08/05/2022
"Ibalik natin ang munisipyo sa mga tao."
While hundreds of thousands took to the streets of the capital last night to fight for our country's future, the battle was also being fought in towns and municipalities across the nation, including Pura, Tarlac.
"Ang palakasan system sa paghingi ng tulong, bubuwagin natin...ang serbisyo sa isa ay dapat ang serbisyo sa lahat."
Those words were my brother Carlo's. He is running for Mayor of Pura. The story of his campaign began like this: he was completely alone, running as an independent. Alone he visited countless homes across 16 barangays, to hear the worries and hopes of the people directly.
His chances were modest, though he was the most qualified (he was president of the Philippine Councilors League-Tarlac Chapter, for 3 years--the only incumbent councilor in the history of Pura who was elected by all the councilors in the entire province of Tarlac). He was running against 4 other mayoral candidates, among them the incumbent. But he dared to dream of a better local government, one which does not steal from the people, one which does not treat the position as a business, one that is truly FOR THE PEOPLE.
His dream became the dream of many. The number of volunteers wanting to help him grew, swelled, became a wave that pushed him closer and closer towards the lead. A former opponent decided to give all his support to my brother's campaign. It reminded me of some of my favorite words from Goethe--how boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. How when you commit to something, enormous forces come to your aid, and how all sorts of things will happen to help you that would otherwise never have occurred.
"Kailangan natin labanan ang kadiliman na nakapulupot sa ating bayan."
I cannot tell you all the lies, intimidation, threats and underhanded dealings my brother has had to face, and is still facing. But I don't need to. You already know. Alam na natin lahat ang mga style na ganyan.
It's also impossible to recount all the miracles that happened during Carlo's campaign. But by now you also already know: miracles are actually individual people. They are volunteers, family, friends, and ordinary citizens who do whatever they can to help ("Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." said Vincent Van Gogh).
My brother began his campaign alone. But yesterday at the motorcade and last night, at the Miting de Avance, we were in awe at the sea of people who came to show their support, shouting his name, shouting for change.
"Ado nga salamat. Kadakayo amin apo."
I think of everyone out there who is fighting the good fight. Not just in the streets but in their homes, in conversations with friends and family, in acts of service and volunteerism, in the way they raise their children, in the way they refuse to look down on others, or let hate or anger be the motivating force in their lives. Thank you for being an inspiration. And to my brother Carlo, thank you for inspiring me. You really have. What an honor to be your sister and watch you grow into the man you are now. You have struggled and overcome again and again. I know how hard-earned it all is.
Tomorrow we cast our votes.
Tomorrow again, we fight for our future.
Whatever happens, let's keep fighting the good fight.
