“Ay! Sound Table diay!”

I just had my first taste of what my mission in school is all about.

My block mates were gathering in “Timberland” reviewing their notes, preparing for the next exam. A few of my high school batch mates were sitting beside us. We greeted, talked and updated each other. While talking about school life, Alon who was an active member of XU high’s music club mentioned his desire to unify all bands in Xavier U. I immediately interrupted by saying the word “Sound box!” (A student org of bands which was suspended 3 years ago if I’m not mistaken, the org was mentioned by Mae in one of our casual talks which captured my interest). He sarcastically corrected me that it was “Sound table”. The sudden twist of name made me laugh. After that momentary laugh break, the talk made me excited because this was one org I’m hoping to revive but can’t find the exact people to share the efforts and now I’m talking to one! The ball started to roll. I already mentioned the possibility of reviving it to Sir Ivan, the Student Activities Development Coordinator a week earlier and he is willing to review its recognition papers. It seems like the pieces of the puzzle for Sound Table are falling into place. I now have the people, the next move is to have the ideas, then gather the students again to consult on a new concept paper and then follow it up with technical support. In the entire technical labyrinth we are set to enter for us to accomplish this aim, it is where I found campus democracy at its best. It is gathering ordinary students who, if given an opportunity to get involved can do extraordinary things like create and organization. This is grassroots involvement in action - The humble beginnings of an org.

IT WILL DECIDE EVERYTHING

They say when you do not write your ambitions, it remains a dream. Writing them makes them a goal. Let us evoke the law of attraction and try if in some years time, these will be come a reality. They are not few nor plenty but hopefully they are much. To really say that I am living my life to the fullest is the same as dedicating most of my time and effort to service for others (especially the voiceless, powerless, and those who can’t think for themselves) through the community development programs I work with.

• Make a Non-profit organization which focuses on barangay/family development in the rural communities
• Be an alternative CPA - Lawyer
• Write a book about the vocation of leadership
• Be a professor in Xavier University or Ateneo School of Government specializing in people empowerment

I just don’t have any idea why this field (socio-political development work) captures so much of my imagination. The simple thought of doing it energizes me instantly. The job which is much of a vocation for me wakes me up every morning and peacefully tucks me in every night. It tells me what to read, what to be involved in, what to write, to think, to do. This is what I love. This is what I deeply love doing, and it will decide everything.

In the end of our days, it is not the achievements that are remembered but it is the character and love you shared to those who remember you. The memories and love you’ve shared make you immortal in the lives you touched.

ALMOST OVER

Half of the exam subjects are over and I'm looking forward for the last big fight for this semester! It’s quite remote if other people would agree to me but I somehow like exams week. Aside from the sleepless nights and the hermit lifestyle I employ myself I really love the smell of exams. The exam week is somehow a free zone if you think about it. You get to show up only an hour in school per day in most cases. You also have a very legitimate excuse not to engage in any of your extra-affairs and you have all the time in the world to sit, read, eat and write. It’s like a brief breath of fresh air, a big void in our daily haggard routines. But what is most exciting about the week is the moment when it is all over. There is this great unquotable feeling of relief and freedom. Ok, I think is quite a fantasy already. Bottom line, the culmination of this exam week is not just the grades we receive a month after but the great feeling of finally breaking from the bondage of academic demands at the very moment we pass the exam paper of that last subject.

I took advantage of technology this month by upgrading all my "apostolic" gadgets (laptop, cell phone, and PDA) for greater efficiency. I just love using this term: Apostolic efficiency. It was coined by the Jesuits as their reason for possessing great material wealth. The wealth they posses as an order is used to enhance the apostolic activities for the community. In my case, I lobbied this expensive upgrade in preparation for next semester’s big mission. I just like to see these gadgets in picture. It reminds me to see things as only two-dimensional objects. for order

to communicate

doing the rest

Ad Majore Dei Gloriam

The Ultimate Synergy

It is near stupid when one fails to understand that thoughts written on paper hold an immense influence in how a society perceive an event. In our community, student publications in particular bare this powerful responsibility in providing unbiased, clear, and as much as possible precise facts. These facts are so crucial because it is where the readers base their perception on issues. Written thoughts also significantly contribute in how a situation would unfold and how it is preserved in history. In a community where the students’ capacity to think independently varies greatly, one who holds the pen bares that immense responsibility to creatively craft his thoughts that even the humblest mind could clearly understand. Ironically, understanding must be followed by questioning for one written thought to play itself to the fullest – making student think critically. But the common denominator in this creative process is to never deviate from the truth. All opinions, reactions and interpretations should spring from the truth and this is where the challenge lies. The truth is solid yet it can be coated or misinterpreted. In this case, it is where the “crusaders” charge. It is their mandate and most especially their moral obligation to protect, promote and extend the truth. Yet I personally believe that it is a shared obligation by all but most especially to the key positions of influence. Articulating truth is just part of the whole creative process, translating truth into actions is another. What I foresee in the coming months is an intimate partnership with organizations critical for the preservation and promotion of truth. Looking in our own backyard, the community of Xavier is not spared from the plague of deceits and corruption. This present evil provides all of us fertile ground to be critical and most especially animate our school motto. Now outside, the unravelling of the web of lies in our government is a wake up noise for all of us. It calls us to serve the truth going back to ourselves, our homes and especially our schools where our ideals take root. Therefore, let us be vigilant and critical of ourselves and our community. Articulate the truth, promote it in any means possible such as writing a blog or painting a picture and tie up with organizations and influence others to also seek and be critical. I think this is what we ought to do as student leaders. We need to synergize our energies and strengths towards a common goal. The Truth!

