendii Collection

Himig Bulilit Choir

Featured| The Paulinian Link September - December 2012

Front Page

Front cover

"Thinking It's the End of the World"

Feature Article

Book Review

"Letter to My Daughter"

Another issue has been released! Because of our hardwork and determination we, again, are able to create another great issue. Great Job, Linkers!

Education| Academic Dishonesty

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." A nice quote from Nelson Mandela. Education is the best gifts our parents can give to us. It is the key to our success. For years, students strive really hard to reach the dream they've been aiming for. But nowadays, Academic Dishonesty is one of the main problems students, teachers and schools are facing. Academic Dishonesty is a problem that needs full attention.

Some students are just too lazy to study who tends to cheat in class that results in committing a sin. Academic Dishonesty covers any form of cheating such as, Plagiarism, Sabotage, Cheating, etc. Studies have shown that an average of 70% of students have cheated courtesy of Wilfried Decoo, Crisis on Campus: Confronting Academic Misconduct (Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 2012), 23

Students are not the only ones who commit Academic Dishonesty, teachers do too. For example, the improper giving of grades to the students because of favoritism. The teachers are suppose to be good role models to the students.

"It is not that we love honesty less, but that we love success more. - Bowers 70" Students do want to be successful and it is one of the incentives to cheat, also because of the race, nationality or status in life. To make it clear some students are ashamed to have a failing grade and as a hypothesis, it will disgrace his/her family. Also, because of the hard work of the parents the students don't want to dissapoint them and the result is for them to cheat.

Academic Dishonesty do have effects on students, teachers and the school itself. Students who engage themselves to Academic Dishonesty are actually leading themselves to a life of dishonesty. For an instance, when a student already graduated and employed for a job, because of Academic Dishonesty not all graduates who have the same grades can perform the expected skills. Teachers are also affected by Academic Dishonesty. It greatly affects their teaching skills. As well as Schools, it can affect their reputation. Especially if the school is associated with Academic Dishonesty issues it sure will attract lesser students, donors and employees.

Some people will say Academic Dishonesty may help in some little ways but - no. Yes, it will give you high grades but how will you truly know what knowledge is?

Academic Dishonesty really needs to be fixed. Be one of the honest students who will never and not again cheat. Help reduce the number of Academic Dishonesty.