Change as defined by Microsoft Thesaurus is about alteration, modification, transformation and amendment. Introducing change is said to be not easy since it would deal with a break from what some people are used to, a routine and sometimes tradition.

When one institutes change, it is ideally for the purpose of making things better and making thing most appropriate to the times and the legal decrees. The agent of change, therefore, should be someone who truly believes in the need for such, one who can stand by it and one who can withstand any hits and throws from the people who resist change and would like to retain the status quo even if it isn’t anymore fit and right to the situation and the community.

Given that there are various stakeholders, different views, various interests in play, pushing for change can happen with commitment, perseverance and courage. Some people will definitely not appreciate the need for change at the onset but eventually if things are done well and right, its good effects will be felt and recognized by all.

It has been said that some people fear the unknown and what is yet to be done but we have to be open to new things especially if they are meant to make things better. I value tradition but I also would like things to work for people now and our present situation.

I would like to believe that as a young and idealistic individual, I am bringing in innovative programs and I also help in bringing about beneficial and rational changes in our institutions and communities. As I have said in my first term when doing projects, pushing for ordinances and making stands, I am very much willing to put my political career and name on the line in the pursuit of making things better in our beloved city. It is not about me or my personal interests but it is about what is best for the City.

I will always do what is best and right for the city and its people I serve. I will abide by the Constitution, the Local Government Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations and other legal decrees. I will stand firm with decisions that are fair and just. I will not allow any pressure from an individual or groups to influence my decisions especially if it is not for the good of the city in general. I am thankful that my family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances respect me for my being independent minded. Furthermore, I made sure and I will continue to make sure never to commit to anything that I cannot deliver or that I do not have the authority and power to make it happen.

Let us work for a better Iloilo City. Let us always practice diplomacy. Let us focus on suggestions and positive discussions in order to bring changes that are needed by our institutions and our society. A secure and sincere leader is someone who listens, talks to everyone, is open to changes and will never just do anything for his personal gain.

August 30, 2010

Being independent is about being autonomous, self-determining, free, on your own and unconstrained.

Who wouldn’t want to make their own decisions? Who wouldn’t prefer making voluntary actions? Who doesn’t like being trusted to make independent, personal and well thought of decisions?

Apparently, independence involves trust, responsibility and accountability.

Trust is defined by Microsoft Thesaurus as faith, belief, confidence, rely on and hope. Trust goes both ways. It is afforded to the person that he or she can manage well and make proper decisions on his or her own. It is also about believing in oneself to make a good and right decision.

Responsibility is defined by Microsoft Thesaurus as job, duty, task, dependability, reliability and trustworthiness. To be responsible is to know one’s role, job and to make sure that it is done well and properly. It also is in line with being professional. The book Jesus Christ CEO defines professionals as people who stay focused on the successful accomplishment of their mission and do the difficult tasks.

Accountability is defined by Microsoft Thesaurus as answerability. It is about knowing that you face consequences of your decisions and you are willing to stand by your decisions.

Maybe some would add more ingredients and factors in being successfully independent but at the end of the day it is about making sure that we decide well, we analyze well and we can live by the decisions we make.

I am blessed and grateful that I was raised to be independent minded. People closest to me since I was young respected my decision even if sometimes isn’t the most popular one but what I felt was right during that time. I’m not easily swayed by peer pressure or group think which makes me more objective regardless of emotional attachments or affiliations.

It is best for us to decide for ourselves. Let us trust ourselves to make the best decisions. Let us not decide based on emotion, pressure or impulse but rather on what is best for us, for others involved and for all stakeholders that might be affected by such a decision.

By being independent minded, we can make rational decisions that we can defend, be proud of and we can stand by with.

I would like to end with my usual spiel, Ini liwat ang inyo amigo, abyan, primo kag sulugu-on, Iloilo City Councilor LEX Tupas, gasiling para sa padayun nga kauswagan kag pagsulong sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

July 21, 2010

Would you want somebody to decide for you even if you might have reservations to what they want you to do or say? Would you want someone to control you? Would you want just one particular person to claim your victory?

Some say that patronage politics is very prevalent in Philippine politics. For an interested individual to be able to serve, he or she should first visit and ask for the blessing of the political God parent of that particular area. In turn, if he or she is chosen to be part of the so called political God parent, he or she gets the strong machinery and endorsement to be able to win the elections. After such, the individual is in political debt that might possibly make him and her very vulnerable to strong influence in decision making on policy and program matters of his new office by the God parent. He or she might not be able to act independently and will always have someone to tell him or her what to do or say.

During the campaign and then the oath taking, we have mentioned in our speeches and committed to serving the people first and to do well for the area we were given the mandate to serve. There was no mention of serving the interest of a particular individual or our own personal and political interests. It was about people first. In my case, I always believe in the City First policy. I adhere to the fact that my post was from and for the people of Iloilo City. Without their support, I won’t be in my post. I am not in my post to serve and please other politicians but rather to serve with excellence and compassion the people of Iloilo City who have given me their trust, confidence and love.

When I first ran in 2007 as the youngest to have ran during that time at age 27, the powers that be in Iloilo City politics were against my running and more so our winning. It was said that they launched mudslinging attacks against me and even apparently provided incentives on a barangay basis to defeat me.

