Sampu-Sampu

“2010 Asayment ng Bayan”


There are twenty nine months left between October 10, 2007 and May 2010. While some of us are vaguely aware of how little time there is before the 2010 Presidential Elections, there are individuals and groups who have the very opposite frame of mind. Politics seems clearly divided between the interested stake holders and the indifferent. The interested stake holders may be those who see real and concrete benefits which politics offers. The majority may be subscribers to a seasonal show or production. But do we really have the luxury and the freedom to choose between direct engagement and total indifference towards politics? The father of Myanmar’s detained charismatic leader Aung San Suu Kyi once said, “We may not be interested in Politics, but Politics is always interested in us!!!”
While many tend to look at politics as a separate compartment of life, behaving as if life could actually be compartmentalized and effectively sanitized from the unwanted intrusion of politics, a more realistic and responsible view exists. Some may say that in life there is politics. A more realistic and responsible view says that politics is life, life is politics. Politics being the exercise of power exists where there are people. Thus we speak of the politics of married life, of the family, clan, community, nation, church, corporation, organization, media, school, hospitals, bodies, nations, etc.
We can pretend and behave as though our lives are bereft of politics but this is an illusion. Our persons, orientations, attitudes, decisions, choices and actions are products of particular political milieus, experiences, choices, and the ever so subtle layers of our social life. The point is not to avoid, run away from but transform, if you want Christianize or evangelize politics. The following are an initial attempt at a concrete response to the challenge of healthy, responsible, productive and constructive politics:

I. Kubol Pag-Asa’s Ten Point Commitment:

Presence, Visibility, Consistent, Credible Witnessing
On-Going Dialogue
Discerning Prayer
Sacrifice, Fasting in particular (Fast Wednesdays)
Intelligent, Discerned and Disciplined Risk Taking
(The Example of the Mount Everest Team)
Constructive Personal and Societal Criticism
Solidarity with Marginalized Sectors
Creative, Timely and Effective Articulation/Expression of Stand
Creative, Timely and Effective Advocacy
Adoption of the Long View


n.b Kubol Pag-Asa will choose Ten Leaders to Engage With. Initial discussions have been conducted with the following leaders:
1. Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio - Pampanga
2. Gov. Grace Padaca - Isabela
3. Rep. Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel – AKBAYAN

II “Asayment ng Bayan”

1. Sampung Minutong Pag-aaral; Pagninilay at Panalangin sa Bawat Araw
2. Sampung Mahahalagang Aral Sa Kasaysayan.
3. Sampung Katangian ng Mabuting Lider.
4. Sampung Katangian ng Mabuting Mamamayan.
5. Sampung Halimbawa ng Mabuting Lider.
6. Sampung Pangunahing Suliranin Ng Bayan.
7. Sampung Angkop na Katugunan.
8. Sampung Dahilan Kung Bakit Ako Kailangang Makilahok Sa Darating Na Pambansang Eleksyon (2010)
9. Sampung Nais Kong Gawin Bilang Paghahanda Para Sa Darating na Eleksyon
10. Sampung Pangarap Para Sa Bayan