November 16, 2009
Reactions to "Noynoy's 60 Percent"
What about Dick Gordon?
Reaction to Reactions
Not Waiting for Bill Gates to save us
Hi, Tony.
Sorry to bring up this subject matter again, but you are the most analytical of columnists.
This is with regards the SWS survey.
I don't know if you know it, but the survey on the presidentiables and the survey on the hunger incidence were done at the same time.
You can check with http://www.sws.org.ph/ to double check my observation.
My point is, why should the surveys be done at the same time? First, doesn't that create bias on the survey because people who are hungry are naturally against the candidate of the administration? Second, doesn't the sample become skewed towards those in the lower income class?
I mean, would it make sense that the SWS survey include the classes A,B. and C to measure the hunger incidence? That would be a complete waste of time and resources.
Of course I may be wrong, but if I am right, then the whole SWS survey on the presidentiables is very biased. What do you think?
Bobby Tordesillas, (by email), Oct. 18, 2009
(I think you are wrong. Even if the two surveys were done simultaneously, it does not necessarily mean the two sets of questions were asked of the same respondents. ACA)
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Hi, Tony.
I agree with your analysis.
However, can anyone really ever know whether these surveys, SWS, Pulse Asia or StratPolls, are accurate or not?
The survey results can never be compared with the actual election results because in the actual election, there could be vote buying, intimidation, cheating, disenfranchising, vote bloc and so on, not only by one party but probably by all parties. And these are never factored in any survey.
Hence, how will we ever establish the credibility?
If another candidate wins, SWS can always claim there was cheating.
So if we can never establish their credibility, then what is the use of all these surveys then? Are we to work on the presumption that they are credible? What if they are not? They may have been proven in consumer surveys, but political surveys are far different.
Bobby Tordesillas, (by email), Oct. 21, 2009
(If survey results do not agree with your own biases, then you should stop reading them or paying attention to them. ACA)
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Passionately Disturbed by Noynoy Phenomenon
The bandwagon mentality is accelerating on high gear on the bumpy road of Philippine politics. It has started to run wild with many Filipinos jumping emotionally into the Noynoy for President Movement. These they do without even catching a glimpse of Noynoy's own concrete vision for the country, independent and apart from what his parents had already manifested.
Indeed, there are disturbing facts about Noynoy:
1. His indifference towards a genuine agrarian reform—apathy even. He had not lifted his elitist fingers when the farmers of Hacienda Luisita were being killed and oppressed at the time he was in a position to do something to protect them, being a congressman of Tarlac for three terms. In fact when he finally expressed himself on the issue it was to say that he is willing to let go of Hacienda Luisita because it is debt-ridden and has become a burden on the clan.
To eliminate a pesky election issue, he is finally being moved to do the right thing re their hacienda, for the wrong reason.
On a national scale, he abstained from the Senate deliberation on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Progran Extension with Reform (CARPER). Then voted against it. Noynoy could not even be himself—a landowner, pro-landowners, anti-peasants who comprise the majority of the Philippine poor. A person with no conviction has no leg to stand on and can be easily swayed towards any direction.
2. As an active proponent of RH5043 he is expected to possess full understanding of its socio-moral implications. His neither here nor there pronouncements only indicate that he has no clear and complete comprehension of the RH Bill which he is espousing. And chooses to be politically pragmatic by adjusting his position to what the listeners want from him. I heard him say that he is for it because he wants to teach parents good parenthood. A monstrous foreign-funded bill to teach good parenting? That's what Noynoy said at one time. He says something else on other occasions.
3.The most worrisome of all is the growing Noynoy bandwagon. We might have another leader being manipulated by a few wise guys. Which does not necessarily mean that he is not capable of manipulation, himself. He pulled a fast one on Mar Roxas when he first expressed to the latter his desire to lead the Liberal Party as its Presidential candidate. Mar had no choice but to cave in to the political tsunami that hit him.
After getting what he wanted, Noynoy went on a retreat. "To seek for the light that will help him decide if he will run or not." Noynoy declaredWhile Noynoy, his family and supporters appears to be enamored by what they consider as clamor by the people; hopefully we also study in earnest and choose correctly the right leaders who has the competence and the quality to inspire and work with the people, first for the common good and welfare of the nation and not of their clans, haciendas, businesses and followers.
Or at least vote for Noynoy with open eyes—not lemming-like-- as to the kind of person we are putting in office. That our expectations may be realistic and our dreams not be shattered, As a nation we have more than enough of dashed expectations and an overwhelming sense of betrayal of trust by our leaders.
Ma. Gracia Riñoza-Plazo, (by email), Quezon City, Oct. 21, 2009
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Dear Mr. Abaya,
This is to complain about your statement quoted,"There was no mention at all
of other presidential contenders: Nicky Perlas, JC de los Reyes, Jamby
Madrigal and Mike Velarde, who should now be scratched from future
presidential surveys".
I still buy the Standard Today even as it is not on the top of the surveys
when it comes to popularity. I hope its not going to be scratched from future surveys as it still has many good features as a paper, so far.
Now on popularity, may I share this .."There is nothing more tyrannical than
a strong popular feeling among a democratic people".(Anthony Trollope, English novelist,1862)
JC and the Ang Kapatiran party members believe that for this country to
restore itself, it must restore its politics to decency and integrity, where
good words are matched by good deeds and no principles nor conviction would
give way to expediency.
In 2010 lets vote in principles, not men.. Shouldn't we make this popular, Tony
? Mabuhay tayong lahat !!
Eric B Manalang, (by email), Oct. 22, 2009
Ang Kapatiran Party
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Hi, Tony,
I just admire the way you so systematically and logically (and bravely, too) analyze matters, especially. polls and trends, like the Inquirer's menopausal female editors having the hot pants for Gringo Honasan. :)
Ethel David, (by email), Oct. 22, 2009
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50%-51% for Noynoy is good enough. The rest can fight over the remaining votes. Villar is too rich, Escudero is too young, Noynoy is lacking in accomplishment but who cares?. Noynoy will surely win the election.
Nonoy Ramos, (by email), Pennsylvania, Oct. 22, 2009
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Tony
Noynoy barely made the age requirement. He is a poor candidate. Is he gay?
Max Fabella, (by email), Florida, Oct 22, 2009
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Dear Tony:
While Noynoy's numbers may have dropped, he's still the leader. EvenErap's Tondo launch didn't change the situation much - and I doubtthat Chiz Escudero's formal announcement can push his numbers up. Asof this time, it's narrowing to a Noynoy-Villar showdown.
GMA'sPalaKa will have to abandon GiBo at some point to support Villar.That may force both Chiz and Erap to go for Noynoy. And if therewill really be clean elections and honest counting of votes, Noynoymay outpoll Villar 2 to 1, as the GMA "Kiss of Death" goes to Villar.We need to prepare for the worst when May 2010 produces a failure ofelection. Anyone preparing for the election may be doing GMA a bigfavor by encouraging the illusion that elections will happen. Soaspirants and their backers must really think about whether they wantto legitimize GMA by being candidates.Maybe this is the time for a boycott.
