It’s time to refresh that active idealism in us again–to harness everything for the common good of the people and the country. For nation building.
On its 35th anniversary, The Philippine STAR takes a look at how the country can rebuild and reform people’s life and livelihood greatly affected by the pandemic. As next year’s national elections are coming close to the doorstep, The STAR ventures to illustrate #TheLeaderWeNeed in the thought-provoking special “Untemplated: Our Future, Now,” with stories written by 37 writers from 35 sectors. The writers are 39 years old and below to encourage the 40 million millennials and Gen Zers, according to advocacy groups pushing for youth registration, to register up to September for the May 2022 elections.
“Untemplated: Our Future, Now” explores power and the future of power–the power of the electorate and the power of the elected. Because power is a shared cause, it concomitantly becomes a shared destiny. Destiny is the untemplated future we ought to know now if only to safeguard the projected gains of the country over the recent pains. After all, nation building is all about the decency of life afforded by
“The Filipino people’s choice for President in 2022 will be an extremely crucial decision for the future of our country. Coming from the devastating effects of the pandemic on our economy and practically every aspect of our lives, we cannot afford to pick the wrong leader during this time of recovery. What we need is a leader who will unite, rather than divide the country. Someone who will be President for ALL Filipinos, no matter what stature in life, what political leaning, what religion, and no matter who they voted for in the election,” said STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte.
“We need a leader who has a sincere heart for the poor and the political will to help them improve their plight in life. Yet someone who recognizes the value for businesses, big, medium and small to succeed. Precisely because that is the easiest and most affordable way for our people to live a decent life, by providing employment. Win-win. Now, if we elect someone who fits that description, and he or she is an honest person, then we will have found the right President,” Belmonte added.
The Untemplated anniversary special presents hopes and dreams, even nightmares faced by some writers and their kith and kin. Ardently worded are their wishes, wants and whims for the next leader, if only to reclaim the best of their future and the rest of the nation.
These pieces–engaging and edifying, inciting and inspiring, painfully angry in some and subtly consoling in others–are conveyed in a multi-channel presentation–on print, online and on video. These stories are also interpreted through intuitive artworks, including the illustrations of a battery of talented young artists.
Like in a plebiscite, the 37 young writers – all registered Filipino voters – cast their “Yes” or “No” votes in their pieces. And from there, they describe .
