Words to Weapons: Why We Must Turn Kalibo’s Readers into Leaders

By Catherine Ann Donieto
Grade 12, Wadeford School
Column Section Editor of The Vinta Publication

Special Acknowledgment
The author extends special recognition to Alexandria Fleur L. Inocencio, Associate Editor of The Vinta Publication, whose insights, encouragement, and unwavering support served as a constant source of inspiration throughout the writing of this article. The author proudly considers her a co-creator of the ideas that shaped this piece.

We usually walk into a fast-food joint looking for a quick meal, but last July 18 at McDonald’s Estancia, the usual hum of orders was replaced by an accidental classroom. Our Publication, The Vinta, walked into a crowded room of young people who skipped their weekend rest to sit through a relentless four-hour ideas marathon from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. And we were ready to listen to those laying the foundation.

Our takeaway from the symposium was that our youth are not indifferent; they are starving for spaces that treat their voices as serious tools for change rather than as a campus hobby.

We listened as SB Member Matt Aaron P. Guzman opened up the program. He stripped away the usual political formalities and challenged the room to use their skills to uplift our youth.

The first speaker was Ms. Chantal Jade V. Tolores, discussed the theme of Journalism 101: Fundamentals of News and Feature Writing. We saw her break down journalism to its bare bones, proving that knowing how to write a simple, accurate news report is our first line of defense against fake news.

The second speaker was DJ Monsour Betero (Mr. John Robert B. Vega) as he talked about “Creating Content that Matters: Digital Storytelling for Advocacy.” We took notes as he showed us how to make ordinary digital feeds and turn standard social media scrolling into heavy-hitting local advocacy. We transitioned from the technical skills of writing to the actual systems of power, learning how to force open doors that usually remain closed to the public.

The third speaker was Ms. Shiela Q. Patoza, an Officer-in-Charge of PIA Aklan. We watched her hand over the keys to public communication, demonstrating that government data belongs to the public and is a resource meant to be used for good, not hidden.

The fourth speaker was Mr. Junel Q. Dela Cruz with the topic of “Youth in Action: Connecting with the LYDO.” We learned that the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) actually has institutional platforms and public funds just waiting for youth leaders to claim them.

The fifth speaker was Ms. Prencess G. Garcia with the theme of “The Power of Words Developing Great Communication and Community Builders.” We were reminded by this dedicated educator that beautiful sentences mean absolutely nothing if they do not actively build or repair a broken local reality.

And finally, last but not the least, Ms. Maria Solita Z. Guzman discussed “Volunteerism in a Nutshell.” As we reached the final hour of the symposium, the focus shifted from what we can write to how we must behave if we truly want to impact Aklan. What really resonated with me throughout the talk was that our talent isn’t cheap, but volunteering our free time to help the helpless is where real power lies.

Throughout the symposium, the emcee, Mr. Cedric V. Cusay, kept the momentum interactive, ensuring that four hours of intensive sessions never felt like a boring school lecture.

What I got from this symposium is the thought that we must push forward, because when we turn our youth into fierce persuaders and tireless volunteers, we stop being a province that is noisy but voiceless, and become a community that listens, reads, and writes for the greater good. That is the reason why we must turn Kalibo’s readers into leaders.