Showing posts with label Ang Kapatiran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ang Kapatiran. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2007
My vote goes to . . . .
ANG KAPATIRAN
I will not be voting for any other senatorial candidates. Not Sonia Roco. Not Kiko Pangilinan. Not Joker Arroyo. Only the Ang Kapatiran candidates.
There are three posts in this blog labeled ANG KAPATIRAN. What I have written about this party has not been so supportive of their cause. I have criticized the group for joining this election unprepared. They are virtually unknowns with no chance of winning. Nada. Zero. That everything will just be a waste of time, energy and resources. But that doesn't mean I won't be voring for them.
Only three names will be written on my ballot. I won't be voting for any one in the local positions. There is an Alvin Sandoval campaigning for the congressional position. Chances are this is a brother of the other Sandoval who has completed his three terms and is now running for mayor in Navotas. I heard the incumbent mayor, Oreta, is running unopposed. Just the same, the space for mayor, vice mayor and councilors will just be crossed out. I have no idea who the candidates are for these positions. For party list, I will also cross out this space. For the last two elections, I voted for BAYAN MUNA. I won't be voting for them this time althoughI truly appreciated the response of Rep. Teddy Casino on my comments on the Batasan 6 blog. He is sensible and I was humbled for him taking the time to respond to my posts. But still, my challenge to BAYAN MUNA to renounce and denounce armed struggle and for them not to avail of the port barrel will not be heeded. For that, they don't get my vote this time. So there will only be three names that will be written on my ballot.
I really don't know who Martin Bautista, Paredes and Sison are. Dr. Bautista is a doctor in the US who decided to come back and make a difference. Paredes is the VFA director. Sison is a total unknown to me. I hardly know anything about them. So eesentially, I am not voting for the person but for the party. I am voting for the party because I believe that the people behind this group mean well. I know personally some of its members. That there is no personal agenda involved. That it is all about the national interest that they are after. I may not agree with their strategy but their conviction is still worthy of the support.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
To capture the imagination of our people
From Manolo's blog, I was directed to AlterNation101 blog. The last sentence on the blog caught my attention and it said ‘”But we just have to do something!” This is the reason why the writer is going to vote for Ang Kapatiran. This kind of reasoning won’t help our cause to achieve our dream Philippines. It is a very typical middle class mindset.
I have already expressed my views here and here that it is not yet the right time for Ang Kapatiran to participate in this coming electoral exercise. I even started a thread in their forum with the title "hindi pa hinog" but has now disappeared. Ang Kapatiran is not yet prepared and still has nothing to show for and that the public is not yet ready with their kind of politics. Unfortunately, this “para may magawa” attitude must be what made them decide to take part in this election. All the resources, time, talent and energy will just go to waste. They may be aware that it will take divine intervention for at least one of them to make it to the top 12. But still they went for it because they "have to do something".
We have to do something and so Gawad Kalinga was born. We have to do something and so we have Books for the Barrios, Rock Ed Philippines, Gilas, Tulong Pinoy, Yabang Pinoy, People Power, HOPE etc. The Rotary, the Jaycees, the Kiwanis, the thousands of foundations, the various group and personal initiatives, there is always something that we do for others. There is really nothing wrong in creating movements, pursuing causes that will help alleviate the suffering of our people. I am all for it. But if we really, really want to achieve our dream Phlippines, we have to think beyond “to do something” mindset. We need to capture the imagination of our people. But nobody, no one among us in the middle class, the so called intellegentsia, has tried to find a way to capture the imagination of our people. We prefer to remain in our comfort zones, writing blogs, making comments and reklamo, expressing our thoughts and opinioin, forming groups and movements, writing letters to editors and of course, sharing our material excess when the opportunity presents itself.
