Emailed for posting by Carlos Arnaldo

 

It’s one thing to dream.
It’s quite another to see your dream come true.
 
I was born in Davao but since I was five, I’ve lived in Sultan Kudarat. I’ve never been off this big island of Mindanao, I’ve never been to Baguio, and I never thought I’d get there, until I became a student leader of our school and ‘Lady Opportunity’ knocked on my door.
 
Without hesitating, I opened that door because I really wanted to travel and Baguio has always been my dream; and second, expenses were being paid by our school. Opportunity, for once, was quite generous. Getting there and back was quite tough!
 
After a whole day bus ride from Sultan Kudarat, we arrived in Davao for our departure to Manila. I had so many ‘first times’-- first time to ride a taxi, first time to ride a plane, first time to see Manila and visit Fort Santiago in Intramuros and, ‘da bes,’ first time to live a week in Baguio. I was nervous, excited, but very happy. During our travel I didn’t even try to sleep, not even a nap, even though I was so tired, because I was afraid that once I closed my eyes, all that I dreamed of would disappear.
 
We reached Manila, Centennial 2 terminal, at around 12:30 am, just after midnight.
 
Manila is really beautiful. But underneath the smiling faces, I felt sorry for those people who sleep on the busy, polluted streets with their young kids. I then realized that the Philippines is still a poor country. Deep in my heart I prayed to God that someday no person will be hungry, no one will be poor, no one should face these hardships.
 
We were very tired and sleepy that early morning,  but still we had to take another 7 hour bus ride to arrive in Baguio on time. We got there at 10 am. We also experienced difficulties, looking for a place to stay in. Thank God, an old man offered us to take us in his car so that he could help us to look for a transient house to stay in before the convention will start. Finally, we found one and we were very happy. I then noticed that Baguio is indeed a beautiful place and very different compared to the other places I’ve been before.

Finally, morning comes! The first day of our National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute (RYLI). Everyone was so excited, we woke up early and proceeded to Teachers Camp, where RYLI was to be held. I was so amazed and very excited.
 
There are many participants and delegates coming from the different schools around the Philippines. Participants with different cultures, spokes different dialects came from different places all over the Philippines but have one reason, to actively participate the 49^th NRYLI. I can see the excitement of those every individual I faced and met. Everybody is eagerly participating in every activity with the help and guidance of every leader of each group.
 
Every morning there is an exercise and meditation before breakfast. During the duration of our convention, we have a speaker who helps us to learn more, to internalize what we have learned, to motivate and encourage us because of their knowledgeable messages and shared true life experiences. Sir Cesar Montano shared with us how to use our talents, knowledge and skills that to serve as our passport for a brighter tomorrow. Ma’am Mae Paner also encouraged the participants in how to use our knowledge to change society for the better. A surprise inspiration was young Harvard Uy de Baron. He told us the Story of Stuff, and volunteerism, to motivate us and enable us to use our skills to serve the nation.

The socio-cultural activities and contests also helped us to express ourselves, not only our knowledge, but feelings and beliefs. The most exciting and most unforgettable part of joining the 49^th RYLI was the moment when everybody had to go out their own shells and actively join the community services done in the City Hall of Baguio. We also did a Flash Mob, where everyone dances in the park and sings the theme song of RYLI.  In their eyes and on their faces, I can see the happiness and fulfillment expressed in song and dance! Really, this 49^th RYLI has given me new friends whom I can treasure, whatever I do and wherever I go.

I’m sharing these experiences and stories during the 49^th RYLI because there is no other such convention that has given what RYLI has brought out in me. I’m sharing this to you ladies and gentlemen because I’m encouraging you to join and participate in celebrating the 50^th RYLI in 2012. I am assure you, after living a RYLI week, you will be molded as a new individual who knows how to dream and make those dreams  come true, through hardships and patience, by using your knowledge, skills and ability, and with the help the Almighty God. Nothing is impossible.

I’m telling you, if you have a hundred friends before joining NRYLI, expect to have thousands of friends after that. If you don’t know how to laugh or even smile before, expect to endure every moment with your new friends by joining RYLI. And If you don’t even know who you are, this is the time to know more about yourself, to know what are your abilities and capabilities, and most of all to appreciate your own knowledge achievements and skills for these will serve as your armor for all your life.
 
 
I learned so much and I can honestly say that I have transformed myself to a new and useful individual today compared to who I was before. I feel I am more developed now and my attitudes have improved.  Today I now go beyond my dreams, more motivated, molded and shaped to a new and useful individual. This is all because of what I have experienced with my new 700 friends at RYLI and with the Knights of Rizal and their KAPARIZ youth partners—our team leaders and coordinators. This is what I learned at RYLI. I can be proud of myself, because I believe that I myself have changed for the better.
 
So my friends, believe in yourself, let us help ourselves rather than waste our time on the old self. Don’t wait for tomorrow, let us do what we can do today and most especially CHANGE!!!! And not just change, but CHANGE for the BETTER.
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About the author Merly Ratilla:

Note from Carlos Arnaldo, KGOR- Deputy Supreme Exchequer
 
Last December, the Knights of Rizal held a special forum for youth leaders of the country, some 700 students from all parts of the Philippines came.
Above article is a relflection of Merly on the forum..
 
In December 2012, we will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Rizal Youth Leadership Institute and it promises to be a thrilling event.
 
I invite all student leaders and motivated young people to join us!

 

 

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