Tito Osias, (by email), Oct. 23, 2009
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Dear Mr. Abaya,
I am an avid fan of your writings though not all of it. I think that your opinion on the fact that candidates not showing on the survey should be scratched is off the mark and is insensitive. The surveys does not tell the whole story and in fact in my article written at "Pagod Ka Na Bang Maging si Juan?" entitled, "Huwag Paloloko sa mga Presidential Surveys! Kakayahan... Dignidad at Plataposma Iyan ang Sukatan" with url http://pagodkanaba.blogspot.com/2009/10/huwag-paloloko-sa-mga-presidential.html , I mentioned the reasons why Nick Perlas and others is not showing on the survey. In fact these surveys perpetrate the status quo and traditional politics of popularity over platform and substance. By not providing names people who were asked resort to who they remember best and not a choice of who among these candidates really has a platform to make our country better.
We need a leader who will carry new politics, a rediscovery of our Filipino culture, will cater and promote innovation of our people and will protect our environment. It is Nick Perlas who has this capacity to bring the much needed change in our country. Any thorough background check, research and investigation will definitely prove that.
Now why scrap him or any other person for that reason. Councilor J.C. Delos Reyes is likely qualified. He had demonstrated good traits to be a president. The presidency should not be dominated by the elite and the oligarchs who continuously rule our country but had not done anything to alleviate the suffering of our people.
I believe in your resolve as a journalist and that you stand for what is right, moral and beneficial to our country and to our people. Thanks and more power! Sincerely,
David d'Angelo, (by email), Oct.23, 2009
Brotherhood of Destiny (BROOD)
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Democracy or Demagoguery?
Dear Mr. Abaya,
I am one of those who believe that the main aim of a revolutionary transition
is not anti-democracy but anti-demagoguery.
Since its inception, our democratic subculture has always been (and still is)
a playground of demagogues of varying stripes---from political saints to
political prostitutes, dictators to actors, and militaristas to militantistas
as well.
And yet, the majority is just more than willing to go along with it, if not
resigned to doing it. Fair or unfair, it's the only legal method we are
bound to use for our so-called democracy.
But when certain self-interests are not met, we resort to extra-legal means
to knock the reigning champion down.
A couple of times we boxed and succeeded with people power and we
congratulated and pinned ourselves with democratic medals.
Yes, we engage now and then in people power. Not because we are all
democrats but because we want to impose our middle-class or upper-class
consciousness against the impoverished values of hoi polloi.
Didn't Ferdinand get the majority of votes against Cory? Didn't Erap get the
majority of votes against Jose. Didn't Miriam get the majority of votes
against Fidel? Didn't Fernando get the majority of votes against Gloria?
Isn't this antithetical to vox populi?
What has this undermining of our democratic method done to us?
Has it enhanced our political capital? Has it improved our standard of living?
Has it decreased the level of corruption?
If by undermining our democratic method we simply sink deeper into the
quagmire of demagoguery, why do we continue to insist that we are a
democratic country?
Why is it that nobody seriously acknowledges that we are hopelessly not
democratic at all?
Just as I am writing this, a mustached demagogue surrounded by his cabal of
TRAPOS, hangers-on, and riffraffs has issued his version of class warfare
again in his alleged last performance on the national stage.
The funny thing about this is he might be allowed to run again. The tragic
thing about this is he might win again.
In a country where the sensitivities of the teeming great unwashed are easy
to exploit, this is not just an open invitation to demagoguery but also a
recipe for the continued pauperization of our demos.
And the demagogues know that what the squealing masa doesn't know is what
makes them the squealing masa.
For me, this is the crux of the matter!
As long as the majority of Filipinos are hungry, uneducated, and ignorant,
democracy is impossible! How can a person reflectively vote if he or she is hungry?
How can a person critically vote if he or she is uneducated? How can a person wisely vote if he or she is ignorant?
No amount of electioneering and people power can make a hungry, uneducated,
and ignorant person a true democrat! As Epictetus once thundered: "Only the educated are free!"
What is our way out? Is there a way out?
I like to believe that there is because I have an optimistic sense as an
urban and regional planner, although I do not have the optimistic sense as a
sociologist.
I think it's very hard to live in this moment of our social history as a
person without that tragic sense of betrayal and distrust.
Sociologically, I look at the current political order and I see that my
tragic sense responds to it. But I also know that life is never one thing. There are always both senses at once.
For me, I've always had an instinct as a planner to write against the grain
of the event, to think differently, and to offer options, to talk about the
unpleasant things as well as talk about alternatives and what can be done.
What then are our alternatives against demagoguery?
What then are our options to realizing our democratic ideals?
Allow me to propose two trajectories.
There is a rich tapestry of sociological narratives for these two
trajectories I culled from my studies and research which I do not have the
space to elaborate. And so, I will limit myself to their planning implications for our island
nation.
My first planning trajectory is the Patria Chica option (the Spanish word for
"little homeland" or regional culture), the planning trajectory of the
city-state.
What this means for us is the semi-autonomous city-state building by
visionary and no-nonsense provincial or regional leaders (ala Lee Kuan Yew)
who will commit their lives to such task, no matter what.
With this kind of leaders, I believe we (Christians, Muslims, and other
non-Christians and non-Muslims) might have a palpable chance to enjoy the
ideals of democracy, one province at a time, one region at a time, or one
island at a time.
My second planning trajectory is the Patria Grande option (the Spanish word
for country or central control), the planning trajectory of the nation-state.
What this means for us now is a national revolutionary transition that will
firmly lay down law and order and discipline.
As a transition, it is a temporary pragmatic measure intended to provide
economic normalcy and financial stability vital to an island nation striving
to do things differently.
But of course, there is always the status quo option, the TRAPO's way--- of
revolving-door politics and business as usual.
Quo Vadis, my fellow kababayans?
Efren N. Padilla, (by email), Hayward, CA, Oct. 22, 2009
Professor of Sociology and Urban Planning
California State University at East Bay
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This kind of survey is not reliable. It is self-serving and influenced by the one who paid for such survey. It's also how the questions are phrased and presented. Not the least to be considered are the people conducting the survey and what social class the respondents belong to.
Narciso Ner, (by email), Davao City, Oct. 24, 2009
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Dear Tony,
The sum of all the parts of a whole always total one (1) or 100%. I added mentally (without a calculator) the 60% of Noynoy and the percent shares of the rest and the sum is 175.5%. If you divide 60% by 175.5%, the result is 34%.
I do not have the other figures or basis of the computation of SWS but to me it is plain deceit.
Those who push Noynoy very hard show their true color when they manipulated the figures.
This is the last straw. I am now running for President of the Republic of the Philippines, especially against Noynoy amd Erap.
Cool. Hector Mirasol Tarrazona (Ret.), (by email), Oct. 28, 2009
PAF Officer, PMA Class 1968)
Independent Member of the Ad Hoc Steering Committee of the original RAM (Reform the AFP Movement, 1985-1986)
(Note: Independent because I did not join the 1987 coup attempt, and I prevented the rebel soldiers from occupying Fernando Air Base during the 1989 coup attempt.)
