š Issue #10: The Beginnings of My Political Career
āIs this what it was like for the people who campaigned for Obama? For AOC?ā
Iāve never been the kind to understand politics beyond knowing which politicians and public servants I liked and which ones I didnāt. I never really understood the parties and what they really stood for (I still donāt). Although I did know which issues I cared about - and kept an eye and an ear out to know what was being done about them and by whom.
Iāve gotten close to getting involved deeper into the topic only two times in my entire life.
The first time was back when I was still in University and I dated a guy who was an activist and waxed so much poetic about all of the things that the country is doing wrong. The second time was a few years after I just started working. I started going out with a guy who was in a presidential candidateās campaign team and I went on a campaign rally as an excuse to spend time with him.
And that was pretty much it.
Then it was 2016 and the son of the late dictator, Marcos was running for Vice President. And suddenly I was rooting for the woman who was neck and neck with the late dictatorās son. I didnāt really know her. I just knew she was the wife of another politician who had really good reputation and I just really didnāt want another Marcos with a seat. She won.
Since winning, sheās shown that she is more than just the person who prevented the late dictatorās son from coming back to power. She had grace. She had spine. And more importantly she had results.
Since Iām in Spain, I just observed but I was never really invested. At least not yet.
Then fast forward to 2020 when the world pretty much imploded because of Covid. The Philippines was probably in the worst case scenario. And some of the most important people in my life were right smack in the middle of it.
Iāve never felt so angry. While hospitals were collapsing and people were dying. the government still prioritized their own agendas. They took advantage of the panic and chaos to steal more money, to exact revenge, and to do everything else except what the country and the people really needed.
Except for VP Leni Robredo. While the rest of the government (except for some LGU leaders) were proving to be incompetent:
She supported health care workers by providing equipment, housing, and transportation
By doing so, she provided jobs for local designers + dressmakers, public transportation drivers, among many others
She provided additional health care support by creating another channel for sick people to get free testing, consultation, and covid aid - which also attracted a lot of volunteers
All of these with close to no budget (because the government pretty much stripped that away from her office) and running mostly on donations from private individuals. All of these while she was also running a shit ton of other projects and maintaining the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit.
And you know whatās even more amazing? Technically speaking, the Office of the Vice President doesnāt really have to do anything. The VP is just there to be the spare tire. And thatās it. For as long as I can remember, none of the previous VPs weāve had did anything substantial apart from just show up to the events the President couldnāt go to.
And suddenly it didnāt feel so insane to believe that the country can survive this shit show. If Leni Robredo can do all of these things as the VP, imagine what more she could do if she actually had accountability for all of these.
I waited, with my heart in my throat, for her to finally decide to run for President in next yearās election.
She took her time too. She was the only one amongst all of the candidates to actually really think about the responsibilities tied to the role. The only one amongst who was not so eager to use the excuse of āwanting to helpā to pursue the highest office in the country. The only one who gave the role and the responsibility the consideration it really deserved.
She was the only who one gave me the feeling that she really understood what it meant to be the President of the country.
When she finally decided to run, I felt like just voting for her wasnāt enough. I felt like I had to do more. That I needed to get more people to vote for her. Because voting for her was giving our country another chance to go beyond just surviving. She gave me the hope that maybe, just maybe, this time, we can actually thrive.
And that hope, for me, was enough.
So here I am, almost 2 weeks since Leni Robredo filed for candidacy, finding myself part of an informal, unofficial campaign team here in Europe. Because I created one. I created one along with other EU-based Filipinas who felt the same need to do more.
I absolutely have no idea what Iām doing. Iāve never campaigned for anybody before. Much less put together a bunch of people and turn us into a campaign team. Iām just taking this day by day. Connecting people. Learning as much as I can, as fast as I can. Trusting that all of these small, sometimes stupid, things will help to bring us the right outcome. And really thatās all that matters.
After all, whatās a few blunders, a couple of embarrassing moments, and maybe throw in some sleepless nights too in exchange for the chance that the country and every Filipino can finally rise up ā mula sa laylayan.
Would you like to volunteer too? If youāre a Filipino based in Europe, please reach out. Or you can also fill out this Volunteer sign up form.
Until next time š
Kax
Other Things Iām loving these days š
Workouts by Ranier Pollard. Because I really canāt stick to a workout routine. I donāt have the attention span for it. But Ranier Pollard mixes comedy into his routines which helps me to forget sometimes how much Iām hating what Iām doing because Iām too busy laughing.
Hospital Playlist has got to be the most wholesome show Iāve ever watched ever. People who think that F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or HIMYM are the most iconic shows about friendship need to watch Hospital Playlist (and Reply 1988 too). Itās such a feel good show and reflect what honest and healthy friendships look like. Youāre welcome.
Helen Hoangās 3rd book, The Heart Principle! If youāve read The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test - this book is the perfect way to close the circle. The romance, the sexiness, and giddiness are all still there. But I think this one probably hit me harder than the first 2. But I still devoured this book in one sitting. So itās definitely a light read. The kind youād want to tackle on a cloudy Sunday afternoon while nursing a hangover.
I started this maybe-weekly (mostly not) newsletter because I needed a space where I can just take a break from talking aboutĀ career, working in tech, and coaching other Product Managers. I needed a space where I can wear my heart on my sleeve, getĀ kiligĀ about the books Iām reading and the movies Iām watching, and sometimes allow myself to get on my soapbox and yell at the world for doing something stupid again.
Want to share your thoughts and feelings, too? Leave me a comment below š
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