True Love and Nation-Building

I would just like to say that I have enjoyed the last two Saturdays.

We've been having sessions with Tito Tony. It's been very inspiring seeing a whole new paradigm in loving. It's mind-blowing how love for God and country can mix with loving a person with whom you will share your life with. It's a totally different from what we frequently hear. It's given me a sense of liberty of sorts. 

You see, we're all made to see love as a way to stabilize our economic state and all that crap. But really, it's about being happy... and when you're happy, that's when stability comes in. Everything will fall into place. Even moreso, we always have this notion of the "other half that makes me whole". But the truth is, we do not bring our brokenness in relationships; we bring our wholeness as a person. And we do not seek a perfect partner because there's no perfect person... but your love makes the person more perfect each day you give yourself for loving.

The way I see it, when we love our country, it's not because we're taught this and that. It's because we genuinely and sincerely want our country to be the best it could be. We love our country because we know that if we don't, it will only be worse. And when we give it our utmost love and care, it will be more perfect each day. :)

Nice, isn't it?

Can't wait for the next Saturday session. My love forum friends will be in Bicol.


Anyways, bring home some Pili nuts pleaaaaaaaaaase!:)

Off to a promising start -- buying and promoting Filipino brands :)

(Originally posted on  June 11, 2010)

I told Clar a few weeks ago that I'd like to try buying more things which have a social value attached to it rather than just buying the regular ones found in the market.

Initially, it may sound expensive; but if you know where to buy those products at a cheaper rate, you'd actually find yourself consistently buying it. The plus side to it is that you help a lot of people in the process (and even the environment!).

So here's the rundown of the things I've bought and will continue to buy in the coming months and years:

1) Rags. You'll find them in GK Baseco. These were made by the Kapitbahayan. They source the retaso from Bulacan and Valenzuela then make the actual rags in the Livelihood Center at the back of the GK Baseco office. The circular rags are worth P35/kilo (15 rags/kg), the rectangular ones are worth approximately 40/kilo, and the weaved ones are worth 3 for 100. At home, we use the circular ones in the kitchen and the weaved ones in my room.

2) Dishwashing liquid and fabric detergent. Again, I buy these in GK Baseco. These were made by the Kapitbahayan. The raw materials are provided to them by St. Scholastica. They use recycled water bottles to contain these products. The dishwashing liquid is just as good as Joy but costs only 15 pesos
per bottle. It comes in different scents too -- lemon and lime. The fabric detergent has two variants (although I'm not sure what the scents are. All I know is that one is pink and the other is blue). It costs only 25 pesos per bottle.

3) T-shirts from Payatas-13. A lot of the GK shirts I wear are printed on this site. They also have a line of advocacy shirts. One of which has the Panatang Makabayan on it -- and it is valued at 250 pesos. If you go elsewhere, i believe that these would cost around 300-350 pesos. Now you may ask, what is so special about GK Payatas-13. Here's an excerpt from the write up on their facebook page:

Payatas 13 in partnership with GK-Ateneo was once more a forerunner among GK communities by becoming host to possibly the first urban GK model for social enterprise in the Payatas 13 Shirt Printers. Again the programme has gathered KB resident, volunteers, SIGA youth and GK full-time workers in the effort of running profitable enterprise, for both community and individual alike. As if to coincide with the Ateneo’s 150 years celebration as well as GK’s first seven years, GK Payatas 13 Blue Eagle Village is set to pioneer and perhaps propel a new brand of development under its emerging urban social enterprise model.

Team GK Ateneo-La Salle in Palawan! :)

We printed our team Ateneo-La Salle shirts there as well! :)


4. Human ♥ Nature. This is now my favorite body care line! For starters, my brother gave me their acapulco and mango butter styling cream and it kept my hair nourished as I used commercial shampoo. Then, I was given the watermelon lip balm. During the Bayani Challenge, they gave away citronella bug spray. I would admit that initially, I wasn't attracted to the scent that much because it was kind of potent. But now, I've converted! It's one of my favorites. In my bag, you'll also find their mandarin hand sanitizer (which doesn't only keep my hands clean, but also moisturizes it... Yes,it feels smoother now!). I've also started using their strengthening shampoo and body wash (peppermint scent) and their nourishing conditioner (mandarin and mango butter). I'm really happy with the results. I feel that my hair is healthier. If you've known me for ages, you'd know I've had a lot of trouble finding the right products for my hair. Now, I am definitely sticking to Human Nature.