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Mr. Abaya,
You conveniently forgot to mention that in the SWS survey on Sept.18 to 21, there was one-choice rider survey which showed Noynoy getting 51% and Villar 20% at second place. Instead you came up with an unscientific extrapolation just to suit your bias agaist Noynoy. Far from what you said as a declining trend,Nonoy,s %51% on Sept. 18 to 21 is in fact an improvement over the 50% on Sept. 5-7. Your analysis and response to the survey results is pathetic.
Benjamin Bernas, (by email), Oct 21, 2009
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The same SWS Survey of Sept. 18-21 had a rider question where a top or singular choice was asked of the respondents on top of the multiple choice methodology employed... the results of the rider question on presidentiables are as follows : Noynoy - 51 % , Villar - 20 % , Estrada 11 % , Escudero- 8 % adding up to 90 % with the remaining 10 % shared by the trailing candidates. The 51 % nationwide rating of Noynoy is equal to the 50 % he got in the so-called Lucena-Lingayen corridor survey commissioned by Serge Osmena et al.
Ferdie T. Sibal, (by email0, Oct. 20, 2009
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Sir, In your article titled, "Noynoy's 60 percent" you ask... (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2009/october/20/antonioabaya.isx&d=/2009/october/20)
You wrote: But the results do not tell us how many of those 1,080 picked Noynoy as first choice—which is what happens in a real election—and how many picked him as second or third choice—which would not be allowed in a real election.
Then you concluded with your own statistics that Nonoy actually got only 36%
But for the sake of simplicity, I am assuming that 60 percent of their supporters chose each of them as his/her first choice. Under that assumption, the following would be the first-choice picks of the 1,800 respondents:
Noynoy 36 percent, Villar 22 percent, Estrada 10.8 percent, Escudero 9.0 percent, De Castro 4.8 percent, Legarda 3.0 percent, Teodoro 2.4 percent … which add up to 88 percent. The remaining 12 percent would be divided among the other contenders and the undecided. This seems to be more meaningful than the SWS' three-choice survey where the replies add up to an incomprehensible 165.5 percent..
Here's the answer to your question.
There was a Private Rider to the SWS September 18 - 21 nationwide survey where only one top of mind choice was allowed and this was discussed in the October 16, 2009 STAR story of Helen Flores (Rider survey data sourced from the ABS-CBN website). In this Private Rider of the SWS survey, the results were - Noynoy Aquino 51%, Manny Villar 20%, Joseph Estrada 11% and Chiz Escudero 8%.
The multiple choices and top choice results were consistent. The rankings were the same (Noynoy — Villar — Erap — Chiz) and merely varied in the percentages due to the multiple answers allowed by the other survey.
In both surveys, Noynoy Aquino dominated. Noynoy registered a phenomenal 60% in the multiple choices survey, leading the second placer, Manny Villar, by a margin of 23%. In the single choice Private Rider survey, Noynoy led Villar by a margin 31%.
In the multiple choices survey, Noynoy led Erap by a margin of 42% and Chiz by 45%. In the single choice Private Rider survey, Noynoy led Erap by a margin of 40% and Chiz by 43%. Noynoy's lead over Erap was more than Erap's 1998 vote total of 38%.
That Noynoy enjoyed wide margins over the second, third and fourth placers in both the multiple choices and the single choice SWS nationwide survey underscored his distinct advantage of being what is considered in marketing as the dominant brand.
Noynoy's immense lead over his rivals would indicate that voters are deciding based on ideological considerations — good versus evil, trust versus distrust, people empowerment versus traditional patronage politics, and so forth. The ideological factor makes it extremely difficult for Noynoy's rivals to narrow the gap. More than just the man to beat, Noynoy simply looks unbeatable.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=515824&publicationSubCategoryId=64
I know you are probably a supporter of a presidentiable other than Noynoy, but at least you can be fair in your commentaries by referring to factual data available. After all media should stand for the Truth and not Spin. Respectfully,
Dong Eito, (by email), Saudi Arabia, Oct. 20, 2009
ADDENDUM. Within 24 hours after this article saw print on Oct. 20, and before it was distributed electronically, I received reactions from Readers Dong Eito, Ferdie Sibal and Benjamin Bernas informing me that there was a Private Rider to the 3-choice SWS survey of Sept 18-21. The Private Rider, a question asked by a private person or organization in addition to the question/s asked by SWS, asked respondents to give a single-choice answer as to which person they thought should succeed President Arroyo.
The Private Rider answers gave Noynoy 51 percent, Villar 20 percent, Estrada 11 percent, and Escudero 8 percent, and were mentioned and discussed in the Philippine Star, according to the above readers.
This information was NOT mentioned or discussed in the two newspapers that I subscribe to: the Manila Standard Today and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I get to see the Philippine Star only when I have my hair cut at the barber shop of the Makati Sports Club, which happens only once a month.
The intriguing question is WHY this information was not mentioned or discussed in or by the Inquirer, which claims to be the No. 1 Newspaper in the Philippines. Instead it reported only on the 60 percent that Noynoy got in the 3-choice SWS survey, which is patently misleading in favor of its favored candidate Noynoy. 60 percent is a bigger number than 51 percent.
Is the Inquirer trying to atone for its past sins? Past sins? As Kris Aquino and her sisters painfully know, the Inquirer was the harshest critic of their and Noynoy's mother Cory Aquino when she was president from 1986 to 1992.
Some of the Inquirer's menopausal female editors and columnists then had hot pants for the dashing coup plotter Col. Gringo Honasan and glamorized him into a macho folk hero. At the same time, some of the Inquirer's resident Communist editors and columnists roasted President Cory Aquino on a daily basis: she could do no right, and the Communists could do no wrong.
It can be argued that the militarist and Communist machinations against President Cory Aquino could not have lasted as long and as successfully as they did without the encouragement from some of the Inquirer's editors and columnists, who now ironically have become the number one drumbeaters for her son, Noynoy.
It may be their way of saying: Sorry, Cory. *****
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What about Dick Gordon?
Tony,
Why is Sen. Dick Gordon not being featured more on so-called "Presidentiable" articles? It looks like among the class of 2010, he is the most accomplished and has the most laid-out plans for the future, not to mention the executive experience and the track record "to back the words that are coming out of his mouth". He may not be Lee Kuan Yew or a Mahathir bin Mohammad but he seems to be pretty close. As you said in your articles, there are 90 million of us, there is bound to be at least one who has the ability to get us out of the mire we find ourselves in. Regards,
Jay Castro, (by email), Arkansas, Oct. 30, 2009
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Reaction to Reactions
Dear Tony,
Reading the reactions to your opinions is formative to many of my own opinions. It enriches. I like touching base with other brains and biases.
But I resent people who preach to us while they live in high and dry and presumably efficient places abroad like Essen in Germany and Hayward in California.
Come on, guys, walk through our mud as we do before you preach to us. Earnestly'
Monina Allarey-Mercado,(by email), Oct. 28, 2009
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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Aurora Pijuan)
NOT WAITING FOR BILL GATES TO SAVE US
By Tony Meloto
Singapore is showing Filipinos true friendship in action. They were quick to the rescue in our last moment of need without being asked for help, a classic case of family helping one another.