In our own little and big way, we have done so much. When calamities hit us, we come together to help the victims. Support pour in from around the globe. Medical and dental missions are regular civic activities. Pondong Pinoy is doing quite well. As Mr. Montelibano said in his column, our sense of generosity is overwhelming. Agreed. But how come this sense of generosity is not translated into collective action except during calamities? This sense of generosity may even blind us with the belief that we have already done something. The sad part is that our sense of generosity remains on the personal level. The attitude “I have more so I have to help the poor” attitude has to be transcended and turned into “I am a Filipino, that is why I am helping my fellow Filipino”. If only there are some (but preferably a lot of) sense of patriotism in our sense of generosity, then all of the various initiatives around us will have a greater impact. Our oneness as a people will be bonded by this sense of generosity. Unfortunately, even in our sense of generosity, it is to each his own.
So we go back to the “we have to do something” attitude, a mediocre level sense of generosity. We have lots and lots of this. The Ang Kapatiran’s participation in this election is a reflection of this mindset. If we will always see things from this perspective, don’t expect change to happen. The trapos will continue to dominate our political landscape. For change to happen, we need, we should, we must capture the imagination of our people. That is the only way to go. Hopefully, this blog will be a tool in that direction. I believe we can start it with something like, “Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas!”
I have already expressed my views here and here that it is not yet the right time for Ang Kapatiran to participate in this coming electoral exercise. I even started a thread in their forum with the title "hindi pa hinog" but has now disappeared. Ang Kapatiran is not yet prepared and still has nothing to show for and that the public is not yet ready with their kind of politics. Unfortunately, this “para may magawa” attitude must be what made them decide to take part in this election. All the resources, time, talent and energy will just go to waste. They may be aware that it will take divine intervention for at least one of them to make it to the top 12. But still they went for it because they "have to do something".
We have to do something and so Gawad Kalinga was born. We have to do something and so we have Books for the Barrios, Rock Ed Philippines, Gilas, Tulong Pinoy, Yabang Pinoy, People Power, HOPE etc. The Rotary, the Jaycees, the Kiwanis, the thousands of foundations, the various group and personal initiatives, there is always something that we do for others. There is really nothing wrong in creating movements, pursuing causes that will help alleviate the suffering of our people. I am all for it. But if we really, really want to achieve our dream Phlippines, we have to think beyond “to do something” mindset. We need to capture the imagination of our people. But nobody, no one among us in the middle class, the so called intellegentsia, has tried to find a way to capture the imagination of our people. We prefer to remain in our comfort zones, writing blogs, making comments and reklamo, expressing our thoughts and opinioin, forming groups and movements, writing letters to editors and of course, sharing our material excess when the opportunity presents itself.
In our own little and big way, we have done so much. When calamities hit us, we come together to help the victims. Support pour in from around the globe. Medical and dental missions are regular civic activities. Pondong Pinoy is doing quite well. As Mr. Montelibano said in his column, our sense of generosity is overwhelming. Agreed. But how come this sense of generosity is not translated into collective action except during calamities? This sense of generosity may even blind us with the belief that we have already done something. The sad part is that our sense of generosity remains on the personal level. The attitude “I have more so I have to help the poor” attitude has to be transcended and turned into “I am a Filipino, that is why I am helping my fellow Filipino”. If only there are some (but preferably a lot of) sense of patriotism in our sense of generosity, then all of the various initiatives around us will have a greater impact. Our oneness as a people will be bonded by this sense of generosity. Unfortunately, even in our sense of generosity, it is to each his own.
So we go back to the “we have to do something” attitude, a mediocre level sense of generosity. We have lots and lots of this. The Ang Kapatiran’s participation in this election is a reflection of this mindset. If we will always see things from this perspective, don’t expect change to happen. The trapos will continue to dominate our political landscape. For change to happen, we need, we should, we must capture the imagination of our people. That is the only way to go. Hopefully, this blog will be a tool in that direction. I believe we can start it with something like, “Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas!”
Friday, March 30, 2007
Election is about winning
In his Inquirer column today, Jose Ma. Montelibano described the three Ang Kapatiran candidates as sacrificial lambs. He compared them to the 299 Spartans who "dined in hell". (One returned to tell the story.) But no, we don't need another heroes.
