Senate Committee Chairman on Science and Technology Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV addressed Lasallian student leaders as keynote speaker in the forum, National Youth Commission: Empowering Youth Leaders held at the Mabini Mini-auditorium, May 3.
In his speech, Aquino stirred the discussion on how young leaders are able to better the lives of others through education, participation in various organizations and social enterprise.
“Kailangan umaksyon tayo, [which is] one thing that separates those who can really make an impact and those who are just willing to complain,” Aquino said.
Relating to the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on May 14, Aquino also emphasized his belief on the youth’s willingness to serve their community regardless of the many challenges they face.
“Isa po tayo sa nagsabing, ‘huwag nating i-abolish yan (SK) bagkus repormahin natin’,” Aquino said, highlighting one major provision of the new SK law that inhibits political dynasty.
In the forum which followed his speech, Aquino also addressed students’ concerns on the ongoing issues in the local community at the same time expressing his willingness to provide useful links to other active organizations.
“If you are able to couple that passion, the hard work and the perseverance, kapag pinagsama n’yo po yon, then I think you would be able to make an impact,” Aquino said.
The said event was started off by various testimonies and a forum with Lasallian leaders including Jade Valencia, Association of Communication Students Executive Secretary, Chris Warren Manalo, CITE governor and Noel Cirujano, Associate Editor of the Lavoxa Group of Publications.
The forum was organized by the Lasallian Youth Corps in partnership with the Student Government and Lasallian Jurists to facilitate the discourse on youth empowerment among college students, members of the senior high school community, faculty and staff.
