My Quarter-Life Crisis: A Test of ‘Why'?

I was asked months ago one question that shook me and made me reasonably disturbed.

“Tobit, who are you without all your titles and involvements?”

I could have easily answered the question and say that I most probably would still be serving and volunteering in some community work even without labels. But I did not. I wasn’t able to. I was engulfed by the question and the question led me to ask more and more questions.

Believe it or not (and yes, you may call me over acting), I got depressed. I started asking if the things that I’m currently involved in are really what I wanted to do. I thought to myself: Will I be cleaning creeks the rest of my life? Will I be training young people until I get old? Will I remain in politics? Would that decision sustain me?

I wasn’t confronted with any immediate answer. Instead, more and more questions started pouring in that even my background on Psychology won’t help me ‘psych-up’ myself.

I felt lost and I felt scared of the uncertainty of my future.

But What Happened To My Why?

I have a ‘why’ in the work that I do for my hometown and for our country. Whenever asked why I do what I do, I would usually say that I do it because I want my family and my future family to live in a better community—a community that’s more just, more free and more green; and for the next generation to feel that we did not prepare a world of chaos for them.

These thoughts help me wake up in the morning. These thoughts eventually then developed to passion-- that my day won’t be complete if I do not talk about it or do anything about it. This passion, throughout time, eventually developed to love—that the sacrifices it entails slowly shifted from being a burden to being something that fills my heart with profound, unexplainable gladness.

The concern grew from selfish reasons of giving a better life to my family to be wanting to provide a better life to all, especially to those who are most in need—the least, the last and the lost. It transcended beyond myself and my immediate circle.

Now here’s where the dilemma comes in. Just when I thought I was already certain and clear with my why did the questioning of my core came in.

Imagine that you were really, really hungry. It took some time for you to realize that you’re actually craving for a burger. You kept on thinking about it and so you finally decided to go to the best burger store in town and queued. Just when you reached the counter, you started asking yourself if you still wanted a burger. The cashier asked for your order, but you did not know what to say. You’re not quite sure why all of sudden you do not know what to buy, but the cashier kept on insisting that you place your order. You stand there, stared blankly, caught off-guarded, not knowing what to do or say.

Perhaps there were too many options? Or that your hunger have already gone to pass? Maybe the hunger contributed to the poor decision-making? Or maybe the cashier put too much pressure on you?

  

A mentor once told me that when facing important questions in life, we must not hurry the answers—we must live the questions and face the uncertainty of not knowing the answers just yet. It’s not going to be easy, but somehow you must manage to tell the cashier that sorry, you suddenly felt uncertain if you still wanted a burger and that you’ll get back when you have decided.

Have the courage to step out of the line first, find a quiet corner, look at the menu, look at your options and decide on what you really want. This burger store operates 24/7 and there’s no need to hurry.

A ‘Why’ On Test

Perhaps, all that I’ve experienced were tests on my ‘why’-- my purpose. I realized that in this age where I transition to adulthood, that the quest for finding and understanding ‘why’ becomes more real. It is in this age that my problems are becoming more concrete and more felt. It is where I now start to think longer-term and to think beyond myself.

Since I’m starting to realize that life isn’t as simple as I’ve imagined it to be (study-> find a job-> have a family-> travel -> live happily ever after), I now think more carefully. From being very idealistic and optimistic, I slowly shift to the side of realism, with little doses of idealism and optimism still on the side.

Given all these realities, my ‘why’ is put to test. Should I still focus on my advocacy if it would mean compromising my corporate work, which is my bread and butter? Would I still work on cleaning rivers and providing livelihood programs to other people when our own business got bankrupted and my family is already trying to make both ends meet?

In this transition, the value of my decisions are starting to become heavier and sometimes, more painful. Maybe, this is why I got stuck with so many questions: because I now fully understand that my decisions will not just affect me, and that it will ripple.

Maybe this is why I am scared of being 25.

