"Harnessing the Power of Me"

“The biggest IT congress for the Filipino youth (and for the young at heart) is tapping into the limitless potential of the individual. The Youth Congress on Information Technology (Y4iT)'s theme for 2014 is "Harnessing the Power of Me". The theme revolves on the insightful use of IT with the goal of giving back to society. In the fast-paced and ever-changing world, IT plays a critical role in enabling individuals to realize their aspirations and commitments. As such, these individuals inspire their communities to be ever vigilant in the midst of environmental and developmental issues.” –Y4IT

“Harnessing the Power of Me” what would that power be?

Youth Congress on Information Technology (Y4IT) is the biggest annual information technology event in the Philippines, organized by the UP System Information Technology Foundation (UP SITF). It is a gathering for IT students and professionals alike. Its aim is to recognize the power, the potentials of the Filipino as the key drivers in the ever changing and fast phased IT industry. Thrilling waves of IT topics and subjects are presented each year and a lot of inspiring speakers shares their knowledge and experience in the industry. There is so much to look forward to and tell you what: this year, together with my friends and classmates, we are going to be a part of it (at least as participants and some as competitors).

Speaking of competitors, ah the competition, I was kind of looking forward to the competition myself (I’m quite competitive myself) but unfortunately I or should I say we haven’t passed anything for the competition. I lack bright ideas. I’ve been thinking a lot and came up with nothing worthwhile. A lot of magical stuffs keep roaming my head LOL. I’m guessing that maybe this kind of competition is not for me but anyway there is no point in moping now, is there? There will always be other competitions to look forward to.  Better luck next time I guess? Well with that, I remembered what my father told me when he entered a painting competition and lost (he is an artist by the way). He said that he did not lose just because other paintings were better but also because the judge who will see his art as a masterpiece has yet to come. I always keep this in my mind when entering competitions especially concerning art. To tell you the truth I’ve joined a few (very few) poster making contests during my high school days and lost it all. Frustrated? Yes you could say that and somehow I lost some (if it can be counted) of my confidence. Well I hadn’t been studying and practicing art at all so that’s pure talent for you! (just being optimistic) Anyway enough of that bullshit, let’s get on topic now shall we? Well no more competition to look forward to but hey I’m still looking forward to the competitors themselves or rather their “bright” ideas. Who’s idea is going to top it all? Who’s going to reign and get all the glory? Let’s find out when the time is right :P.

So what is it that I’m expecting to learn in this youth congress? Well for starters I don’t expect to learn anything here. I’ve already had enough learning at school and as much as possible I want this to be less educational (technically) but more like motivational, inspirational, and somehow encouraging. The last conference I’ve gone to, which was Graphicon, really inspired and motivated me. The speakers did not teach us how to do digital paintings, animations, or even a simple vector tutorial but they thought something even better. They thought us to dream and make it a reality. They stirred up my mind on what I really want as a goal after I graduate in this University. It did not focus entirely on how they did it to reach their goals rather on how we make ours. I want to experience something similar in the upcoming youth congress. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten really motivated and inspired. Rather than learn, I want to experience something really incredible that might change my life forever. Experience is the best teacher as they say. So we can as well conclude that experiencing is learning. Ain’t that right? Oh the irony.

Ideas will be the turning point of this BIG event so at the very least I’m expecting a lot of ideas come and go as they please. This event is going to be a great path for people to innovate and develop unique and interesting ideas, ideas that someday and somehow will be freed from its jail inside our minds and roam our physical world. I am really eager to hear something that will very much interest me to the point it will make me add another goal to my long list ambitions. (I’m quite ambitious actually) I’m the type of person who’s a pessimist but pretty much optimistic so no matter how negative I thought the road I’ll take on come to be I’ll always counter it with “I can do it!” but still in order to survive that road, the things the school thought me won’t really save me if I ever stumble upon a big unbreakable wall so I need to go out there and experience and learn on my own. The experience I get from this event will surely get me somewhere and with that I hope it will somehow create a path for me not necessarily straight but a path that I can overcome on my own and together with my team mates.

Different people, different personalities, and different ideas - all in one room. Just the thought of it makes me a bit tired. The crowd drains a whole lot of my energy but that’s not my point. In this room, all ideas unite. All thoughts will be recognized. I want this room to be one of the most unforgettable rooms I’ve ever been to, filled with inspiration and a huge brainwave. In this room I will seek and discover my power, harness it and make it bloom. The power to make an idea become a reality.