By Harvey Keh
Team RP
LAST March, I was invited as commencement speaker of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) in Zamboanga City, one of the biggest state universities in the Philippines. During my brief stay, I was able to sit down and talk with some student leaders. I started our discussion with a question. “Who among you here still believes and supports President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,†I asked. About a third of them raised their hands. “Who among you here wants the President to resign and step down,†I continued. About half of them raised their hands. I pressed on and asked again, “Who among you here is still undecided?†still some few raised their hands. But when I asked, “Who among you here wants change and reforms in our country and government?†All of them raised their hands.
When I got back to Manila, I held the same discussion with some student leaders from Miriam College in Quezon City and I got a similar response. What am I trying to say?
1. Yes, our country is divided on how we view President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. You have on one side, a group supporting Arroyo despite all the anomalies, allegations of corruption and scandals that have rocked her administration, while on the other, you have groups and highly-influential leaders which have called for her immediate resignation and ouster from power.
2. However, it seems that judging from my experiences in dealing with these student leaders, the people I talk to and the e-mail I get from Filipinos here and abroad, we all want to see positive and lasting change and reforms happen.
That is why I think that if we want to help in bringing our nation together towards a common vision to move our country forward, this unity should not be based on certain personalities like President Arroyo or other politicians. Rather, we need to work together towards building, strengthening and transforming our democratic institutions; that would make them more responsive to the needs of the poor and the powerless in our communities.
Isn't it sad that we are now facing a food crisis when we were once one of the world's top agricultural countries? This could be an indirect effect of the one-billion-peso fertilizer scam that was allegedly used to fund President Arroyo’s election. If it was used properly and for the right purpose, then we might not be facing this crisis now or if we do, the effect wouldn't be as worse.
We at Team RP believe that a fight for change and reforms continues regardless of who becomes the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, etc. We are doing this because we believe that many of our government leaders have failed us and that its time for all of us to take control of our own future and work together for that genuine and lasting change that we all want to see in our country.
Let’s quit making excuses, being inactive, hopeless, indifferent and whiny; these all amount to nothing if we ourselves don't participate in proactive solutions. 2010 is a big deal for all of us. We will vote for the Philippines’ next top leader in less than two years. Our decision on who will lead us to progress and prosperity is a very important one that could potentially change the course of the country’s future.
Change is now. Hope lies not in our country's leaders and those in power but in every Filipino. Change does not happen overnight, but when we work together, it can happen in 22 months.
IamChange2010 is a joint project of the Ateneo de Manila School of Government and Team RP. It aims to get the young Filipinos to register and vote in the coming 2010 Presidential elections and educate them on various issues concerning elections. For inquiries, you may also contact Kai at +63 2 4265657.
I am change, are you?
1 TrackBack
TrackBack URL: http://blogs.inquirer.net/cgi/mt/mt-tb.cgi/598
Open fire cooking.... Open fire cooking....----- PING: TITLE: French cooking terms. URL: http://cookevent.blogs.event-management-uk.co.uk/2009/11/20/cooking-terms/ DATE: 12/22/2009 12:35:51 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Cooking terms.... Culinary cooking terms. Cooking terms and definitions. Cooking terms. What is shortening in cooking terms....----- PING: TITLE: Thai cooking recipes. URL: http://cookment.blogs.mentoring-uk.org.uk/2009/11/20/thai-cooking-recipes/ DATE: 12/22/2009 12:48:19 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 Thai cooking recipes.... Thai cooking recipes....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking spaghetti squash. URL: http://cookevent.blogs.event-management-uk.co.uk/2009/11/20/cooking-spaghetti-squash/ DATE: 12/21/2009 03:49:40 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 Cooking spaghetti squash.... Spaghetti squash cooking. Cooking spaghetti squash....----- PING: TITLE: Chocolate candy recipes no cooking. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/chocolate-candy-recipes-no-cooking/ DATE: 12/20/2009 10:51:42 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Chocolate candy recipes no cooking.... Chocolate candy recipes no cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Gourmet cooking kingston ontario. URL: http://cookfit.blogs.fitnessportal.co.uk/2009/11/20/gourmet-cooking/ DATE: 12/18/2009 06:03:00 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Food gourmet gift basket cooking at persimmon com.... Reduced stock for gourmet cooking. Gourmet cooking online. Gourmet cooking supplies. Gourmet cooking utensils. Gourmet cooking. Gourmet cooking stores....----- PING: TITLE: Clay pot cooking. URL: http://cookment.blogs.mentoring-uk.org.uk/2009/11/20/clay-pot-cooking/ DATE: 12/17/2009 05:24:55 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Clay pot cooking.... Clay pot cooking....----- PING: TITLE: French cooking school bethesda. URL: http://cookguru.blogguru.net/2009/11/23/french-cooking/ DATE: 12/17/2009 11:23:37 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 French cooking terms chantilly.... French cooking terms. French cooking ranges. French cooking using birds. French cooking terms quiz. French onion soup joy of cooking. Bread relationship with french cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Traditional chineese cooking school. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/traditional-chineese-cooking-school/ DATE: 12/16/2009 05:12:20 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Traditional chineese cooking school.... Traditional chineese cooking school....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking dried lima beans. URL: http://cookkeep.blogs.keeptaperrelief.com/2009/11/20/cooking-dried-beans/ DATE: 12/16/2009 02:25:16 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 Cooking dried lima beans.... Cooking dried lima beans. Cooking dried beans....----- PING: TITLE: Hearth cooking utensils. URL: http://cookfit.blogs.fitnessportal.co.uk/2009/11/20/hearth-cooking/ DATE: 12/14/2009 02:25:13 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Hearth cooking utensils.... Hearth cooking utensils....----- PING: TITLE: Fine cooking. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/fine-cooking/ DATE: 12/12/2009 03:01:34 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Antonette pope school of fine cooking.... Fennell gratin fine cooking recipe. Fine cooking. Just fine cooking. The best of fine cooking. Fine cooking magazine. Le cordon bkeu of fine cooking in france. Joy in fine cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking light magazine. URL: http://cookguru.blogguru.net/2009/11/23/cooking-light-magazine/ DATE: 12/10/2009 12:50:48 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Cooking light magazine.... Cooking light magazine. Cooking light magazine web page. Cooking light magazine recipes. Light cooking magazine....----- PING: TITLE: Financing solar cooking projects. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/financing-solar-cooking-projects/ DATE: 12/09/2009 11:16:24 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 Financing solar cooking projects.... Financing solar cooking projects....----- PING: TITLE: Sam the cooking guy. URL: http://cookkeep.blogs.keeptaperrelief.com/2009/11/20/sam-the-cooking-guy/ DATE: 12/09/2009 09:04:28 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 Sam the cooking guy.... Sam the cooking guy....----- PING: TITLE: Electric cooking grill. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/grill-cooking/ DATE: 12/08/2009 06:43:24 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Electric stone cooking grill.... Recipes for cooking a whole turkey on a gas grill. Cooking turkry on a grill. Cooking ribs on gas grill. Cooking on a ceramic grill. Outdoor cooking grill az. Cooking turkey breasts on the outdoor grill. Electric cooking grill....----- PING: TITLE: Gourmet cooking supplies rubbermade. URL: http://cookevent.blogs.event-management-uk.co.uk/2009/11/20/gourmet-cooking-supplies/ DATE: 12/08/2009 04:37:40 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Gourmet cooking supplies.... Gourmet cooking supplies rubbermade. Gourmet cooking supplies....----- PING: TITLE: Pie iron cooking. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/pie-iron-cooking/ DATE: 12/07/2009 09:17:32 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Pie iron cooking.... Pie iron cooking recipes. Pie iron cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Tv cooking shows. URL: http://cookfit.blogs.fitnessportal.co.uk/2009/11/20/tv-cooking-shows/ DATE: 12/05/2009 01:13:16 AM IP: 127.0.0.1 Tv cooking shows.... Tv cooking shows reviews on rateitall....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking ideas for kids. URL: http://cookfit.blogs.fitnessportal.co.uk/2009/11/20/cooking-ideas-for-kids/ DATE: 12/04/2009 11:37:05 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Great ideas for cooking with kids.... Great ideas for cooking with kids....