Youth dynamism: History in the modern times

Our historical past remains untouchable and distant to the many young people who seem more attached to the modernity of the present times. With the continuing dominance of technology, history to other young people is likened to a piece of book, with tanning pages on a century-old shelf awaiting its disposal – with it are stories of heroism, efforts done by the people who came before us, and the lives lost in order for ours to be more stable and peaceful, the stories that allow us to live better these days.

“Forgetting the dead is akin to killing them a second time around”, said Elie Wiesel, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. In this line, he manifested the grievousness of erasing in our minds the memories of those who have passed. What more when it comes to forgetting the people who lived to establish our nation?

Project Saysay, an initiative which was brought to life by a group of young historians on May 2013, promises to instill in the hearts of our techno driven youth the undying value of our heroes, their wisdom, and their significant contributions to democracy in our country.

The establishment of Project Saysay gave birth to the programs and activities which its founders have conceptualized over the years to champion the relevance of our historical figures. Among the programs is “Kilostrasyon” which was launched as an advocacy project to promote, introduce, and remind the Filipino youth of the wisdom from the great men and women of our nation’s history which they may use as springboards to understanding our inherent Filipino values.

 

The success of Project Saysay, as narrated by Mr. Michael Anjielo Tabuyan of St. Scholastica’s College, is evident in their online advocacies. He stated that he has learned what makes a Filipino beyond the textbooks and how he used and applied his experiences in Project Saysay in his classes as a research director and a member of the faculty.

What makes Project Saysay unique is that, it does not only focus in promoting our cultural heritage, but also making it as a platform to produce better educated Filipinos.

Through Project Saysay, the Filipino youth is envisioned to become more engaged citizens, not just in realizing our past which makes up what we are today, but also in deepening the saysay or essence of our roots to the hearts and minds of the Filipino youth.

It is high time to take advantage of the advent of technology and social media in engaging the youth especially in championing our history as Filipinos. Aside from the project’s purpose of linking the Filipino youth to the country’s past, Project Saysay makes the most out of their available resources, in all kinds and forms of media the youth are utilizing today.

“Dalhin sa bawat silid-aralan ang aral ng mga dakilang Pilipino.” (Bring to every classroom the teachings of great Filipinos)