“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”, the immortalized line of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. This idea can still be applied to today’s generation more than a century later. Despite the shortcomings held on a cultural aspect, the youth have continuously been a symbol of revolution and a progressive state. The upcoming elections showed the power they held as they took over a new era and prepared for a new government.
More than 56% of the 2022 voters are part of the youth. This would mean that a large part of the overall votes would come from people ages 18-41. The population of that age group held an essential responsibility in choosing the right members of the office. By active participation in voting, they refresh the society’s current status in terms of leadership, applying new ideas from a different point of view. Such a conclusion caused visible notice on promotions of national campaigns with politicians they are rooting for. Various youth groups chose to promote candidates that are not only competent and filled with integrity but also offer innovative platforms to solve issues on gender inequality and discrimination. Despite the challenges of balancing online academic affairs and some with employment, the youth who aim for reform woke their urge to volunteer and be involved in political campaigns.
The disposition of this act made a generation that used personal knowledge of technology into a space that helps their preferred candidates. According to a survey conducted by “Youth Led PH” with Social Weather Stations (SWS) in 2021, more than half of Filipino youth use social media like Facebook to engage in political posts. Due to limited mobility, current youth volunteer groups are also formed mainly through social media. It is an efficient platform to unite individuals living in the same city and persuade independent votes.
Their activities are supported by funds from their contributions and donations. For instance, “Youth Vote for Leni” conducts donation drives through their Facebook page to accomplish the projects of volunteers. Such projects include house to house and online campaigns to non-political agendas like feeding programs or clean-up drives. For transparency, records of monetary transactions are shown online with a clear indication that they are not affiliated with the Office of the Vice President. The volunteer groups were products of initiative trying to educate and persuade citizens from the minority. Their message is to commit to a change that saves the community from experiencing the same social issues.
This dedication became enlightenment of what the youth can do in hopes of reform and good governance. They’ve become witnesses to anomalies. They grew up with a kind of government committing incorrect judicial choices that threatened Filipinos. They have experienced firsthand what it was like to be restricted on so many rights due to inequality. The youth know what it’s like to lose a voice. And so they stood up together with others, making ways to volunteer in the election. Establishing a better start, not only for themselves but their future sons and daughters as well.