I will not pretend that I now understand how all these work and that I’m already comfortable with it. I will not pretend that I already have all the answers to my questions. But something deep within me is telling me that I should continue the journey and that I should hang on to my ‘why’—even if it is under scrutiny and is surrounded by millions of questions.

For the more it is challenged, the more it grows, the more it matures and the more it becomes stronger.

Here’s to being 25 and for being guilty of overthinking!

Reflections of a Millennial in the Government

It's been a year since I took oath as a public official. I cannot say that it was a perfect year, but I can say that it was a great experience and it was a good start.

Some Backstory

Prior to entering the government, I was one of those people who are very critical about the government and its processes. I joined rallies and had organized events to educate people about government accountability and the lack of it. I was once declared a persona non grata in our municipal hall for tweeting against the mayor and because of live-tweeting the council session.

But slowly, I realized that tweeting, ranting and raving about my frustrations with the government may not be effective enough. That's when I've decided to join the government thinking that pushing for my advocacies might be more effective if I try to change things from within.

I ran as a Barangay Councilor with the following goals: (1) try to change the system (2) prove that one need not to cheat to win (3) prove that money does not equate to winning and (4) prove that young people can be driving forces of community development.

With platforms shaped well by my conversations with the people and with my energy and idealism overflowing, I won a seat in the council. I spent Php.20,000.00, mostly for food for volunteers and some paraphernalia that helped me cover the 32 puroks of our barangay.

I 've already ticked numbers 2 and 3 on my list of goals.

Some First Year Realizations

After a year of being inside the system, I must say that to try to change things from within might be a goal of a lunatic. Imagine a young, idealistic and passionate individual trying to convince an old man, who's been smoking almost all his life, to stop smoking and that smoking is bad for his health. You know that you might just get into a fight or a senseless argument.

And so I changed my strategy, from changing to influencing.

Influencing fellow public servants

One of the initial public events I've attended is the wreath laying ceremony during Rizal Day. I was informed that the call time was at 6AM. I arrived a few minutes early and was surprised that government employees were just setting up. No other public officials were at the venue yet. 

It was past 6am and the program hasn't started. Public officials were still not around. The program started at around 7:30am, when finally our public servants arrived.

I never wanted this to happen again, so when I organized a tree planting activity to launch the barangay's greening program, I asked our employees and our barangay officials to be at the venue on time, or better yet, ahead of time.

We were there at 6AM as planned. It was 8:30 and we haven't started planting because our guests from the municipal and provincial government were not there yet. I argued with fellow barangay officials and told them that the trees would have lower survival rate if we plant them when it's already too hot.

I insisted and so we started planting. We have to stop though in the middle to still give way to the messages of our guest public officials.

Throughout time, our barangay has now built our reputation for always being punctual.

It's a start.

Influencing people

What I discovered as most powerful is influencing people, which I think could also be the best approach in influencing more government officials. Sometimes, public officials act with too much self-entitlement because the people treat them like gods and goddesses. Once it gets into their heads, that's when they begin to think like VIPs.

I will always tell our ka-barangays that we are merely their representatives. We do not decide on our own, but we base our decisions on their opinions and on what they need-- that in fact, they are more powerful than we are.

During the first public hearing that I've presided, I faced 5 groups of Tricycle Drivers' Associations from Floodway area. For the longest time, they had been having problems with their terminal, the unruly talipapa vendors and the illegal operators.

I wore my facilitator's hat and just started to ask questions. In the end, I was able to let them realize that they actually have the power to address the problems that surround them-- that the solutions are with them.

Once each citizens realize this power that they have, I can imagine how we can all drastically influence the government.

This thought continues to excite me.

Influencing culture

A prerequisite to the first two is influencing culture. As I review the Kartilya ng Barangay, I saw that one of the most important roles of the barangay is to develop and protect its culture. Thus, we continue to celebrate festivities and conduct programs that showcase the rich culture and heritage that we have.

My challenge right now is to influence a culture of caring. 