Human ♥ Nature Shampoo

Now, you may think that these organic products are as expensive as say, Body Shop... but they're not! Even moreso, the brand is globally competitive! And yes, for people in the USA, you will be able to buy these products there.

So what's their philosophy?

1. Their products are Pro-Filipino -- from the raw materials to the finished products, all processes are done in the Philippines in their belief that Filipinos can produce world class finished goods. They've really excelled in encouraging the Filipino brand! :)

2. Pro-poor -- from the start, these were meant to provide livelihood opportunities to the Gawad Kalinga sites. They are also setting up organic farms in GK sites, with the first one already in the works in GK Enchanted Farms, Bulacan. This was done in partnership with NGOs that specialize in organic farming and processing. They buy their raw materials from community based suppliers at fair prices. Sometimes, even more than the market price. In addition, they help support these communities improve their production. Plus, they pay their employees from GK fairly (above the minimum wage + benefits).

3. Pro-environment -- if there's anything that I've noticed with them, it is that they take the organic life seriously. They ensure that the processes that their products undergo aren't hazardous to the environment. They use only recyclable bottles so as not to contribute to the waste in our landfills. And even the packaging -- as in the bags they use are either made of paper (for regular orders) or reusable pouches (for the gift packages) Even in delivery to at least the nearby places, they use vehicles that are environmentally friendly.

And yes, I will continue supporting their products. For more info, visit their site: http://www.humanheartnature.com/! :)

I do believe that I'm off to a good start. And I will continue buying these products to support the causes I believe in as well.

I hope that everyone else will follow suit. With your support, we can help change the lives of our fellow Filipinos. :)

The Challenge of a Hundred Days by Tony Meloto

(Editor’s note: Antonio Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga Foundation, is 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Leadership.)

Is it possible for Filipinos within my lifetime—I just turned 60—to unite and raise a great President who can make us believe that ours can be a strong nation?

I believe we can.

That leader can be President-elect Benigno C. Aquino III. The historic moment can be now.

Hopefully, we don’t squander this chance. Time is running out on my generation and I don’t want my children to inherit a country that they cannot be proud of, that will not guarantee them safety and opportunity for a dignified life.

The first 100 days after June 30 is not just for the new President to prove to us that he can lead but, more importantly, for all of us to prove to ourselves that we love this country enough to set aside our differences and interests to help him succeed and finally show the world that we are not too selfish and self-serving…and downright stupid… in the practice of our faith and freedom.

The first 100 days is our test if we can do things differently given this new window of opportunity. We not only need a good leader but we have to prove to ourselves that we are deserving of a good one.

The new President has feet of clay who has yet to end his nicotine addiction and he will most likely fail us if we do not give him the strength he needs to overcome his weaknesses. He needs us as we need him to be strong as a people. Let’s try our best not to fail one another.

Now that elections are over it is time to come out and express solidarity with our chosen leader for the good of all by being what we demand him to be.

I deliberately hid from sight in the last election to remain non-partisan and respect the choices of friends with their multi-colored political loyalties. While I prayed for good leaders I personally knew to win, I kept my silence… and peace, and waited for winners to be proclaimed, eager to get back to work with those who want to work with us.

I saw no candidate as adversary or enemy. I engage those who respect our terms of engagement. Anyone who is a friend of the poor is a friend. Anyone who loves my country is family. I regret the defeat of good leaders I know, but look forward to working with the victors that I have yet to know.

Leadership after all is not about winning elections or staying in power but about going beyond self-interest and rising above rivalries for a higher cause, even working with political opponents—call it balimbing or whatever name you like—for the common good.

To build a strong nation, we must learn to engage everyone, bridge gaps that divide, and leverage limited resources by encouraging those who have to give more to those who have less.

While we must engage every politician without judgment and without compromise, our cause of nation-building must transcend politics. Politics is for politicians, nation-building is for everyone—from the highest leader of the land to the weakest squatter in the poorest slum. It is for ordinary citizens like me to help provide connectivity to the un-reached, build trust among the wary and give hope to those in despair.