I am here frequently because it is second home to me aside from being the emerging hub for social innovations in the region, wanting to help other nations by promoting exchange of development ideas, and to teach students how to be caring in a world where there is concern that IQ has outpaced EQ. We have received almost a thousand students since last year from NUS, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, SMU and LKY School in our Gawad Kalinga sites in the Philippines for immersion.
My fascination with Singapore is in the herculean achievement of a small Asian country with scant natural resources to gain prosperity and influence through effective patriotic leadership, while a resource abundant country like ours has remained poor because of lack of it. You found the answer not in foreign aid but in strong citizenship, in Lee Kuan Yew's clear vision and your people's passion to build it with hard work and honor. Although our situation is compounded by natural disasters that visit us regularly which Singapore does not have, I believe however that our problems are not insurmountable nor our people less determined to find solutions to them.
This is the faith that drives me and many others to pursue our cause of nation-building.
Calamities often aggravate poverty and count the poor as the first victims. Sometimes they can be social levelers and opportunities for people to discover hidden strengths in their moment of weakness, find answers to age-old problems within themselves after searching elsewhere or blaming others.
What happened to us recently was our road to Damascus experience.
The worst calamity in the last half century hit the Philippines barely a month ago. Typhoon Ketsana, named Ondoy locally, dumped more rain on Metro Manila than hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans. Within a week, another super typhoon with killer floods hit us in the northern part of the country. Despite vast destruction to life and property, however, unlike any tragedy before nearing such magnitude, our people were back on their feet again in a short time. No looting, no shooting, no prolonged depression despite the dire prediction that floodwaters will take three months to recede in some areas. Our people got back to the business of living, hard as it was.
We rose from the mud, buried our dead, cleaned up the debris, rebuilt our communities and resolved to cease being perennial victims to natural and man-made disasters.
We did not wait for Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey to unleash global aid as they did for the tsunami victims and the hungry in Africa. I'm sure they would have done so with their generous spirit if our needs were a priority to them given the numerous causes begging for their attention. Not out of false pride but due to extreme urgency, we decided to help ourselves and discovered that we were not helpless as a nation after all. It seemed as if the self-reliant Filipino woke up from a coma; the hero in us came out of the closet.
That calamity, tragic as it was, gave us a sense of dignity and wholeness because we chose to act rather than beg and wait for mercy. Global philanthropy came later as icing on the cake of human kindness, after we acted as our brother's keeper in a country whose dominant religion places the highest value on love of neighbor next to God.
While generosity abounds, we may see it finally as a bridge to long term solutions, not as a means to perpetuate present problems.
Our government agencies were overwhelmed by the immensity of the challenge, but ordinary citizens chose not to indulge the blame game and instead, engaged in acts of heroism, big and small, unseen before on a massive scale. Some lost their lives rescuing others unknown to them, exclusive villages for the rich were opened to poor evacuees, plush homes were converted into kitchens to feed the hungry, supermarket shelves were emptied in a mad rush for supplies, not to hoard for self but to help those in greater need.
The mood was not survival of the fittest, but rising together through caring and sharing. A time of doom and gloom became our shining moment. We had it in us to help ourselves all along.
This is how we built Gawad Kalinga (GK), a development movement with an Asian heart. It recognizes the tremendous capacity of even the poorest slum-dwellers for self-reliance, and the infinite potential of those who control wealth and power to give… and to understand that investing in making the weak strong is good politics and good economics. Development in our thinking is a numbers game – restoring the dignity and growing the capacities of the most number of voters and consumers. This fundamental understanding of the power of partnership for the common good between the rich and poor, public and private has allowed us to change lives on a massive scale peacefully and, hopefully, sustain over 2,000 GK communities in 400 towns supported by nearly the same number of corporations and schools. Mayors particularly of underdeveloped towns in remote areas often come to us for assistance and provide counterpart value of land, site development and water system.
The value of building intentional communities the GK way became clearer to business partners in the last two calamities. They made us the channel for their contribution to relief operations using our sites, which suffered minimal damage and no casualties, as effective distribution centers to surrounding devastated areas. SingTel, through Globe Telecom, gave a generous contribution to the relief effort, though their GK villages and farms were hardly affected. The community we built with Ascendas and local partner Carmelray in Laguna was spared from severe damage, their residents helping others than receiving it. We credit this to the design of the homes, the alert neighborhood and the strong community spirit of not leaving any one behind.
Other groups in Singapore were quick to help. The Catholic Church of Singapore, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, and students from partner universities gave substantial donations and the efforts to help continue to this day.
Three things attract corporate partners to our work. We bridge, leverage and build - homes, lives and hope. We pursue scale and sustainability through a holistic and collaborative approach to a community -based development.
As bridge, we connect those troubled by poverty with hearts that have the means to ease their pain. Our goals of land for the landless, home for the homeless, and food for the hungry did not only benefit the poor but created societal harmony, triggered economic activities, and increased land values for the good of many stakeholders. Media that described our cause as "radical optimism" created public awareness and opened the floodgates of land and home donations never seen in our country before.
Leveraging is our way of multiplying scant resources to give the most benefit to the neediest. A dollar of donation for house materials triggers added value of as much as three dollars from other partners including the poor who contribute sweat equity in the absence of a regular income. We place value on the dignity of the poor and recognize their willingness to build homes other than their own. We attract the expertise and resources of those with the most for the benefit of the least in society… the best for the least.
Build, and they will come - is not just a line from a Kevin Costner movie but a philosophy that has worked for us. Shelter for cover, farms for food and schools for enlightenment built with active community participation are evidence of presence that change lives, generate trust and gather sustained support. We have a ragtag army of volunteers, mostly ordinary citizens, driven by faith and compassion and a growing passion to build a nation. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which is philanthropy and profit sharing in rich economies is nation-building for us.
We have slums to rebuild, forest covers to restore, unproductive land to till, children to educate, habits to change, and right now, floodwaters to tread but we will get there …somehow… if we start to believe that we can do it, together. If Singapore did it, we can do it too.
This is for me Asia coming of age, underdeveloped countries like the Philippines rising from mindsets of helpless slaves from a colonial past, no longer accepting that we are inferior, defining our own destiny based on our dreams and aspirations. We must see western countries as friends and partners, no longer as masters and almsgivers.
Asians are productive citizens in America, registering the highest average household income among various ethnic groups, the lowest unemployment and the least burden to the welfare system. Many of them are reconnecting with their roots to be catalyst of change to the poor that they left behind in their home countries. GK has become a popular channel for this growing mood among Filipinos abroad to give back. It can also be a channel for countries like Vietnam, India and China with their nationals who have left their shores.
We have established GK Hope Initiative (GKHi) in Singapore registered under the Economic Development Board (EDB) to share our growth experiences with other developing countries in the region and to learn from them as well. We look forward to bringing the concept to Goa, India in 2010 in partnership with Tripura Foundation brokered by GKHi. It will be a village built with residents along their cultural and religious lines with support from successful Indians and their friends from the global community.