In most of our barangay sessions, we would usually tackle a wide array of issues--petty neighborhood fights, responsible pet ownership, violence on women and children and drugs. After each session, I would keep asking myself, why do most people in the barangay seem not to care about the issues that surround our community? How can one household just throw their garbage on the streets? 

I started to imagine what could happen if things aren't like that. Imagine if all the 101,000 residents of the barangay would start caring. Imagine if we would all start to think of things that would benefit the many and not just ourselves our our families.

Then we would all be more understanding of our neighbors and won't do things that may harm others; husbands will be more loving of their wife and kids; pet owners would be more responsible and those who have means would be more helpful to those who are in desperate need.

Just like my other struggles, this may not be easy and I have to admit that I haven't started any concrete project to influence this behavior yet, but I'm thinking of making this a primary focus for next year.

Ideas are most welcome!

The Challenge

Call me idealistic and crazy for being so ambitious to be wanting to influence systems and old structures, but I refuse to stop believing. Restoring the dignity of our government structures lies in us believing that it is possible.

Who else could believe into something that seems impossible, but the Millennials? We multi-task, we are well connected and more innovative. When we say we are passionate, we mean it.

We have the energy, the dynamism and the courage to challenge existing paradigms. We are idealistic, more creative and passionate. I encourage you, the young, to run for public office or to work for the government. Our government needs us. 

We have to start shaping the future that we want for our communities and for our country and I hope you can all help me tick-off # 4 on the list of my goals. 

Cheers to first year and beyond!

Frustrations of a Nation-Builder

"Nick, tell me, why aren't we achieving our dream? You told us that we can do it, but why are there still children who have gone hungry? Why are there still a lot of poor people, corrupt government leaders-- if you consider them leaders at all? I'd been working a lot in the grassroots and I meet a lot of wonderful people doing good things, but why are we not changing the world? Why does evil still persist?"

"I need an answer, Nick. I have become impatient. I just wanted to cry for this country."

These are not lines from a telenovela nor from a movie. These are actual words of a 50-something lady who, after all her efforts in developing the grassroots and doing some nation-building acts, had become so frustrated seeing so little results. She was crying-- asking and questioning her mentor if what they had been doing really makes a difference.

After more than 30 years of working for community development, her frustration grew. She felt impatient that a lot of things they wanted to change still haven't changed-- that a lot of their dreams for the country still seem so far from what they have imagined-- at least from her perspective.

I began to feel afraid. I start questioning myself and my capacity to change the world. I felt scared that my optimism might develop into frustration. I felt afraid that I might grow old, see little results, become disappointed and stop hoping and loving this country.

I asked one of my mentors who's around 60-something, if he think we could end hunger, poverty, war and all the negative things there are in this world and if we can ever be in Utopia.
I told him about this crying lady. I asked him if he, while doing a lot of good things for others, feels the same frustration given that there are still a lot of changing-the-world that has to be done.

In response, he emailed me this poem and told me to understand it in the context of what I was asking him:

A Future Not Our Own

It helps now and then to step back and take a long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way
of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession
brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives include everything.

This is what we are about. We plant seeds that one
day will grow. We water the seeds already planted
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects
far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of
liberation in realizing this.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's
grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the
difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not
messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.

-The Journey with Jesus: Poems and Prayers, Selected by Dan Clendenin

Since I started working for community development, I've always dreamed that one day I will change the world, even if it means having to sacrifice my life. I was, and I still think am, young, highly idealistic and full of zeal. Now I have come to realize that those aren't enough to achieve the dream world. Well, at least for now.

I'd thought that I am too crazy to be wanting to change the world, only to find out that I already have. By planting the seeds of goodness and hope today and for the rest of my days, I have sown plants that can grow far higher than what I can perceive-- for when I accepted my limitations, I become limitless.

This is the beauty of life and the wonder of changing the world.

