John Derek Vic T. Del Socorro delivering his HELP US TO DREAM during the Testimonial Dinner for Archbishop Alarcon on May 1, 2024.
Good evening po! Mano po!
I am here because of obedience and courage.
I don’t know what a Church means but I know how to pray the Lord’s Prayer.
I do not know what a Bishop means but I believe God exists.
I do not know what love of country means, but I know how to obey my parents.
I do not understand what’s going on in the West Philippines Seas, but I know courage.
Again, I am here talking before you because of obedience and courage.
When I heard a new Archbishop is coming, I was all ears.
However, I almost became deaf and mute when I was asked to speak at this gathering.
I was told this was a testimonial dinner. I got scared.
What is tested in this dinner? Who will be tested?
But looking at everyone, I say that this kind of test, or testimonial, looks different.
It looks more like a treat than a test.
And definitely, this is a lot better than Jollibee and McDonalds, combined.
Now that I am before the incoming Archbishop, I wish to make a simple request,
something difficult for me, but certainly something within his power.
Help us children to dream.
We need more than what Jollibee and McDonalds can offer.
Help us dream to have our own carinderia where we can cook
and sell the products of our lolos and lolas who are hardworking farmers.
We need more than the sweetness of soft drinks and milk tea.
Help us dream of making drinks from the lemongrass
and other herbs from our mama and papa’s garden.
Help us become proud of what we have in our country
than those we have to buy elsewhere.
We need to enjoy the outdoors, more than going to malls after attending Sunday Mass.
Help us dream for parks of native trees here in our own city so that one day,
we and other children could play and rest in the shadow of these trees.
Help us po to expand our dreams.
Help us to see far and wide, beyond what the internet tells us or social media shows us.
Help us to dream not of gated subdivisions, not of fancy cars and the latest gadgets.
Instead, help us to dream of clean air, potable water, and food for all families.
Help us dream that all of us children, rich or poor, sick or healthy, could read and write.
Help us dream to be like all of you present in this testimonial dinner.
Teach us to listen to one another.
Show us how to hone our talents for the good of others.
We want to grow up knowing that we can stand on our two feet
and make our dreams come true.
We want to live in a world where our dreams are sustained by the gifts from mother nature.
You say we, the children, are the future.
Help us dream so we can build this better future.