In the first 100 days, let us be a people of faith.

First, it is good to start by having faith in our leader. We must accept him wholeheartedly as the President for all Filipinos, including those who did not vote for him.

Given the circumstances of his miraculous ascendancy to power, reluctant in the beginning yet resolute with an overwhelming mandate in the end, we must accept that it is his divine destiny to lead us. If he is God-sent then we must treasure the gift and provide him all the support and encouragement to build a just and prosperous nation.

Let us not trivialize the opportunity to start right with our petty politics nor be influenced by ugly cynics who do not see anything good in this country or in this life. Let us be radical optimists and hope-weavers for a change, to give our new leader and our country a chance.

It is imperative for those who worked hard for his victory to remain noble and true by not expecting any favors in return for their efforts. Great leaders are often pulled down by followers who demand their share of power. Great chances to do great good are spoiled when nobility is exchanged for the spoils of victory. On the other hand if asked by their leader to do a crucial task, they must also be humble enough to accept.

From our new President, let us demand nothing but faith in himself that he can be faithful to his covenant to govern with integrity, courage, and justice.

From every Filipino, let us also demand nothing less than faith in ourselves that we can transform an entire nation—slum after slum, barrio after barrio—by transforming ourselves first. Let us not simply depend on the awesome power of the President and blame everything on him if he fails to deliver. Rather, let us harness the awesome power of the people, united and committed to do good, to help the President deliver.

Concretely, what can we do?

Start by believing that every Filipino can help, even the poorest among them.

Like the poor in Payatas who did not sell their votes but even contributed their meager resources to his campaign or carried his yellow ribbon in their tricycle without getting paid. We must see the poor as a blessing, not a burden…as assets, not liabilities.

The poor are starting to see him as hope. This was their statement in the last election when they chose Noynoy. We must therefore help him champion the rising Filipino poor for their hope not to be dashed again. Help him help them out of extreme poverty and give them middle-class aspirations. That will motivate them to work and send their children to school. The rejected stones can be the foundation of a strong nation. A true leader is one who will make this happen.

To usher in a season of hope, we can do many things in the next 100 days.

• Give unproductive land to the squatters.
• Build a home for the homeless.
• Start a business.
• Join a medical mission.
• Plant a tree.
• Send a poor child to school.

The list of good things to do is endless. The list of things to complain about is also endless. Better to walk the talk than preach and bitch.

To start a period of grace for corruption to end, we can also do many honest things in the 100 days.

• Do not cheat the wife.
• Do not give or accept a bribe.
• Do not rob the poor of just wages.
• Do not pad the expense account.
• Do not cheat in exams.

Again, it is a long list but it always begins with me.

I cannot demand honesty from our government leaders if I cannot be honest myself.

As for me and my household, we will offer the 100 days in simple and sincere service to our poor countrymen. We will pursue our drive to build sustainable and empowered communities in every barangay (village) in the country. The Gawad Kalinga People Power Over Poverty campaign we launched in 2004 with Tita Cory will be a great legacy for the son to continue six years later. Continuity is key to development which does not happen overnight.

Many social initiatives that bloomed during the term of the mother may finally bear fruit and be ripe for harvest during the term of the son. But they must be willing to work with one another to make things work for the good of an entire nation.

This is key to the first 100 days. It must send the signal to everyone, starting at the top all the way to the ground, that the interest of the country is first.

To have impact, it must be supported by those who placed him in the highest office of the land. Imagine the power of the 14 million Filipinos who voted for Noynoy to lead in being good citizens—obeying traffic rules, avoid polluting our waterways, staying away from drugs, or simply not pissing in public.

We must be first in showing discipline and character in defining our own 100 days.

An important statement needs to be made. The Yellow Power is not just about waging a political campaign to win an election. It is about winning the campaign to build a nation.

This is also true for Filipinos abroad who gave Noynoy a big vote of confidence. They must have enough confidence in him to match this with action. They can visit, volunteer, remit, donate or invest, or whatever they can do for the country’s benefit. Most importantly, they must herald the advent of hope for a beloved Motherland and the emergence of the Global Filipino who will no longer allow himself to be defined by poverty and corruption.