The Year It Was: Of Expanding Horizons and Storytelling

When I was younger I always dream to ride an airplane. I was positive that one day I will. Eventually, I did and 100% of my rides, I didn’t have to pay. I told myself that if my optimism and the work that I do can make me fly all over the country for free, why not wish for something bigger, perhaps farther? So this year, despite not having any flight tickets abroad booked, I’ve decided to get a passport. Months after, I got to travel abroad for the first time and a second international flight came knocking-in two weeks after. Both travels, I also didn’t have to pay.

I’m not writing these to boast or to sound so great, but I’m doing so because I want to emphasize that the power of our positive mind, if coupled with work, can really bring us to places--places we’ve never been and places we’ve never thought we could be.

The year 2013 proved to me that there are no limits to our dreams. As I would always say whenever I story-tell our work for the rehabilitation of the Maningning Creek-- impossible is temporary. And so I choose to expand my horizons and kept on believing that we can change the world.

Here are the highlights of my 2013 and some key takeaways, too. Hope it may inspire people to be positive and to work for what they believe in, no matter how impossible it may look like.

Some Storytelling

This year, with no exaggeration, I think I’ve shared the story of the Maningning creek and of our organization for more than 50 times, reaching at least 1,000 audiences around the globe.  Here are some of my storytelling sessions—a life mission that I began to embrace:

a. 2nd Pilipinas Rotaract National Convention

Photo from Banoar Abratique

Our organization’s win as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in the country opened up a lot of opportunities.  This speaking engagement came knocking the earliest and it was the first time I will be presenting the Save Maningning Project outside the TAYO competition. I was very nervous. Not to mention the fact that before me, it was Gawad Kalinga who presented their noble work of building thousands of houses all over the country and their vision of a nation without slums. But our years of working for the Maningning saved me. I guess, no act of goodness is too small if done with great love.

b. Pandayan 2013: The Central Luzon Youth Agenda 

Photo from Darren Gonzales

            See that flower on me? I think the last time I wore something like that was when I graduated high school. I was tagged here by fellow Ayala Young Leaders Alumni to talk about climate change and of course, what we've done for Maningning. This time, I come prepared. I was able to design a (crazy) deck that the youth can relate with (people who have seen my slides would know why). But lo and behold, speaking at the same event was then Senatoriable, Senator Cynthia Villar, representatives from the Philippine Rice Institute and some ADB folks as well. This talk got me though to my first Asia Pacific conference-- the Asia Water Week.

c. Bicol University Student Leaders’ Assembly

           
            I literally braved a storm just to get to this talk. Thanks to my dad’s 4x4 that I was able to make it to the airport where I stayed for more than 8 hours. It was long enough to make me almost miss the whole event, where I became the guest speaker and the closing remarks. The president of the school approached me after my talk and told me that what I shared is the best way to end the program. She said that their students needed a call to action, and that they have to realize that they can really do something with their leadership. See? The storm and the delayed flight were just blessings in disguise.

d. 2^nd Philippine Scholars’ Summit

Instagram photo from Camille Recalde

            This is one of my most emotional talks. Minutes before I presented, I received a call from the National Youth Commission informing me that our organization, Angat Kabataan was selected to represent the country in the ASEAN TAYO and the ASEAN Youth Day Meeting. It set the floor on fire and I think it made the audience believe that hard work pays off. It also kinda helped me improve my confidence since the person who spoke before me was no less than the CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida.

e. St. Vincent Foundation for Children and the Aging National Scholars’ Assembly

            We were in the middle of the election campaigns when the invitation came. But how can I say no to the group that taught us how to make use of the bokashi balls in cleaning the Maningning Creek? I found out that the foundation wants their scholars to give back by doing projects for the community. And so I started by telling them our organization’s humble beginnings, our struggles and how we were able to hurdle them. One of the participants came to me after my presentation telling me how excited she was to go back to her community and do something. From that moment on, I knew I was on for a mission.

f. TAYO NCR Area Finals

Photo from Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Facebook page

            Speaking of pay back, I also cannot say no to the institution that gave our organization our long awaited break. I was able to present the Maningning to the next batch of Area finalists and facilitate their teambuilding too. It’s always so nice to be with people whom you know are doing the same line of work, and that is nation building.

