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Raising a New Breed of Leaders

It was a stark contrast.

At almost the exact time that thousands rallied in Makati yesterday against our present leaders in government, I found myself attending my daughter C1’s LEAd graduation. She was 1 of 32 new graduates of a 2-year leadership program formed 6 years ago by her school’s Office of Student Affairs to raise potential leaders.

Many of the graduates had to apply, and undergo screening, for LEad, which aptly stands for Leadership, Empowerment and Development. Surprisingly, C1 was only a newbie, a freshman, when her club nominated her for the program. At home, we had to discern whether to allow her to go through it. After all, she was just beginning college life, still unsure of what academic demands would be placed on her, and this program required a solid commitment from her to attend its activities on weekends. But C1 was determined to make it. We eventually had to trust that somehow, in spite of all the adjustments she needed to make in her new school, she would come through.

And what a program it was! I remember many weekends when we hardly saw her. It seemed like she “lived” in school already.

In her first year, they were groomed for leadership. Seminars and workshops were offered to hone their skills. The second year was even tougher. On weekends they went to different places around the metro. I had to steel myself once against turning paranoid when she said they were visiting the Bilibid prisoners. There were other immersion programs as well such as Gawad Kalinga, trips to Nueva Ecija and other exposure trips which opened my once-sheltered daughter to the realities of how people lived around her.

As I sat at the back yesterday, listened to some come up to the podium and relate their experiences, and viewed their powerpoint presentation of programs achieved, I felt a mommy’s pride in C1 welling up. So this was what she had been up to all these weekends.

As one of their school officials told me during dinner, while the program aims to form potential leaders of university organizations and projects, what she hoped to see in them was leadership in terms of social action, character and values as well. We both agreed that our wish was for these 32 new leaders to keep their idealism and values intact even as they leave school and go into the workplace.

I could only wish that if our own national leaders — graduates of prestigious schools including C1’s school — had likewise kept their idealism, nationalism and values intact after they got their degrees, we would not be in this mess we are in today which precipitated the rally in Makati.

To all Batch 6 graduates of LEaD, I reiterate my conviction that young people like YOU are the hope of our land. And to our daughter C1 goes a mommy’s (and daddy’s) prayer that the wisdom and idealism you have now may always stay in your heart. With God’s grace, you will become a leader in your own right and make a difference in our country.

Here is a video I took of LEaD’s activities:

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Dedicated to Our Youth (Love the Philippines!)

Today, Feb. 25, 2008 marks the 22nd anniversary of Philippine PEOPLE POWER.

I dedicate this post to my children who are part of the youth — the hope of our land. May these graphic images burn in your hearts and remain there always. I pray that the spirit of EDSA 1 will always be the inspiration of our youth to give of themselves and make this country better for all its citizenry.

This beautiful YouTube video (thanks to elcid624) was a video done for a Boston culture show in 2004. It encapsulates the spirit of EDSA and shows highlights of those days. For our youth who were not born yet or were too young to remember, this video says it all.

And what would EDSA 1 have been without music? After all, music is in the heart of all Filipinos. Our culture is filled with music that speaks from our hearts.

The songs below were written during the EDSA 1 People Power days. They remain relevant until today.

This YouTube video (from jsoria30ver2‘s YouTube channel) is a song entitled “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” written by Jim Paredes of Apo Hiking Society. In a recent ANC interview, Jim said that he wrote this 6-minute song in 2 minutes. Talking of inspiration!!!!

“Magkaisa” was written by Tito Sotto, arranged by Homer Flores and rendered by Virna Lisa Mananzan. Lucky I found this YouTube video (thanks again to jsoria30ver2):

And who can forget “Bayan Ko” written by Freddie Aguilar. Almost like a national anthem, this song has been sang in many different situations to symbolize love of country. (thanks to pnaymommy3)

I previously blogged about how I felt as a mother whose kids are exposed to all these scandals these days. Three of them are so much more aware of what is going on as they discuss these events in class and among their peers. I continue to pray that they will look at this anniversary not just as a historical event but a shining moment when the Filipino’s true heart and spirit shone forth to teach the world a lesson. It is not too late for our youth to transform this country. I have faith that where we have failed, they can succeed.

Blogger Links

Following are links to blogger friends who have likewise written posts relevant to this day in our history. I will update this list as I come across new posts.

Dine’s Tomorrow’s Leaders, our YOUTH: What if they suddenly want to do it their way?

