Juana Change

By Alexander L. Lacson
Originally posted Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:37:00 11/30/2008

DURING the Spanish time, the face of our people’s enemy was very
clear. It was the Spanish conquerors and rulers of our country. They
used force and violence against our people, raped our women, stole our
gold and spices, exploited our natural resources.

During the American period, the face of our enemy was also obvious. It
was the American rulers of our country. Like their Spanish
predecessors, although to a lesser degree, the Americans just used our
country and people to advance their own country’s economic and
military interests in Asia, particularly South Asia .

During the Japanese occupation, the face of our people’s enemy was as
clear as the sun, the symbol in the Japanese flag.

What about today? Who is the enemy of the Filipino people? Who keeps
our country poor and around 20 million of our people hungry? According
to Time magazine, a generation or almost 10 million of our children
are growing up without a mother or father because she or he has to
work abroad.

Perhaps part of the reason we fail to defeat the enemy is that—to many
of us—his/her name and face are still not so clear.

But the enemy is as clear as the summer sky: he is the “trapo” in
government, of our political system—he/she who steals our people’s
votes and emasculates our democracy; he/she who malversates the
people’s money for personal and family use; he/she who uses the powers
of the government office he/she holds to advance his/her business
interests only.

The enemy is the mayor, the governor, or the congressman who has
become so inexplicably wealthy, while the people they represent have
become miserably poor. The enemy is the Cabinet secretary or
department undersecretary who lies so brazenly before the whole nation
just to protect the people who appointed him/her to his/her position.
The enemy is the president who appoints people of questionable
integrity to positions of power, and who does not condemn acts of
graft and corruption in her administration, even if the acts are
patently criminal.

But the enemy also includes those among us who choose to be silent or
do nothing about all the wrongdoing.

There are seven capital sins, says the Catholic Church. Greed and
sloth are among them. Greed leads to stealing, to graft and
corruption. Graft and corruption leads to poverty. Poverty destroys
families, and eventually the whole nation. Sloth—which means inaction
or silence—is also a capital sin. When a murder or rape is being
committed in front of us and we do nothing, our silence becomes a sin.
When we know that graft and corruption is being committed and we do
nothing, our inaction also becomes a sin. “He who knows what good to
do and does not do it, to him it is a sin.” (James 4:17)

Largely because of greed, as abetted by our sloth, our country has
become what it is today.

The great paradox of our Philippines is this: While we were the first
and only Christian nation in Asia for more than 400 years (until after
the recent creation of the new state of East Timor), we are perceived
today as the most corrupt country in the whole of Asia. While our
Philippines is among the richest in the world in terms of natural
resources, we are also among the poorest in our region. While we are
the first democracy in Asia , our elections are also among the most
backward, the most fraudulent and violent. And while the Filipino is
among the most talented in the world, he/she is also among the most
abused in many parts of the world.

What must we do as a people?

In the Old Testament, God directed many leaders—David, Solomon,
Samuel, among others—to fight and defeat the enemies of their people.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reminds us to fight greed all the
time, and to defeat the ways of the greedy and corrupt.

Clearly, God wants us to fight back as a people. While God wants the
best for us, He has also given us the free will, the freedom to
determine the kind of life we want as a people, the kind of nation we
want for ourselves. But certainly, God wants us to fight the evil
influences in our society. He wants us to fight for righteousness. He
wants us to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves and their
rights. He wants us to fight for the least and the last among our
people.

But how must we fight?

During the Spanish era, Jose Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar fought with
brave words and ideas, while Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros
fought with their lives. During the Japanese occupation, Luis Taruc
and the Hukbalahaps resisted and fought with arms and weapons.

But in our time, violence need not be the way, should not be the way.
Today, what we urgently need to do is stage a “political
revolution”—one that is driven by the power of democracy, as recently
shown in the US presidential elections. As a people born of freedom,
we must ensure that our country always remains free, and that our
people’s free will in the choice of their leaders, is always
expressed, protected and respected.

We need to recruit millions of Filipinos as political “Katipuneros”
and stage a nationwide “Katipunan Revolution”—on the political
stage—with one goal in mind, to defeat our people’s enemies today—the
“trapos” in Malacañang, Senate, Congress, local government units,
and
even their equivalent in the executive, judiciary, military and police
agencies.

God’s plan for us as a people is for us to learn to live as one
people, one family, one nation, one country—where no Filipino is left
behind, suffering in poverty and misery, because of our “culture of
family oneness,” because we treat one another as brothers and sisters.
We must pursue God’s plan for us. He has equipped us—within us—with
all the essentials we need to succeed in attaining His plan.

