It was either a movie on Netflix or watching the MDA’s “Miting de Avances” of Leni-Kiko or BBM-Sara. In the end the MDAs prevailed. It was nearly 1AM when I got to watch VPLeni make her final pitch. I was so enthralled and fascinated with her speech that I stayed until the end. When I switched to BBM-Sara’s it was one of the senatoriables speaking. I switched back to the Kakampinks because I already knew what I wanted to witness. History was being made that night; well history has been on-the-move since 07 October 2021, when VPLeni signified her candidacy for President of the Republic of the Philippines. To say that her campaign is electrifying would not give justice to the phenomenon I could only say as Robredoism.
How a small force suddenly grew in strength and numbers through volunteerism and commitment. Great movements almost always start from somewhere. The self-less work of so many people willing to get out of their comfort zone. Is this Robredoism? I am a mere political observer with no scientific or academic qualifications to be a political analyst. I will leave the analytical thinking to those who are qualified. What I have and what I bring to the table is my gut feel, my observation of what is happening around me. Yes, I’ve seen and read about her in the news but not really been following her presidential campaign until the last couple of weeks. I get my updates of her and the other presidential aspirants from my daily Twitter feed.
Back in the day, I was involved in the Philippine NGO movement, most especially the ones that were at the forefront of environmental and peace education, as well as indigenous people’s rights. I have seen how the people on the ground worked and the impact it created on the communities involved. I was a volunteer because I already had a job as a college professor. Oftentimes there was no budget for paying outside staff. I’ve seen how the NGO’s operated and how they had to constantly be on the lookout for money to finance their various projects. There were the lucky ones who got foreign funding from international NGOs but for the vast majority it was a struggle to look for funding and funders. Crucial to the success of an NGO would be the leader who had to be a visionary as well as a miracle worker, able to look and find funds, motivating staff and volunteers, and gaining the support and confidence of the communities impacted by the NGO.
VPLeni worked in the NGO sector for so long. She has a real feel of how it is working and fighting for the farmers, fisher folks, ordinary citizens, who have less in life and are oftentimes powerless against the strong, the politically-connected, rich and influential. She has been immersed with working in the NGO sector and it shows in how she deals with people, how she organizes, and how she motivates and inspires others. She has this never say die, never give up attitude that could only be learned and developed by working with the NGOs. The primary capital of an NGO are the volunteers. People who are willing to go the extra mile for the greater good. That is why Mrs. Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo, Vice-President of the Philippines, and now presidential candidate, is who she is.
May kasabihan tayong mga Pinoy, “kung ayaw maraming dahilan, pero kung gusto gagawan ng paraan.” VPLeni has shown us how and it can be done.