Creating Strongholds Through Solidarity | Kirby Araullo | TEDxYouth@DLSUSHS

Lola's Wartime Heroism

• Nobody is perfect, but everybody is great at something, and nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something (14s).
• The speaker's grandma, Lola, was a fierce teenager from World War II who survived the war at the age of 13 and was part of the resistance in Pangasinan (38s).
• Lola and her sisters were among the guerilla women who bravely defended the islands from the Japanese invasion, with Lola being in charge of taking care of the pigeons that were crucial in communicating between the different camps of guerilla fighters (1m20s).
• Lola's stories taught the importance of not letting gender identities, age, or other factors bind or limit one's abilities (1m48s).
• Lola bravely fought in the war at the age of 13, and her story is a reversal of the typical gender roles depicted in World War II movies (1m59s).

Mama's Grace and Resilience

• The speaker's other grandma, Lola or Mama, was a beauty queen in Pampanga and taught the speaker many things, including lessons from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo (3m23s).
• The eruption of Mount Pinatubo was the most destructive volcanic eruption in the 20th century, causing widespread destruction and ash fall that reached as far as Malaysia (3m41s).
• The speaker's grandma, Mama, was one of the people affected by the eruption and is now one of the speaker's biggest fans on Facebook (5m1s).
• A beauty queen with two titles and two crowns before the age of 20 was renowned for her fierce heart and unwavering grace, and people in Pampanga still get excited when they realize the speaker is her grandson (5m10s).
• The speaker's nickname in Pampanga was "Eki" or "Taale" because he used to follow his grandmother around in every event and meeting (5m35s).
• The speaker's grandmother was a direct descendant of the pre-colonial nobility of indigenous warriors and anti-colonial revolutionaries of Pampanga, and she rubbed elbows with Philippine presidents and influenced local politicians with her elegance (5m52s).
• Despite being at home among the everyday folk, the speaker's grandmother's house did not have a proper fence, unlike many homes in the Philippines, but the family never felt unsafe due to her being loved and respected (6m17s).
• After the devastating eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the speaker's grandmother played a crucial role in lifting the spirits of the people in Pampanga by leading initiatives to revive the community's morale and preserve the city's culture, arts, and history (6m56s).
• The programs she helped spearhead, such as the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival, are now world-renowned and have turned the city into a symbol of progress in the archipelago (7m24s).
• Growing up in his grandmother's shadow, the speaker witnessed the profound impact of using someone's talent to serve and uplift others, despite the challenges, including widespread corruption (7m56s).
• The speaker's grandmother maintained her integrity and never wavered from doing what was right, and her greatness shone through in how she used her position and grace to challenge the status quo and build a legacy of hope and resilience (8m10s).

A Father's Fight for Justice

• In the late 1980s, the Philippines was a nation in turmoil, with people from all walks of life gathering to call for change, and the speaker's father championed the causes of the youth in the urban poor, tirelessly fighting for student rights (8m42s).
• A person's advocacy for rights and equitable access to education was driven by a profound commitment to justice, standing firm against forces that sought to silence such voices, and paved the way for future generations to access better educational opportunities (9m40s).
• This period was marked by a stark contrast of widespread poverty for many while some were amassing wealth, and activism was a perilous endeavor with many peers disappearing without a trace (10m9s).
• In the late 80s, during intense student protests, the person's dad faced significant threats, including an attempt by armed men to forcibly take him away, but was saved by a fellow activist who invoked human rights and roused the people to action (10m49s).
• In a powerful display of solidarity, people from all walks of life stood up, each claiming to be the person's dad, helping him escape the armed men (11m13s).
• A year or two later, a notorious figure visited the hometown, carrying a list of targeted activists, including the person's dad, but he was saved by his brother-in-law, who pulled him from the crowd just in time (11m47s).
• The person's dad fled to his parents' home to avoid another visit from these individuals and was hidden by the communities he had supported and empowered, who played a crucial role in his escape (12m36s).
• This experience deepened the person's dad's commitment to social justice, dedicating his life to advocating for the oppressed and marginalized, driven by a profound sense of duty to those who had risked everything to protect him (12m54s).
• The person's dad's journey illustrates that nobody is perfect, but everybody is great at something, and his greatness lay in his ability to lead, inspire, and understand that every one of us has a role to play in creating change (13m11s).

Finding Strength in Unexpected Places

• In 2019, people warned against going to Tondo, Manila, describing it as a place of danger and crime, but during a medical mission, the person encountered the undeniable resilience and strength of the community (13m49s).
• Communities in Smoky Mountain and Baso, despite their notorious reputations and challenging conditions, are defined by the incredible hope and determination of their people (14m40s).
• Growing up near the infamous Fields Avenue, the red light district of Angeles City, taught the importance of seeing beyond external conditions and recognizing the inherent greatness in each person (15m12s).
• Interactions with children in the red light district showed remarkable strength, creativity, joy, and an unbreakable spirit, despite daily hardships and societal judgment (15m34s).
• Experiences in Tondo and the red light district of Angeles City underscore the themes of meeting challenges with strength and hardships with hope (16m23s).

The Power of Empathy and Inclusivity

• Every individual, regardless of their struggle, possesses unique qualities that can positively change and influence their community (16m37s).
• Empathy and inclusivity are essential in approaching societal change, and it is crucial to empower and listen to the voices and stories of those in need (17m12s).

Personal Struggles and the Drive for Change

• Personal struggles, including mental health issues, physical assault, and sexual abuse, have been overcome through courage and strength, driving the desire to make the world a better place (17m48s).
• Growing up in the red light district of Angeles City was surrounded by broken families, broken dreams, and suffering, but neighbors and playmates never gave up hope for a better world (18m24s).
• A childhood experience of seeing a friend suffer an injury due to poverty and lack of access to healthcare had a profound impact and highlighted the importance of hope and resilience (18m46s).

Interconnectedness and Shared Humanity

• The stories and experiences of others, including a grandmother, have shaped reflections on the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and hope in creating positive change (19m35s).
• Human struggles and stories are interconnected threads in the tapestry of humanity, breaking down stigmas and promoting inclusivity, reminding us that nobody knows everything but everybody knows something (19m46s).

Sharing Stories, Inspiring Action

• Sharing stories of resilience and courage inspires action, as nobody can do everything but everybody has something to offer, and it's about recognizing our own privileges and transforming them into tools to support each other, especially the most vulnerable (20m16s).
• Building solidarity and mutual support involves learning and unlearning from one another, and our experiences shape our work, regardless of the platform or context (20m38s).

Embracing Imperfection, Contributing to Change

• Nobody is truly perfect, but everyone has something to contribute, and knowing what you're good at can be used to drive the change you want to see in the world (21m10s).
• Reflecting on personal experiences with injustice can inspire and motivate individuals to make a difference, and everyone has the potential to do so (21m27s).
• Sharing ideas and empowering others, especially the youth, can contribute to a more inclusive and understanding world, and finding the nexus where cultural dynamics and personal empowerment meet can help achieve this goal (21m57s).
• Embracing diversity in all its forms and striving to be better each day, rather than trying to be perfect, can lead to a brighter future for individuals and their communities (22m29s).