TRUTH = BOSINA

We marched out campus with a stick and snare, whistles hanging on our necks, posters, and a couple of cans and rocks. We were set to do our first attempt to disturb people, to make their head turn in the hopes of making them listen. Around 6:00 pm we began the barrage of cans, whistles, and drums. It seized instant attention to the people across the street. Some stood in amusement, some captured the moment through their gadgets, some laughed furiously, some joined, some didn’t even mind. The noise we are creating made them turn their heads and read; some even participated by honking, by shouting with us.

Having the noise barrage in 3 days have its fair share of awkwardness and fear. It was awkward because it is something of a deviation of the norm; it was fearful because it exposed us to the misinterpretations and misguided labelling of others. This mix of emotions made me think in the midst of the deafening noise about the whole essence of the activity. I looked at the big blue banner; “We stand for the truth” and I added “ and for the truth alone”. The truth that has yet to surface after the web of lies and deceits is what we are calling for. We do not seek the ouster of the President nor the giving the support to any individual, we are simply seeking for the truth, calling all our leaders in both sides to serve the truth, and reminding the people to be critical in seeking for the truth. We want to transmit this simple message to the public in the hopes of making them aware and critical and I see that a noise barrage is one precise and effective way.

At the end of the day, seeking for the truth do not solely equate to investigating our leaders and their trades but it has everything to do with examining our very selves. This noise for truth is in fact a disturber not just for the public but it is for each and every one of us. We are reminded to be disturbed of our own noise from within. We are reminded to think for ourselves and rise above from our interior noise and be critical in this very fluid situation. I would always think that the leaders that we have is a clear refection of what we are as a people. Sad thought but it is true. The corruption that we experience in government, as systemic and embedded as it is, is a magnified picture of our lifestyle as individuals. Therefore, after the noise has settled, after people listen and start to think, we should look back within ourselves, our actions, our lifestyle, reflect and spot the silent and flash actions of corruption. Seeking for something invisible, systemic and imbedded as corruption is a great challenge but it is in the very effort where personal reform begins. Let our quest for truth start from there, from with in. The country has become what it is now because of its people. Then let us be the change we want this country to be.

Veritas Liberabit Vos!

The 15^th Agenda

“The challenge now is to bridge our vision with our experience, and to realize that vital link with sound policies and mechanisms.”

After scanning the archives of the past Directorates, I slowly digested the meat of the mission at hand and true enough, it helped me form a precise and clear vision what the 15^TH Directorate is capable of doing and what it ought to accomplish in 10 months of it in power. It is more than luck that we are in the helm when Xavier University hits its Diamond Year; it is really a blessing and at the same time a disturber. We are blessed because we are in the hype of things. The momentum is being laid before us by all players in the community because of the excitement of being 75. It is a disturber because we are then called to be more than what is expected of us. We are called to break from the past in a much higher trajectory and face the new chapter of our school’s history. It is then good to note that there is no place for complacency and satisfaction, there is only room for brightness, strength and precision. Our Student leadership should stem from these characteristic of a diamond. The challenge now is to bridge the vision with experience and animate the link with sound policy and mechanisms.

Note: I feel secure when I jot down all my thoughts especially during the “visioning” stage.

Brightness

“A Directorate who constantly works to innovate and explore new ideas and policies, who improves but do not compromise tradition and as much as possible, extract the brightest possible potential of every mission at hand.”

Manifestations:

1. Substance over from legislation


2. Policies prioritize according to need


3. Invest in “Think Tank” student circles in policy making producing creative solutions

Strength

“A Directorate whose strength comes from its capacity to compassionately listen to the concerns of the students, and its ability to magnify and facilitate those concerns truthfully to the proper authorities”

Manifestations:

1. Leaders of the Roundtable talks / Leveling


2. One-on-one consultation with presidents and orgs


3. Vigilant probing on issues we could address, grassroots consultation mechanism

Precision

“A Directorate who is fully conscious of its mission, who precisely knows what it needs to improve, uphold and protect, whose vision doesn’t fall short on students' concerns but also gives focus on concerns of the nation.”

Manifestations:

1. We know what is needed ( campus and national socio-political updater)


2. We know where we stand (consensus building on decisions)


3. We know how to do it (skills training in collaboration with SacDev)
   

GOD BLESS OUR WILL, OUR THOUGHTS, OUR ACTIONS

TRUTH PLEASE!

Being called as the largest Christian nation in Asia is not a label to be proud of anymore in the present predicament we are in where corruption allegations, deceit, and manipulation because of greed and power cast a dark shadow on our character as a people. And the sad thing is it is not new, it has become a national habit. It is a frightening reality we need to face. We have to accept the truth that corruption is the greatest shame we have as a people. What is more bitter is the fact that the people in position, the people who play with power are the clear reflections of what we have become as a nation, as a people. We may lag behind material possessions or we may have just focused in getting it so much that we have forgotten the true measure, the true wealth of a nation – the moral fiber of its people. This message then is a call for all of us to remind ourselves that the culture of corruption should be countered with our faith and morality. Corruption has grown into a national cancer yet continually fed with the roots that ground in our very psyche as a person. Let us not go directly to the streets and protest, let us first retreat within ourselves and search the “ZTE” in each one of us, the politics of greed in us, the manipulations we’ve committed, the cover-ups we’ve contrived, the deceits we’ve made, and the “favors” we’ve served. Let us start from there, identifying our faults, accepting them and then reforming them. Let us now see ourselves only in the eyes of truth and from there begin to reform our families, classmates and community. Let the pursuit of truth become the habit, let it live in our actions and words, and let us preserve it with the highest zeal. The country has become what it is now because of its people. Then be the change you want this country to be. Veritas Liberabit Vos!