I’m writing this piece at 4 a.m. in Washington DC on the third leg of an eight-city tour to rally Filipinos in America through GKUSA to build our Filipino Dream in this new springtime of hope with our People Power President.

Pardon the musings of a senior citizen who is tired of waiting for the right leader to come. This time I cannot afford to fail. I owe it to my six grandchildren and those who are still to come to give my all to make my new President the right one, for them and every Filipino to have a future full of grace in this cherished Pearl of the East.

Before I sleep let me end this with a prayer: Dear God, bless us with a leader who will be bold, able, and true and grant all of us the wisdom to honor the gift of being Filipino. Amen

A Future Full of Hope :)

If you think that all hope is lost in the country, take a look at these kids who worked hard to be able to study in the BEST school in the country. They keep me going and they're the reason why I do what I do. :)

Kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa? (a reflection)

Yesterday, just in any other talk he has conducted, Kuya Mari asked the question: "Kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa?" And just as in any instance he has asked this question, I could also think of reasons why I could say YES, but I could also think of reason why I could say NO.

Why, you might ask?

I could say yes simply because I have a vision of a better Philippines. I believe that this country has far too much potential and I would like to harness these potentials so that we can make this country better. Truly, if Filipinos thought this way, I'm sure that we will be able to rise.

But in accepting the fact that the Philippines will be a great country if all Filipinos were like me, I believe that it entails a certain posture. I have asked myself so many times, am I a good role model for Filipinos to follow?

Posing this question, I could enumerate a lot of reasons why I am not the best model. I am a flawed and broken person, and in humbly accepting the fact that I am flawed, I believe that there are things about me that Filipinos should not even try replicating. I am sure that my weaknesses will not be good to follow. And I know in myself that I should start changing if I want change.

Which is the good thing about my situation -- It turns the negative into a positive. I am broken, but I could rise and be a stronger person. I am flawed but I can work on being the perfect child that God always wanted me to be. I can change and will be the change I want to see in this country.

Hence, if you ask me now, kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa? I wouldn't say yes -- but I wouldn't say no either. I would say, not yet. I will be. :)

 

 

Posted via web from Carmel

That Warm and Fuzzy Feeling I Can Never Get Rid Of

It's been days since I came home from Palawan but I am having trouble moving on from what has happened. I've not really felt this sense of home for a while now, and I suppose the Bayani Challenge experience made me feel that kind of love I could never explain. 

I cried after the recollection because I was moved by the fact that I was inspired and that I knew at the back of my mind that I was not resolving my struggles alone. I had a team. I was also holding back tears before we boarded the plane. I suppose that was because I did not want to let go of what I felt I was starting to have. 

Of course, this all started back when we were planning the whole team up. It all seemed surreal that time and everytime I got an e-mail or text from either Ate Cla or Frank, I was always thinking that it was a dream. I did not know what to expect. I did not know what to do once we landed! It seemed as if it was just about forming teams for the build. Something as plain and simple as that. But it was God's amazing design that brought us to where we are now.

When we reached Palawan, we did not really do hardcore builds (as in from ground zero, passing the hollowblocks around, etc.) but we had another sort of build -- building relationships. And from what I've experienced in those 8 days, it was enough for us to be close enough to promise each other that we won't leave anyone behind. Walang iwanan. 

Sure, there were moments of awkwardness and second-guessing -- but when the ice was broken, the fun never ended! Even when there were problems, everything was still fine. Last year, I'd never thought that I'd really have fun WITH the Ateneans during the bayani challenge. I'd never imagined truly sharing the experience of the 9-hour ride, the injuries, the playtime, the super long boat ride, and even the sabaw nights with them. It's like my family just got bigger. Even when I side-tripped for a sharing in a CLP, almost everyone who saw me before I left wished me well even if they barely had an idea of what I was really going to do. And that's something that I'll always treasure.

We may have left Palawan early, but I could honestly say that a part of my heart will always be there knowing that I spent eight amazing days with you! I will forever be grateful for the fun and challenges we've all had together:) 

Whatever magic Palawan had on the team is a challenge for us. It's something that we must build on and sustain. More than the friendships that have been formed, it's about how we will move forward and inspire other people to unite to help our country. 

