Turning Dreams into Reality


September 2, 2008
Before I start, I would like to make it clear first that I write this not as a local official of the Philippines but as a student of global politics. Given such, I would like to share not my political take on the US Elections since I am not a US Citizen but more of how I see the two former presidential rivals for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Nomination.
I was seen as an outsider of Iloilo City before since my family traces its roots from the Province of Iloilo and my parents and other siblings are actually government officials of the province. My father is the incumbent Governor, my mother was a former Municipal Mayor, my eldest brother is an incumbent Congressman of the 5th Congressional District and my other brother is an incumbent Town Mayor. Iloilo City is a highly urbanized City with almost 300,000 voters and is independent of the province which means the city does not vote for the governor and is not under any provincial official. In terms of my political career, what I did was unexpected; I transferred my residency about two years before the 2007 elections from the Province to the City and then ran for the City Council. The current set up right now is that a City Councilor is voted City-wide and the city has 180 barangays. I was a fresh face, probably not yet seen by the majority of the electorate and I was practically unknown. Some political pundits said I had no chance of making it. Some even laughed when my name was being floated as a possible candidate for the City Council and some even did bet that I would lose. I was perceived to be too young being 27 years old. I did not have the support of the local administration. I ran as the lone candidate of my local political party, UGYON, which was like running as an independent but was then adopted as a guest candidate of the Genuine Opposition. A lot of the established political personalities didn’t want me to make it. A lot of mudslinging, maligning, story making and destructive politics were used against me. When the dust finally settled, I am blessed and privileged to be given the chance to serve against all odds with one of the highest number of votes for a first time candidate in the city and the youngest at that. The once seen as a non-serious, non-viable and long shot candidate made it. Immediately after, some members of the media and political observers considered me as a possible candidate for a higher position in an election that was too far away.
I felt that my political story kindda resembles that of Sen. Obama. I could relate to him. He worked hard to get respect, admiration, achievements and broke stereotypes and glass ceilings. He was able to inspire the youth and to make the seemingly impossible a reality. He is now the Presidential nominee of the Democrats. He is the first African American and one of the youngest too. I have the greatest respect and admiration for what he has achieved.
On the other hand, I feel for Sen. Clinton. She is such an outstanding woman. She is a great achiever and a form and substance lady. She has also earned her merits. She seemingly is the type who can stand up for herself and who knows when to stand by her man. She was also able to make a great transfer from being born in Illinois then becoming first lady of Arkansas and then becoming US Senator representing the state of New York. She also made history by becoming the first woman presidential candidate to win more than one primary state election. She won more than twenty and almost becoming the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.
I don’t know why I am so amazed with Sen. Hillary. I even want to have a wife like her. She is someone who is strong, determined, passionate in her beliefs, a trail blazer, a good mother and apparently a steadfast wife. What I also liked about her is that she was good at the background when she was first lady of the State of Arkansas when her husband was then State Governor and when she was first lady of the US of A when her husband became President and was excellent when she took the fore ground by becoming a government official herself. I wish, hope and pray to have a wife like her.
In fairness to the other presidential contender, Senator McCain, he is also a war hero and a political maverick which are traits that are uncommon and admired by others. Who could go against the powers that be especially if they come from your political base that easily?
I would have liked to meet these amazing global leaders. Well, at least, I am honored to have been able to visit the US Capitol where they have their offices, session hall and conference rooms. It was the closest I could get but maybe some time in the future, God willing, I would be given the chance to meet them and that would be a great day.