Mr. Montelibano tried very hard to justify the significance of the candidacies of the Martin Bautista, Adrian Sison and Zosino Paredes in spite of being unknowns, "penniless" and without a machinery. He claimed that they are symbols of purity. That the party they represent is the opposite of compromise and corruption. That they are not the lesser evil nor the alternative but the pure and virtuous. But how can we be sure? Should we just take Mr. Montelibano's words as the truth about these candidates and the party they represent? Of course not. Mr. Montelibano is merely expressing his point of view.
What about my point of view? Well, I came to know some of the people behind the Ang Kapatiran. They are indeed very honorable individuals. Their love for country is beyond reproach. But they are just a few. Still, I have a lot of respect to the group as a political party. I believe they mean well and that there is no personal agenda. But I sincerely believe that it is not yet ripe for the party to enter the political arena as I have state in their forum. That's just my point of view.
What about the point of view of the magtataho, the masa? Chances are, their take on this is, sino sila? Elections in our country is always about the person not the platform nor the party. I myself don't even know who these three candidates are or how sincere they are. I am merely taking my cue on the fact that they are Ang Kapatiran members. That is enough to convince me that these three are righteous individuals. But what about the masa? They who have no access to internet and may not even know what a podcast is. What the Kapatiran candidates say are also being parroted by the trapo candidates. So how can the masa tell the difference?
All politicians mouth motherhood statements during campaigns. They all say they will stamp out corruption. They all say that they will create jobs. They all say that they will lead us to our Dream Philippines. But they are all, well most of them, the same after the election. It is personal interest first before the national interest. So how cna the ordinary people tell the difference? It is not enough to tell our people that these three candidates are "saints". Prove themselves first.
But no, they did not take the route of introducing themselves first to our people as who they are as individuals. Instead, they immediately offered themselves as an option and make the people believe that what they say is who they are. The problem with Ang Kapatiran is that it is not capable of seeing things from the point of view of the masses. It does not shed its elitist character but instead magnifies it more.
Now that the candidates are not even appearing in the top 20, Mr. Montelibano tried to justify the wisdom of Ang Kapatiran's entry into the political fray. It will be very, very interesting to see what happens to the party after the counting.
Mr. Montelibano tried very hard to justify the significance of the candidacies of the Martin Bautista, Adrian Sison and Zosino Paredes in spite of being unknowns, "penniless" and without a machinery. He claimed that they are symbols of purity. That the party they represent is the opposite of compromise and corruption. That they are not the lesser evil nor the alternative but the pure and virtuous. But how can we be sure? Should we just take Mr. Montelibano's words as the truth about these candidates and the party they represent? Of course not. Mr. Montelibano is merely expressing his point of view.
What about my point of view? Well, I came to know some of the people behind the Ang Kapatiran. They are indeed very honorable individuals. Their love for country is beyond reproach. But they are just a few. Still, I have a lot of respect to the group as a political party. I believe they mean well and that there is no personal agenda. But I sincerely believe that it is not yet ripe for the party to enter the political arena as I have state in their forum. That's just my point of view.
What about the point of view of the magtataho, the masa? Chances are, their take on this is, sino sila? Elections in our country is always about the person not the platform nor the party. I myself don't even know who these three candidates are or how sincere they are. I am merely taking my cue on the fact that they are Ang Kapatiran members. That is enough to convince me that these three are righteous individuals. But what about the masa? They who have no access to internet and may not even know what a podcast is. What the Kapatiran candidates say are also being parroted by the trapo candidates. So how can the masa tell the difference?
All politicians mouth motherhood statements during campaigns. They all say they will stamp out corruption. They all say that they will create jobs. They all say that they will lead us to our Dream Philippines. But they are all, well most of them, the same after the election. It is personal interest first before the national interest. So how cna the ordinary people tell the difference? It is not enough to tell our people that these three candidates are "saints". Prove themselves first.