Aside from these, I’ve also been able to present the Save Maningning Project at the Asia Water Week, at Pitogo Youth Club’s orientation of new members, at the Taytay United Methodist Church, at the ADB Bearcat Experience, LeadCom Batangas Orientation, more than 20 times at the LEAD ASEAN Youth Summit and at the ASEAN Youth Day Meeting as well.

Rubbing Elbows along the Way

One of the best perks of going to places is meeting new people. Through work and many other side events this year, I was able to interact with the following people who have given me different perspectives on things, which almost always are better than my often boxed thinking.

a. Tony Oposa

Photo from Bea Laino, a fellow delegate (And yes, that's me so eager to ask a question. haha)

Words can't describe how amazing this guy is-- clear passion, strong advocacy, crazy and unconventional thinker. I could die when he told me, "Very good, Tobit" when I encouraged fellow delegates on an ASEAN summit to run for public office if their government is a bit non-participative. On top of that, I’ve got the chance to corner him that night as he shared passionately his crazy ideas, affirming my belief that really, crazy people will change the world.

b. Tony Meloto

Photo courtesy of Erika Dimaguila

I've always been hearing a lot of stories about GK. I think I've already volunteered twice and I thought I've already had enough grasp of it, not until I met the mind behind GK. He toured us around the GK Enchanted farm in Anggat Bulacan as he describe in details his vision for the world's first farm village university and his vision for this country as they develop communities that are sustainable. Like Tony Oposa, this man is brave and borderline crazy for wanting to change the world and for actually little by little, doing it.

e. Issa Cuevas-Santos

Photo from smashpipe.com

This year too, I've got the chance to be part of the 1st batch of Microsoft's Innovate for Good. Of all our speakers, Issa struck me the most. Hearing her stories lets you know that she has had enough experience on the ground. Her experiences aren't always great and happy, but as she said, "Life sucks. Embrace it."

f. Sr. Eva Maamo

Photo from Darren Gonzales

I was tasked to navigate her powerpoint presentation during the 15th AYLC. As she goes through her 125 slides deck, I asked myself, 'why is this woman not a saint?' She is a living proof that God exists. She's devoted her life as a nun, missionary and as a doctor. For me, she's done miracles--but she would humbly say it was God's hands who healed the sick and perform crucial operations where no life was put to waste.

g. Fr. Boy Salvador

Photo from Bea Laino

Coffee with whisky, big bikes and guns of all sizes -- these are the things Fr. Boy will welcome you with if you pay him a visit in Laguna. Being the head of the Don Bosco community in the Calauan relocation site, he's also become the father to a community, who in the past have lost their sense of being one. Everyday, he deals with issues of juvenile delinquency, cup-of-noodle-for-sex-scheme and rape. But he also deals and deals well with hope and strong faith. I have faith that his faith and compassion for the poor will change the landscape of Southville 7 and his coolness will make him accomplish things faster.

d. JQ Quesada and Monchito Mossesgeld

JQ's the one on extreme left and Monchito's at the center. Photo from Gladyss Documento

One of the reasons why I do not have plans of leaving my work in Ayala Foundation is getting to work everyday with a Monchito and a JQ. Monchito is the structured one. He wants to make sure everything's planned well and he doesn't like too much risk. JQ on the other hand, is a risk taker. He's the kind of person who will say, 'Let's go try it. It's learning anyway.’ So imagine the two of them together. Do you think it's unfortunate? I don't think so. They give me two correct perspectives, which when combined, never fails. Everyday with them is pouring with wisdom, learning and so much fun.

This year, I also got to meet Ambassadors Cusia (PH to the US), Carden (US to the ASEAN), Goldberg (US to PH), Charles Tiu, Expo Mejia and dozens of international friends from the ASEAN region.

