Bea Santina Maranan

Echoes are made when sound waves reflect on a surface. When alone, a voice is small but when combined it echoes across the streets. This phenomenon is identical to the impact of youth-activism, a movement that amplified the enlightenment of Filipinos. Youth-activism should not be belittled when we owe the privileges we enjoy to the brazen young Filipinos who spoke up and risked their lives for our freedom.


Less than 50 years ago, the youth movement transpired into what we now call EDSA revolution. The bloodless revolt was the mark that put a stop to the bloodshed and torment that Filipinos had to endure under the Martial Law. The EDSA Revolt took the country by storm—its first quarter or The First Quarter Storm was the gunshot that echoed to start the race to freedom. 

In remembering EDSA the first thing that comes to mind are the religious groups that unified their beliefs and became a driving force in freeing us from the shackles of Marcos tyranny. We must not forget that the initial protests against the Marcos Regime were spearheaded by student-leaders all over the country. 

During the 1969 elections, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. won the elections but anomalies arose as the Philippines had an abrupt growth of debt. Rumors spread like wildfire that Marcos spent $50 Million in his campaign that led to a financial crisis in the country.

In line with this, between the years 1970-1971, student-led movements in the Philippines were heard all across the globe with students partaking in 214 demonstrations, multiple class boycotts, and 72 statements that were all in protest against the Marcos Regime. 

The new generation of Filipinos are no different than those who spearheaded the reform in our country. Youth activism is a cyclical event that transpires in every generation reflecting from one of the most notable instances of our nationalistic uprising. The insulares were mere students, who caused the crumble of the Spaniard Castle that reigned in our country for 333 years. 

Fighting with their mighty pen and amplified voices—they freed Filipinos from being slaves in their own land and began the ripple of enlightenment like sound waves echoing in a crowded room. When alone, their voices may be small but the youth finds their way echoing across the globe through social media, their biggest platform in activism. 

Over the years, just like any traditional activity that gets anchored to technology, activism has adapted many forms. And for the Filipino youth, social media is the holy grail in amplifying their opinions and moving the truth.

Activism takes up different forms; it transpires in the streets through rallies, graffiti, and the burning of effigies—these are conducted to bring light on issues and protests against the shortcomings in the country’s public service. 

My heart goes out to Kabataan Partylist and Explained PH, one of the best examples of youth activism—Explained pushes for the truth and weaponizes social media through articles written by outstanding student-journalists. 

Kabataan Partylist on the other hand is one of the most known organizations that practice the same practice of rallies and burning of effigies and the youth’s sole representation in the Congress.
A common trait found in the older generation is being stern and closed-minded in changing their beliefs and views whereas the younger generation is more open to varying opinions.

As a young student myself, oftentimes being young means having a lack of authority and being left unheard. Despite this, in the Philippines we are the driving force in unearthing the nationalism of our countrymen. Youth-activism is the most powerful form of activism. Our combined voices are unmatched; it can cause a ripple of vibrations that can crash a tall, sturdy and withstanding wall.

Completely different from the common narrative, the younger generation’s opinion reshape the mind and likeliness of one another better than those with authority from the older generation. They reflect on each other with their impressionable nature. 

This 2025 election, let us power through and enforce change for the better by being a part of the movement by educating ourselves and speaking the truth. 

By allowing ourselves to embrace progress and free ourselves from the deep-rooted beliefs that no longer work in the present day. The Philippines needs a fresh point-of-view. We can't remain shackled by conservative beliefs that hamper our growth as a nation. This new outlook can be found in the youth, in our new generation of leaders.

It is not too late to dismantle the stern and rigid walls guarding the minds of the older generation. We did it before, we could do it again. Like a broken stereo. I will stand by the infamous quote “Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” because we can, and we will—transform the country we love from within.