A lawmaker for two days

Photo from Philippine Model Congress

For two days, I acted as a lawmaker.

I applied to the 2nd Philippine Model Congress (PMC) on a whim. While browsing the Internet, I saw a call for applications to the model congress. I thought it would be a great opportunity to be in the shoes of the country’s legislators, so I sent my application a week before the deadline.

Fortunately, I was accepted as one of the delegates from a pool of over 1,400 applicants from across the Philippines. Considered as the country’s premiere legislative simulation program, the congress was held last July 27 and 28 at the Philippine Senate Building.

My stint as a representative of the District of Laguna gave me an opportunity to experience the life of a legislator even just for two days. The entire process the delegates underwent in the congress, which concluded with the passing of bills, made me realize that being a legislator is a no joke.

Legislators should have at least knowledge in relevant fields such as law, public administration, and economics. They should also have utmost perseverance since the process of drafting and passing of bills is a tedious task. But, I realized that the most pivotal factor is a strong sense of civic responsibility to improve lives by protecting the rights of the people.

A legislative simulation
The model congress was "a simulation of the affairs of the legislative branch of government." Like a real Congress, I experienced the process of creating laws of the land.

However, I was not able to write and submit a bill to the executive committee due to academic works. Given more time of preparation, I would have proposed a bill focusing on education, public health, or green environment. My fervent hope now is to draft a bill in advance, if ever I will apply to the 3rd PMC next year.

The delegates were grouped into five committees. Each committee was composed of more or less 100 high school and college students and young professionals. I was part of Committee 2.

In our committee, nine bills were discussed including Student Rights Bill, Urbanization Bill, Revised Party List System Bill, Livability Bill, and People’s Hour Act, among others. The delegates themselves drafted all these bills prior to the event.

The committee session began with the committee chair convening the session. Then, principal sponsors presented their bills to the committee members. A caucus was called for them to gather support for their bills. Voting proceeded to determine the bills to be debated in our committee.

Afterwards, principal sponsors of the voted bills discussed their bills in details. During this time, committee members asked questions about the sections of the bill. After the bills were amended, each bill was put into a vote to determine the bills to be passed to plenary. Committee 2 passed three bills.

Bills that passed the plenary session will be presented to the actual Philippine Senate and House of Representatives. This is a great opportunity for us – the youth – to be heard by the country’s leaders like Sen. Bam Aquino and Sen. Loren Legarda who have expressed their support to bills that passed the model congress.

Keeping my idealism burning
“Keep your idealism burning through the years.” – Sen. Bam Aquino

The two-day congress also saw speakers from both the public and private sectors who shared their different views on leadership and public service.

The conference’s speakers included Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Sonny Angara, National Youth Commission Chair Leon Flores III, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, and business tycoon Washington Sycip. All of them inspired us to be part of the country’s development process.

Sen. Aquino reminded us to keep our idealism burning through the years. Trying to set an example, he said that as a toddler in 1980s he participated in rallies against the dictatorship. He added that he loves to talk to Filipino youth because he believes they are idealistic.

“It is never too early to start and fight the good fight. We’re never too young to take the challenge and say, I’m ready to join the development process,” he added.

During his speech, I realized that my idealism is my starting contribution to society. It is my weapon to take risks, to improve lives eventually, and to be ready to take any challenge.

But this idealism should not remain within me. The congress has taught me to start using this idealism in my communities where changing people’s lives begin. As I become more mature, hopefully, this idealism would ignite a light that could change my community, even in the simplest ways possible.

Wrapping up
My foremost goal in sending my application to PMC was to enlighten myself about the things I could do for my community. During the congress, I realized that my idealism should guide me to start a good fight for my community and, eventually, for our country.

My stint as a lawmaker for two days was one of the highlights of my life. It was an honor to participate in PMC which aimed to increase youth’s awareness on national issues. I also had the opportunity to meet idealistic people who had unique views on the country’s development process.

The congress also gave me a glimpse of what our country’s legislators do in the Congress. I realized that their task of creating laws demands knowledge in relevant fields, determination, hard work, rhetorical skill, and, most importantly, a strong sense of civic responsibility. The insights I got from PMC about the legislative process and public service would surely help me in my future endeavors.

Moreover, in this year’s PMC, 500 youth from 80 provinces across the country gathered to signify that the young generation could also offer a wealth of insights about the issues that are important to the country.

The varied bills discussed in the committee and plenary sessions showed that Filipino youth are still concerned and optimistic with the country’s future. The delegates debated upon on different bills, but the ultimate goal was to improve lives by protecting the rights of the people – even just in a model congress.

Hence, the most important lesson I realized is that the Filipino youth has the power to make a better political landscape in the county.

Indeed, PMC has molded a community of young people committed to nation-building. As Sen. Aquino reminded the delegates, “One is never too young to contribute to society.”

On youth empowerment and access to education

To Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the youth is the country’s hope. But given the recorded 61 million children worldwide who are out of school, I ask myself if Rizal’s eminent adage is still idealistic with today’s seemingly aloof access to education.

DEPRIVED. Access to education can reduce poverty and promote youth empowerment.

Education is a basic human right; it is a fundamental key to success, as the saying goes. I believe that it is also an imperative factor in the holistic development of youths. Having an affordable and accessible education will nurture them to fulfill their endeavors. It will give them the opportunity to develop fully themselves.

Education, more importantly, serves as youth’s indispensable tool against ignorance and poverty. That is why it is so alarming that millions of youths are being deprived of education and literacy, which also means that they are also being denied of their full potentials. Youth empowerment is at risk, therefore.