On Winning Battles

Great things come not just to those who wait, but for those people who work hard and who work with so much love. For many years, my organization and I have fought for good governance, have fought to be heard, and have done things that are alternatives to the things that we criticize in our local government. This year, we can say, we have emerged victorious. And that means, we can and we definitely will, continue doing what we know is right towards our dream community.

a. Angat Kabataan’s Legal Identity and Seat in LPRAT

Photo from Glody Biason

At last, after four years, we are now SEC Registered! We now have a legal entity as a non-stock, not-for-profit organization. After four years, we also now have our organizational structure and our focus areas. As the first elected President of the organization, I can’t help but be proud. I can say, that throughout this year, our transformation moved 2 notches higher. We are maturing and we’re on to level up our initiatives and to level up what we do in our community. We are on to prove it. We also just got the chairmanship to our Local Government Unit’s Local Poverty Reduction Action Team Youth Sector, giving us the right and authority to design and decide on projects that the youth of our municipality needs and will benefit from. We’re all excited!

b. Getting into the System

Photo from Barangay Sta.Ana's facebook page

            I always believe that one good way to change the system is to penetrate it and to change it from within. That’s why more than criticizing what the government lacks, I am more leaning to running so that I can work with what’s lacking. My decision to run as a local village councilor has been clear to me ever since 2010, but this year, I took the big leap. The 9-days of campaign might be the most tiring days of my life, but it’s the most fulfilling as well for I had the chance to see the situation of our barangay. I wasn’t able to meet all its 80,000 residents, but I will do my best to make a positive impact to them through the responsibility they entrusted me in this win.

c. Angat Kabataan’s as one of the TAYO ASEAN

            When I got the confirmation that we were chosen as one of the TAYO ASEAN awardees, I instantly had a flashback. I went back to the moment where we were accomplishing our form for TAYO Ph. We were all thinking, ‘will we make it? Our project is too simple.’ But despite these kinds of thoughts, we decided to push through and I’ll forever be grateful that we did. This award is more of an affirmation for us. It affirms that what we do is right and that we should continue doing good. It’s a pressure, yes it is, but it’s a motivating force as well—a force that fuels our desire to transform our love for country to concrete actions.

Expanding Knowledge and Networks

I always like to attend seminars and conferences. You will always see me in front rows because I believe that these are the million dollar seats and I always look forward to pick up the speakers’ brain and make the most network possible. In 2013, I was fortunate enough to attend the following seminars where I realized how small our world is, how interconnected our issues are locally and internationally and how we can collaborate to make things better.

a. Asia Water Week 2013

            Our work for rehabilitating our waterways earned us some slots for the Asia Water Week, organized by the Asian Development Bank. It was a week of meeting execs from private and non-government organizations all over Asia and of making the youth’s voice be heard. It aims to achieve water for all in Asia while addressing three major water issues: too much water, too little water and dirty water. On the last day, I’ve got the chance to present the Maningning project as a case study on how the youth can be a major player in addressing water issues.

b. ASEAN Youth Day Meeting

            As one of the TAYO ASEAN awardees, I’ve got the chance to attend this event held in Hanoi, Vietnam. Basically, the event was a venue to present best practices from the ASEAN region as Youth and TAYO awardees from the 10 countries presented their projects and the things that they do. Here, I met young people raising funds to provide boots for boundary soldiers, youth promoting leadership throughout their country and many other people with some stories to tell. It was an amazing experience. It made me more hopeful that the ASEAN will prosper even before 2015 and that the youth will be a big part of it.

c. Asia Pacific General Council for Water Meeting

Photo from ADB and Civil Society Facebook page

            In 2015, Korea will be hosting the 7th World Water Forum. This meeting is in preparation for that big event that Asia is hosting for the first time. To give some flavor to this very serious meeting, ADB decided to involve the youth and gave us seats in this meeting to discuss how the youth can participate in shaping  the World Water Week. As a case study, I was also able to present the Maningning Project here.

