Change Doesn't Have An Age Limit

For someone to bring about change, it has to come from the most noble of ideas. And nothing says noble than that of the pure ideas of a kid. Being a kid means to be idealistic. When we were young, we all wanted to be heard, to be able to talk to the people that matter and say to them that our ideas are gold. That our ideas can and will change this world for the better. We just need to be heard and listened to with respect, not like some cute little baby who said his/her first word, but as someone who wants to have something better than what the world is currently offering them. Listening to the youth is an untapped resource on how to make the world a better place.

But for ourselves, bringing our voice to the people that matter is a difficult, if not entirely impossible, endeavor. We lose something  as we go through the gears and cogs of our society and end up "growing out" of this idealism. Then we see other people, more youthful than ourselves, thinking, or perhaps, regretting that we didn't do as much as we wanted with that enthusiasm that we had before. But all is not lost.

We teach our youth to dream BIG and live LARGE. We should create the world to cater to that humongous freedom we gave them. Believe in yourselves and in what you can do. It is not to late to talk to the people that matter and tell them you got some ideas you want to share. How can we give our children idealism when we ourselves do not possess it. Age is not a hindrance to positive change whether you're 12 or you're 60. Every person has an idea to make this place we are living in better. Listen to them and maybe, just maybe, that idea might just save this world.

To end, I give you a video I saw at Facebook. It's of Severn Suzuki, a then 12 year old girl talking to the dignitaries of states of the UN during the year 1992. Listen to her and you might find out that what she was clamoring for 18 years ago, is more or less similar to what we are clamoring for now.

Be agents of positive change everyone!!! :)

Fish Conservation Video that struck a chord

Brian Skerry reveals ocean's glory -- and horror | Video on TED.com

Being Part of A Change

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, I was tasked to attend the Asian Institute of Management Leadership Development Conference for Social Change. It was my first foray into the world of leadership development. It was awkward at first, but I really enjoyed the whole experience. It showcased the dialog between the different sectors of Philippine society (NGO, corporate, government, youth) on what leadership is and what type the country needs.

Here is a brief rundown of what happened to me during the conference!


Day 1 aka The "I-don't-know-why-I'm-here" Day

• I went to AIM not knowing what to expect (but I read our primer and our programs so I hope I explained it correctly to anyone who asked)
• The Opening speech of Sec. Robredo was really good. It was a good way to start the conference as a whole
• I met a few people even before the program began: An NGO worker in Cagayan I think, and a representative of the AFP.
• AFP people are apparently very talkative
• The first activity was a world cafe. I was bunched up with a handful of people which names I forget
• We took turns talking about the leadership programs that we do and our most fulfilling moment during our work (cheesy)
• Among them were a particular group called Lubid (i think) which excels in outdoor leadership training seminars
• On second round of world cafe, the table I ended up in was more serious (due to the fact that most of them were old people..joke)
• They had a discussion (or should I say debate) on what leadership actually is
• After the world cafe, we had lunch

Day 1: afternoon aka youth sector talks

• It was a 3-person forum on leadership
• Oberta (i think) is the program head of AYLC
• A person who does a leadership/legislation academic practicum for muslims in Mindanao
• A commissioner of the NYC (National Youth Congress)
• During this time, I met with people in OUR sector that cater to OUR market
• Representatives of Ateneo Office of Student Affairs
• A company called asia21, which excels in providing mentorship of various fields
• Team Energy of AIM who seem interested in collaborating a more solid leadership program
• Jo-ar, A representative of the PMA
• Pam Banawa, a representative of the Comission on Youth of the Archdiocese of Novaliches also might be in need of a leadership program that caters to the spirituality of the youth
• She was my blockmate in College
• End of Day 1

Day 2: Just like meeting friends Day

• Had small group discussions on the major issues of leadership development of the country
• Youth group had three major areas of concern
• Identity - What is a FILIPINO kind of leadership?
• Organization - Frameworks and Marketability
• Sustainability - Continuous development after programs
• I was chosen to be one of the representatives of the youth sector at the overall plenary discussion of the different sectors
• I was nervous
• But they laughed at my jokes
• People said good job daw after our presentation
• I'm Happy

I really enjoyed the conversations, debates, and discussions on leadership development. since being an agent of change is what I aim for, this offered me a good avenue to share my mind with like-minded individuals. If anyone of you is interested in following this project please feel free to go to their facebook page for more information: (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leadership-Development-for-Social-Change/137306196296846)

P.S - That's me in the middle! :) Be agents of change everyone! 

Mamaw Geek Movie Trailer of the Week

It's not really a "of the week" kind of thing but I needed a flashy title for this post. haha

This is a movie trailer for Zack Snyder's (300, Watchmen) ORIGINAL concept movie entitled Sucker Punch. As far as original concept movies go, they have had a good track record so far. From Avatar (NOT THE M.Nightmare one), to Inception, and now to this. I feel really stoked and excited about it. And here's why:

• It's about girls in an asylum who want to escape (this is the basic premise I think)
• Girls turn into dancers in a brothel who wield guns of many varieties (and I learned they also sing and dance in the movie)
• Some girls wear japanese school girl outfits who wield samurai swords to fight armored japanese troll giants wielding gatling guns
• Robots/mecha suit girls that fight off a DRAGON and neo-nazis and their technology
• A LOT MORE

You might be wondering that maybe I'm describing different movies. Well, I kid you not. You be the judge!

Watch out for this one!

Weird Topics of Late

You might be wondering why the last two posts are weird. Well, I decided to connect this blog to my formspring.me account. You guys can ask me anything there then it will be published here as well. A little something to get to know me better. :)

bakit ka torpe?

Wow. straight to the point! hahaha!

I'll give you a straight answer then: I'm a really shy person. (I can hear the wehhhhhhhhhhhhhhs na). No really, I find it hard to confront people and say what I feel (even if it's not the romantic kind). If you would hang out with me, you'd know I joke around a lot (and some might think I'm doing well in the girls department because of it), but that's only because that's what I do to keep myself...for lack of a better term...interesting.

But the truth is I'm not all that outspoken. I always have moments where I stop and distance myself from a group. I don't know why I do it, maybe I have a knack of knowing when I know nobody's paying attention to me. And yes, I do make friends easily, but to actually say my intentions to girl I like? hahaha, asa. Again, that's my curse, I'm trying to rectify it, but I'm not there yet.

And if you think because I'm scared of rejection and whatnot, I actually welcome it because I know before facing that kind of pain, I'll have to go through happiness with "her".

So cut me some slack, I'm getting there. :)

Ask the Joy