No, this is not about John Mccain...rather this is about my personal comback into the realm of campus politics.
My so-called "political" life in school has been full of ups and downs, I have won and losts many elections. In grade school my rise to the presidency was predicted early, but in the crucial election costly alignments and lack of visibility resulted in heartbreaking loss. Entering high school, seemingly making a "comeback", I once again lost in a more bitter way - unopposed, yet losing due to the lack of voters. This led me to shun away from campus politics, up until my first year in college at the Ateneo. I was elected as our Year Council President. Things looked pretty well until the next year, come re-election time i faced a heated opponent and an experienced, well-known opponent. Alas, defeat was my fate again. Thus, I devoted myself to other worthwhile endeavours, working on projects and still being an active leader in campus activities.
Then the law school came. I did not enter politics straight away, as I decided to focus on my studies and adjust to the new kind of student life. Come the end of my first year, I was once again offered the chance to serve in the Student Council. I was asked to run for one of the top positions - Secretary General, though I was only about to enter my sophomore year. I accepted, although I had some qualms about it, and I was pitted against an incoming senior who was more experienced and quite importantly, knew more people in law school. It wouldn't be hard to guess the result of that race - I lost again. Victory in campus politics seemed a far away dream at that point. It would seem as though fate did not bless me with the gift of political victory.
That was 2 years ago...and now, as previously written, I embarked again on a campaign and on a new foray into campus politics. Can you guess what the results were of the recent student elections in my law school? Unopposed, I won garnering 87.6% of the votes. Hence, the term "The Comeback Kid".
I am back in business! Not that I stopped working or helping in and out of school with community activities, but I am back in this challenging game and life that is campus politics.
However, merely winning is not what is important to me. First, I see this as a blessing from God. He has once again given me something that I never imagined was possible. Second, I see this "comeback" as a challenge for me to serve my community and the people around me even more and even better. I know there are a lot of trials and difficulties ahead, and I will need all the help I can get. So now I pray that God will guide me in this new role and opportunity he has given me, that he blesses me with perseverance, wisdom, patience, understanding and most of all integrity and honesty in everything that I do.
Congratulations to my fellow winners and newly elected officers of the Student Council, may we all be guided and blessed as we journey in leading.
My story, as I believe, is that of a real Comeback Kid. I just wanted to share it hoping that maybe it would inspire someone who thinks all is lost to not give up, because if you keep on believing and dreaming nothing is impossible. No matter how many times you fall, you can always make a comeback - and a great one at that.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Campus Politics
We all get to experience politics and leadership in at least one part of our life - be it at home, in the playground, in school or if you're lucky enough, in national or even global politics.
If my memory serves me right, I had my first taste of politics and leadership in school at the playground. I would lead one side of the class in a cops and robbers game (I think I was always on the cops side, coz I didn't want to be on the "dark side"). From there life took me to become class president for 9 years, batch representative for 3 different years, and VP in the grade school student council.
Now, entering my 4th year of law school I decided to run for the External VP position. Sure, being president was definitely on my mind but i decided to run for EVP to give way to friends who also wanted to run for the presidential position, and because my strengths and involvements are found in the EVP position.
The campaign period only lasted for 3 days because Monday was a holiday for us students due to the EDSA1 Anniversary, so it has been a very hectic and busy past 3 days. I think during this period I wasn't just a law student, I was a full time candidate and a part time law student. I ran for the position of external vice president, which means if elected I would be in charge of out of law school matters, external projects and of bringing issues and relevant events happening outside of law school to the attention of the very very busy students inside. My platform was of increased responsiveness to the times by being more involved and informed of the issues that are affecting our country. I ran unopposed, so I would like to believe my chances are good, but I had the daunting task of making sure that I get to convince voters to elect me because I deserve to be in office.
We ran a clean, honest, no fuss campaign - ayaw namin ng trapo-style of politics. We didn't have any tokens or giveaways (except the occasional stickers and pins of course) nor did we give away any food. We ran promoting our vision for the school by using our respective platforms. Nakakalungkot kasing isipin na pati pulitka sa school, nagiging katulad ng pulitika sa labas - which leads to us having leaders who are trained in the ancient art of the trapo (traditional politician).
