PRESIDENT Aquino on Thursday urged the youth to emulate this year’s national youth group awardees who have proven that positive and concrete measures—and not protest actions and planking—contribute to nation-building.

At the Ninth Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations awarding ceremonies in Malacañang, Mr. Aquino said images conjured by the mention of “youth” include young people in computer shops playing games or updating their Facebook pages; or those holding up placards under the sun, which has become a “regular sight” for him.

“We understand this: Their future is at stake in every move that we make. What saddens me, though, is that the noise of those afflicted by negativism is overpowering young people who work quietly but in a positive, constructive and concrete way that contributes to society.

The President said that almost 30 percent of the country’s total population is comprised of the youth sector, which is why the administration is trying to help it achieve its full potential through scholarship and employment programs, and entrepreneurship support.

Referring to the awardees, Mr. Aquino said the youth organizations “devoted their time, creativity and talent to respond to national problems.”

“They are the groups that are aware that planking is not the solution to hunger. They are responsible, they care for their respective communities and know their duties to their families and country.”

The awardees are the Industrial Engineering Council, Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo, Youth Solidarity for Peace-Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Association of Locally-Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao and Alyansa ng mga Kristiyanong Mag-aaral. The others are the Responsible nag Balikatan han mga Kabataan, Indak Kabataan Youth Organization, University of the Cordilleras-Hapiyoh Mi Cultural Group, Young Mindanawans Peace Builders, Aklan Catholic College Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants and AUL-Stage.

Special awards were given to the Kairos Band for the Coke Barkada Award and the Association of Locally-Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao for the Lenovo’s Most Innovative Project Award.

Mr. Aquino said the awardees have not been distracted by the “temptations of modern technology” from fulfilling their responsibility.

Taking off from such youth distractions, Mr. Aquino poked fun at himself—particularly on jokes that he is an avid video-game fan.

While referring to young people who spend time in computer shops playing “DotA,” the President said some people in the audience seemed confused with the term and prepared to explain it to them.

“Not all of you [understand DotA]. For those who don’t understand, what is it? It’s here in the DotA guides and strategies,” he said, holding up an index card, from which he read, amid laughter, “It means Defense of the Ancients. They will again say that I always play video games but I am just reading from this.”

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In Photo: Guillermo Aponte, Coca-Cola Philippines president and general manager, delivers a speech during the Coke TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) media luncheon for the ninth annual TAYO winners held at Casa Roces, Manila. (By Roy Domingo)