Veep: Let’s change the conversation

Rey Anthony Ostria

 

www.philexaminer.com

 

Vice President Maria Leonora "Leni" Robredo speaks before the crowd of Albayano millennials on Saturday, March 18, during the launching at #MillenialsPH Bicol University Amphitheater. Photo by Rey Anthony Ostria.
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo speaks before the crowd of Albayano millennials on Saturday, March 18, during the launching at #MillenialsPH Bicol University Amphitheater. Photo by Rey Anthony Ostria.

Legazpi City, [03.24.17] – Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and Albayano millennials launched Saturday, March 18, #MillenialsPH (stylized with capital letters LENI) and called on Albayanos to “reclaim social media” and to change the culture of antagonizing each other on social media at the Bicol University Amphitheater.

Robredo said that many groups of millennials have invited her in numerous seminars about today’s culture on social media.

“They always tell me that they are tired of what they read on social media,” Robredo said. “Before the election period, they always look forward to logging in on social media. During the social media up until today, the themes are always the same.”

Robredo said that Millennials PH started when a group of individuals “who want to take it upon themselves” to change the conversation from the toxic word wars on social media to talking about stories of hope.

Before arriving, Robredo was in Naga City to launch Istorya ng Pag-asa (Stories of Hope).

Robredo said that Istorya ng Pag-asa will look for stories of ordinary people that will inspire readers.

“We want to look for stories that once you read them, you will be inspired. We want it to be local,” Robredo said.

Robredo also said that netizens should not rely on the politicians to try to change the atmosphere on social media. She said that millennials should instead make the move.

“Millennials are more creative,” the vice president said.

Robredo also thanked the Albayanos, especially the millennials, for standing up and taking to the streets the important issues.

“Nababasa mi na si mga bareta na si civil society digdi sa Albay ay among the most active (We have been monitoring the news that the Albay civil society here in Albay have been the most active),” Robredo said. In the past few months, Albayano groups have organized protests against the burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the extrajudicial killings linked to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, the plan to reinstate the death penalty, and the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to nine years old.

“I am glad that [Albayanos] have been proactive in taking part in trying to change the conversation,” Howard Tuanqui, Millennials PH vice president for schools in Albay, said.

“This can be attested by their actualy participation in calls to action since the need arose.”

Tuanqui said that Albayanos will continue to make a stand and play a role in shifting the themes on social media while also “upholding truth, justice and democracy.”

Delegates from at least ten schools in Albay and one school in Camarines Sur attended the launch.

 

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