Actress Ritz Azul looks back on her SK experience

Ritz Azul. Arnold Almacen/INQUIRER file photo

After being put on hold in 2013 and 2016, the election of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials is finally pushing through today. And as voters prepare to choose aspiring youth leaders—for the first time in eight years—actress Ritz Azul looks back on her experience as SK chair in her hometown, Barangay Dila-Dila in Sta. Rita, Pampanga, from 2010 to 2013.

Excerpts from the interview.

What inspired you to run? The situation then of my fellow youth motivated me to run for SK. I saw that many kids from my generation were addicted to video games, especially in our village: They eat, sleep and play. I thought that they should have a better outlook in life.

As they say, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”—and I believe that. If we don’t guide them, what will happen to them? But there are also young people who have good, fresh ideas; they just need guidance.

Were you always interested in getting into public service? When I was young, I used to celebrate my birthdays with other children and share what I have with them. But I had yet to realize that I would be venturing into politics.

How was the experience? It was a learning experience for me. I learned how to run things and met different kinds of people. The sense of responsibility and pressure were there, of course. It was unforgettable.

What were some of the challenges you encountered? The biggest challenge for me was learning all the laws and regulations in a short span of time. I had to learn how to manage the budget—that sort of thing. And I was only 17 then.

What were you most proud of? I believe I was able to inspire the youth to be more active. We were able to know each other better. That and the fact that I finished my term without any issues.

How did you balance show biz and SK duties? It was tough, because time is your capital for both. But with the help of my councilors and my family, everything went smoothly. It’s during such times that it pays to have someone you can trust.

Some critics say that the SK doesn’t have much use. We just need the right laws to make it more useful to the community. Young people have a lot of great ideas, and I hope our elders lend an ear to them.