The greatness of our tomorrow depends on the greatness of our dreams
and courage today as a people. Truly, we are the answer to our
question. We are the solution to our problem. We are the hope of our
people. We are the patriots and heroes our country needs. We are the
ones we have been waiting for. We are the ones God sent to help today
the Filipino.

Alexander L. Lacson is author of the Book “12 Little Things Every
Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.” Email: alacsonph@yahoo. com

The Government We Deserve

by Ricky Xavier

We have all heard the saying that we get the government we deserve. It should not be a surprise to all of us that today we have a government where most of our elected public officials are far from honorable men and women although they are often addressed that way. Dishonesty is so blatant that many of our people have accepted it as a way of life in our country. It is becoming part of our culture and if we do not stop it, then what the early Spanish conquistadores called “Islas de los ladrones “(the island of thieves) will become a truism. What a shame that a country that calls itself a Christian nation has become the most corrupt country in Asia and 11th in the world.
The poor are often blamed for the kind of leaders we have for allowing themselves to be used during elections but if truth be said, it is the silent majority, the middle class and the cream of society who is to blame.  It is the more educated and more affluent that knows better and cannot be bought who refuse to get involve in shaping the kind of government and public officials we have in our country. “To whom much is given much more is expected” We, (for I too am to blame), have focused most if not all of our time in the pursuit of our own self interests. Let us truthfully answer these questions:
Am I a registered voter and if so do I vote during elections? At most it will take only an hour every Three years for us to vote.
In my household or company, do I encourage family members and others under my employ to register and vote? Do you give them the time to do this? You can use the internet and go to www.comelec. gov.ph, and get the registration form, to facilitate registration.
Do I support in one way or other candidates for public office whom I believe to be trustworthy and honorable? There are still some honorable men and women whom we can encourage and support.

When we are informed of anomalies or criminal acts committed by public officials, what do we do about it other than just talk and criticize? This is a bit dangerous unless you belong to a group. There are civil society organizations like Transparency & Accountability Network, Gwatch, and EHEM, to name a few. There is strength in numbers.

Do we engage in a little corruption of our own in our business dealings or when we get caught in disobeying certain laws or traffic rules? Do we justify it by saying that is how the system works? Do we want this system to continue or should we not discipline ourselves so that we can minimize it to barest minimum? The poor do not have these options.

If we want things to change for the better it begins with us and our attitude. What is your attitude about politics? Do you believe that it is dirty and should be avoided as much as possible?  For democracy to work, it should be a government, of the people, for the people and by the people? WE ARE THE PEOPLE and if we are not willing to get involved then we end up with something else, just like the government we have today.
While it may be true that we the people are suppose to have the power to elect our public officials into office (Do we really? When was the last time we had a credible election?) There are groups working to ensure that votes are accurately and honestly counted to reflect the will of the people.
We often find ourselves powerless when elected officials are already in office. They no longer are public servants but lord it over ordinary citizens and what is worst is that they begin to think and act as if they are above the law. They steal, lie, cheat, intimidate and even kill and are free to move around in society and even get to travel abroad if necessary. Can you imagine what can happen to you or members of your family if ever you cross them?  You may or may not be aware of this but just to make a point, the murder of Mrs. Esperat who was shot in the head, in her own home while beside her child is attributed to the fact that she exposed the fertilizer scam in her province. This has remained unsolved just like many others in the past and more in the future if do not change the kind of public officials we have. Do we want to live in this kind of environment for ourselves and our family?
In a recent interview with former President Cory Aquino during a symposium on heroism held on the occasion of the 76th birthday of her husband Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., she said; ”Looking back, I can only wonder where I got the guts to go head-to-head against Marcos and his vaunted political machinery… “The moral of the story is simply this: Be not afraid to do something you believe in. Stay true to yourself and your faith, and God will do the rest.”
What confounds me when speaking to people of faith for the need to get involved now, with all the evil that is happening in our country, is their attitude. If they believe in the principles of Christianity, for truth and justice, why are they unwilling to stand and fight for these values? To loosely quote Edmund Burke “Evil prospers when good men do nothing.” This is what has been happening to our country because we Christians find so many excuses. May kasabihan tayo,” pag gusto may paraan Kung ayaw may dahilan.” Some tell me that they have other priorities; others say that they are doing their work of evangelization, their personal acts of charity etc. This is good but maybe they fail to see the bigger picture and address the root cause of many of our problems in society. It’s like trying to save a tree when the forest is already burning.
Will the father and mother working so hard for the family have the opportunities to be able to improve their quality of life if the proper economic structures that government is suppose to provide is not present? Can the work of evangelization be expanded when more than 50% of the population is now below the poverty line and getting worst? How effective is it to teach people, to live a moral life when their basic needs are not being met and they see so much injustice and immorality around them? How does our works of charity, feeding, clothing, housing etc. impact society as a whole when government which is suppose to have more resources then any individual or organization lack the funds because of corruption? Perhaps, it is timely to remind all Christians of 1 Corinthians 1-13 about love:
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. ………..And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of this is love.” Love of neighbor is love of country and love of country is PATROTISM.
The story of the Good Samaritan as shared by a  Jesuit priest, tells us that those who go about their religious duties but do not respond to the person in need, who has been robbed and hurt commits the sin of omission. That person is our “inang bayan” and those who have found a convenient excuse NOT to respond to the need of our country are no different from the “religious” men who merely passed by and do nothing to help. Just like Peter who was leaving Rome at the time of the Christian persecution, Jesus asks “Quo Vadis?” Where are you going?
Where is our country going? If we believe that we deserve better than what we have today. If we believe that we deserve: Honest public officials through honest elections, Order in public administration and accountability, Peace and prosperity, Equality for all in our justice system, then we must have H.O.P.E and work to make it a reality. Someone once said that if you believe in something you must be willing to put in at least 10% of your net worth to see it through. Not much if we really believe that WE CAN HAVE A COUNTRY WISELY GOVERNED BY GOD-FEARING AND COMPETENT PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHOSE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE WELFARE OF ALL ITS CITIZENS AND COMMITTED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE FILPINO TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS. We have been blessed with rich natural resources and a race that we can be proud of. Are we willing to invest 10% of our time, talent or treasure for our good and the good of our country?
Here is an excerpt from an article I read. There was once this boy, a street child, who was asked by a priest in Don Bosco, “Saan ang tatay mo?” sagot niya: “Wala.” “Saan ang nanay mo?” sagot niya: “Wala.” Huling tanong ng Pari: “Ano ang pangarap mo?” sagot niya: “Wala.”

