by: Arthur James Fernandez
Grand Champion of Excellence on Oratory
December 28, 2006
Grand Champion of Excellence on Oratory
December 28, 2006
On the sixth day, God breathed life on a palmful of dust, creating man after his own image. And from then on, the creation evolved through the years into a complex creature, ever questioning, ever unpredictable. In the core of his structural complexity is a brain that reasons out and a heart that feels, to freely seek and pursue a will. A will to do good or evil, a will to survive or perish, a will to excel or diminish, and a will to succeed or fail..
Thus, man holds the knowledge and the ability to seek his own destiny, to mould his own future, to chart his own life. Yet, ironically, it is only man on the animal kingdom who can affod to laugh at his own mistake, consciously plot his own disaster, ignore his capabilities to impose change in a world gone berserk, by seizing the challenge and making a difference.
In the history of mankind, numberless men had lived unfulfilled. But most importantly, nearly all men had died, unknowing that they held that power to make that change and to achieve that difference. And those who recognize the power within themselves, use it to extol the selves and subjugate the rest, with a nary a resistance, strong enough to buoy hopes of redemption. Tyrants, indeed are made by men who know nothing better than to submit.
As as young man, I am daily confronted by three predicaments. That of a son, that of a student, and that of a citizen of a county, devastated by political bickering. As a son, I am expected to toe the line within the perimeters of tradition. As a student, I have to contend with the and absorb the knowledge from the minds of those who came before me. And as a citizen, I have to probe into the issues that concern my community and my country.
Thus, man holds the knowledge and the ability to seek his own destiny, to mould his own future, to chart his own life. Yet, ironically, it is only man on the animal kingdom who can affod to laugh at his own mistake, consciously plot his own disaster, ignore his capabilities to impose change in a world gone berserk, by seizing the challenge and making a difference.
In the history of mankind, numberless men had lived unfulfilled. But most importantly, nearly all men had died, unknowing that they held that power to make that change and to achieve that difference. And those who recognize the power within themselves, use it to extol the selves and subjugate the rest, with a nary a resistance, strong enough to buoy hopes of redemption. Tyrants, indeed are made by men who know nothing better than to submit.
As as young man, I am daily confronted by three predicaments. That of a son, that of a student, and that of a citizen of a county, devastated by political bickering. As a son, I am expected to toe the line within the perimeters of tradition. As a student, I have to contend with the and absorb the knowledge from the minds of those who came before me. And as a citizen, I have to probe into the issues that concern my community and my country.
I acknowledge these responsibilities, and because God has equipped me with fully functioning faculties, I affirm my capabilities and seize the challenge which borders on two levels, either live with it or overcome it. I choose to overcome it, with every little victory celebrated in the privacy of my thoughts and in dialogged with my God from my heart.
We all have that power to make that difference! You, me, the richest tycoon in the hills of Alabang and the poorest beggar in the putrid alleys of Payatas, hold the same equal chance to make a better world. If they can address the predicaments that daily confront them in their own respective social orbits. The differences that they make may vary in degree and intensity, but equal in importance for they all sum up to spell better lives in a better world.
Recognize the problems around you, translate them into opportunities, acknowledge your capabilities, believe in your competence and confront the challenge on a head on collision. Defeat is not in failing, for victory is in knowing that you had the chance to make things better and you seized it.
God gave us the brains to rationalize, harness it. God gave us the eyes to see, be vigilant. God gave us the heart to feel, be compassionate. God gave us the mouth to express what we feel, speak up! And God gave us the will to choose, engage!
I know a man who did all these, he was a Filipino. He died more than a century ago. That Filipino sought boldly what others thought futile. The enemy placed stumbling blocks before him but he took them as stepping stones to achieve his goals for his countrymen. He saw, he felt, he understood, he spoke through his pen and reach the multitude, he committed, he involved himself and he was butchered. For he dared to face the threat of a conquering adversary, not for himself but for his countrymen who wallowed in the quagmire of misery, discontent and enslavement!
I may mourn the passing of this greatest Filipino who ever lived. But my lamentation is more on the narrow understanding of his death which was shamelessly questioned by those who do not believe that his pen was mightier than the armed sporadic uprisings in the countryside. I shudder at the intellectual tirades that his death did not merit the status of a national hero. For this very death, paved the way to deliverance. For it triggered the weak, the fearful, the displaced and the submissive to awaken, to rise up against oppression, and fight for freedom from more than three centuries of colonial suppression and exploitation.
Let me quote part of the lyrics of Dr. Jose Rizal's song before he was assassinated in the musical play about his life entitled, Calamba Joe. "I must die that you may live, understand and please forgive. Someday you will remember me and lovingly for what I did today." Yes, we are thankful,indeed, that we are now living in the luxury of independence and democracy that Rizal's blood had nurtured. Lovingly remembering him through the years and celebrating his achievements for they are the lighted guideposts that will lead us to political, social and economic stability.
In closing, let my seventeen year old mind, express my own understanding of the present state of affairs in my beloved Philippines.
There is a famine in our country today. A famine not so much on food or money, but a famine of men. Men of integrity, compassion, dedication, honesty, commitment and involvement. For as long as this famine could not be addressed, the Philippines will never rise from the depths of despair.. I like to think that you are all here to affirm your capabilities and seize the challenge... For I like to believe that you and I are here to address this famine..
Let us then celebrate this singular achievement! A good day to all of you.
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