blowing whistles

It is easy to pass judgment.

 

I believe it is one of the
easiest things to do in this world.

 

After the Makati stand-off, various individuals were
quick to share their unsolicited analysis on the incident. Some individuals
criticized how the group expressed their idealism that rainy day. Others pointed
out the weaknesses and flaws of the stand-off, reiterating that this is a
second “failed” attempt.

 

Along with Bukidnon Second
District Representative Teofisto Guingona III, we, his district staff
helplessly watched as soldiers, leaders and civilians walked the streets,
creating a stir. I cannot imagine how the young Guingona might have felt at
that time. It could be that he felt a myriad of emotions and sentiments as a
staunch member of the Opposition who is not in Manila at that time and most importantly, as
a son to former Vice President Guingona.

 

I watched the incidents with the
same strength of passion as I watched the Magdalo soldiers expressed their
beliefs in 2003. I was a fresh graduate at that time preparing to attend a
political campaign management course at the Ateneo de Manila University. The
dates of the course were re-scheduled because of the incident. That day, the
Magdalo soldiers earned my respect. Their claims were legitimate. Their eyes
burnt with sincerity and passion. I started to admire some of the professors at
the Philippine Military Academy for helping mold intelligent, honest and
idealistic soldiers. I would never forget that day when I saw that there are
actually people who are willing to take great risks for the country. I began to
take risks because the Magdalo soldiers taught me that in this day and age, it
is possible to love one’s nation with such intensity. Gradually, I learned that
taking risks is not as gallant as it may seem. I excruciatingly learned that saying
the truth has its price. Thus, the Magdalo soldiers were not only momentary
heroes for me; their actions, ideas and decisions became my mentors.

 

For the past three years, some of
our best soldiers are in jail while those who have directly committed graver
sins against the people and this nation breathe the air of freedom. When the
group walked-out from the hearing, some branded the act as “desperate” which
seems to insinuate that there is no need for desperation. But I say this there
are strong, logical, intelligent reasons to be desperate in this country under
this administration. I will not go on elaborating these because we hear about
these every single day of our lives to the point that some of us have grown
numb and tolerant to the sins of omission and commission of some of our national
and local leaders.

 

I could hardly remember the words
of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV during the stand-off. But I remember the words
“moral obligation.” He was trying to convey as senator and soldier that the
stand-off is motivated by the fact that it is his moral obligation to do so.

 

I think each one us has a moral
obligation in this world. This obligation is something that we have to fulfill
in this lifetime. However, we have a choice whether to heed this moral
obligation or not.

 

For Senator Trillanes, Brig. Gen.
Danny Lim, Magdalo soldiers and the civilians, the stand-off was their moral
obligation to the country. We watched as the administration expressed its
illogical counteraction. Some chose to ignore. Others ridiculed the group. Few
came to express their support. Some in the provinces wished that proximity was
not a barrier.

 

There were various emotions but I
humbly say this, the group struck a chord in each one of us. There they were - people
who are just like us, who have unspoken dreams, aspirations for our family
members and loved ones and things we would like to do before our lifetime ends.
They chose to look pass all these things and took risks.

 

For the Magdalo soldiers who were
there, they chose to take another risk. They represented something that we
cannot do for ourselves, something we possibly cannot do in this lifetime. They
explicitly expressed courage which we can only suppress.

 

Each of us has a moral obligation
in this country. For the Magdalo soldiers who decided not to join the
stand-off, I cannot judge their decision. They can express their moral
obligation in their own ways. The women and men of media showed great courage
and professionalism as the moment required them to be true to their duties. Although
an emotionally wounded survivor, I feel that I have a moral obligation to speak
against child molestation in the schools and to inspire the children to have
faith that there are some good in this world. My mother, merely a highschool
graduate, teaches about hope and faith to young minds every Tuesday in an
elementary school in Davao City. Jonalin Gegato, our
district social worker, treats every person who comes in our office for
assistance with respect wherever they may be coming from. A peanut vendor says
that he endures the difficulties in peddling peanuts for his son who is an
honor student in a nearby public school. Rep. Guingona works hard to speak the
truth in congress although this would mean that the administration may put his
Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) funds on hold for the third time.

 

Each moral obligation is
distinct.

 

Ask oneself: “What am I doing to
fulfill my moral obligation?”

