By Charmaine R. Almendra
6th Consolation Prize Winner

For fifteen years, I trekked on the path of youth with the other 90 million pairs of feet living in this archipelago. I have seen a lot of the exceptional cultures, beliefs, characters and riches of the Philippines and the Filipino. I have seen the vulnerable, the vindictive and the mocked.

Before, my home was as simple as God wanted it to be. Entertainment could be found in the elegant flow of the river, the butterflies fluttering by and the laughs of innocent children playing under the morning sun. Communication for me was as simple as talking personally with the people I loved. Evangelization was the simple passing of God’s holy words by mouth to the people thirsty for life’s beautiful nature.

In my present generation, that seems to have fade away. Technologies are everywhere. Entertainment can be found in mp3s and PSPs. People communicate through cell phones and telephones. Even pastors use slideshows, LCDs and the internet to preach the Good News.

I, as a youth, am exposed to many temptations brought by this digital age. Cellular phones, internet and play stations influence me. I am exposed to different immoral things seen in the net. Using my phone, I am exposed to knowing other people who may be lacking in proper guidance. Games make me ignorant of the more important things in life - my love for my wellbeing, family, and God.

Paul said, ‘He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing’. ‘To be liable is my creed. To share the sacred word is my duty.’ Once, I was filled with doubt about who God was because I was bothered by problems at a young age. In one of my saddest moments, I was walking near our cathedral when I heard a comforting voice. When I turned around, it was an old friend who was a young as me. Exhausted from school, I shrugged him off. He insisted and led me inside the church. Once there, he told me the way he was discriminated against at school, maltreated by his own drunkard father and busted by his loved one. I was shocked to hear such things but I was able to relate to his miseries because as young as I was, I couldn’t handle my miseries yet. He said ‘Everyone has problems. They are part of our lives and eventually, they will be solved if you have enough temperance and prudence to know what is right or wrong.’ That tête-á-tête showed me that I can also be a good influence like him.

Jesus laid down his life for me. It’s my turn to do the same.

Using the advantages of this digital age, I can reach out other cultures and make a change. I’ll make websites expressing God’s love instead of watching and spreading scandals in networking sites that may ruin the dignity of the ones in them. Instead of texting nonsense jokes, I’ll text Bible verses and inspiring quotes to my friends. Instead of uploading unnecessary videos from YouTube and Metacafe, I’ll make inspiring movies in Windows Movie Maker and upload them. Instead of patronizing networking sites, chat rooms and gaming sites that may damage my studies, my virtuousness and responsibilities, I’ll advocate in religious networking groups on the web and share my beliefs with ethnicities and aid in the healing of people’s degraded dignity. I am aware that cultural barriers and psychological differences may stop me but since I have the moral obligation to help in the welfare of God’s people, I’ll try my best.

I am challenged to be an evangelizer. Being the hope of the future, I have the liability and the freedom to revolutionize mishaps done because of the arrival of the digital age. This may seem a Herculean task, but I believe I can carry on.

But being the child of the Pearl of the Orient, I carry the name of my forefathers so I pledge to be accountable for my actions. I will not subject myself to temptations brought about by the digital age that can destroy my life and my future.

Because of God’s love I was cast out from my mother’s womb. Because of God’s righteousness, I became a man of decorum and of comprehension. Because of God’s mercy, I am a forgiven and cherished man. Now, because of him, I will be better.