But no, they did not take the route of introducing themselves first to our people as who they are as individuals. Instead, they immediately offered themselves as an option and make the people believe that what they say is who they are. The problem with Ang Kapatiran is that it is not capable of seeing things from the point of view of the masses. It does not shed its elitist character but instead magnifies it more.
Now that the candidates are not even appearing in the top 20, Mr. Montelibano tried to justify the wisdom of Ang Kapatiran's entry into the political fray. It will be very, very interesting to see what happens to the party after the counting.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Ang Kapatiran
When I first heard of ANG KAPATIRAN, my first reaction was "how come I never heard of this political party". That was just less than a year ago. But now, they are in full swing in their campaign, getting a lot of media mileage. That is good. The party offers the public an alternative.
However, I doubt very much the chance of even gaining just one senate seat. Our voters are not yet ready for this kind of politics. For them, the color of politics is still black and white. Either you are pro or anti whatever. Wala pa sa panlasang Pinoy ang klase ng pulitika ng Ang Kapatiran. But the campaign of Ang Kapatiran is a good start to make the people taste a different kind of politics. The greater challenge is how to capitalize on the "goodwill" being generated by the Ang Kapatiran campaign. After the election, there must be a sustained campaign promoting the kind of politics being espoused by Ang Kapatiran. The party must make their presence felt even when everything gets back to normal. Otherwise, all the efforts to present a different kind of politics will just go to waste and we go back to square one. Ang Kapatiran is getting the attention of the people. The greater challenge is to capture the collective imagination of the people and not just as something kakaiba as how they are being presented by media. How they differ is not really being explained by media.
My other issue with Ang Kapatiran is that masyadong middle class ang dating nila. I can't see a grassroot connection. It's like they just popped out from nowhere when in fact they have been around for years. I doubt if they have a nationwide network. Parang dito lang sa Metro Manila ang presence nila.
I do not doubt the sincerity of the people behind Ang Kapatiran and that they have no personal agenda. That they do what they do for love of country. But if they cannot make a connection with the masses, all their efforts will be in vain. As I kept saying, we, the so called intellegentsia, must see things not just from our perspective. We must know and understand the point of view of the mangangalahig, the magtataho. Otherwise, the mangangalahig, the magtataho will not listen to what we have to say. This is the reason why the Left has endured. The Left tries to see things from the perspective of the masses. From this perspective, the Left fit it their own agenda. We can do the same with the agenda being our Dream Philippines.
However, I doubt very much the chance of even gaining just one senate seat. Our voters are not yet ready for this kind of politics. For them, the color of politics is still black and white. Either you are pro or anti whatever. Wala pa sa panlasang Pinoy ang klase ng pulitika ng Ang Kapatiran. But the campaign of Ang Kapatiran is a good start to make the people taste a different kind of politics. The greater challenge is how to capitalize on the "goodwill" being generated by the Ang Kapatiran campaign. After the election, there must be a sustained campaign promoting the kind of politics being espoused by Ang Kapatiran. The party must make their presence felt even when everything gets back to normal. Otherwise, all the efforts to present a different kind of politics will just go to waste and we go back to square one. Ang Kapatiran is getting the attention of the people. The greater challenge is to capture the collective imagination of the people and not just as something kakaiba as how they are being presented by media. How they differ is not really being explained by media.
My other issue with Ang Kapatiran is that masyadong middle class ang dating nila. I can't see a grassroot connection. It's like they just popped out from nowhere when in fact they have been around for years. I doubt if they have a nationwide network. Parang dito lang sa Metro Manila ang presence nila.
I do not doubt the sincerity of the people behind Ang Kapatiran and that they have no personal agenda. That they do what they do for love of country. But if they cannot make a connection with the masses, all their efforts will be in vain. As I kept saying, we, the so called intellegentsia, must see things not just from our perspective. We must know and understand the point of view of the mangangalahig, the magtataho. Otherwise, the mangangalahig, the magtataho will not listen to what we have to say. This is the reason why the Left has endured. The Left tries to see things from the perspective of the masses. From this perspective, the Left fit it their own agenda. We can do the same with the agenda being our Dream Philippines.
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