There is hope in the Filipino. I say this to myself, having witnessed the genuine show of support of many, when I attended the birthday rally of Vice President Leni Robredo last Saturday. It is selfless giving and positive volunteerism that I have not seen in my lifetime.
Everywhere you look around, people were helping one another like the community kitchens that were started by the private sector during the pandemic. Food—homecooked even like hard boiled eggs and baked bread, water, medical services were being provided for free—not by the organizers, but by ordinary citizens who just wanted to do their share and without any needed acknowledgement whatsoever of their deeds. Street musicians and artists, oblivious of the heat of the sun, performed on their own, making the long walk more than bearable. All smiles. All positive. Driven primarily by young Filipinos, who just recently were deemed apolitical and even apathetic, such a turn of commitment on their part to get a direct handle on their future, made me realize that life in our country will be okay.
I had been a spectator of our country’s political drama for more than 40 years now and I can say that I have not seen this version of patriotism. Edsa was people power with the direction of that journey emanating from its icons, Tita Cory and Cardinal Sin. Their message for change resonated and people followed. What we are seeing now is similar yet quite different. The campaign of VP Robredo is being shaped by its followers, with first time voters, formerly apolitical families, private citizens who just want to have a say on their future. In the beginning it was a passionate show of their support for VP Leni. And when they realized that they needed to expand beyond their support groups, they had to go through political campaigning 101, leading them to do actual house-to-house visits and now, poll watcher training. The campaign team led by Senator Bam Aquino provided the guidance, but the general efforts and interpretations of such guidance are all volunteers. A very good example of the starfish model of organizations where each arm is connected to a central body but can survive and grow into its own, and even expand into other starfishes. Providential that the political ward leaders readily opted early on for the candidate that carried the traditional preconditions of a political win—pedigree, funds, government backing and those dubious surveys; regardless of the historical truths that belied their candidate. Had these politicians been in the Leni camp, I believe such organic growth of sincere people’s support would most likely not materialize.
And this was what prompted me to switch to VP Leni. It was me, from another presidential camp, looking into this band of energetic supporters and wondering why this dedication to their cause. Even for them to learn from their initial mistakes and adapt to do things that were not in their playbook were unexpected. For them to do this, they must be motivated and inspired. You are prompted to look at their candidate and find out the reason why. She is after all the reason for this spirit of true volunteerism to rise. Learning what she went through, and what she stands and fights for, was no doubt what resonated with her supporters. Put it simply, VP Leni is the embodiment of what people wanted in their government and she became the inspiring rallying point for that change to happen.
Hopefully it is this that will carry her to victory. There is still time and the political leaders, sensitive to how their constituents move, will surely realize this and hopefully support her, regardless of whatever political fallout they may face as a consequence. But whatever is the electoral outcome, this phenomenon we are seeing is victory already. Political people’s movements only last during elections. This one will surely go beyond. And whoever will be in Malacañang, they will have to deal with this genuine people power that has now come alive to make sure that people will have a real voice in our country’s future.
The author maybe reached thru: thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu