Reflections on Young Adulthood
In a conversation implying my intention to resign from the chairmanship position of the Sangguniang Kabataan, one of the barangay kagawads expressed to me in a rather condescending tone — “maano ka na lang kung wala ka nag-SK” (referring to my monthly compensation which had aided my academic and my family’s household expenses). While tita Raki’s words, by intention were made to make me understand the “privilege” of my “position” — for some reason, I can’t help but to feel insulted and downgraded as someone who only took public office because of the honorarium and not of the love for service which I have put on for the benefit of my community amidst the pandemic. To this, I relate my adulthood experience to Jose Rizal whose intentions — although were significantly overlooked by some of his kapwa Filipino during his time, has impacted the country’s emancipation in the later years to come.
Of the myriad challenges I have met in my life so far, I would say that juggling my academic and employment realities has been so far the most exigent thing that has happened to me. Being the barangay’s SK Chairperson has greatly impacted me in ways I haven’t imagine back when I was still eighteen — when the one thing that mattered was how I put up my career choices in front of me. The Republic Act 10742 has not of its own issues while paving for the reformation of the Sangguniang Kabataan after the latter’s postponement in 2012 — following speculations of the alleged corruption of SK officials in the use of allocated funds for implementation of the projects and programs oriented for the youth in the local community, and the SK serving as a “breeding ground of political dynasties” (Mendez, 2013). With the lack of resources and the threat of the pandemic, came the issues concerning the performance of the elected and appointed SK officials by which so far has affected me staidly. To mention are (1) the lack of trainings and seminars for budget preparation and disbursement, (2) de-incentivized young leaders (no honorarium for SK Kagawads, Treasurer and Secretary) and (3) the weight of responsibility regarding accountability of public funds. This fragmentary set-up has occurred to me that as the chairperson, I have to bear the roles of being both treasurer and secretary — even kagawad. To add is my ancillary function as the ex-officio of the barangay council, bearing the challenge of being the youngest individual in the room of forty to sixty-year-old people. For most of time, I was asked to do paper works which were not even in line of my duty — all because according to our punong barangay, I am the “youngest, proficient and mostly literate with computer”. While this set-up has provided me skills which would become handy as soon as I get on a formal job after graduation, dealing with such pressure every day has made me mentally and physically exhausted — even compromising my academics.
By the call of survival to the demands of my everyday life, “compartmentalization” has become my mantra. I’ve trained myself to put boundaries on the different roles I have — time and responsibility wise. But even with such management, I still find myself barely getting through, particularly with the problems arising at home and on my significant others. When my father was hospitalized three years ago due to liver cirrhosis, his medical expenses became my responsibility and our household finances were taken over by me — on the premise of my identity being the eldest child of the family. All of these led me in understanding how my situation can be no ordinary compared to others but similar to what people of inspiring stories have — with what Jose Rizal had.
Rizal’s challenging experience upon entering adulthood — particularly, having to live away from his family to further his education and financial problems in Europe — made me understand the akin pressures that young people bear by their own time and age. The circular and generation-killing adage of “ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”, had put us on the position of proving ourselves of service which the preceding generation has consequentially failed. To this, I look at my personal challenges as products of the social structures I’m in — with which outcomes are dependent on both the reality of my choices and the decisions I made. To me, overcoming my situation shouldn’t only be viewed as a goal but an opportunity for growth and character development. Getting the better out of my situation means taking control of my circumstances — that being said is by knowing my advantage and handling it in ways of “walang tinatapakang tao”. For now, I plan to do better on my last year of term on Sangguniang Kabataan and to hopefully graduate on the degree of my choosing so that I can land on a better job which may allow me to stand-up for myself and others (particularly be healed from the sentiments I carry) and to finally contribute better to nation-building, similar to Rizal’s.