Noemi’s Modern Day Moms and Truth, Accountability & Reform

Noemi’s Push for Change, BE the Change

Annamanila’s Taking Responsibility

Cathy’s What IS $130 Million To You?

MLQ3’s An Immoderate Threat when Representatives Fail the People

Mayi’s A Call for Prayer For This Country

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Has Crime Become THIS BAD?????

I had not walked home in a while so today, as I was coming from the boys’ school, I saw this new sign on one of the trees along our street.

We have had a spate of robberies around our area. Some houses have been burglarized, motorcyclists riding in tandem have snatched bags and cellphones around our area. We have actually been quite concerned about the rise in such incidents and have brought this up with our barangay heads. But this sign is something else!

Do you think this is a genuine MMDA sign?

(WARNING: Robbers or those who swipe side mirrors attack at dawn. They ride motorcycles in tandem or go back and forth before attacking. If any of you see or catch them, please beat them up first before putting them in jail – MMDA)

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Innocent Friendship in the Face of Adult Animosity

It pained me to watch the news on TV. It pained me to read about it again on the online news.

There was 13-year old JC Abalos, grandson of former Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos being interviewed on TV and admitting to the public his close friendship with Abe Lozada, the son of Jun Lozada who is in the middle of this recent political debacle.

JC said his admission to being friends with Abe was not instigated by his family — that his decision to publicly admit to this friendship, amidst their elders being on opposite sides of the fence, was his own decision.

This friendship was confirmed by LSGH friends who were likewise interviewed. From the news I gathered, the friendship of these 2 boys went as far back as third grade.

My heart goes out to these 2 boys. They are innocents caught in the middle of a political battle way beyond their understanding. And I must admit I was impressed with the young Abalos who was reported to have said:

Yung pagkakaibigan, wala yun sa quantity of time na pinagsamahan niyong dalawa, wala rin yun sa number of times na nagkaroon kayo ng mga magandang conversations. [Sa] tingin ko, friendship is more on [its] quality. (Friendship is not in the quantity of time you have been together; it is also not the number of times you had wonderful conversations. In my view, friendship is more on quality.)

It must be painful for these 2 boys to watch the political drama involving their loved ones. There must be times when they are torn between their long bond of friendship and love for their families. I can only think: do they feel awkward having to bump into each other again in school, knowing the history of their elders? Do they wonder what people say or think about them when they are seen together?

This is what I pray as a mother who can imagine what it would be like if one of them was my boy (I have my own 13-year old boy too):

I pray….that media leave them alone and stop playing up on TV or in the news the stories of their friendship.

I pray…that all their friends, classmates, teachers and school authorities continue to encourage their friendship within the boundaries of their school.

I pray…that whatever becomes of the animosity that develops with the older branch of their families, that these 2 innocent boys may be spared.

I pray…that these 2 boys show us adults the magnanimity of their hearts and their ability to transcend everything going on around them and to preserve their friendship whatever the cost.

It is not their fight. It is not their battle. Let us leave them to be boys, remain good friends, and grow up to be good citizens of this country.

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Our Youth Are the Hope of This Land

I have tried to make this blog as apolitical as possible as my theme is about LIFE and all its many facets as it affects me. But I cannot help but blog about the impact of our youth on me, especially during this time when we are once again faced by a scandal of humongous proportions. This post is not a political one. Rather, I believe that this represents our HOPE for a BETTER LIFE.

In my younger days, I was no activist. I was never in political rallies during martial law days. I chose to just focus on my studies and I must say I was a pretty good student and made good grades. But when I went for graduate studies to the States, I became aware of many things. My loneliness, being away from family, made me keenly appreciate my country even more (this is really cheesy but I would get teary-eyed whenever I would hear Lupang Hinirang). I realized I was part of a few who were given a chance for a better life when many back home could not even get to eat 3x a day. I was there when Ninoy Aquino was exiled, got invited along with some friends to a party hosted in NY for the Marcoses during their state visit (we were appalled by the excessive show of opulence that we left soon after dinner and chose to walk around NY for a change), was among Filipino students who met similarly-exiled Charito Planas during her school visit and got a personal view of what the country was facing then. I was absorbing all these, and without realizing it, this was to be my big step to a more active participation ahead.

When Operation Quick Count of NAMFREL was set up, I got involved. Without going into more details, suffice it to say that my love of the Philippines was heightened all the more during those days. We worked long, long hours in LSGH in the aftermath of the presidential snap elections of ’86. I was there when Card. Sin and Senator Lugar of the US, among other dignitaries, paid a visit to the LSGH gym where we were based. I was one of those who broke out cheering and applauding when they announced that the PICC tabulators had walked out. And during EDSA 1, I was one of the millions who found ourselves in EDSA. My heart was bursting with love for my country and hopes for the future.