Singapore, despite its size, is an ideal hub because it is big on synergy and convergence. It also has credibility after licking material poverty in a short period and achieving harmony notwithstanding a population of diverse ethnicities and religions. It is home to caring citizens, many of whom I greatly admire: Ai Lin Ong, who visited us 26 times in 3 years to help us with our nutrition program for malnourished children; her best friend Su-Chzeng Ong, who is using her influence as former VP for Jardine Fleming to gather corporate support for our cause;
Harvard educated Melissa Cui, who is passionate in advocating the interest of Filipino domestic workers in Singapore; and Ju Hu Soh, who has the highest Emotional Quotient among his young peers I have the privilege to meet, working for the poor in my country that he has not even met.
This is a classic case of Asians helping Asians in our corner of the world. We will visit each other's homes, trade our goods, drive poverty out of our doors and attain peace within our borders by being family and friend to one another.
If Bill Gates comes, we will applaud him for his generosity as we admire Oprah for using the power of media to make this a better world.
In the meantime, please pray for us as we wade through our floodwaters until we learn to take stewardship of our fabulous pearl of the Orient called the Philippines by wiping the mud of poverty that covers the true gem inside the hearts of our people.
This speech was given by Tony Meloto at the CSR Forum in Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy last October 22, 2009.
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What about Dick Gordon?
Reaction to Reactions
Not Waiting for Bill Gates to save us
Hi, Tony.
Sorry to bring up this subject matter again, but you are the most analytical of columnists.
This is with regards the SWS survey.
I don't know if you know it, but the survey on the presidentiables and the survey on the hunger incidence were done at the same time.
You can check with http://www.sws.org.ph/ to double check my observation.
My point is, why should the surveys be done at the same time? First, doesn't that create bias on the survey because people who are hungry are naturally against the candidate of the administration? Second, doesn't the sample become skewed towards those in the lower income class?
I mean, would it make sense that the SWS survey include the classes A,B. and C to measure the hunger incidence? That would be a complete waste of time and resources.
Of course I may be wrong, but if I am right, then the whole SWS survey on the presidentiables is very biased. What do you think?
Bobby Tordesillas, (by email), Oct. 18, 2009
(I think you are wrong. Even if the two surveys were done simultaneously, it does not necessarily mean the two sets of questions were asked of the same respondents. ACA)
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Hi, Tony.
I agree with your analysis.
However, can anyone really ever know whether these surveys, SWS, Pulse Asia or StratPolls, are accurate or not?
The survey results can never be compared with the actual election results because in the actual election, there could be vote buying, intimidation, cheating, disenfranchising, vote bloc and so on, not only by one party but probably by all parties. And these are never factored in any survey.
Hence, how will we ever establish the credibility?
If another candidate wins, SWS can always claim there was cheating.
So if we can never establish their credibility, then what is the use of all these surveys then? Are we to work on the presumption that they are credible? What if they are not? They may have been proven in consumer surveys, but political surveys are far different.
Bobby Tordesillas, (by email), Oct. 21, 2009
(If survey results do not agree with your own biases, then you should stop reading them or paying attention to them. ACA)
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Passionately Disturbed by Noynoy Phenomenon
The bandwagon mentality is accelerating on high gear on the bumpy road of Philippine politics. It has started to run wild with many Filipinos jumping emotionally into the Noynoy for President Movement. These they do without even catching a glimpse of Noynoy's own concrete vision for the country, independent and apart from what his parents had already manifested.
Indeed, there are disturbing facts about Noynoy:
1. His indifference towards a genuine agrarian reform—apathy even. He had not lifted his elitist fingers when the farmers of Hacienda Luisita were being killed and oppressed at the time he was in a position to do something to protect them, being a congressman of Tarlac for three terms. In fact when he finally expressed himself on the issue it was to say that he is willing to let go of Hacienda Luisita because it is debt-ridden and has become a burden on the clan.
To eliminate a pesky election issue, he is finally being moved to do the right thing re their hacienda, for the wrong reason.
On a national scale, he abstained from the Senate deliberation on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Progran Extension with Reform (CARPER). Then voted against it. Noynoy could not even be himself—a landowner, pro-landowners, anti-peasants who comprise the majority of the Philippine poor. A person with no conviction has no leg to stand on and can be easily swayed towards any direction.
2. As an active proponent of RH5043 he is expected to possess full understanding of its socio-moral implications. His neither here nor there pronouncements only indicate that he has no clear and complete comprehension of the RH Bill which he is espousing. And chooses to be politically pragmatic by adjusting his position to what the listeners want from him. I heard him say that he is for it because he wants to teach parents good parenthood. A monstrous foreign-funded bill to teach good parenting? That's what Noynoy said at one time. He says something else on other occasions.
3.The most worrisome of all is the growing Noynoy bandwagon. We might have another leader being manipulated by a few wise guys. Which does not necessarily mean that he is not capable of manipulation, himself. He pulled a fast one on Mar Roxas when he first expressed to the latter his desire to lead the Liberal Party as its Presidential candidate. Mar had no choice but to cave in to the political tsunami that hit him.
After getting what he wanted, Noynoy went on a retreat. "To seek for the light that will help him decide if he will run or not." Noynoy declaredWhile Noynoy, his family and supporters appears to be enamored by what they consider as clamor by the people; hopefully we also study in earnest and choose correctly the right leaders who has the competence and the quality to inspire and work with the people, first for the common good and welfare of the nation and not of their clans, haciendas, businesses and followers.
Or at least vote for Noynoy with open eyes—not lemming-like-- as to the kind of person we are putting in office. That our expectations may be realistic and our dreams not be shattered, As a nation we have more than enough of dashed expectations and an overwhelming sense of betrayal of trust by our leaders.
Ma. Gracia Riñoza-Plazo, (by email), Quezon City, Oct. 21, 2009
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Dear Mr. Abaya,
This is to complain about your statement quoted,"There was no mention at all
of other presidential contenders: Nicky Perlas, JC de los Reyes, Jamby
Madrigal and Mike Velarde, who should now be scratched from future
presidential surveys".
I still buy the Standard Today even as it is not on the top of the surveys
when it comes to popularity. I hope its not going to be scratched from future surveys as it still has many good features as a paper, so far.
Now on popularity, may I share this .."There is nothing more tyrannical than
a strong popular feeling among a democratic people".(Anthony Trollope, English novelist,1862)
JC and the Ang Kapatiran party members believe that for this country to
restore itself, it must restore its politics to decency and integrity, where
good words are matched by good deeds and no principles nor conviction would
give way to expediency.
In 2010 lets vote in principles, not men.. Shouldn't we make this popular, Tony
? Mabuhay tayong lahat !!
Eric B Manalang, (by email), Oct. 22, 2009
Ang Kapatiran Party
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Hi, Tony,
I just admire the way you so systematically and logically (and bravely, too) analyze matters, especially. polls and trends, like the Inquirer's menopausal female editors having the hot pants for Gringo Honasan. :)
Ethel David, (by email), Oct. 22, 2009
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50%-51% for Noynoy is good enough. The rest can fight over the remaining votes. Villar is too rich, Escudero is too young, Noynoy is lacking in accomplishment but who cares?. Noynoy will surely win the election.