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking naked. URL: http://cookkeep.blogs.keeptaperrelief.com/2009/11/20/naked-cooking/ DATE: 12/03/2009 04:16:47 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Cooking naked.... Naked cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking with mother goose. URL: http://cookkeep.blogs.keeptaperrelief.com/2009/11/20/cooking-with-mother-goose/ DATE: 12/02/2009 10:12:13 PM IP: 127.0.0.1 Cooking with mother goose.... Cooking with mother goose....----- PING: TITLE: Home cooking. URL: http://cookguru.blogguru.net/2009/11/23/cooking-home/ DATE: 11/29/2009 05:20:44 PM IP: 174.36.251.178 Paula s home cooking recipes.... Home cooking fruits_and_vegetables. Southern home cooking. Paula s home cooking recipes....----- PING: TITLE: Bangladesh cooking. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/bangladesh-cooking/ DATE: 11/25/2009 08:52:57 PM IP: 74.86.238.186 Bangladesh cooking.... Bangladesh cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking beer brats. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/cooking-brats/ DATE: 11/25/2009 10:58:41 AM IP: 195.47.247.158 Cooking beer brats.... Cooking brats....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking pork tenderloin. URL: http://cookkeep.blogs.keeptaperrelief.com/2009/11/20/cooking-pork-tenderloin/ DATE: 11/25/2009 06:41:34 AM IP: 74.50.119.142 Cooking pork tenderloin.... Cooking pork tenderloin. Pork tenderloin cooking time....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking white rice. URL: http://cookkeep.blogs.keeptaperrelief.com/2009/11/20/cooking-white-rice/ DATE: 11/25/2009 12:07:08 AM IP: 74.54.200.178 Cooking tips white rice.... Cooking white rice. Cooking tips white rice....----- PING: TITLE: Camp cooking recipes. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/camp-cooking-recipes/ DATE: 11/23/2009 12:56:42 AM IP: 74.50.119.142 Camp cooking recipes.... Camp cooking recipes....----- PING: TITLE: Sites to find cooking ideas. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/cooking-sites/ DATE: 11/22/2009 03:48:14 AM IP: 72.46.130.130 Cooking sites.... Cool craft sites cooking. A list of food and cooking sites. Cool craft sites cooking soups and stews beef. Cooking web sites. Cooking sites....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking sweet potatoes. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/cooking-sweet-potatoes/ DATE: 11/21/2009 04:47:12 PM IP: 208.85.242.212 Cooking sweet potatoes.... Cooking sweet potatoes....----- PING: TITLE: Sylvias cooking. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/sylvias-cooking/ DATE: 11/20/2009 07:44:28 PM IP: 74.86.238.186 Sylvias cooking.... Sylvias cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking razorfish. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/cooking-razorfish/ DATE: 11/20/2009 12:41:08 PM IP: 174.36.251.178 Cooking razorfish.... Cooking razorfish....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking trivia. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/cooking-trivia/ DATE: 11/19/2009 10:46:54 PM IP: 64.191.50.30 Cooking trivia.... Food cooking trivia. Cooking trivia....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking substitutions olive oil for vegetable oil. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/cooking-with-olive-oil/ DATE: 11/19/2009 08:14:25 PM IP: 74.86.238.186 Olive oil cooking spray.... Cooking olive oil. Olive oil cooking spray....----- PING: TITLE: Scoutmaster minute cooking. URL: http://f43pills.dogsblogusa.com/2009/11/18/scoutmaster-minute-cooking/ DATE: 11/19/2009 07:08:05 AM IP: 74.208.16.8 Scoutmaster minute cooking.... Scoutmaster minute cooking....----- PING: TITLE: Cooking time for beef brisket. URL: http://756pills.iblog.my/2009/11/17/cooking-brisket/ DATE: 11/18/2009 10:42:35 AM IP: 66.45.240.66 Beef brisket cooking.... Brisket cooking time. Cooking time for beef brisket. Cooking brisket....----- PING: TITLE: Good cooking sites. URL: http://756pills.iblog.my/2009/11/17/cooking-sites/ DATE: 11/18/2009 02:16:06 AM IP: 66.45.240.66 The best herb food and health sites cajun cooking.... Authentic indian cooking sites. Good cooking sites. Cool craft sites cooking soups and stews. Cool craft sites cooking soups and stews beef. Cooking resources web sites. Cooking web sites. Other cooking sites....----- -------- Read More
Are senior citizens included in the campaign? Many of them don't vote anymore.
this is absolutely a good call for everyone. this shows that many of us have lived to believe that we take symbols or flags based on (or to support) a specific personality, but change does not need a banner. it needs results and results are achieved if we shatter the banner and work together to achieve our common goal.