But with scandal after scandal coming out, I fear for my kids and what future they will have in this country. There is so much for them to be proud of. The countryside is beautiful. Whatever is left of our rich, natural resources (depleted by greedy moneymakers) is still a sight to behold. The simple folks in the provinces show us what the real heart of Pinoys are. Opportunities abound to give and to receive — within moral and economic boundaries.

But what values are my kids picking up? Will they continue to be principled, fight for what is good and right, put country over personal interest? Will they want to stay in this country and put their talents and skills to use here rather than dream of working abroad? How do I teach them that money in itself is not bad if they can put it to use to make lives better? When they look at TV, hear the Senate investigations, and study current events in school, how do these scandals impress their young hearts?

I worry.

These days, I am just an ordinary wife and mother. My days are humdrum, revolving around planning the kids’ schedules, trying to earn a decent living, and enjoying yoga with friends.

But last night, my good friend Dine told me about her son Vince who, at the Ateneo mass at Gesu for Jun Lozada, gave up his St. Ignatius pin (which was given to him just a week ago) in order to fulfill the wish of Lozada to come out of Ateneo with a blue pin.

Vince earned that blue pin. It was a pin given in recognition of his school leadership. But in giving that pin to Lozada, Vince symbolized all the youth behind him who were in effect entrusting their future in the hands of the likes of Lozada. Here was a youth leader telling an adult that there was hope for our land and this was an encouragement for Lozada and others to likewise stay the course and let the TRUTH come out.

If our youth, like Vince, continue to love this country and feel deeply for it like I remember feeling years ago, there is hope for this country. If they can discern what is NOT right in the actions of my generation, there is a chance for them to rectify these in their generation. They are the hope of this land.

(Vince with Sumilao farmers at the Gesu Mass for Lozada — photo courtesy of Dine)

Vince, you do your family proud and I am happy to have met you through your mommy. Be assured that we are all behind you and your generation and will always pray that you all stay in the light. As for me, I continue to be a proud Filipina.

To view a short video of Vince (also taken by Dine) giving his pin to Lozada, click HERE and HERE.

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After Fr. Nico…..Fr. Danny!

Just a few weeks ago, I blogged about Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J. (lovingly called Fr. Nico) being selected the new Jesuit General. In that post was a lengthy speech on Fr. Nico given by Fr. Danny Huang, Provincial Superior of the Philippine Jesuits.

A few days ago, we got another bit of bittersweet news. Our beloved Fr. Danny, whose humorous and yet profound homilies were well-known, was appointed by Fr. Nico as one of his 10 Regional Assistants and will be in charge of East Asia-Oceania.

This appointment means that Fr. Danny will be posted in Rome. It will mean a change of the guards as a new Provincial Superior is sought from among the Philippine Jesuits. In Fr. Danny’s own words:

“I think my deepest regret is that the Province will have to be inconvenienced because of my new mission. It is clear that this assignment means, not just a little sacrifice on my part, but also sacrifice on the part of the Province. Plans for the future now have to re-adjusted, and will involve some disappointment and dying to self on the part of others beyond myself. I am consoled however that Fr. General and other members of the Congregation have acknowledged and expressed gratitude for the “sacrifice” on the part of the Philippine Province. I am deeply consoled too by the response of many Jesuits and lay partners from our Province who have texted or emailed me, expressing their sadness but also their strong desire to subordinate the good of the Province to the good of the universal Society, their simple acceptance of the will of God.”

I have mixed emotions about this. The selfish part of me wishes he could spend more years in the Philippines as his term has been vibrant and filled with wonderful achievements and plans for the Philippine Province. Our family will likewise miss him. But looking back at how he became head of the Philippine Jesuits at a young age, I can see that that was a divine preparation for this new mission.

(our boys with Fr. Danny)

In a response to his appointment, Fr. Danny admits to being overwhelmed and wonders if he can even begin to learn Italian at his age (48) to get by in Rome. But in the same breath, he exhibits that faith and trust in the Lord’s plans by adding: “I thank God that I am at peace, grateful that I can serve Fr. General and the Society in this new way. I trust that if this is God’s will that I am accepting, He will take care of me and of the Province, and He will guide me along the way that unfolds from this day.”

We will all miss Fr. Danny when he takes up his post in Rome. Let us all continue to pray for him and his mission.