By Angelica Christine C. Calamaan
3rd Consolation Prize Winner

The author is in Fourth Year Section St Martin at Narvacan Catholic School, Sta Lucia, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Technologies like computer software, cellular phones and the internet, among others, can play a vital role in fulfilling the objectives of the ‘digital continent’. These technologies are meant for good use and thus should promote a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship.

The ‘digital continent’ connotes a society that has totally embraced the convenience technologies have to offer. I further refer to a digital world where technologies have played a major role in development.

For many years, I have always been actively serving the Catholic Church. As a student in a Catholic school, I have these spiritual obligations to fulfill. As such, I go to church every Sunday. I follow the commandments of God. And, I make sure that I am part of all the religious undertakings of the school.

With an ignited interest inside me, I tried to surf the internet and visited websites whose objectives are relatively linked to the advocacy of Pope Benedict XVI on the ‘digital continent’. I even had a chance to read comments of devout believers of Christ as they exchanged ideas about the essence of “digital continent” as a subject of the forum. Despite individual differences, they learned how to RESPECT one’s individuality. In fact, I was impressed when I got to know them interested too in supporting the thrust of the Church. In a way, I also learned the VALUE OR RESPECT and SIGNIFICANCE OF DIALOGUE.

As an active evangelizer of this ‘digital continent’, I will join forums in portals on the internet where I can exchange ideas with others and pose religious topics that may help young ones like me to think about how they can spread the ‘Life-giving Words’ of the Lord. Furthermore, through the use of my cellular phone, I will send inspirational messages and quotes to my family, relatives and friends as well. In a way, I am able to communicate the GOODNESS OF THE LORD to the whole of humankind and establish FRIENDSHIP.

Taking advantage of the technological advances, I am optimistic that I will be able to reach out to other youth. Indirectly, I believe I have been doing this all these years from the time cellular phones and the internet came into existence. I however will continue by creating a webpage that young ones like me can go to and search. I will seek assistance from a knowledgeable person who could help me make a portal where they can participate in forums.

There might be obstacles along the way as I endeavor to continue evangelizing the ‘digital continent’. First, I may find people my age or even older to misunderstand me because of varying cultures. And second, I may not have enough resources to realize the objectives because I am not as privileged as the others.

These technologies however may bring about certain advantages and disadvantages.

The ‘digital continent’, on the one hand may be advantageous in a way. It may build a friendly relationship among people and nations as well. It may further be an instrument in bridging gaps, Lastly, it may be a model in promoting peace. On the other hand, if technologies are not properly used, this ‘digital continent’ may be a ‘breeding place’ of crimes, prostitution and other social problems and thus may create misunderstandings.

With an optimum sense of religiosity and determination to support the Pope in his advocacy, I can be a responsible evangelizer of this generation. I stand firm in continuing what I have started to do for the Church I belong to. I will faithfully carry out the objectives of the religious organizations I am part of. As a youth, I shall serve as a paragon for the rest of the youth of the world.

New technologies are never meant to ruin human relationships. They are invented to serve as a medium in promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship. Therefore, I urge and encourage my countrymen, brothers and sisters in Christ, to promote the ‘digital continent’ and with the proper use of technologies.