Our street people have given up on dreams, they have given up on hope. And it is our duty to include them in our dreams for we can afford to dream, they can only afford to survive.
We have organized a movement for H.O.P.E and we have a vision, a dream that we want to share with our people.  “A country wisely governed by God-fearing and competent public officials whose primary concern is the welfare of all its citizens and committed to the empowerment of the Filipino people to achieve progress”.
If you share this dream and want it to become a reality. Consider what the epic writers Weis and Hickman so aptly argued: “if a single drop falls into the ocean, it creates ripples. And, these ripples spread. And perhaps – who knows – these ripples may grow and swell and eventually break foaming upon the shore. Like a drop in the vast ocean, each of us causes ripples as we move through our lives. The effects of whatever we do, insignificant as it may seem, spread out beyond us. We may never know what far-reaching impact even the smallest and simplest action might have on our fellow mortals. Thus, we need to be conscious, all of the time, of our place in the ocean, of our place in the world, of our place among our fellow creatures. For, if enough of us join forces, we can swell the tide of events – for good!”
H.O.P.E is a partner of the Convergence Team and the Movement for Good Governance. If you want to know more about the Movers for H.O.P.E. log in at www.movementforhope.blogspot.com or movementforhope@yahoo.com.

The tools of political organizing include iconography and Juana Change and Convergence Team are bringing these to the task of reform constituency building. The product is change, the medium is connectivity through tri-media. The convergence team is linked to the Movement for Good Governance, YouthVotePhilippines, Kaya Natin, Pagasa and other reform efforts to help enhance each groups’ iconography. The Team is spearheading a multi-media campaign of “Gumising, Mangarap, Makilahok at Ipagtanggol ang Nakamit” using creative arts and communication as focal areas of convergence.

“Juana Change” is a character who represents the everyday Filipino. She is the street sweeper, the jeepney driver, the government employee, or the overseas Filipino among others. She can also be a congresswoman, a faith healer or a general. She is our mirror. The Convergence Team, a group of creative artists, advocates, activists and communicators developed Juana Change and filmed short “virals” of vignettes that depict what we have become as Filipinos.

In the first week alone of the release of the first viral, more than 3,000 hits were logged on You Tube. To date, there are almost 40,000 hits on the most popular of the series. Immediate interest from major networks, other creative artists, advertising firms and reform groups brought Juana Change to prominence in a very short time. Interviews and features in television and radio both local and international continue to bridge the internet campaign with the broader multimedia audience. More important are the reactions, comments and feedback from Filipinos here and abroad on how they could relate with the character and how they could help work for change. This connection with and call to Filipinos will continue to be the focus of the group as it evolves Juana Change and its broader multi-media campaign.