Nonoy Ramos, (by email), Pennsylvania, Oct. 22, 2009
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Tony
Noynoy barely made the age requirement. He is a poor candidate. Is he gay?
Max Fabella, (by email), Florida, Oct 22, 2009
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Dear Tony:
While Noynoy's numbers may have dropped, he's still the leader. EvenErap's Tondo launch didn't change the situation much - and I doubtthat Chiz Escudero's formal announcement can push his numbers up. Asof this time, it's narrowing to a Noynoy-Villar showdown.
GMA'sPalaKa will have to abandon GiBo at some point to support Villar.That may force both Chiz and Erap to go for Noynoy. And if therewill really be clean elections and honest counting of votes, Noynoymay outpoll Villar 2 to 1, as the GMA "Kiss of Death" goes to Villar.We need to prepare for the worst when May 2010 produces a failure ofelection. Anyone preparing for the election may be doing GMA a bigfavor by encouraging the illusion that elections will happen. Soaspirants and their backers must really think about whether they wantto legitimize GMA by being candidates.Maybe this is the time for a boycott.
Tito Osias, (by email), Oct. 23, 2009
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Dear Mr. Abaya,
I am an avid fan of your writings though not all of it. I think that your opinion on the fact that candidates not showing on the survey should be scratched is off the mark and is insensitive. The surveys does not tell the whole story and in fact in my article written at "Pagod Ka Na Bang Maging si Juan?" entitled, "Huwag Paloloko sa mga Presidential Surveys! Kakayahan... Dignidad at Plataposma Iyan ang Sukatan" with url http://pagodkanaba.blogspot.com/2009/10/huwag-paloloko-sa-mga-presidential.html , I mentioned the reasons why Nick Perlas and others is not showing on the survey. In fact these surveys perpetrate the status quo and traditional politics of popularity over platform and substance. By not providing names people who were asked resort to who they remember best and not a choice of who among these candidates really has a platform to make our country better.
We need a leader who will carry new politics, a rediscovery of our Filipino culture, will cater and promote innovation of our people and will protect our environment. It is Nick Perlas who has this capacity to bring the much needed change in our country. Any thorough background check, research and investigation will definitely prove that.
Now why scrap him or any other person for that reason. Councilor J.C. Delos Reyes is likely qualified. He had demonstrated good traits to be a president. The presidency should not be dominated by the elite and the oligarchs who continuously rule our country but had not done anything to alleviate the suffering of our people.
I believe in your resolve as a journalist and that you stand for what is right, moral and beneficial to our country and to our people. Thanks and more power! Sincerely,
David d'Angelo, (by email), Oct.23, 2009
Brotherhood of Destiny (BROOD)
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Democracy or Demagoguery?
Dear Mr. Abaya,
I am one of those who believe that the main aim of a revolutionary transition
is not anti-democracy but anti-demagoguery.
Since its inception, our democratic subculture has always been (and still is)
a playground of demagogues of varying stripes---from political saints to
political prostitutes, dictators to actors, and militaristas to militantistas
as well.
And yet, the majority is just more than willing to go along with it, if not
resigned to doing it. Fair or unfair, it's the only legal method we are
bound to use for our so-called democracy.
But when certain self-interests are not met, we resort to extra-legal means
to knock the reigning champion down.
A couple of times we boxed and succeeded with people power and we
congratulated and pinned ourselves with democratic medals.
Yes, we engage now and then in people power. Not because we are all
democrats but because we want to impose our middle-class or upper-class
consciousness against the impoverished values of hoi polloi.
Didn't Ferdinand get the majority of votes against Cory? Didn't Erap get the
majority of votes against Jose. Didn't Miriam get the majority of votes
against Fidel? Didn't Fernando get the majority of votes against Gloria?
Isn't this antithetical to vox populi?
What has this undermining of our democratic method done to us?
Has it enhanced our political capital? Has it improved our standard of living?
Has it decreased the level of corruption?
If by undermining our democratic method we simply sink deeper into the
quagmire of demagoguery, why do we continue to insist that we are a
democratic country?
Why is it that nobody seriously acknowledges that we are hopelessly not
democratic at all?
Just as I am writing this, a mustached demagogue surrounded by his cabal of
TRAPOS, hangers-on, and riffraffs has issued his version of class warfare
again in his alleged last performance on the national stage.
The funny thing about this is he might be allowed to run again. The tragic
thing about this is he might win again.
In a country where the sensitivities of the teeming great unwashed are easy
to exploit, this is not just an open invitation to demagoguery but also a
recipe for the continued pauperization of our demos.
And the demagogues know that what the squealing masa doesn't know is what
makes them the squealing masa.
For me, this is the crux of the matter!
As long as the majority of Filipinos are hungry, uneducated, and ignorant,
democracy is impossible! How can a person reflectively vote if he or she is hungry?
How can a person critically vote if he or she is uneducated? How can a person wisely vote if he or she is ignorant?
No amount of electioneering and people power can make a hungry, uneducated,
and ignorant person a true democrat! As Epictetus once thundered: "Only the educated are free!"
What is our way out? Is there a way out?
I like to believe that there is because I have an optimistic sense as an
urban and regional planner, although I do not have the optimistic sense as a
sociologist.
I think it's very hard to live in this moment of our social history as a
person without that tragic sense of betrayal and distrust.
Sociologically, I look at the current political order and I see that my
tragic sense responds to it. But I also know that life is never one thing. There are always both senses at once.
For me, I've always had an instinct as a planner to write against the grain
of the event, to think differently, and to offer options, to talk about the
unpleasant things as well as talk about alternatives and what can be done.
What then are our alternatives against demagoguery?
What then are our options to realizing our democratic ideals?
Allow me to propose two trajectories.
There is a rich tapestry of sociological narratives for these two
trajectories I culled from my studies and research which I do not have the
space to elaborate. And so, I will limit myself to their planning implications for our island
nation.
My first planning trajectory is the Patria Chica option (the Spanish word for
"little homeland" or regional culture), the planning trajectory of the
city-state.
What this means for us is the semi-autonomous city-state building by
visionary and no-nonsense provincial or regional leaders (ala Lee Kuan Yew)
who will commit their lives to such task, no matter what.
With this kind of leaders, I believe we (Christians, Muslims, and other
non-Christians and non-Muslims) might have a palpable chance to enjoy the
ideals of democracy, one province at a time, one region at a time, or one
island at a time.
My second planning trajectory is the Patria Grande option (the Spanish word
for country or central control), the planning trajectory of the nation-state.
What this means for us now is a national revolutionary transition that will
firmly lay down law and order and discipline.
As a transition, it is a temporary pragmatic measure intended to provide
economic normalcy and financial stability vital to an island nation striving
to do things differently.
But of course, there is always the status quo option, the TRAPO's way--- of
revolving-door politics and business as usual.
Quo Vadis, my fellow kababayans?
Efren N. Padilla, (by email), Hayward, CA, Oct. 22, 2009
Professor of Sociology and Urban Planning
California State University at East Bay
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This kind of survey is not reliable. It is self-serving and influenced by the one who paid for such survey. It's also how the questions are phrased and presented. Not the least to be considered are the people conducting the survey and what social class the respondents belong to.
Narciso Ner, (by email), Davao City, Oct. 24, 2009
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Dear Tony,
The sum of all the parts of a whole always total one (1) or 100%. I added mentally (without a calculator) the 60% of Noynoy and the percent shares of the rest and the sum is 175.5%. If you divide 60% by 175.5%, the result is 34%.
I do not have the other figures or basis of the computation of SWS but to me it is plain deceit.
Those who push Noynoy very hard show their true color when they manipulated the figures.
This is the last straw. I am now running for President of the Republic of the Philippines, especially against Noynoy amd Erap.
Cool. Hector Mirasol Tarrazona (Ret.), (by email), Oct. 28, 2009
PAF Officer, PMA Class 1968)
Independent Member of the Ad Hoc Steering Committee of the original RAM (Reform the AFP Movement, 1985-1986)
(Note: Independent because I did not join the 1987 coup attempt, and I prevented the rebel soldiers from occupying Fernando Air Base during the 1989 coup attempt.)
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Mr. Abaya,
You conveniently forgot to mention that in the SWS survey on Sept.18 to 21, there was one-choice rider survey which showed Noynoy getting 51% and Villar 20% at second place. Instead you came up with an unscientific extrapolation just to suit your bias agaist Noynoy. Far from what you said as a declining trend,Nonoy,s %51% on Sept. 18 to 21 is in fact an improvement over the 50% on Sept. 5-7. Your analysis and response to the survey results is pathetic.
Benjamin Bernas, (by email), Oct 21, 2009
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The same SWS Survey of Sept. 18-21 had a rider question where a top or singular choice was asked of the respondents on top of the multiple choice methodology employed... the results of the rider question on presidentiables are as follows : Noynoy - 51 % , Villar - 20 % , Estrada 11 % , Escudero- 8 % adding up to 90 % with the remaining 10 % shared by the trailing candidates. The 51 % nationwide rating of Noynoy is equal to the 50 % he got in the so-called Lucena-Lingayen corridor survey commissioned by Serge Osmena et al.
Ferdie T. Sibal, (by email0, Oct. 20, 2009
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Sir, In your article titled, "Noynoy's 60 percent" you ask... (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2009/october/20/antonioabaya.isx&d=/2009/october/20)
You wrote: But the results do not tell us how many of those 1,080 picked Noynoy as first choice—which is what happens in a real election—and how many picked him as second or third choice—which would not be allowed in a real election.
Then you concluded with your own statistics that Nonoy actually got only 36%
But for the sake of simplicity, I am assuming that 60 percent of their supporters chose each of them as his/her first choice. Under that assumption, the following would be the first-choice picks of the 1,800 respondents:
Noynoy 36 percent, Villar 22 percent, Estrada 10.8 percent, Escudero 9.0 percent, De Castro 4.8 percent, Legarda 3.0 percent, Teodoro 2.4 percent … which add up to 88 percent. The remaining 12 percent would be divided among the other contenders and the undecided. This seems to be more meaningful than the SWS' three-choice survey where the replies add up to an incomprehensible 165.5 percent..
Here's the answer to your question.
There was a Private Rider to the SWS September 18 - 21 nationwide survey where only one top of mind choice was allowed and this was discussed in the October 16, 2009 STAR story of Helen Flores (Rider survey data sourced from the ABS-CBN website). In this Private Rider of the SWS survey, the results were - Noynoy Aquino 51%, Manny Villar 20%, Joseph Estrada 11% and Chiz Escudero 8%.
The multiple choices and top choice results were consistent. The rankings were the same (Noynoy — Villar — Erap — Chiz) and merely varied in the percentages due to the multiple answers allowed by the other survey.
In both surveys, Noynoy Aquino dominated. Noynoy registered a phenomenal 60% in the multiple choices survey, leading the second placer, Manny Villar, by a margin of 23%. In the single choice Private Rider survey, Noynoy led Villar by a margin 31%.
In the multiple choices survey, Noynoy led Erap by a margin of 42% and Chiz by 45%. In the single choice Private Rider survey, Noynoy led Erap by a margin of 40% and Chiz by 43%. Noynoy's lead over Erap was more than Erap's 1998 vote total of 38%.
That Noynoy enjoyed wide margins over the second, third and fourth placers in both the multiple choices and the single choice SWS nationwide survey underscored his distinct advantage of being what is considered in marketing as the dominant brand.
Noynoy's immense lead over his rivals would indicate that voters are deciding based on ideological considerations — good versus evil, trust versus distrust, people empowerment versus traditional patronage politics, and so forth. The ideological factor makes it extremely difficult for Noynoy's rivals to narrow the gap. More than just the man to beat, Noynoy simply looks unbeatable.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=515824&publicationSubCategoryId=64
I know you are probably a supporter of a presidentiable other than Noynoy, but at least you can be fair in your commentaries by referring to factual data available. After all media should stand for the Truth and not Spin. Respectfully,
Dong Eito, (by email), Saudi Arabia, Oct. 20, 2009
ADDENDUM. Within 24 hours after this article saw print on Oct. 20, and before it was distributed electronically, I received reactions from Readers Dong Eito, Ferdie Sibal and Benjamin Bernas informing me that there was a Private Rider to the 3-choice SWS survey of Sept 18-21. The Private Rider, a question asked by a private person or organization in addition to the question/s asked by SWS, asked respondents to give a single-choice answer as to which person they thought should succeed President Arroyo.
The Private Rider answers gave Noynoy 51 percent, Villar 20 percent, Estrada 11 percent, and Escudero 8 percent, and were mentioned and discussed in the Philippine Star, according to the above readers.
This information was NOT mentioned or discussed in the two newspapers that I subscribe to: the Manila Standard Today and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I get to see the Philippine Star only when I have my hair cut at the barber shop of the Makati Sports Club, which happens only once a month.
The intriguing question is WHY this information was not mentioned or discussed in or by the Inquirer, which claims to be the No. 1 Newspaper in the Philippines. Instead it reported only on the 60 percent that Noynoy got in the 3-choice SWS survey, which is patently misleading in favor of its favored candidate Noynoy. 60 percent is a bigger number than 51 percent.
Is the Inquirer trying to atone for its past sins? Past sins? As Kris Aquino and her sisters painfully know, the Inquirer was the harshest critic of their and Noynoy's mother Cory Aquino when she was president from 1986 to 1992.
Some of the Inquirer's menopausal female editors and columnists then had hot pants for the dashing coup plotter Col. Gringo Honasan and glamorized him into a macho folk hero. At the same time, some of the Inquirer's resident Communist editors and columnists roasted President Cory Aquino on a daily basis: she could do no right, and the Communists could do no wrong.
It can be argued that the militarist and Communist machinations against President Cory Aquino could not have lasted as long and as successfully as they did without the encouragement from some of the Inquirer's editors and columnists, who now ironically have become the number one drumbeaters for her son, Noynoy.