Team RP, maganda yang idea ninyo, actually every election yan naman ang motto, "vote wisely and responsibly". But sad to say ganon parin, wala kasi sa nakaupo ang problema kungdi nasa mentalidad ng mga Filipino. Kung gusto ninyong maintindihan ang realidad, bakit d ninyo sponsoran ang pagdevelop ng isang mahirap na community para ma separate ninyo ang fact sa fiction. Di lahat ng tinuturo sa inyo sa school ay totoo.
Mr. Keh
Your effort is appreciated and so to the many who tried before. Philippine society is still green, and enormously difficult to change democratically.
There is good news for the country though. IF the philippine oligarch and other vested interests and the indigenous illiterate populace will not resist, the sun will shine on everyone in due time.
NWO is already in place in the Asia/Pacific Region, some Filipinos are ignorantly opposing the process, but, it will be for naught. Globalization is in the process of eliminating the American middle class to give the third world a level economic playing field. The process is Draconian on the intrum, but the result is for everybody. So this is the needed overnight change for the Philippine society only made possible by foreigners. THE DIE IS CAST! Lucky Filipinos.
I strongly agree with the viewpoints and ideas mentioned in this write-up. I earnestly hope that majority of us Filipinos, if not all (but hopefully all of us), will come to this realization.
God bless the Philippines... God bless the Filipinos!
Yes, we must change and come 2010 we must vote for a true leader who has the political will to make the change in our corrupt system. Not any of those popular aspirants now, they cannot give us the change as we expect. It will be their kaibigan and kamaganaks that will change their pockets and not the country in general.
We put so much faith on the computerization of the election so that we will have a leadership that look after their constituents and the wlefare of the nation. We have to realize that a computer is just a machine. If you put garbage in it also generates garbage. I have always tried to vote intelligently but find the present set up just to difficult to vote intelligently. There are so many positions to fill and so many candidates to evaluate. At the end of the day, there is no governance as a candidate could loss in his neighborhood but still gets elected because he wins somewhere else. I do not see any reason why I should vote for 12 senators, all the councilors, all the board members, mayor and the vice mayors. I have to vote for a councilor to represent me and my neighbors for local concern. He does not do his job then he is out. He will have a difficulty cheating because he will be facing his neighbors. He could not win by cheating some distant precinct. In UK, Australia and New Zealand vote counting is done manually. Each precinct has ore than a 1000 voters and the results are know within three hours after closing of the precinct. It is because there is only one seat that you have to vote in the local election, then a year after for the state election and on the third year for the federal election.
Just so much talk but inaction with complaints won't get us far. It seems just right to criticize the President, but the question remains... What would you have done given the circumstances that would have been better than what the president has done to address specific actions? Probably the same or worst... So much talk... No action, which makes one to think that the Filipinos really want to remain in the same situation they have dugged themselves in... It is time to stop blaming those who happened to be in power, as it's easy to point the finger at anyone who happens to be running the country, be it Pres. Macapagal or not... Blame outselves... We put them in government...
The calls for unity and change are perhaps the most overused campaign strategy in our country not only during election but almost at all times in nearly every fora imaginable. I have to agree that unity and change are the most important things to achieve progress in our country. The big questions however is what do we change? Towards what goal shall we be united? Who will lead us to achieve this unity and change?
Unless we answer all these questions, all the clamor for change and unity will be empty and useless just like in the past. How many politicians,NGO's, movements, political parties and other groups promised changes and called for unity. Not much happened. The poor are still poor. Our country is still lagging behind economically. Graft and corruption are still rampant. Food, health care and education are still not within the reach of the 'poorest of the poor'.
To Team RP I wish you all the luck in the world in your endeavours!
Harvey Keh should not be a part of this team. He is a biased man. He sides with Robredo, Panlilio and Padaca.
Team RP is supposed to be not affiliated with political personalities, right?
Start the change from within your ranks, Team RP.
Change for what?
Unless we change this dysfunctional form and system of goverment, we are doomed to repeat thesame mistakes forever.
We have to change the constitution.