ON ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT

I personally identified that one of the top three concerns the student government should give emphasis upon is the Academic Development of the student body. It is more than fitting that we invest on this as we enter into our 75^th anniversary because it contributes to the “more precise understanding of our mission as a university in its 75th year”. It is also one of the reason of the CSG's existance This has been a long program banner since I could recall and it is very well under the “Competence” section of the party’s platform. It is good to note that the Hapsah administration instantiated the “Panudlo” program, a collaborative and simultaneous tutorials before major exams. It was manned by the different co and extra curricular organization. Another auxiliary program is the Book Fair where textbooks are being sold in a much lower price. Other programs were initiated such that also tapped the oral and written competencies of the students. What this present administration should do is to sustain and innovate the initiated programs of the past. We should reinforce these programs with a long-term oriented trajectory design that could cover not only 10 months but half a decade.

In the context of student governance, Academic Development is the conscious and tangible enhancement of the academic performance and interest of the students. Our challenge now as student leaders is to create a sustainable and realistic long-term program whose core characteristic is the formation of formal partnerships with the research units of the university, schools and colleges, and academic oriented student organization. Through combined efforts, the CSG could effectively and efficiently implement and sustain this academic program. We ought to create partnerships that doesn’t only inform but a partnership that provides collaboration and technical assistance. Beginning with simple reminders and activities, we can encourage study time during break, raise awareness on the proper study tips and habits through leaflets and seminars, research and debate on campus and local issues, and the institutionalization of tutorial sessions as a permanent activity in the student organization’s GPOA. The 2^nd level of this program is the implementation of alternative classes which opens the opportunity to learn other fields. We should lobby for this initiative as soon as possible. We should also formally recognize students who contributed greatly in their field through their research and accomplishments. Through this approach of student leaders recognizing student scientists and inventors, we can actually send a positive signal to the community that we deeply value academic excellence. In sum, academic development is not only the concern of the deans and teachers; it should be realized by the collective effort of everybody. The ideas that I mentioned above are some of the tangible things we can really do to fulfill our mission as a university. We should always be aware that we serve a community who values the relentless pursuit for the truth. The best way to serve the truth is to seek and spread it in the best possible and creative way.

POLITICS OF INNOVATION

Given by a mandate by the voters of XU 2008 Elections, I resolve that I shall faithfully and passionately exercise my powers and responsibility as second – in – command, as convener, and as a community organizer of XU.

The Vice-Presidential service list is still conceived upon the party’s thrust of creating a “collaborative, synergized and holistic leadership for an involved student body in service of faith that does justice”. This 10-point legislative agenda aims to establish a new trend in CSG governance, to sustain its momentum and to propel it towards a long term development agenda in student leadership and community development. These programs must be designed to engage the student community as a whole directly or indirectly through their respective college councils. The agenda focuses on the following: an accountable, consultative and responsive CSG, emphasis on Academic development, and enhancement of student participation and involvement. The underlying principles that guide the following agendas are as follows:

1. Down-Up direction of empowerment (student organization mobilization)

2. Collaborative and Synergized efforts of implementation (creating links)

3. Consultative in conception (starts from the students)

4. Holistic in approach (implemented with the students)

5. Grassroots in movement (all goes back to the students)

(Arbie’s New Trend ideology + Tonton’s Interdependence concept)^teamwork = A new and better CSG

1. Directorate sponsored monthly (every 3rd Wednesday of the month) consultation forum (creation of a literature that serves as the guiding compass of the president) which is open to the willing public and discuses pertinent campus issues and create solutions.
2. Centralized online information dissemination system of student activities through the creation of an online bulletin and direct communication link via text, email and blog.
3. Formation of the Xavier Students’ Concern Center as an auxiliary arm of the STRAW Commission.
4. Academic Development and student organization mobilization through Alternative Classes and lobbying for the creation of academic varsities such as the debating circle.
5. Emphasis on Cultural and Artistic development through the creation of the CSG Department of Culture and Arts.
6. Redefinition of FSSID which focuses on community outreach, issue advocacy and awareness, spiritual development (institutionalization of inter-faith dialogues), and a formal and permanent partnership with the KKP-SIP.
7. Monthly council based facilities monitoring system
8. Institutionalization of the Ateneo Leaders League as the official CSG Leadership formation program for XU high school and grade school students.
9. Promotion of transparency and accountability through a bi-monthly Presidential address on the state of the Central Student Government (incorporate projects planned and implemented with financial flow reports).
10. Widening student participation of the XU Students’ Involvement Program. The Involvement program needs to expand to accommodate not only the student organizations and college councils but also other willing and able parties

Recommendation: An eye catching, witty, and creative brand name that encapsulates the thrust of the year’s administration is very essential in promoting the CSG’s activities, in establishing its identity and for efficient and effective marketing. This should be given emphasis during the planning process.

E.g. [i]UNITASS, Just do It!, myGOV, Alang Kanimo,

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

Why me?

The vocation of leadership is relatively new to me. It began in the junior year in high school with a thought about people and events coming to life from the old pages of history books. It all started with my great admiration of men and women who made history. I pondered upon these great souls and wondered about a simple possibility of “what if”. What if I was in their shoes, in their place, in their bodies facing that very event in that very moment? What will I do? How will I do it? Why will I do it? This reoccurring series of questions filled my mind from time to time. It was not long that I realized that looking up to great men and women of history will end up deeply looking back to myself. An amazement of history was turned into a personal quest for meaning. It is in this constant retrospective exercise and eagerness to touch and experience the world in flux that widened my view and saw the greater picture of reality. Leadership is not anymore out there to gain as what I previously saw but an inward search for the self which I will nurture and share. These great realizations from simple questions started it all.

one of the people I look up to

It was in the junction between my college and high school life where my appropriation of leadership took root. It has transcended from the quest of meaning to a level where loving service is its perfect manifestation. Bearing these strengths of the self into good fruits is the prime challenge of leadership. This is what I passionately believe in. Leadership is all about taking care of the heart and the mind by grounding it on faith, filling it with good matter, with good thoughts, and good intentions, and animating them through different acts of service; a committed and loving service whose forefront are the less fortunate, the people who can’t even think for themselves and especially those who don’t even care.

Now that I am I a new context – college life, a new level of maturity, and a new level of responsibility, it is only fitting and appropriate to give back what I am gaining, what I love, and what I am learning in proportion to a larger and greater community – XU. It is in this manner that I can fully express my love and faith through the community and through the lives I serve. I ran because of this faith that calls me to do more for others than what is being called for. This is why I am running for office, the CSG vice-presidency in particular. (Positions help to get your point across quickly and effectively). The powers and responsibilities that entail this office are instrumental in the promotion of justice in a larger scale through its legislative power and the holistic development of students through its representative function. As the convenor of the Directorate, I have the capacity to mediate the strengths, the ideas, and the energies of the different councils and organizations. This position can be exercised to significantly develop how organizations and councils are being led. Aside from its pivot role, it also serves as the legislative body that could directly address concerns and needs of the students.

In the eternal words of Fr. Arrupe, “Fall in love, stay in love, it will decide everything”. I decided to fall and stay in love in the belief that a community’s greatest possible potential can only come to life through a leadership that is grounded on faith in God and love of self and others which I hold so dearly.

Complementary Angles

I think it’s high time to mention a unique business partner I’ve been working with through the years of my life. An “eventologist” and cerebral maniac working together on events and activities for 3 years in a row is a simple story yet deserves to be told. This partner is Michael Ho, a person who I see as a future brand, a future events guru, a future trend maker in the world of lifestyle and parties. His persona stands in contrast to my “formal”, “nerdy”, and calculated approach on things. But still we’ve been in back to back events from High School to College. I think this story needs to be told because it shows the powerful idea of complementing strengths and filling weaknesses. He fills my weakness and vise versa. This dynamic partnership continues to move with the events that we organize. I pretty much create the structure and order while he fills it with his overflowing creative juices. I advise you to look for people who are not necessarily standing with the same tastes as you but be with people who can fill your voids.

How do I live my life as both body and soul

Living for around 18 years on this earth has its fair share of monotonous and sometimes ungrateful moments. Now reaching this age highly capable of self-awareness, it is really a daunting task to sit and rethink what living is really for me and breaking from the routine lifestyle. I am confused with the notion of me as a human being, as a walking matter on earth but at the same time a being who is also an “I”, who is also capable of transcending from its own body. Reconciling these two facts became my personal celebrated philosophical journey that was even more pumped up because of the lectures on these truths in my philo of man Class. How do I live my life as a body and as a soul? I have somehow animated this dualist idea with a lifestyle which is grounded on self-awareness and community service. I treat and view self-awareness as more than an Ignatian exercise but it also as a basic human capacity that needs to be practiced constantly. This focuses on the very “I”, my very soul. Self-awareness translated as a practice is often called examination of conscience. In my present life, I constantly calibrate my thoughts so that it is in tuned with the workings of my soul. I sit, close my eyes, and pause 15 minutes every night with a pen and my journal notebook. I review the events of the day and try to see myself from a third person examining my every response and my actions towards others and events and write about it. This practice really contributes a lot in my personal development and spiritual growth because it creates a virtual evaluation report at the end of every day and a resolution to be better the next. Now as a body and as a matter walking on earth. With this “inward” living which dwells more of “I” now needs to be unleashed to my surroundings for it to be fully useful. This is where my body comes in. My body expresses those deep positive realizations about life through the community service I give with my hands and brain. I am presently a KKP volunteer. Going to barangays tutoring school children is a clear manifestation of my body at work fuelled by the contemplative lifestyle I practice.

THINK DIFFERENT

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers. The round pegs in square holes, the ones who see things differently. They are not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is to ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” (Apple Ad)

7Hypotheses of Campus Leadership

1. Most actively engaged students in college are generally veterans of this level of involvement in their past high school lives. They have developed a relatively high “consciousness-level” which enables them to influence or lead others. They are the presidents, officers, or academic awardees of their high school. They feel the need to continue the upward momentum of their leadership/personal development. Therefore, they highly prioritize a student life with a mix balance of academics and involvements.
2. In the other hand, some students see organizational involvements as a threat to their academic standing or education as a whole. They primarily reinforce the fact that they are in school to study in the first place. Involvements are only optional or preferential therefore they don’t feel the need to get involved.
3. Most officers of the councils are products of the KKP Volunteer Formation Program. They enter in their Sophomore Year as a volunteer some having dual roles (council and KKP) and would either stay active in the program or move into the council arena. Either way, they address the need for “leadership”. Therefore, the KKP Volunteer Formation Program has become the de facto flagship leadership program of the university. The OSA’s leadership formation program has become a sort of a “complement” to the KKP’s formation program and is primarily designed for those already in the position of authority.
4. Council atmosphere varies from council to council. They could be intimately workable or rigidly authoritative. They could be either filled with artists or filled with managers therefore, a balance mix is essential for a balance council. The atmosphere not only depends on the course or interest background of the people in it but it also highly depends on the personal aura the council officers and especially the president radiates. Therefore we can say that a gullible president creates a flamboyant atmosphere, a serious president creates a sober atmosphere, an output oriented president creates a beehive.
5. Generally, majority of the students does not see the real purpose of the councils and the CSG more than the enrolment assistance, entertainment (GA etc.) and leisure they implement for the students. They see the council or other student organizations are only for those who excel. Others see it as an instrument of the administration, others see it as breeding grounds for politicians, others see it as an organizer and implementer of events, others see it as an elitist organization, and others see at as a catalyst for change. Either way, each bracket of the social and cultural demographic of the community has its own distinct view of student organizations that reflects their own experiences and biases.
6. Students generally vote officers who are highly inspiring and who they could easily relate. Ideologies, office positions or technical skills are only secondary considerations. Even they are plenty of factors to consider, they still need to evaluate a candidate’s ethical background, effectiveness and efficiency in work and his/her availability or commitment. But still majority doesn’t care about the elections.
7. Apathy has been labelled as an incurable cancer which led empathic people to reduce and categorize the student body into 2 kinds of students. Those who care or those who don’t. And apathetic people seem to alienate those people who are active. They somehow see it as a deviant to their lifestyle. This is alarming because it tends to funnel all activities conceptualized and planned by entities of authority to cater or address only to those who are “active” or those “who care”. There is some logic to it but the essence of “those who care” is somehow limited to only those kinds of students who directly and actively participate in socially oriented activities or those who passionately fight for a cause. The ones “who don't care” but cares on other “stuff” are generally left out. Activities initiated should specifically address the multi-facetted nature of the human person and apathy must not be seen as a permanent incurable illness but as an ephemeral state of mind.

"He didn't seek office,

The office sought him"

I finally saw the man in the flesh, not anymore in the TV, not anymore talking in front of a microphone in congress. (I have a hard time pronouncing his family name though - a tongue twister!) Fr. Ed Panlilio, the priest turned governor of Pampanga, was in the LT in the afternoon giving a talk, preaching his crusade for change. You may roll your eyeballs when you hear this politically overused word but again, the most obvious reality we are living in is the constant flux of our world - it changes and Fr. Panlilio asserts the need to change, a change for the better. His very election was a sign of change. People wanted somebody new, they are already fed up with politicians who give lands yet owns almost all estates, politicians who shell out money to the poor yet corrupts the vault five folds, politicians who excel not only in their rhetoric but also in the game of compromise. The people in that province instead chose a priest, a soldier of God, a man with a different support base - a church congregation, a man whose only education taught him to love and serve his God through others. Now that's something new. He gave a strong and inspiring message to the audience that I would like to share.

First, he advocates the idea of "social transformation". In our context, the young people, we may see this as an old person’s job, or a dirty stressful job we just don’t have time to do. You know, that notion is so old school. Social transformation, if I translate it to my own words and as mentioned by Fr. Panlilio is quite fun and fulfilling. Tutoring poor children how to count or read is “ST”. Blogging our thoughts about reality and sharing insights to the world is one of it is “ST”. Thinking about why things are is also “ST”. Telling your younger siblings about the dangers of addiction or perhaps the possibility of them drowning because of global warming is “ST”. The list goes on. We should not limit ourselves from notion of it as a total “one-step re-engineering of our society revolution”, but as a community effort rooted in our personal desire to build a great home one brick at a time upon a strong foundation of justice, peace, love, faith, hope and all the good words found in the last phrase of our preamble.

Second, Politics is a game of compromise. There is some truth to it but what a good leader must be constantly aware of this; to NEVER ever ever compromise principles or values for the sake of power and influence. The system is this kind of game and it is never easy not to play it as he mentioned. Therefore, he urges all people with a position of power to always, constantly, around the clock, take care of their hearts and minds. It is in the heart that one knows integrity, dignity and conscience. It is in the mind that one translates these ideals into action. And always remember that great leadership is rooted in faith nothing more, nothing less.

I think God made him a governor so that people will not grow weary and cynical about the system they live in. God led Fr. Panlilo to this unique “ministry of politics” so that people will see a symbol embodied in his being, as a man who challenges the status quo,a man whose only boss is God through the people he serves, and a man who reminds all of us that change for the better is not impossible, it could be done but must start from the very core of ourselves.

PSST! BE THE LIGHT . . .

I entered AVR 1 around 9:00 am this morning. I listened to the 1^st of a series of lectures about Spirituality, Governance, and Leadership by Bro. San Juan, S.J. This insightful event WAs sponsored by the XU – Governance and Leadership Institute. I still managed to focus my mind amidst the overflowing number of people who was literally crammed in the AVR 1 for the lecture. Before zooming in the subject matter, I looked around the room and saw numerous key movers of society in the locality. There were coucilors, Mayors one in particular Mayor Yasay of Opol, Arch Bishop Ledesma, The Sumilao farmers, NGO leaders, and the academe – a very diverse sectoral representation.

Transcendent Leadership

Now to the meat of the matter - transcendent leadership and its relationship to governance were given a new much complex meaning in the lecture. Leadership has something to do with a relationship, most likely a struggle between factors of our environment but most importantly, a constant interaction and analysis of ourselves. “The I” was greatly emphasized by the lecture as the bedrock of all others. Ignatian tradition itself banks in self-awareness as the core source of leadership. This struggle or “complexity” (another fancy word for problem) entails 2 contrasting set of realities present in every leader as tendencies or traits namely the indulgent self and the transcendent self. Obviously the indulgent self appeals only to the lust for power and pleasure while transcendence from the word itself, goes to a higher level of consciousness – the stuff of great leaders.

The pursuit of happiness <<> POWER

I would first like to dwell in the indulgent self as discussed by Bro. San Juan because it is quite common and dangerous. One striking point he tackled was the psychological factor of most leaders in our world – past and present AND I can certainly point out examples in campus. He mentioned that some people who rose to leadership position is mainly due to their passionate drive for power and influence. This “passionate drive” actually is a blind unchecked psychological reaction derived from their insecurities, weaknesses, and the lack of recognition and affirmation that can start from their childhood. They somehow need to prove something to others that they begin to exaggerate their achievements most of the time, not proportional to the true achievement, think very highly of themselves, and inflates their head. They evolve an unhealthy dose of narcissism that could poison their view towards others. They may become dismissive and judgemental, envious and afraid. They are always on the look out for potential threats and employ all their effort to cling to power or destroy those threats. Now this kind of the “unchecked leader” is quite dangerous. They need power so much (sees power as food, air, shelter, clothes, and water) that they are afraid to relinquish it, and sometimes abuses it, and fights for it to the bloody end. This is a very common psychology and normal for that matter but it should grow from an egocentric viewpoint to a socio-centric consciousness. The key of liberating oneself from this destructive drive is first to acknowledge yourself and your whole package. Confront yourself!

“Those who thirst for power are generally not the ones fit to lead for their actions are

intended to gratify or compensate their psychological fixations.”

The Stuff of Heroes

Transcendent leadership, a leadership which sees the world in a higher consciousness, a world-centric leadership, and a leadership were self indulgence are tamed to its very core. As presented by Bro. San Juan, Transcendent leadership is the animation of the universal traits of generosity, interiority, discernment and companionship. As found in the Ignatian tradition, these traits have long been the substance, the life-style of great leaders. They go beyond the limits and constraints of their negative tendencies, managed to block the shimmering reflections of themselves, achieved a higher way of thinking that ultimately made them produce a multitude of great things. The traits they posses are not just given to them. These traits, in order to be in animation, in order to come to life, need a tremendous amount of energy. It is like fighting gravity. It is here where SPIRITUALITY COMES IN. This then becomes the center of transcendences. The spirituality of a person what ever faith he is in acts as the amplifier of our actions, the source of energy, inspiration and guidance. That is why for the great majority of leaders, taking care of their hearts and mind are an utmost priority (aside from the game of power)! The spirituality we nurture must be rooted in love, hope and faith as in our case, the person of Jesus Christ otherwise, a “spirituality” rooted from an egocentric ideology is very destructive to man kind.

THE BIAS YEAR END REVIEW

The 2007 My Life Year End Report. Watching almost all local news channels airing yearend stories from politics to showbiz and the CNN’s awesome condensed report of stories that made headlines around the world made me rethink of the year that has gone by. What did an individual such as I faired in the year of the Pig? Note: The only thing I remember and hope to remember is the positive events.

Jan – Feb. The New Year 2007 as I can recall ushered in my interest for the sci-fi. I was practically obsessed with the idea of the star wars, empires, republics, jedi, sith, and the force. I also started to record my daily dealings and thoughts in a small blue notebook. I also started to discern the possibility of being a Jesuit which raised the eyebrows of my classmates. It was also in February when I joined the Alyansa Atenista and ran for a public position as 2^nd year Chairman uncontested. I joined the corps of Volunteers of the KKP and was appointed to be Buklod Ambassador of Xavier University by the CSG. In sum, these months called me to be a mover of school affairs again.

March – April. The blue notebook evolved into a big hardbound red record book that would become my first ever personal history book. The summer was both academic and political. I entered summer classes with 2 accounting subjects and one minor. I need it be regular in units for the coming school year. I practically aced my grades (Hangin ba oi!). This is also the summer were I actively participated in the political process. I joined the campaign trail of my uncle Pio for his bid for City Councilor for the 2^nd district. I volunteered in KKP’s candidates’ forum, a huge event were candidates interact with the voters and the very fulfilling NAMFREL quick count in the Xavier Gym! It was one great series of experiences that exposed me to the political realities of our city.

May – June. The Buklod Leaders’ Summit in XU and my decision to shift was the major highlight of these months. The Buklod gathered student leaders of all ateneos to discuss issues, share ideas and synchronize stances and mobilization efforts. It was a great experience that reshaped my notion of “collaborative efforts” and “idea synergy”. This was also the time were I decided to shift to BS Accountancy, the allegedly dubbed as one of the most difficult courses in the University. I decided to shift after i made a deal to myself. If I get straight A’s in my accounting 1, 2, and 3 then I will shift. Miraculously I got A’s and A-‘s and its good enough for me. I just want to grab the opportunity of being an accountancy major. But I still didn’t figure out why I really shifted. I was left hanging that made me dig my past to look for a link between my strengths or interests, and my course.

July – August. The first months of the school year was filled with so many activities which I can no longer recall. The only thing I remember was my discovery of the “link” which finally told me that my decision of shifting was correct. When I was in grade school, I was really interested in the stock market to the point that I recorded the daily movement of the Philippine Composite Index and made reports about it. How weird! It is between economics or accounting, both answering the need to maximize wealth. But with an atenean trademark, I hope to maximize wealth and fight for its equitable distribution. I would like to do development works in microfinance and cooperatives. Finally, with a solid vision of what I ought to do with my course, I can now peacefully study and somehow enjoy the thick books. It was also the first and last time in my life that I joined a series of “beauty contest” the Mr. and Mrs. JPIA thing. I tell you! This experience was quite deviant to my identity. I ended up in the regional level winning the school and city levels. Substance over form was the concept of focus. I may not be that good looking. Ehehem! But I surely deliver my point clearly and deeply when asked. I think that made me win.

Sept – Oct. My first trip outside the country happened in this month! We went to Hong Kong with my family and relatives. The experience was so awesome i can’t find the exact words to describe it. You just have to go there to find out. It made me compare the world in the Philippines and in China. It was right there and then that I saw the world a degree bigger.

Nov. – Dec. The last two months was quite interesting. I’m now in the 2^nd semester of the school year. Scholastic wise, I still am a dean’s lister and luckily got the top spot in the best speaker of the Xavier Cup, a debate competition. I also enjoy joining the open house every Tuesday in Haggarty House. At home, I filled my book shelves with new themes other than sci-fi. I fell in love with Philosophy, history (as always) and political science and these are the kinds of books I am reading and extracting new thoughts from.

SOME OF THESE ARE ONLY SUPERFICIAL. WHAT TRULY DEFINES A YEAR IS THE NOT THE EVENT BUT THE PEOPLE WHOM I SHARED THE MOMENTS WITH AND THE LESSONS I GOT FROM THESE EVENTS. TO ALL MY FRIENDS, FOE, FAMILY AND MENTORS, THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! GOD BLESS

The Cogon market is a goldmine!

Too many gold nuggets perhaps that it was thrown all around. One even struck my head. It bled.

It shows how ignorant i am towards the real world. Cogon market is just one of the many centers of trade that somehow encapsulates all positive and negative realities of our political, economic and cultural traits. The hot humid air, the ghastly smell of fish, vegetables, food, and mixed with the garbage and sweat of people are not that tolerable in my "pampered" upbringing. It alarmed me to know that i have no clue in their predicament. Years of social awareness seminars can never fully be grasped if I can't live in these realities. This made me think. The venues the school have provided about immersions are quite adequate, quality - excellent. The problem is my decision on what to experience. In my council life, it mostly deals with a structures, orders, and deadlines which i find superficial. It is still service nonetheless but not quite the thing that hones the real social consciousness we need to have in order to genuinely serve them. First, i consider it logical and a need to go out to the real world, experience it first hand (living with them, working with them in a significant duration) before commiting to any cause, to any ideology, to any institution. Cogon market showed me this utmost need to live with the poor before you do any action, before you eye any position of influence, before shouting the need for change. Experience first before reflecting and doing the eventual action. Action derived from a real world experiences with the poor coupled with reflection on why the status quo is at it is is more effective, challenging, real, and life changing. The alarming situation now is that promising leaders immerse themselves first in the superficial reality rather than going deep into the real realities which our society is built upon and working with. This may breed misguided leadership unsupported by real sound experiences but filled only with technicalities, a personality based ethics, and politics.

The forefront of our actions should be the less fortunate ones, the ones who can't speak or even think for themselves.

Alyansa Atenista

8 at the 28th

It was a simple annual gathering of leaders .

The "Alas Otso sa Baynte Otso 07 " as it was called gathered together movers and shakers of the past, present and future.

In a relatively big room, after eating a very generous dinner with 3 gallons of ice cream, we arranged ourselves in a circle ( an ellipse to be exact) to hear each other speak. And it is in this ellipse that history came to life. It was like village elders passing stories through word of mouth around a fire preserving the story's essence, its purpose, it's the stuff where future heroes are inspired. Elders speak of their experience and how Alyansa tapped hidden potentials and unleashed their tremendous human energy to effect change.

Alyansa and campus politics

Alyansa Atenista is seen by some as an elite group of overinflated egotistic know-it-all students whose only aim is to fortify their power in the highest positions. Maybe, there is some truth to it. But surely, a party which lasted 21 years and is the only remaining political party has outgrown much from the negative label and emerged as a party to be reckon with, as a party who in one way or anther moved the students' perspective for the better. Alyansa, an alliance of college parties has long been an instrument for moderate ignatian ideals and it continues to strive to be one. Alyansa is still far from having an identity crisis because it clearly defines itself as a party which opposes radicalism, and advocates peaceful activism. Since 1986, the trend seems uncannily familiar. It was a political fight between centrist and leftist ideologies. The moderate and the extreme. Then, there comes a time when the left got exhausted and the call for extreme change simply wasn't a need anymore. Campus politics in the mid 1990s went uncontested.

Then the "independents" phenomenon came in the arena. They are labeled as "pro-admin". I only find the label negative when "pro-admin" equates them as simply mouth pieces or puppets of the admin. Alyansa countered this by advocated for a student centered platform emphasizing the need for dialogue and mediation between students and admin. These two forces must meet at a point and Alyansa provides a moderate communication mechanism to facilitate this convergence.

In the present times, Alyansa has animated the word "synergy" as an organizational and political mantra. Alyansa which is now in the highest position has reinforced "synergy" by creating strong linkages and networks laterally, up and down the chart. They take pride in their collaborative efforts. Major programs are even built upon this "synergy" such as tutorials, talent expos and awareness campaigns. There is no longer the buzz to passionately stand in one side of the line while opposing everything from the other. What we don't need is to create an atmosphere of animosity between two sides.

Alyansa and the future.

Alyansa has taken its identity into a new level. It is not anymore solely a political party per se but a "socio-political" party and a leadership support group. With this new identity it strives to be actively engaged in social issues outside and inside the school and also designs itself as a formation agent for students who seek to enhance their leadership skills in the context of Ignatian spirituality. Alyansa has become an equal option along side other formation oriented units for students who are willing to apply what they learned. The great difference is that it is manned by students themselves which is more intimate, personal and equal.

Tao, Estudyante, Bayan, Diyos!

Philo of Man

With a very humid air and cramped seating arrangement in SC 3, I attentively listened to Ma’am Quinones’ humorous metaphoric discussions of Descartes’ philosophy of dualism and daily manifestations of that philosophy in everyday life. It is in the immortal line of Descartes’ infallible truth: “Cogito ergo sum” that tipped the philosophical libido that was already building up in my mind. In that moment, I was consumed with the abstract concepts of possibilities and subjectivity. It is like your consciousness is focusing in itself thus trying to detach oneself from the self for the self to see the whole picture. It may sound illogical but it shows a point. It also creates a very clear boundary between me and the physical world which I can see, touch, feel, taste and listen. I can engineer my thoughts to reflect those of what my senses tell me. The concept of possibility of reality is infinitely uncompressible that my thought simply reduces that infinity into an ordered structure of expectations derived from past experiences. I simply don’t know what will happen the next moment. The subjectivity of our mind is also so fascinating in a sense that I myself has the insurmountable power to build my own universe and exist in it. I am very sure that I exist in it because my thought which is I myself is in it. What are the implications of these? I could somehow be capable of engineering a reality based on thoughts magnified by this consciousness of detaching from the very thought which is my self. In this way, thoughts are better filtered and this practice also unblocks the confined power of the mind and catapults it in a new way of looking at reality. Better yet to say that the ancient virtue of detachment is the foundation of my realization but with the inclusion of Descartes dualism, it created a fascinating (at least for me) insight between the immortal indispensable relationships of thought and reality.

fantasy island episode 1

2 weeks have passed since we made landfall. The men has grown frustrated over our endless search for a perfect spot for a permanent settlement. To protect us from the forces of nature, we have to install makeshift tents and defenses out of earth and mud wherever we decide to rest our feet. In our seemingly endless march into the interior of the jungle, one of the men, a scientist identified several plants found in our trail and proclaims that he discovered a new entire set of species. I found him quite peculiar trying to document every find we stumble upon. For the rest of the crew, thanks to God, non of the men are sick. This tropical weather haven't seem to penetrate our bodies. Amidst the physical burden the men are enduring i know they still hold dear in the hope of finding a permanent place for a settlement. A place where the river meets the sea and where the ground holds riches we can cultivate. I'm still gripping the flag pole of the king hoping that soon this utopia will be on sight, then i can the proudly plant the flag permanently.

fantasies do help

the seemingly mystical and out of this world fantasies encountered in this semestral break comes to a complete halt when a realized; my golly! one more day to go and it's back to college life! Normally in this point in time, i am opt to feel a lingering sense of excitement crawling up my system like always before school days but i sense a placid blank inside me. I'm still searching why the magic seems to disappear! After a few surf in the net and opened a few self-help, student and study sites, i struck gold when this simple thought came to my mind; (another one of my fantasies, kinda addicted about this) I'm a conquistador who discovered a fairly large island. Talk about fantasies! I try to think that the incoming semester is another island waiting to be explored and discovered in my serene quest for the "fountain of wisdom". With my band of loyal soldiers, a flag of my king and a cross of Christ, let us see if the island is inhabited by peaceful natives or cannibal savages. Let us climb its highest peak to see the entirety of the island and judge the best place for a settlement. Let us look down in the soil and rivers and gather the resources hidden from view. Let us also cultivate and domesticate the surrounding areas and creatures for the settlement. At the end of this great day, this semester may be the island i am looking for, the island that houses the great fountain of wisdom I greatly seek. Now i can feel it, that sense of excitement consuming my system. Okeedowkee. Bye for now.

Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant and vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

TIME V-CAPSULE another one


The Archbishop of Ogilvie



Jan vs. Vicky




Birthday special

TIME V-CAPSULE 3


Ogilvie = Olympus



Historical surprise!



the undisputed sabayang pag-bigkas queen.

DUE TO A SINGULAR DEMAND
TIME CAPSULE 2


The knights of the rectangular table


one teacher we will never forget.


Our Last Sabayang Pag-bigkas.

My gosh! I feel quite nostalgic towards this memory. The good thing is it is forever preserved in our memories and hearts yet sad that that very precise feeling of being that one class will never ever return.

OPENING THE TIME CAPSULE




The Labial Story


Dancing janitors

These were short moments in the Xavier High life
but immortalized by this heck of an innovation.

TOO MUCH OF RIZAL IS GOOD!

TOO MUCH OF RIZAL IS GOOD!

"To doubt God is to doubt one's own conscience, and in consequence it would be to doubt everything." - Jose Rizal

Rizal, considered to be a “rare comet” by Blumentritt is one mortal that indeed shines as a guiding star for us students. He is an individual, Malayan, who embodied a noble spirit and a great mind who used it for the liberation of the powerless and poor. In our everyday life, we should take into consideration five principles of our Hero’s “way of doing things” in the hope of inspiring others to imitate his great and passionate drive.

Committed to learning and its application. Rizal committed himself to the pursuit of both knowledge and wisdom. He went to places always with a mind set to learn. This is best shown in his observation written in his diaries. Rizal is a very keen observer; he always jots down what he had observed in the places he had been. Aside from observing people, he also observes systems, mechanism and the cause and effect of vast human affairs such as science, culture, government, art and economy etc. He is not satisfied with observation, Rizal extracts all the learnings and insights form it. He also transcends from a mere learned person, he applies what he had learned. The best example of this was his great novels, his inventions, his discoveries and his community projects in Dapitan. Rizal constantly observes, extract insights and applies it with the underlying current of helping to liberate an oppressed people.

Seeks great mentors. One shining characteristic of Rizal is his desire to learn from other great thinkers. His 1^st trip to Europe served as the great example of this trait. He met with so many great scientific minds with the intention of knowing more from them. Rizal had met an endless list of scientist, physicians and so many other experts of certain fields that crafted his genius mind. One particular is his best friend, Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt who was the director of the Ateneo de Leitmertitz. Others such as his great Jesuit mentors in the person of Fr. Sanchez and Pastells contributed much of Rizal’s growth. Rizal seeks not only personal experience but also heeds the advices and stories of people who know and had experience much.

Sees things in different point of views. Rizal as a great thinker sees things in different perspectives. This was best shown in his literary works such as his novels and essays. He sees social issues with a multi-faceted cause and solutions. He outlined pressing issues in his novels with such creativity that made a large room for interpretation. He easily finds relationship in seemingly different ideas because he sees it with a million perspectives. 

Seeks for truth and reason. Rizal is not satisfied by mere explanation, he pursues a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Rizal was great in uncovering truths and reasons that he crafted his own philosophy. It is relevant to note that Rizal was considered to be “obsessed” with the truth. This is attested by his standard in the La Solidaridad as a newspaper of truth. When faced by an issue, he sees all the facets of the subject matter and then digs deeper until the truth is uncovered.

Challenges the Status quo. The great heroic drive of Rizal means constantly challenging the Status quo. Rizal as our national hero faced a mighty yet fading empire with courage and valor that shook the roots of Spain. Aside from his political stand that altered the Spanish colonial order, Rizal in his daily dealing of life challenged the usual order. This is evident in his essays attacking the colonial authorities. In his essays, he upheld modern liberal democratic ideas that run contrary to the colonial policy. He always thinks and does the better. This is much evident in his Dapitan exile where the town’s development was ushered it by Rizal’s community projects.

In sum, Jose Rizal is a remarkable genius who lived in a constant interplay of experience (observations, seeks more), reflection and action (application). Rizal is a great example of Malay who used his talents for the benefit of an entire people.