‘New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.’

By Monique Lorraine E. Galanto
9th Consolation Prize Winner

The author is in Fourth Year Section St Catherine, University of La Salette, Incorporated High School, Malvar, Santiago City, Isabela.

‘The youth are the hope of the next generations!’ These are the very words uttered by our National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal, who has proven that battles can be settled in a calm way. As I look at the news written in every newspaper, broadcast on radio, and viewed on television, I can’t help but be proud of Young Filipinos. Champions in every field, achievers in any competition, and stars worth emulating in every deed. I am pretty sure that it is not only I who feels greatly uplifted every time satisfying news reaches us. Juvenile crimes are totally in nowadays, but I do believe that those ruthless misdeeds lies the real persona of the young people.

Accordingly, youth is the state or condition of being curious, inquisitive and aggressive. In this stage, we begin to act maturely though we commit mistakes that displease the elders. We are totally hooked on gadgets such as computers, cameras, cellular phones and many others. These things become our ‘buddies’ These also contribute to our whole being. But how could this possibly happen?

Definitely, we spend most of our time with these different technologies. We have the tendency of imitating what we see. Technologies could strengthen our spiritual life. It does not only mean that if we embrace technologies, we forget the values that were instilled in our minds and hearts. The internet is a very influential creation of technology. Youth play a great role in evangelizing the ‘digital continent’ nowadays.

Furthermore, as the technological advancement in our world covers a vast space, we can communicate with others no matter how far the distance is. Through those chat rooms, electronic mails, forums, text messages, blogs and many other ways of communication, we can reach out to one another.

Moreover, our young singers who have been singing for Christ are also part of those people who help spread the Good News through technology. They sing and send the message of God through posting their videos on certain websites. Some join forums and groups which talk about evangelizing the people of the modern times. They establish clubs which serve the Church and convince others to do the same.

Additionally, there are also sites that gather people who want to provide and nourish their lives with God’s encouraging words. They are given prayers, inspiring stories and passages that make them feel loved and see the wonderful rays of the sun amidst the darkness clouds. Technology helps us. Its effect depends on how we are going to use it. I am happy to know that the youth use technology for the good.

Actually, I am very much inspired by all the efforts that they exert just to give us His message. Through the experiences of other people, I begin to follow His steps. I am a worthy instrument of spreading the love of God. Though technology, I may be able to give pieces of advice to my friends, relative, and colleagues. I get to know more people of other races through the internet.

As a student, I join outreach programs such as our Catechism. I voluntarily teach pupils how to pray and teach everything about God and His will. I use CDs which contain passages and musical instruments when singing.

Another thing, instead of using those cellular phones to acquire latest songs, images and even depraved videos, I can use it to obtain songs of praise and worship and images of God and families and then share them with my friends through multimedia messages, Bluetooth or Infrared. They can listen to it or look at it whenever they feel low and no one is there to comfort them.

No man is an island, so they say. Let us be one in every way. We should realize that technologies are also made to maintain stronger ties that will bind us all. As much as I am willing to effect change through evangelization, there could be impediments to be met on my way to righteousness. But I believe, if we really are devoted to something, absolutely nothing could break us.

Despite the fact that this digital continent offers various helps such as making work easier than before, it somehow gives negative effects, especially when used improperly. We lose the values that we had acquired and lived before. Because of the liberated ways that foreign countries introduced to us, we change our lifestyle. We no longer know how to work independently, to respect elders, for we think that we know things more than they do.

However, these things would not happen if we became responsible enough. As a young evangelist, I will devote my life to my duty. Only through this can I be a better individual. Everything will follow. Fellow students, this is a calling to service to God. He believes that we will play an important role on this generation and of the succeeding contemporaries.

Therefore, I will serve God and the world in the best way I can. I will announce the Good News with great ardor. I may not be a perfect evangelist, but I can be one. This life would not be wonderful if we never bothered knowing the veritable essence of Jesus’ sacrifice which is the main reason why we struggle every day. Let us bear in mind that things would not be worthy if we did not put Him in our hearts. For putting Him in our hearts means joining one another’s journey to the arms of God. Believe it, live it, share it and fuse the digital continent.