Voting will end in about 2 hours, and the next time I write I may either be victorious or defeated. But no matter what the outcome is I know we put up a good fight, we were honest and sincere in our intentions and most important of all we were driven by our desire to serve our school and the community.
If my memory serves me right, I had my first taste of politics and leadership in school at the playground. I would lead one side of the class in a cops and robbers game (I think I was always on the cops side, coz I didn't want to be on the "dark side"). From there life took me to become class president for 9 years, batch representative for 3 different years, and VP in the grade school student council.
Now, entering my 4th year of law school I decided to run for the External VP position. Sure, being president was definitely on my mind but i decided to run for EVP to give way to friends who also wanted to run for the presidential position, and because my strengths and involvements are found in the EVP position.
The campaign period only lasted for 3 days because Monday was a holiday for us students due to the EDSA1 Anniversary, so it has been a very hectic and busy past 3 days. I think during this period I wasn't just a law student, I was a full time candidate and a part time law student. I ran for the position of external vice president, which means if elected I would be in charge of out of law school matters, external projects and of bringing issues and relevant events happening outside of law school to the attention of the very very busy students inside. My platform was of increased responsiveness to the times by being more involved and informed of the issues that are affecting our country. I ran unopposed, so I would like to believe my chances are good, but I had the daunting task of making sure that I get to convince voters to elect me because I deserve to be in office.
We ran a clean, honest, no fuss campaign - ayaw namin ng trapo-style of politics. We didn't have any tokens or giveaways (except the occasional stickers and pins of course) nor did we give away any food. We ran promoting our vision for the school by using our respective platforms. Nakakalungkot kasing isipin na pati pulitka sa school, nagiging katulad ng pulitika sa labas - which leads to us having leaders who are trained in the ancient art of the trapo (traditional politician).
Voting will end in about 2 hours, and the next time I write I may either be victorious or defeated. But no matter what the outcome is I know we put up a good fight, we were honest and sincere in our intentions and most important of all we were driven by our desire to serve our school and the community.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Fitting Start
Today is the 23rd Anniversary of The 1st EDSA People Power Revolution. 23 years ago today, Filipinos from all walks of life toppled a dictator in a peaceful and non-violent revolution. It was indeed a showcase of democracy at its finest. We Filipinos showed the world that we can work together, forget our differences and become one against a common foe. In fact, Filipinos inspired other countries to riseup against oppresive and dictatorial governments. It is even said that it was a catalyst for the fall of the Berlin wall and the eventual collapse of communism.
Today is the 23rd anniversary of EDSA 1...but it was saddening and disheartening to see on television the lack of interest or desire of Filipinos to even commemorate the event: aside from the VIPs and the government officials present, only policemen and soldiers who were required to watch were present, listening intently and clapping approvingly. Maybe one or two stragglers were there, but all in all, the lack of people showed the growing apathyof most Filipinos.
I start this blog today in an effort to share my views and opinions to people out there who care and are political junkies like me. I write and i post so that perhaps my words can inspire and ignite debates, and bring out the person in you who wants to be involved, who wants to know, and who gives a damn about our country.
Tapos na ang panahon na tayo ay nagbubulag-bulagan, at ang panahon na wala na lang pakialamanan. Gumising ka na, dahil iisa lang ang bansa nating lahat, at walang ibang magmamahal nito kundi tayo.
Maraming Salamat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Today is the 23rd anniversary of EDSA 1...but it was saddening and disheartening to see on television the lack of interest or desire of Filipinos to even commemorate the event: aside from the VIPs and the government officials present, only policemen and soldiers who were required to watch were present, listening intently and clapping approvingly. Maybe one or two stragglers were there, but all in all, the lack of people showed the growing apathyof most Filipinos.
I start this blog today in an effort to share my views and opinions to people out there who care and are political junkies like me. I write and i post so that perhaps my words can inspire and ignite debates, and bring out the person in you who wants to be involved, who wants to know, and who gives a damn about our country.
Tapos na ang panahon na tayo ay nagbubulag-bulagan, at ang panahon na wala na lang pakialamanan. Gumising ka na, dahil iisa lang ang bansa nating lahat, at walang ibang magmamahal nito kundi tayo.
Maraming Salamat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
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