 

Plus-size wallflower
            
            By Deewai Mabunga   Rodriguez
            Inquirer
            Last updated 10:30pm (Mla time) 02/27/2007

            
            

MANILA,
Philippines — As a little girl, I was never asked to be a flower girl
in any single wedding in our clan. I never had the chance to wear those
ruffled, silky, pinkish floral dresses.

This was very hard for me to accept since my older sister was a
flower girl in several weddings. At a young age, I was more of a
wallflower rather than the cute flower girl who would march down the
aisle with soft rose petals in her palms.

My mom would comfort me by saying that as a young kid I was just too
temperamental, and inviting me to solemn events like weddings might
cause problems. And, yes, I was a temperamental kid. In kindergarten, I
was given a single table so that I would not have to share with fellow
classmates.

I wanted to be alone. I did not want people to talk to me or look at
me. Hence it was not surprising that I found comfort in food. My mom is
a great cook, so she would prepare these wonderful dishes. She was also
very giving and compromising; she would buy me the more popular food (I
refuse to call them junk) that I wanted to eat.

Looking back, I do not think she was being irresponsible. Maybe she
just did not know how to deal with me and by giving me the food that I
wanted, it made dealing with her bratty daughter less burdensome.

Thus, I became fat. Food was the source of comfort and, sometimes,
imaginary friendship. However, as I grew older, I started to realize
that being fat made you the laughing stock. You become the butt of
jokes among smelly schoolboys. And when you’re fat, you aren’t pretty.
There is no such thing as a fat Barbie, after all.

I used to blame my fat mom and dad for my weight. Family reunions
served as validations that, indeed, our families strongly hold the ‘fat
gene.’ I struggled with my hefty weight, but in time, instead of
focusing on my weight, I studied harder and I read more. I looked up to
my older brother and sister who were also fat but excelled in school.

Gradually, I found my place under the sun in campus leadership
activities. I became a student leader and debater. Although a lot of
projects and programs kept me busy, I would not deny that being
overweight sometimes distracted me from my goals. I would cry and cry
some more, but I never really underestimated myself. Focusing on other
peoples’ concerns as a youth leader gave me a deeper perspective in
life which made me realize that worrying about my extra pounds was a
mockery of the other individuals who were having more significant
concerns in life.

Because of this, I became more mature and, at the same time, I tried
to know myself more. I wanted to understand why I’d become depressed
now and then. I wanted to know why as a child I was unhappy. I also
wanted an explanation why I felt empty although I had become socially
involved, more family-oriented and spiritually active.

Months later, I was invited to serve as a speaker in a young women’s
leadership training in one of the far provinces in our region. I
prepared to give a speech on leadership and good governance. However,
as I proceeded to the workshop and the open forum, it slowly came to my
attention that most of the participants were victims of sexual abuse or
who had loved ones who became victims.

For the first time, I came face to face with the childhood memories
that I managed to hide. I was sexually harassed as a child. It was a
tough call, but I faced my “monster” by sharing it with the
participants. I wanted to tell them that they were not alone and that
nothing should hinder us from aspiring and fighting for our dreams.
Once, I watched “Oprah” and it featured an obese woman who said that
what was hereditary in their family was not obesity but depression. Due
to depression, she yielded to food for release and comfort.

It was the same thing with me. It was not easy, and until now it is
not easy. I am a mentor to a lot of young women and it is not easy to
discuss with them what I had gone through. But I continue to do so to
let them know that physical appearances should not be altered just to
please people around us. Sometimes there is a deeper meaning in our
physical image, and these become manifestations of what we are going
through. Solving physical ‘differences’ is not as easy as healing what
is inside.

And every fat child should know that it is okay to speak up for
one’s self when it is proper. It is not easy being the fat kid, but we
grow up in the process and we find people who will inspire us along the
way, such that we end up inspiring others, too.

The 2bU! Self-Esteem Chronicles is published in partnership with
Dove. Dove broadens the standards of beauty and improves self-esteem in
order to inspire more women to care for themselves. Make a contribution
to the Dove Self-Esteem Fund by purchasing Dove products. Proceeds from
the fund are used to run BodyTalk, a self-esteem workshop to help young
girls develop a positive self-image.

       
      
   
      
       
         

            

            
             

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

   

 

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Dyana Aimee Mabunga Rodriguez.

