A song for youth and country

MANILA, Philippines - It’s easy to mistake Stephen Tan for one of those teenagers who send a million text messages a day. But, although he is perpetually using his cell phone, he isn’t texting; he’s recording his songs.  Stephen is a young songwriter with a mission: “I want to serve as an inspiration to the youth.”

With his song “Tara Na,” Stephen is doing just that: his song won first place in the Nokia and ABS-CBN Foundation sponsored Project ArAw, or Aral-Awit Songwriting Competition, a music-driven values education program aimed at inspiring the youth to express their values through songs. It espouses the values of honesty, self-sufficiency and social responsibility.

“Tara Na” encourages the youth to be proactive and make a meaningful change in society. 

Stephen started singing in church when he was six.  He shares, “My mom is my coach. Everything I do on stage, I learned from her.” He won several amateur competitions and, through the perseverance of his mom Elsa, got a nine-month scholarship in the Music School of Ryan Ca-yabyab in 2009, besting over 200 children who joined the audition. The music program not only honed Stephen’s musical abilities but also his confidence on stage and the desire to achieve more.

When he learned about Project ArAw through his teachers in Lagro High School, he knew it was important for him to join. Stephen was riding the jeepney on the way home from school when inspiration for a song struck him. As he normally does, Stephen entered his composition on his treasured cell phone. “I would rather lose my wallet than my cell phone,” he jokes.

He finished the lyrics and melody of his song on the last day of submission of entries. One of his teachers kindly agreed to personally bring his entry to the ABS-CBN Foundation office, getting there in the nick of time. 

The message of his song, as well as the melody, impressed the judges. Stephen appears wiser than his 14 years. His mom agrees, “Maybe because as the eldest, he sees the hardship his father and I go through to bring up the family.”

Even the answers he gave during the interview were unusual for someone his age.  He is proud to say that he backs up the message of his songs with his actions.  “I would be a laughing stock if I don’t. I strive to be a better person because I want others, especially the youth, to see the message of my song in the kind of life I live.”

His message to the youth: “We only have a few years to be fully active. Let us strive to spend our life doing good things. Do not waste time on things that are not beneficial, and of course we have to serve God and be responsible citizens of our country.”