I love you all. Hope to see you all very soon! :) <3

This is just one of the greatest stories I could ever tell :)

I could remember it as if it was yesterday.

April 12, 2009. I was with Team CSB, boarding the plane for the 4th GK Bayani Challenge in Zamboanga. On the same plane was Team GK Ateneo. If you asked me last year if it were possible for DLSU and Ateneo to have a joint team during for the Bayani Challenge, I would say, that is a humongous mountain to climb. Maybe I'd need more prayers if I wanted that to come true. It was something that seemed nearly impossible to me. Considering the circumstances our team was subjected to last year, I didn't know how to take the first step towards approaching Team Ateneo and asking them if they wanted to participate with us. I had my hesitations, and along the way, I've given up on the prospect of participating for this year's Bayani Challenge. I did not even consider heading a delegation of Lasallians. I declined invitations. I told Ate Cla and Dhang time and again that I won't be coming. Of course, I have a more valid excuse to tell them. I am a student (again) and we have deadlines. 

Fast forward mid-February 2010. Here's how I could truly say that if God wills something for you, He'll find ways for you even if you've turned the opportunity down time and again. I randomly decided to go to the office that day to give updates to Br. Roly.(I'm usually at GK Baseco). He had his own kwentos about his recent GK meeting with a certain Mr. Frank Chiu from GK Ateneo about the Social Enterprises. Of course, I listened to his plans and stuff. And then he remembered that Frank mentioned this "Bayani thing in Palawan". Oh, the Bayani Challenge! Haha. And he said that DLSU should participate WITH Ateneo. "Leave your rivalry in the basketball court," he told me. 

He did not give me any contact numbers so I did not know what to do. I suppose that I could say it was fate which brought me to that GK1MB volunteer management training in Ateneo the following Wednesday. While I was waiting for my friend Jai to finish his meeting with Justine and Leigh, I was able to meet Frank. And I was praying after that, "Lord, salamat at alam ko na kung paano silang icontact!". Haha. 

And so the team started planning: I, together with Frank, Ate Cla and Jai, with whom I've found great support when everything seemed so up in the air. Almost every single day, I found myself exchanging texts and calls with them making sure that every single detail was taken care of. Really, the task was difficult, pero dahil WALANG IWANAN, everything became possible. I talked to the community organizers of Baseco, Tito Jun, Tito Isaac and Tita Baby, who have all been really great to me. I've made Dhang kulit time and again about the details. The participants weren't even sure of coming. Our target was just then reduced to producing one (1) DLSU/DLS-CSB team at that time!
Phone calls left and right had to be taken! And these weren't just from ordinary individuals! These were actually from people who had a lot of influence in the University! GRABE lang ang masasabi ko everytime I had to take one call or meet someone personally! It was quite a rollercoaster ride! 

Letters were sent to solicit funds. We needed a lot since we really couldn't afford to go to Palawan unsupported. I personally found myself praying even more constantly and hoping that somehow, we could get enough funds to get us through the whole Bayani Challenge. A bit of extra wouldn't hurt, I told God. And when we asked, God did not just open one door but several floodgates. We've raised a couple of thousands more than our initial target. We don't really even have to spend a single centavo because everything's already been paid for.

Everything went from slow to fast. It seemed as if everything was still a dream. And even today, as I finished packing the things I need to bring, I still could not believe that it was all coming true -- that what our team has worked for is being realized. 

Even more so, the two best schools (YES!) in the country, which people tend to pit against each other, will be working TOGETHER to end poverty! 

My doubts and fears from last year have been cast! Excitement is an understatement to what I'm feeling right now. I would never be able to put into words just how great and inspiring this story is. This is where leaving no one behind takes us! 

Like what I said during the orientation, "Puro sobrang galing lang talaga ang nasasabi ko kasi sobrang galing lang talaga ni God na nangyari ito." This story is greater than how I could put it into words, really! I myself, couldn't give justice to the marvel that has unraveled in the span of a month and a half!:) 

God has given us to work and see how the country could rise before our very eyes! :D

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!

(Thank you to everyone who are making this trip possible. I'm so excited for tomorrow!:D)