Matteo Guidicelli Inspires Youth to Take Part in Nation-building

DAVAO ORIENTAL—Matteo Guidicelli, one of the country’s top celebrities who has now become the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Ambassador for Youth and Peace Advocacy, has inspired Davao Oriental’s youth in a public forum held on May 6 at the Capitol Covered Court.

Guidicelli, who was the guest of honor and speaker encouraged the youth to be a proactive partner of the government in nation-building, citing the famous mantra that “the youth is the hope of our country.”

Other resource persons who also shared their insights on peace and nation-building include Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Regional Director Yvette Sunga, 7O1st Brigade Commander Col. Manuel Sequitin, the Philippine Army’s Chair of the Public Affairs Ramon Zagala, and Youth for Peace President (YFP) Van Jorain Rufin.

“If you want the Philippines be a better place, do something about it. It starts with you– the youth. There are no shortcuts to great success in life. You are the future. We, as the youth are the future of our country – the Philippines,” Guidicelli told the crowd composed mainly of YFP members, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) Beneficiaries, student interns, and Provincial Government employees.

Guidicelli, who recently joined the Philippine Army as a reservist bearing the rank of Private, also urged the youth sector to become army reservists.

Sharing his reason of joining the Philippine Army Reserve, Guidicelli said he feels like giving back to his own country as a Filipino. He reminded the youth to be a responsible citizen, and to be as patriotic especially when honoring the flag of the Philippines.

ARD Sunga, on the other hand, spoke on good governance and further raised awareness on the Whole-of-Nation Approach through Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. She explained that the Whole-of-Nation Approach is a framework wherein SK officials should be on board with the government to ensure its localized implementation.

“Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang also issued for the localized implementation of the President’s directive through Executive Order No. 13 that all agencies in the government, all local government units including the barangay, and the basic political unit of our governance, should visit the residences that is far and identify the needs that are lacking,” Sunga said.

She further inspired the youth, citing Guidicelli as an example, who, despite being a half Filipino and half Italian and being a famous actor, heartily joined the Army Reserve driven by his love to serve the country.

“He had said earlier to us that because he is a Filipino and he loves the flag, he loves the country and he is committed to serve our country that is why he is with us,” she said.

Sunga reminded the SK officials to do something that will really contribute to the development of the sector that they are representing, emphasizing on “taking care of our environment, upholding the integrity of our environment, ensuring that there is accountability, transparency, that there is really participatory governance wherein you as SK officials is a testament to being a servant leaders.”

She capped her message by telling the youth to be “a part of the solution and in government initiatives because I believe that the youth of Davao Oriental can do so much through the leadership of the Youth for Peace Organization”.

After the forum, Guidicelli proceeded to Davao Oriental State University where he was joined by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang in conferring award to the University as the best Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit in the 2019 Regional Annual Administrative Tactical Inspection. (June Keithly Balugo, SPES Beneficiary | Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan)