Ms. Maria Ressa, For all that you are, and all the beneficial things you have accomplished and still... More

Ms. Maria Ressa, For all that you are, and all the beneficial things you have accomplished and still do for the Filipinos, (through your work with ABS-CBN and ANC), congratulations and God bless you! I'm a 72 yr-old grandmother who believes in your ability to "move people" through your ideas by way of media. You belong to an absolutely powerful tool that anything, if pursued vigilantly, is possible through you. It is for this very reason that , with your indulgence, I suggest that projects in the small farm level be undertaken to promote and enhance food production (through vegetable gardening). I'm thinking of a project that will involve out-of-school youth ages 10-18 to form say a "Kabataan Garden Club" ;perhaps several units in a barangay; hold a contest for the "Kabataan's Best Vegetable Garden" and give as well a substantial award in cash and air time, featuring them too on TV (the way the singing and dancing contests are done ) No offense to these dancing and singing contests but, if we continue indefinitely to simply focus on this activity, the youth of the land will have nothing in mind but to have the impression that the ultimate goal in life is to become a popular star on TV or the movies. It is ironic that we are a "rich country" and yet we are "very poor and sadly among the very corrupt". I believe that if we start from the "bukid" , among the masses, through insightful and motivating projects involving food production, have the same exposures (through contests) and same incentives and awards on TV, not only do we develop love of country, honor labor, develop industry and discipline, and motivation to improve oneself honorably through hard work as a "farmer" (this being a much degraded, if not looked-down-upon status ) It is true that we can be proud of a few who have earned "fame and wealth" through singing, dancing and acting, but, there are almost 100M Filipinos, the majority of which are in the rural areas, let's try to focus on them and improve our fellowmen. I pray, Maria Ressa, please give this a thought and use your God given talent to help the greater majority who truly needs the help. More power and God bless you!