I ran for the first time in 2007 because I felt I could be of help to the city and I could serve as a voice to the voiceless, to give recognition to faces that were not given attention to, and to provide a strong voice for elderly, women and most especially the youth. I did not pass by the traditional route of asking permission and support from the powers that be. I knew it would be an uphill battle and a hard fight but I felt that it was worth the try, the sacrifice, the pain and the tests. The lack of major incumbent political players’ support on my first run actually was more of a blessing on my part because it made me a stronger, well prepared and mass supported candidate. Furthermore, I did not owe political debt to any major political figures of my victory because it was a result of the strong support of the people of Iloilo City. Thus, I owe my post to the people and that is why I put their best interest in every decision I make. With such, I am blessed to have an independent mind that puts City First above political affiliations and above personal interests.

Even in the legislature or the City Council, I have practiced diplomacy, reaching out to various political groups and bi partisanship. I work to develop good working relationships with members of the opposition, administration and independents. I forget politics and put the best interest of the city as my top priority. In the ordinances I have passed, I have co-authored or co sponsored it with colleagues from different political affiliations. Moreover, even in the committees, I have chaired and I am Chairman, I choose the Vice Chairmen and members who I feel are best suited for the post regardless of political color. Maybe for some who have political masters, they would only limit themselves to their own political groups and might not be as friendly to others.

In the implementation of my special programs and projects, I have worked with government and the private sector and the beneficiaries are not necessarily only those who have supported me but even those who did not. I even choose to give projects to all barangays regardless if I won strongly there or not and even if they have a big or small voting population and regardless if the barangay officials are on my side or not. I am a City Official of the whole City and not only of those who voted for me.

I am so thankful and blessed to be independent minded because it has given me the leeway to be able to do my roles, responsibilities and duties as excellently as I can without the influence of politics. I am privileged and proud to say that I am my own man.

July 7, 2010

In our apparently stressful, competitive and demanding world, we experience disappointments, refusals, betrayals, envy and inadequacy. This might lead to boredom, depression or sadness. Well, I would like to believe everyone experiences such so as to appreciate success, approvals, sincerity, happiness and security. Before we compare ourselves to others or think of what we weren’t able to accomplish or have, let us know what we have, appreciate the things we were blessed with and to count our blessings.

I am blessed and thankful to have been trained by the schools I went to and to the family I belong in to always appreciate what I have. I was also taught that humility is a sign of security, selflessness and of being good-natured. Furthermore, I was told that life isn’t a competition but rather it is about how one can be a productive member of the society and that life should be about unity and working hand in hand for a better community. It might be a dream to work for a perfect society but as they say it won’t hurt if we work for a high goal so that if we won’t be able to hit the mark at least we tried and hopefully we reached something close to it.

In life they say, to appreciate what we have and to recognize such it is best that we count our blessings and for this article I would like to count mine and to share with you how grateful and humbled I am with such and in no particular order.

1. I am blessed to be born to and part of the Causing-Tupas families.
2. I am thankful to have very supportive and loving parents who gave me the leeway to make appropriate and mature decisions in my life.
3. I am glad to have siblings, relatives and real friends who I can count on most of the time.
4. I am privileged and humbled to be part of the schools that taught me to be a man for others and have equipped me with the knowledge and training that have made me reach for my dreams. Thank you Montessori, La Salle Green Hills as Consistent Honor Student and Honors’ Class President, Ateneo De Manila Univeristy for my AB Economics Degree (Dean’s Lister) and for being Student Council Officer, UP Diliman for my MA in Public Management major in Local Government Administration, Asian Institute of Management for my Basic Management and for the Best Integration Award and Central Philippine University for my Doctor of Management with concentration in Public Management degree.
5. I am grateful for the opportunities of developing my leadership skills in the local and international scenes. I was chosen as Philippine China Youth Ambassador that went to various cities in China, delegate to the young political leaders summit in Denmark, observer of the local elections in Taipei and Kaohsiung, participant of the Running Successful Political Campaign Seminar in Indonesia, delegate participant of the United Nations Seminar on Human Rights in the United States of America, Kabataang Liberal Seminars and Training programs in various parts of the country being the National Executive Vice President and former National President for Students, Philippine Councilor’s League and the National Movement for Young Legislators Seminars in various parts of the country, and as Student Council Officer since my high school to college days.
6. I am privileged and honored to have the strong support of Iloilo City and for its warm welcome when I transferred my residency. Also, for supporting my stint as a media personality as TV Host, Radio Anchor and Newspaper Columnist and for giving me the chance to mold young minds and for being ranked number 1 teacher of Iloilo National High School and for having the opportunities to teach in various private schools and universities. Most of all, for trusting a simple, young man who has a vision for the City as Ilonggos made me the youngest City Councilor at age 27 in my first run against all odds and for making me number 1 City Councilor with more or less 93,000 votes in my re-election. Thank You City of Love. I will continue to make sure I give excellent public service. Furthermore, I am blessed to be given the Dangal ng Pilipinas Award for City Legislative Excellence.
7. I am blessed with a very pretty, sexy, sweet, conservative, religious, pure, compassionate and supportive wife who comes from a good family and who is a Medical Doctor. I am also glad to have great in laws who have warmly welcomed me and who are always there for me and my wife.
8. I am blessed and grateful to be an expectant father and excited to have my own kid and to work hard to become a great dad.
9. I am overwhelmed to have the strong support of my Ninongs and Ninangs from all places of society and from my real friends in the political arena and in the various organizations I am part of.
10. I am glad to work with my staff who shares the same commitment and visions for the City that I have.

I am sure each one of us has his or her list of blessings that we are thankful of. I am sure each one of you after you list your blessings would be glad for what we have and for what was given to us. Before we look at what others have and what we failed to have, let us know and appreciate the things we do have. Most of it are priceless which makes us truly smile and happy. Thus, when we feel that we lack or lost something, it might be best to count our blessings and thank God for his love and mercy. To God be the glory.