International Winner, World Movement for Democracy Essay Writing Competition

======================================================================
 

I live in a period where some individuals and institutions
have started to doubt the significance of democracy in our nation’s
development. And it is not easy. When you are young and bursting with
idealism, hearing or seeing some people exchange their long fought
beliefs for comfort and convenience can crush faint, young hearts. My
heart has been crushed several times but my spirit fights.

 

Ideally, democracy equates to freedoms. This is enshrined in our written constitution, the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

 

As
a democratic country, citizens have rights and one these rights is the
right of suffrage. The rule of the majority thus becomes a source of
authority.

 

Qualified citizens directly vote for our leaders
including the highest position in the land which is the presidency.
This right empowers people and gives them the power to steer history
based on their values and principles.

 

A realistic and
recent example is that democracy can be observed and practiced in
periodic elections. Elections in our country are festive and bright.
Everywhere you look posters, banners and flyers are extant. Watching
television would mean having no choice but to watch political
advertisements of wannabes who promote themselves. Hence, elections are
not often taken seriously. With the majority of the electorate in
poverty, ideals can be taken in exchange for cash. Some of the barangay
(the small government unit) leaders dedicate their influence to the
highest bidder. Thus, platforms and party lines are not necessarily
given importance. Wealth becomes the strong driving force for one to
win.

 

Growing up, I have always believed that I live in a
highly democratic country because this is what the books say, this is
what my teachers say and this was what I was made to believe.

 

And
it is true. The supreme written law of the land states so, explaining
in detail the rights that are afforded to every Filipino citizen. This
can be felt in every day life. When mass organizations rally and picket
in front of the courts of the congress hall, they practiced their right
to peaceably assemble. They are indeed in a democratic country where
they have avenues for redress of grievances.

 

I read a
quotation once: "Poverty is not a very good political adviser." I do
not underestimate the capacity of the poor to make the appropriate
political decisions because I also come from a poor family. But this
has always been used as an excuse when one sells his or her vote for
the highest bidder. When an honest political candidate campaigns, some
people would not receive leaflets (which would have educated and
informed them about his accomplishments) unless there is money. When
majority of the citizens think this way, sadly, the rule of the
majority becomes a sham for this is not based on an appreciation of
one’s role in a democratic process but an underrated and crass
materialistic view of democracy during elections.

 

A
professor once emphasized in class: "My freedom ends when your freedom
begins." What is democratic to one may not be democratic to another.
There are boundaries. Such as when a politician cries foul when a
journalist "sensationalizes" news stories and using freedom of
expression as defense. After elections, loads of election protests are
filed. These politicians insist that they would have won the elections.
But after 2006, when the controversy on the alleged presidential
election fraud which included the incumbent president and a
commissioner for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was brought to
the public, the underlying opinion is that the rule of the majority in
the election can truly be altered. Thus, elections are not anymore
expressions of democracy; only when the votes are counted honestly can
democracy be truly expressed.

 

With democratic rights come
obligations and duties to the government and the country. The lack or
without a better understanding of duties which should supplement
democratic rights results to a confused democracy anchored on mere
freedoms sans the responsibilities. This was also presented in the
proposal by the Consultative Commission, a body formed by the President
to present amendments to the constitution. This commission was headed
by former University of the Philippines President Jose V. Abueva. They
recommended a Bill of Duties and Obligations to complement the Bill of
Rights. Abueva mentioned that some citizens are not even concern about
their duty to pay taxes. Taxes play a very crucial role in any
government; hence, if citizens refuse to file their income tax returns,
the coffers of the government become gravely affected, causing a
dovetail of problems in basic social services.   On the other hand,
some citizens refuse to pay taxes since they perceive the government as
corrupt, siphoning an important portion of their salary translated to
tax. As a young member of the workforce, I believe that it is crucial
for me to pay me taxes. If I want to be an active and sincere critic of
the administration, I want to make sure that as a citizen I am doing my
duties as well.

 

I believe that democracy can be better
appreciated when people are equipped with the knowledge to understand
and recognize the importance of strong institutions in building a
better future for themselves and the country.

