Being ‘choosy’ or picky in food, clothes, and things among others is one of the characteristics of a Filipino, but the recently concluded webinar of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) emphasized that a ‘choosy’ attitude should also be applied in selecting next leaders and being kin in information online.
Pinas Forward a nation-building movement that aims to empower and teach youth about leadership and nationalism facilitated the “Filipino Brand of Leadership: Dapat Choosy,” webinar last April 20.
The Philippines will choose another set of leaders who will drive the nation forward during the pandemic in less than a month. With more than 67 million registered Filipino voters in the upcoming National and Local Elections 2022, why does the youth vote matter?
“Youth will play a very huge role in deciding the next Philippine leaders. Bakit? More than half of 67 million voters in the Philippines are between 18 to 41 years old, a prime mover of 2022 election results,” said School of Arts, Sciences and Education (SASED) Dean Paolo Lumanlan.
“As part of the youth, you need to know what Filipinos look for in a leader it also reflects your leadership standards and skills,” he added.
To help the first-time voters including HCC’s first-year college students enrolled in NSTP attend the webinar. Jeff Segumalian, field administrator of Pinas Forward explained different types of leaders and the in-depth analysis of a leader versus ‘pinuno.’
West’s concept of a leader is someone who chooses first himself and personal interest versus the Filipino concept of ‘pinuno’ of giving himself to serve and uplift others.
“Mga college students kayo ay mga first time voters, huwag natin sayangin ang boto, piling-pili, pinong-pino. As a Filipino, kung sino man ang pipiliin niyo at the end of the day, mga kapatid kung sino man ang piliin niyo hindi iyan iba sa sarili mo,” said Segumalian.
He reminded students to choose someone who knows how to love himself, his fellows, and his country. Youth should love the country and be a hero for the next generation.
“Ang karangalan ay pagpapakita ng mabuti sa iba at ang kabutihang ito ay kabutihan sa sarili at sa kapwa. Kapag mahal natin ang sarili natin mas may kakahayan tayong magmahal sa kapwa at mag-alaga sa iba,” Segumalian added.
The Pinas forward team reiterated that dying for the country doesn’t make you a hero. Instead, true love for the country, sympathy, reaching out to fellow during crucial times, having strong Faith, and being kind in everyday life is considered a patriotic act.
Kriz Balza discussed voters should be “choosy” in electing their next leaders and be “choosy” in what information to digest in the digital world.
“Importante na maging reflective tayo not only as social media and internet user but also as an active citizen in our country dahil papalapit na ang halalan maraming naglilitawan na impormasyon at maaring tama o misinformation. Kailangan na maging mindful tayo about these things para magkaroon tayo ng informed and well-though decision sa pagpili ng leaders ng bayan,” said Balza.
Pinas forward explained how social media algorithms and business tools influence individuals, perspectives, and online activities. An algorithm is a set of numerical rules that specifies the behavior of a group of data, through these it help specialize the content on individuals’ home page based on recent activities.
However, these impacts not only the good side but also the bad side as many users or purveyors of disinformation utilized social media to have a wider reach.
The webinar also pointed out the difference between misinformation or sharing of wrong information regardless of intent while disinformation is a conscious and intentional spread of false information. Misinformation is often linked to rumors, urban legends, spam, and troll. Balza reminded students to fact-check information before sharing it with other people.
“We have to be careful on what we comment, like, or react on because for example, if you engage in a post containing fake news more or less it will show up on your page. Remember what you engage on you will get more off,” said Balza.
“We have to be aware that exposure is a big factor in people’s decision-making. Iyong mga iboboto natin sa darating election sana we really decided on it not algorithm decided on it for us,” she added.
Holy Cross College and Pinas Forward recognize the dangers of the influence of social media and the internet on the upcoming elections, thus with continuous efforts, they aim to educate the youth on voters’ rights. Aside from the upcoming Philippine National and Local Elections, HCC college students will vote for their new set of student leaders for the next academic year.