On June 19, the nation would be commemorating the 148th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. It was Rizal who coined the popular notion, ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Indeed, on the youth, with their unbridled idealism, aspirations and enthusiasm, can rest any people’s hope and desire for social change.

June 19 is also the founding anniversary of Kabataan Party, currently the only party-list representing the youth sector in the House of Representatives, with advocacies and campaigns inside and outside the halls of Batasan.

On Friday, there will be a whole-day festival of activities to showcase youth unity for change, starting off with “Morning Jog vs. ConAss” at 6 in the morning from Baywalk towards the Manila City Hall where first time voters will collectively register to be able to vote in the 2010 national elections. After the run, a youth mobilization will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM at Luneta, from where participants will embark on a march-parade around schools along Taft and Intramuros.

Participants will then converge in front of the Commission on Elections by 2 PM for a closing program to call for clean and honest elections in 2010. A youth concert will also be held at 6:00 in the afternoon in Quezon City.

See you all there!