d. LEAD ASEAN Summit

           

Photo from LEAD ASEAN Summit Secretariat

              For quite some time, my boss had been very busy for a program that our unit is partnering with the US Embassy. I never knew that I will attend this gathering as a participant until I was recommended by the Ayala Young Leaders to attend this ASEAN event given my  background on development work and strong advocacy on environment and river rehabilitation. In a span of less than a month, I had my 2nd ASEAN conference. I don't know how all these happened, but one thing's for sure-- if it's clear to you why you do what you do, you're ready to face the world and influence people. Next thing you know, the universe has already conspired to make things happen.

e. Microsoft's Innovate for Good

Photo from Erika Dimaguila

                    This workshop is a middle-of-the-year dose of inspiration. Here, I learned how to use innovation for social good and that it is really important for us youth to be creative in pushing through with our advocacy. The world needs new, bold and unconventional ideas. Who could best come up with such ideas other than the youth?

Throughout the year, my work allowed me as well to attend important seminars that are meaningful not just for work, but for everyday living. This includes: Project Management Training, Service Excellence Workshop, Shujog Impact Assessment Course in Singapore, talks on financial wellness and critical thinking and the 2nd Ayala Group Sustainability Summit.

Reaching New Grounds
 

And then I was on it. My first international flight headed to Singapore. The feeling was nostalgic for I have believed and claimed that I'll be at the same moment long time ago when I dreamed that someday, I will ride an airplane.

a. Singapore
    

            I was enrolled by my company in an Impact Assessment course in SG. My boss asked me to extend, since it's my first trip abroad. Travel abroad alone, DONE! Went around the city taking selfies (pardon the selfies, I was alone! haha), ride the SG flyer, went to Universal Studios in Sentosa and enjoyed the privilege of being a single rider (yes, you get to skip the long queues!). I enjoyed the feeling of getting lost and finding the right way, speaking English the whole time and that solitary moment where I felt there's still a lot to explore in this world and that I can live 'borderless.'

b. Vietnam 
 

Photo from Romzi Ahmad

I got to Vietnam by the virtue of being the representative of my organization to receive the TAYO ASEAN Award and as a representative of the country in the ASEAN Youth Day Meeting. Our third and fourth day there were spent for a tour in Ho Chi Minh City and in Ha Long Bay, respectively. I will never forget the motorcycles (and I mean lots of it), Pho after having a few bottles of Hanoi beer, the great yet very humble Ho Chi Minh and his museleum and the many friends I made in Vietnam. I promise myself that I'll be back there soon, and I know I will.

The year that was...

Photo from google image

 It was a year full of growth and aspirations. It was the year where I realized that our horizons are far wider than what our eyes can see. That beyond the skyline and the sea, there are greater wonders in store. We just have to keep on seeking, to keep on moving and to keep on believing.

I welcome 2014 with arms wide open, ready to sail on, explore, get lost, find my way back and journey on! :)

Tsinelas Leadership and our Mayor’s Leather Shoes

Secretary Jesse’s death opened the eyes of the many to the most humble way of leading others. Spreading online are his pictures walking barefoot during a Peñafrancia parade, sitting on the streets with the masses, roaming around Naga with no security guards and wearing shorts and t-shirt, as if he was no one special. This, according to DOE Sec. Almendras, is what we call the Tsinelas type of leadership.

As he described its metaphorical characteristics, I was shaking my head, imagining clearly the opposite of what he’s been saying-- I pictured our municipal Mayor wearing a shiny black leather shoes.

Going where you normally don’t go

Tsinelas leadership, Sec. Almendras defined, “is to be willing to go where you normally do not go—to the remote areas, just to be with the most disadvantaged people.”

