Recently in Ang Kapatiran Category

A NEWSPAPER columnist once likened Ang Kapatiran's uphill olitical struggle to that of King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans. Yes, the attle of Thermopylae highl ighted in a grand manner a people's stand for alor and dignity. More[over], i t emphasized the importance of severe planning and intelligent pride in waging a campaign. In the end, King Leonidas would have benefited much from this wisdom. His enl ightenment came severely late.   It takes more than good intentions to join an electoral contest; you must be in it to win Âto paraphrase an American pres idential contender. You must fire up the passions of your listeners and follo wers, and bring them to some fruition of your expressed ideals. The young voters of this day are not as idealistic as those of our time. They have a need to envisage a clear path to results. A true sign of this determi nation is an effectively waged campaign. I am indeed disappointed to hear Ang Kapatiran candidates proclaim they intentionally avoid resorting to traditiona l ways of campaigning. Traditions of politics have paved the way for even the most non-traditional political ideas. What is most important is to get the mes sage and inspiration across. Does Ang Kapatiran get this? What is the point of running a race if you lock yourself inside a bubble hoping to bounce first to the finish line? On the day after the elections, I sincerely hope that this fledgling but optimi stic political party does not end up blaming the "unprepared electorate." Real change agents, on average, opt for better post- campaign assessments, and stand up for their mistakes. Nevertheless, we must continue to support brave Filipinos like Bautista, Paredes and Sison who compet e for honor. They compose the best team of candidates out there. But they r eally must stop focusing on the sacrifice aspect of their campaign, and provide more creative solutions. Filipinos are very willing to be led, and once you as a leader fail to provide a clear direction to Filipinos, you open the door for corruption to creep in.  I beg of the Kapatiran party, please amaze us. Do not waste your opportuni ty to inspire and effect change. Filipinos know how to listen and we certainl y hear you, but you have to persistently rouse us from our slumber and apathy. You have to push the boundaries to surmount the challenge s of corruption and a country'Âs loss of honor. -- Jerome Mark Gonzales, Quezon City (via e-mail)

A SIMPLE response to a mammoth challenge this fellow-balikbayan doctor [Martin Bautista] has taken upon himself: sir , more power to Davids like you, who, rightly, have sprung the conventional box , and dare the "windmills." Like you, I was thought to be a nitwit when I returned to the Philippines from 38 years in Europe. I chose to stay in Mindanao for the very same reasons you'r e trying to wake up this turpid nation of otherwise, warm, good people. Sir, I'm already campaigning for your party. May more wake up and do someth ing about it, this time. Thank you-- from a small but significant spark of a sector of our nation. -- Dra. Georgie Obusan-Roos, Lagao, General Santos City (via e-mail)