MACOY DUBS TO SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS: YOU AS THE YOUTH HAVE THE POWER TO BE THE CATALYST OF CHANGE

27-year-old social media content creator Mark Averilla, popularly known as Macoy Dubs, addressed the participants of the virtual summit co-hosted by The European Union Delegation to the Philippines and The Ateneo Human Rights Center titled “My Space, My Rights” last October 17, 2020, with the theme “Para sa Kabataan, Mula sa Kabataan, Isang Pagtitipon Para sa Karapatan.”

Macoy Dubs, during his closing keynote speech, encouraged the young participants of the summit to “let your voices be heard,” adding that the issues happening in the world presently serves as “a clarion call to consistently participate in the social issues.”

“Let your voices be heard this time because kayo ang may power. The children have power, and you as the youth have the power to be the catalyst of change,” Averilla stated.

According to Averilla, despite the changes brought on by the pandemic and the shift to digital means of communication, adapting to the new normal should not compromise one’s rights.

“We’re starting to adjust, adapt, and cope with the new normal, but let’s not forget to adapt to the times without compromising yung ating mga Karapatan, even if there is a shift in the digital world,” he said.

Averilla, a prominent social media personality himself, also emphasized how the open nature of social media can become an avenue for abuse.

“In the digital world, as well, we can say that naco-compromise din ang ating mga rights because social media is very diverse, it’s very open, everyone can use it, and sometimes naabuse din yung paggamit non. So, just be careful and take care of yourself most especially when you are using social media,” he voiced.

He also noted that “social media has been very, very toxic in the past few months,” adding that “if you are experiencing triggers of society, triggers of depression or panic, you have the freedom and you have the right to unplug.”

Averilla also reminded the audience that while no one should be pressured to check their social media accounts, one also has the responsibility of fact-checking the information being presented in social media.

“No one should pressure you to always check your social media accounts but also in terms of being a catalyst of change, you have the responsibility to fact check all the information you are reading, all the information that you are seeing online, because the children and the youth are also vulnerable when it comes to feeding information, and by protecting our rights, it’s also our responsibility to stop fake news and verify the sources that we are needing,” he explained.

Before wrapping up his keynote speech, Macoy Dubs urged the participants to “be a catalyst for change and use your voice for the common good.”

“What you will say today will matter tomorrow, most especially if it’s factual, if it’s true, and most especially if you are protecting your rights. Because ikaw ang magbe-benefit non in the future,” he stated.

The virtual summit boasted at least 300 participants from all over the Philippines. Among those in attendance were scouts from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, and editors from Yraga / Amudyong, the official publication of the USANT Junior High School Department.

The summit also featured social media personality Frankie Pangilinan as the opening keynote speaker, as well as Know Your Rights Philippines founder Atty. Maria Jela Moran