BY: ROI LOMOTAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 12 (PIA) – The celebration of the Philippine independence sends a spark to Filipinos to strive for lasting change.
This is a reminder to Dumagueteños in commemoration of the nation’s 116th independence anniversary from Spain today.
Foreign Service Officers Exam topnotcher Stacy Danika Alcantara, in her speech during a ceremony in Quezon Park today as the keynote speaker said lasting change can be attained if Filipinos can go beyond their duties as citizens of the country and take great risks in order to live that dream.
She remarked that lasting change continues to be elusive and a challenge to Filipinos because of the mindset to take safe and practical decisions even if it is settling for what is mediocre and accept the idea that they cannot change their destiny.
“It is indeed ironic, that although centuries have passed since our freedom as a nation has been bought by the blood of many heroes, we are not still truly free for the reason that lasting change seems elusive to us because we still became prisoners of our own stubborn mindsets,” Alcantara told the hundreds of people who attended the ceremony.
An alumna of Silliman University, Alcantara believes this struggle can be overcome if Filipinos are able to change their perception on the matter.
“With this freedom we are given is the expectation that all of us will pay this gift forward and this begins by changing the way all of us think on the bounds and limits of what we can do. We cannot change a nation if its citizens are not ready to change their hearts,” She added.
According to Alcantara, “The world’s greatest powers engineered their empire from scratch but it is with grip, determination and confidence that they could create something big even at the most adverse conditions and that is why they are today’s titans.”
With these, she shares her hope of achieving lasting change to institutions that could harness people’s potential and contribute to the development of the nation.
She encourage leaders of government, academic and other work institutions to create an environment that could flourish the minds of thinkers, innovators, creators and innovators who can help redefine the country’s future.
She also said they should also welcome ideas even if it came from a different opinion, part or religion if it is for the common good.
Moreover, academic institutions should re-create their classrooms and make them laboratories that could produce leaders who can inspire the public.
Alcantara also invited businessmen to train social entrepreneurs from the grass roots level, provide stable and secured employment opportunities and help their employees develop their skills they need to work.
“Consider this an investment to a greater future because when you give people a chance to make their lives better, they ultimately earn enough money to become next consumers and tomorrow’s businessmen.” She said.
On the other hand, Alcantara advised students who will soon become tomorrow’s workforce to continue to be idealistic because most people will opt to go for safe practical choices.
With the country celebrating its 116th Independence Day, Alcantara hopes that the people will realize that the freedom the country’s national heroes have fought long time ago is the freedom that will inspire individuals to continue to fish for change even when it seems the hardest.
“This freedom that we enjoy today is earned with the expectation that the next generation, (our generation) will give this country our best shot even if the circumstances are bound to give us the worst,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dumaguete City government celebrates country’s 116th Independence Day with the local theme “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino tingo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.” (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)