“A leader becomes great not because of their power but because of their ability to empower others.”
In the midst of a million people along Ayala Avenue in Makati City in the evening of May 7th, I sneaked out photos of myself wearing a pink shirt with the word “pag-asa” printed in Baybayin (the Philippine script prior to Spanish colonization). Unlike probably everyone who attended, I wasn’t planning on posting it that same night rather I told myself I would post it in celebration of the many million Filipinos who along with me chose the most qualified woman Presidential candidate to lead the country forward. Unfortunately today, I am posting those photos only in commemoration of a wonderful journey we’ve been on.
A 7-month journey of being part of something so much bigger than yourself. A movement built on hope and volunteerism showcasing my most admired trait of Filipinos growing up that I thought vanished through time and generations - the bayanihan. For context, as a kid in Batangas, I witnessed classic bayanihan examples in books. For one, the moving of wooden house from one place to another carried by multiple men which would usually start before sunrise with “kapeng barako” and “pandesal” as a form of gratitude to everyone who helped. Unfortunately overtime, this sense of volunteerism disappeared, at least for me. Until the campaign period for this election began.
In that 7 months, I only attended one rally - the one held in Quezon Memorial Circle. “I would just like to listen to their plans and platforms” I said - and listen I did. But more so than hearing all these candidates first hand and not from the screen of a phone or television, I enjoyed the positive energy of being there. It’s like everyone just had a dopamine overdosed. Everyone is so happy and hopeful. Right from the entrance are band and lyre, there’s free food and water everywhere, giving way to everyone who wanted to pass through, then after the event people started picking up trash and mono-block chairs to arranged it. On my way home that day it made me think, “You know what, we could do it. We could be (for lack of better words) - disciplined and responsible Filipinos less the terror. Maybe this is that generation.”
From then on, I started talking to my day-to-day people about the possibilities we could achieve as a nation if Leni Robredo is to lead. Shared her and her group’s platforms online as well as their previous works and experiences to spread awareness about them. I would always watch their political rallies in other places on Facebook Live whenever I have time as it makes me happy. However, a week before the election, I started having “election anxiety” as I see people online still spreading misinformation or “fake news” so I decided to do a house-to-house campaign.
So to these kids, grieve if you must. We did what we could although we didn’t win but neither we lost. From this, we learned something so hold on to that and let it fuel your tomorrow. But most importantly, pray, believe and don’t lose hope. Pray for our new leaders to always keep the best interest of the Filipino people in their heart, mind and soul. Believe that the country will be where its people want it to be and hope that it will be what’s best suited for everyone especially us - the young ones.
To VP Leni: You will be my biggest “what if” for the country Ma’am. But more so than anything else, maraming salamat po for igniting the fire of radical love in us, for inspiring us to be better and reminding the Filipinos that we are stronger together. We might have lose this election to someone we so hope we’re wrong about but we, alongside the 14 million Filipinos who supported you can face everyone with head held high because we had you. Salamat sa pag-asang kulay rosas ang bukas.
Post a Comment