NYC Towards Responsible Citizen

by MEGS S. LUNN

About more than 1,000 students from STI Iloilo and Kalibo attended the 17th National Youth Convention (NYC) with the theme, “Citizen STI: The Change I want to See Starts with Me,” a network-wide campaign which aims to inspire the youth towards responsible citizenship.

The NYC was held last January 10, 2012 at the Sampaguita Gardens Convention Center, New Washington, Aklan. Engr. Paul Erwin Sarabia, Deputy School Adminis-trator of STI College Kalibo formally welcomed the delegates and guests. Empowering the students are speakers specialized in their own field of expertise and are valued inspirational speakers.

The first topic, “It’s All About Me, Myself and I: Self-Development,” was inspired by Mr. Edwin Superable, Faculty of STI College Novaliches. The topic motivates the students to take initiative, to do beyond the call of duty and to take responsibility about their action.

Mr. Ricky Bunag, Faculty of STI Collegte Bacoor talked about, “It’s All about US: Making a Difference.” He encouraged the students to rise again amidst adversity and difficulty, for it is not the falling but by standing again and again that teaches us to become successful. He gave tips how to identify one’s own purpose by identifying his strengths and passions among others. Moreover, success is not only a one-time deal. It is not about being the best, but it is about doing the best. And above all, ‘making us’ is guided by the acronym SMART – S- specific, M - measurable, A – attainable, R – realistic and T- timebound.

The final speaker, Mr. Pido Aguilar of Abundance Founder, talked about, “It’s all about WE: Me and My Community. He coined the word S.T.I – “Sana, Tayo, at Ikaw” because It’s all about Me, It’s all about We. Our personality to others should reflects our skills, knowledge and passion. The participants were challenged to answer the following questions.

Why me in a community? Where do I start? How can I be more ME? How can ME help WE? How can I be whole? Its emphasis is on the reality that ‘no man is an island.’ For “I need others and others need me, so therefore, I grow, you grow, everyone grows.’ Then it becomes WE. He also pointed out RESPECT for self and others. In judging others, we need to reflect, consider and decide. For each one has his own niche’ and therefore, we have our own boundaries and limitations, too. He suggested knowing yourself well. In giving yourself to the community, you need to know if you have something to give from yourself, for we can’t give what we don’t have.

The goal of NYC is to empower the Filipino youth to be movers and shakers in our society through the most constructive contributions and be the catalyst of change and responsible citizens that will transform the Philippines into a better nation.

The NYC is an annual innovative learning experience conducted in key cities nationwide by STI. It aims to promote and demonstrate active involvement of the youth in the different issues in the Philippine’s social landscape. /MP