Ever since I’d been an active community leader, I have heard lots of stories from the people, particularly the marginalized, saying “hindi man lang kami mapuntahan ni Mayor dito”. I usually hear those sentiments in times of calamity and disasters. Yes, he sends relief, and yes he sends some of his people to distribute the relief. And recently, he sends his wife too not just in reliefs but in many other social gatherings where she can introduce herself as Mayora, the Mayor’s wife. But where is he? On my term as SK, I only saw the Mayor in Lupang Arenda (a depressed area in our barangay) whenever the governor is arriving or if a VIP would go visit. But since I’m not omniscient, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt, that maybe, without me knowing, he did some visits and spent time to listen and talk to the people there. And I really hope he did.

Breaking the barriers

The second characteristic of Tsinelas leadership is being able to break down barriers between the leaders and the people they serve.

The municipal hall is supposedly the place where people can go freely, where they are welcomed and where they can communicate and consult with their public officials. It is supposed to be a neutral ground. Year 2009, the Mayor transferred the municipal hall inside a private subdivision where no public transportations were available. It’s either you bring a private vehicle, or you walk. Sadly, the decision of putting the public hall in that area wasn’t the people’s decision too. It was not consulted and neither a feasibility study was presented. This act did not just hinder the ordinary people to go to the municipality-- it also impeded a lot of people into participating in the decision making process of the government, thinking that our officials won’t listen to them anyway and that those in power will just do whatever they think is right.

A casual leader

A tsinelas leader according to Sec. Almendras “must be casual with the people they serve so that they can listen, hear, and empathize with the people they serve.”  

When I started being aware of the politics here in our place, I’m always happy to see public figures walking around our neighbourhood, riding a motorcycle, wearing big farmer’s hat. It is only when this current municipal mayor sat in position that I was able to see a public official with security guards around him, in front of his house and even at his office. When he goes out, his vehicles have convoys. No wonder why his 2009 COA report shows that his budget for security is a lot bigger than the budget allocated for the local Emergency Hospital.

And speaking of this COA report, it also projects that the Mayor is paying for seven cellphone lines that he uses. That is more than the number of networks here in the country.

Addressing the grassroots

Tsinelas Leadership is about addressing the base of the pyramid or what Sec. Almendras called the base-level transformation.

After graduating college, I worked for our barangay, and in this work that I realized the importance of the grassroots in the bigger picture of nation building. It also makes the load of the municipal mayor lighter since barangays are autonomous themselves, but it is also where I witnessed how the head of the LGU may use its power to manipulate, to take control, to threaten and to weaken barangays by his authority and by the people working for him.

This is the kind of attack our leader has been doing in the grassroots, especially if you do not agree to what he wants-- if you’re an oppositionist. For him, those who are at the base of the pyramid are puppets. (See related story here:)

Working with the basics

Lastly, Sec. Almendras described his metaphor of Tsinelas Leadership as “working with the basics—no frills, no kaartehan.”

I really admire how Sec. Jesse told his family that he doesn’t want to get used to the frills of his position because he is fully aware that it might ignite this greedy feeling of staying in position and having power. He rides the bus if possible, he doesn’t wear signature clothes and he’s not particularly comfortable with fine dining. In short, he lived a simple life.

Then I remember again, the number of cars our mayor have, how no one ever saw him riding public transpos, how he’s always seen having lunch at luxurious restaurants and how he travels to Las Vegas every time Manny Paquiao has a fight, while the rest of us feels contented to be watching on a big screen on a jam packed gym.

I’m not saying that he’s always like that or that he has not done any good. I do not see his every move and I am not as well aware of the purity of his intentions. But as a conscious and involved constituent, this is what I see and this is what I hear from the ordinary people who speak of how they feel neglected by their government.

May Sec. Jesse’s example of Tsinelas leadership be a model to our politicians, not for PR’s sake, but for them to really get a feel of being one with the people that they serve. You cannot empathize with a man whose wearing slippers or no slippers at all while you’re comfortable with your socks and your shiny leather shoes.

Dear Mayor, take off your shoes; get a feel of the same ground majority of us are stepping on.