 

Through
quality education and committed teachers, the children and the youth
will grow up to be more mature and responsible citizens - citizens who
will appreciate democracy not because of the wrong perception that
democracy breeds lack of discipline but democracy harnesses creativity,
self-reliance and ingenuity. This will gradually lead to a birth of a
generation who believes that brilliant ideas play important roles in
the country’s development.

 

Through an active playing of
roles of civil society, it is hoped that a more open-minded and
responsible citizenry will be led to appreciate that there are duties
and obligations that go with freedoms. Along with the freedom of
expression is the responsibility not to express thoughts and ideas
which do not hold any truth. Along with the right of suffrage is the
responsibility to be an informed and educated voter. With the right to
education comes the duty to study diligently with tireless commitment.
With the freedom of religion is the obligation to give due respect to
other religious groups and give regard to other faiths.

 

When
the citizenry is educated and persuaded to play active roles in the
community, institutions such as the government become more cautious on
how they fulfill their obligations. Thus, knowledge on how the
government should work and the standards of efficiency that are
expected of government leaders are not anymore privy to the wealthy and
educated alone but also to ordinary citizens who become watchdogs.   As
a young student leader, I used to believe that leadership is merely
about brilliance and superiority. However, as I became more immersed
with the concerns of the people through trainings and seminars provided
by non-government organizations, academe and the church, at a young
age, I became more aware of the realities and the dynamics in the
community. I have come to understand the roles of the institutions and
government agencies. Thus, in some of the programs and projects that I
have organized, I always coordinated with various institutions because
I am fully aware of the wealth of experience that they have or the
non-monetary resources that they can offer. True, there were a lot of
periods when working with these institutions drew disappointment. Some of the leaders have become young traditional politicians who, in spite of their
youth, would submit to inefficiency, dormancy and irresponsibility like
old, traditional politicians. However, after allowing some time to heal
and accept that I have become disillusioned, I draw inspiration again
and continue the work.

 

Watchdogs are extant in any
democracy. However, some watchdogs merely criticize. Mere criticism
without concrete proposals discourages other citizens to take part in
debates and discussions lest they be accused as mere critiques. The
kind of activism that should be encouraged is developmental activism or
pro-activism. In high school, one of the youth organizations in the
country promoted a pro-active kind of leadership in student
organizations. Being pro-active means being able to serve as a watchdog
but at the same time fill some gaps in leadership. I used to be the
university student council chairperson in college, as the head of the
highest student governing body, I represented the voice of the students
particularly on issues which directly affected them such as the lack of
potable water in our school. Only a few of the student population could
afford distilled bottled water; hence, this became a problem. Along
with the other officers, we raised this issue to the university
administration but at the same time we provided affordable potable
water to the students which also served as an income generating project
for the student council. At the present, I am working for one of the
staunch members of the opposition in the House of Representatives in
the congress. I fully support the stance of our district representative
against the administration. However, we are not contented with mere
criticism, projects and programs such as the scholarships and
construction of water systems and electrification projects continue
even in the absence of fund releases from the administration.

 

At
the end of the day, what becomes of democracy when people are waging an
excruciating battle against involuntary hunger? Can democracy be
expressed in the poverty stricken halls of educational institutions?
How can democracy express its wisdom and beauty when it is overshadowed
by the evils of corruption?

 

Our country should be able to
elect leaders who will commit to reforming the government so that it
can be called as truly democratic. Unfortunately, this becomes a
chicken and egg question. How do we reform the government? Do we reform
the citizenry first to elect honest leaders who will reform the
government? Or, do we change the government to form a citizenry who
will lead in positive change?

 

Over-thinking problems like
this could have contributed to the Filipino diaspora. As for my part,
after the defeat of a competent and an honest presidential candidate
last 2004, I have made a commitment to myself to bring about change in
any positive way that I can, even in simple ways.

 

As of the
present, I live in the province where there are a lot of young people
who do not see themselves as instruments for change. The work is tough
and there are days when I wake up, I had to struggle whether I should
continue the fight or should I live a normal family life. Developmental
activism sometimes brings pain and tears to the eyes. But I always find
myself working for the common good whether be it in my classroom when I
was a young college lecturer, through the documentaries that I have
made as a television writer, the trainings that I have organized or the
people that I have spoke with and in my daily life.

 

And
I draw courage and passion with the thought that miles away, there are
people of different languages and cultures, who believe in the same
things…

 

Daghang salamat (thank you).