Thus I think there is a strong connection between youth empowerment and access to education. Youth empowerment basically means helping the youths realize their full potentials and enabling them develop their capacities to make a change in the society. Their access to education gives them the opportunity to know the larger fulfillment of their human potential and meet their basic learning needs; therefore, if they are deprived of education, how can they realize their potentials? How can they fully participate in reducing poverty and help in promoting economic growth? How can they work productively? How can they live the life they aspire?

I studied in both public elementary and secondary schools; I experienced the perennial problems of education such as lack of facilities, textbooks, and teachers. I am firm in saying that there is a great need to strengthen further the access of youths to education. Make it universal. Make it accessible. Make it an education for all.

Moreover, the year 2015 is aimed to ignite a worldwide change in education. It is supposedly the year of the “Education For All” – the onset of universal access to affordable and quality education. Three years from now the 61 million out of school children are expected to be at school. BUT looking at what we have now, this 2015 goal, either needs to be re-scheduled or needs to be taken more seriously and vigorously. 

Education has the innate capacity to change a youth’s life. Pursuing an education for all implies gearing every youth for the future and preparing them to partake in solving societal problems. Their access to education is a requisite in achieving development through youth empowerment. This will surely reaffirm Rizal’s belief that youths are the country's hope, and they still are. I am still optimistic that time will come that everyone will have the chance to go to school and experience an education for all.

MCL stages 2nd Pinoy Panitikan Cosplay, pledges heroism

Astounding creativity and national pride filled the air as famous Filipino fictional characters were once again brought to life in Malayan Colleges Laguna's (MCL) - College of Arts and Science (CAS) Week 2013 Celebration. MCL staged its second "Pinoy Panitikan Cosplay" or Philippine Literature Cosplay on February 14 at the school ground.

Over 500 students taking Filipino courses came out mimicking through their costumes, actions, and fighting styles a myriad of Filipino fictional characters such as Panday, Enteng Kabisote, Lastikman, and Darna.

Prof. Rogelio F. Valenzuela, the head organizer of the Cosplay event, conceptualized the idea of bringing favorite Filipino characters in literature, comics, TV series, and film to life to uphold the rich culture and arts of the Philippines.

According to him, it is the only version in the country that showcases fictional characters that are 100% Filipino.

He further explained that the 2nd Philippine Literature Cosplay took a historical approach in building the program: a dramatization of the Philippine History was staged first prior to the National Anthem; the fashion show of the student cosplayers had voice over about the history of the characters they were portraying; and there was a book parade of the characters from Ibong Adarna, Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere, and El Filibusterismo.

A speech choir titled "Takas" (Escaped) was also creatively performed showcasing illustrious Filipino fictional protagonists and antagonists.

And because it was also Valentine’s Day, famous Filipino love teams in literature, TV series, and films also did the catwalk such as Malakas-Maganda and Sir Chief-Maya.

More importantly, this year’s event also integrated the value of bayanihan and heroism in raising awareness and elevating the students’ interest in Philippine literature.

The latter part of the event revealed “Who’s the real superhero”. Prof. Valenzuela said that everyone is superhero in his or her own way; he believes that it is just about realizing that the change one wants should begin in one’s own self.

“Real power actually lies within one’s heart. We, ordinary Filipinos, are veritably the new heroes of our time,” he said.

Furthermore, Prof. Valenzuela described the event as a creative venue for the students to better appreciate Philippine literature; hence 60 elementary pupils from Niugan Elementary School in Cabuyao City were invited to witness the event. The children also participated in a storytelling led by another batch of student cosplayers.

Prof. Ma. Rovilla C. Sudprasert, MCL’s Values Education, Language, Social Science, and Humanities cluster head and this year’s CAS Week 2013 overall head, said that the event was a success as it also fostered camaraderie among the students, faculty members, and school officials.

The event culminated with a Pledge of Heroism where everyone promised to be a good citizen by doing the best that they can be and to cultivate national pride and culture in everything that they do.

The 2nd Philippine Literature Cosplay was one of the highlights of the 3rd MCL-CAS Week Celebration.

12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country

"Bayani ang bawat Pilipino. (Every Filipino is a hero.) We are the heroes we need." - Atty. Alexander L. Lacson

Rarely do I finish reading books. But in December 2010, a great friend of mine gave me a birthday present – a book, so I was somehow compelled to read it. That was my humble way of valuing the unexpected gift that he gave me.

Written by Atty. Alexander L. Lacson, the title of the book was “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.” It had its first printing in June 2005 and sold almost 25,000 copies after its fourth printing in the first quarter of 2006; however, I first heard of this book on TV during the 2010 Philippine Election, where Atty. Lacson ran for a senatorial seat. I was intrigued by the book’s title; I immediately asked myself the same question that most readers would be probably asking before reading it: “What are those 12 little things?”

Most, if not all, of the 12 little things mentioned in the book were chiefly generic, which I neglected to realize and apply. Actions like following traffic rules and asking for an official receipt were included. Sounds easy to follow, right? Unfortunately, these are ignored by most of us.

The author, who is also a philanthropist and a nation-builder, aims to inculcate in the minds and hearts of every Filipino that each of us has significant role to partake in helping the country. The book promotes positive values about the Philippines amidst its countless adversities. For this, I salute Atty. Lacson. The book has helped me realized how imperative it is to be a good, responsible, and productive citizen of my beloved country. Indeed, I was lucky enough that I received this kind of present.

Here are the "12 Little Things" listed in the book:
1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.
3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy Local. Buy Filipino. (Or, if you read the book, he suggests: 50-50).
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.
7. Support your church.
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10. Pay your taxes.
11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

If every Filipino will genuinely apply these acts, the Philippines is going to be a better place to live in. The book has served its purpose – a revelation about the (little) things we can actually do in helping our own country. Today is the day. Let us solemnly do our part as responsible citizens.