It may be their way of saying: Sorry, Cory. *****
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What about Dick Gordon?
Tony,
Why is Sen. Dick Gordon not being featured more on so-called "Presidentiable" articles? It looks like among the class of 2010, he is the most accomplished and has the most laid-out plans for the future, not to mention the executive experience and the track record "to back the words that are coming out of his mouth". He may not be Lee Kuan Yew or a Mahathir bin Mohammad but he seems to be pretty close. As you said in your articles, there are 90 million of us, there is bound to be at least one who has the ability to get us out of the mire we find ourselves in. Regards,
Jay Castro, (by email), Arkansas, Oct. 30, 2009
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Reaction to Reactions
Dear Tony,
Reading the reactions to your opinions is formative to many of my own opinions. It enriches. I like touching base with other brains and biases.
But I resent people who preach to us while they live in high and dry and presumably efficient places abroad like Essen in Germany and Hayward in California.
Come on, guys, walk through our mud as we do before you preach to us. Earnestly'
Monina Allarey-Mercado,(by email), Oct. 28, 2009
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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Aurora Pijuan)
NOT WAITING FOR BILL GATES TO SAVE US
By Tony Meloto
Singapore is showing Filipinos true friendship in action. They were quick to the rescue in our last moment of need without being asked for help, a classic case of family helping one another.
I am here frequently because it is second home to me aside from being the emerging hub for social innovations in the region, wanting to help other nations by promoting exchange of development ideas, and to teach students how to be caring in a world where there is concern that IQ has outpaced EQ. We have received almost a thousand students since last year from NUS, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, SMU and LKY School in our Gawad Kalinga sites in the Philippines for immersion.
My fascination with Singapore is in the herculean achievement of a small Asian country with scant natural resources to gain prosperity and influence through effective patriotic leadership, while a resource abundant country like ours has remained poor because of lack of it. You found the answer not in foreign aid but in strong citizenship, in Lee Kuan Yew's clear vision and your people's passion to build it with hard work and honor. Although our situation is compounded by natural disasters that visit us regularly which Singapore does not have, I believe however that our problems are not insurmountable nor our people less determined to find solutions to them.
This is the faith that drives me and many others to pursue our cause of nation-building.
Calamities often aggravate poverty and count the poor as the first victims. Sometimes they can be social levelers and opportunities for people to discover hidden strengths in their moment of weakness, find answers to age-old problems within themselves after searching elsewhere or blaming others.
What happened to us recently was our road to Damascus experience.
The worst calamity in the last half century hit the Philippines barely a month ago. Typhoon Ketsana, named Ondoy locally, dumped more rain on Metro Manila than hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans. Within a week, another super typhoon with killer floods hit us in the northern part of the country. Despite vast destruction to life and property, however, unlike any tragedy before nearing such magnitude, our people were back on their feet again in a short time. No looting, no shooting, no prolonged depression despite the dire prediction that floodwaters will take three months to recede in some areas. Our people got back to the business of living, hard as it was.
We rose from the mud, buried our dead, cleaned up the debris, rebuilt our communities and resolved to cease being perennial victims to natural and man-made disasters.
We did not wait for Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey to unleash global aid as they did for the tsunami victims and the hungry in Africa. I'm sure they would have done so with their generous spirit if our needs were a priority to them given the numerous causes begging for their attention. Not out of false pride but due to extreme urgency, we decided to help ourselves and discovered that we were not helpless as a nation after all. It seemed as if the self-reliant Filipino woke up from a coma; the hero in us came out of the closet.
That calamity, tragic as it was, gave us a sense of dignity and wholeness because we chose to act rather than beg and wait for mercy. Global philanthropy came later as icing on the cake of human kindness, after we acted as our brother's keeper in a country whose dominant religion places the highest value on love of neighbor next to God.
While generosity abounds, we may see it finally as a bridge to long term solutions, not as a means to perpetuate present problems.
Our government agencies were overwhelmed by the immensity of the challenge, but ordinary citizens chose not to indulge the blame game and instead, engaged in acts of heroism, big and small, unseen before on a massive scale. Some lost their lives rescuing others unknown to them, exclusive villages for the rich were opened to poor evacuees, plush homes were converted into kitchens to feed the hungry, supermarket shelves were emptied in a mad rush for supplies, not to hoard for self but to help those in greater need.
The mood was not survival of the fittest, but rising together through caring and sharing. A time of doom and gloom became our shining moment. We had it in us to help ourselves all along.
This is how we built Gawad Kalinga (GK), a development movement with an Asian heart. It recognizes the tremendous capacity of even the poorest slum-dwellers for self-reliance, and the infinite potential of those who control wealth and power to give… and to understand that investing in making the weak strong is good politics and good economics. Development in our thinking is a numbers game – restoring the dignity and growing the capacities of the most number of voters and consumers. This fundamental understanding of the power of partnership for the common good between the rich and poor, public and private has allowed us to change lives on a massive scale peacefully and, hopefully, sustain over 2,000 GK communities in 400 towns supported by nearly the same number of corporations and schools. Mayors particularly of underdeveloped towns in remote areas often come to us for assistance and provide counterpart value of land, site development and water system.
The value of building intentional communities the GK way became clearer to business partners in the last two calamities. They made us the channel for their contribution to relief operations using our sites, which suffered minimal damage and no casualties, as effective distribution centers to surrounding devastated areas. SingTel, through Globe Telecom, gave a generous contribution to the relief effort, though their GK villages and farms were hardly affected. The community we built with Ascendas and local partner Carmelray in Laguna was spared from severe damage, their residents helping others than receiving it. We credit this to the design of the homes, the alert neighborhood and the strong community spirit of not leaving any one behind.
Other groups in Singapore were quick to help. The Catholic Church of Singapore, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, and students from partner universities gave substantial donations and the efforts to help continue to this day.
Three things attract corporate partners to our work. We bridge, leverage and build - homes, lives and hope. We pursue scale and sustainability through a holistic and collaborative approach to a community -based development.
As bridge, we connect those troubled by poverty with hearts that have the means to ease their pain. Our goals of land for the landless, home for the homeless, and food for the hungry did not only benefit the poor but created societal harmony, triggered economic activities, and increased land values for the good of many stakeholders. Media that described our cause as "radical optimism" created public awareness and opened the floodgates of land and home donations never seen in our country before.
Leveraging is our way of multiplying scant resources to give the most benefit to the neediest. A dollar of donation for house materials triggers added value of as much as three dollars from other partners including the poor who contribute sweat equity in the absence of a regular income. We place value on the dignity of the poor and recognize their willingness to build homes other than their own. We attract the expertise and resources of those with the most for the benefit of the least in society… the best for the least.
Build, and they will come - is not just a line from a Kevin Costner movie but a philosophy that has worked for us. Shelter for cover, farms for food and schools for enlightenment built with active community participation are evidence of presence that change lives, generate trust and gather sustained support. We have a ragtag army of volunteers, mostly ordinary citizens, driven by faith and compassion and a growing passion to build a nation. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which is philanthropy and profit sharing in rich economies is nation-building for us.
We have slums to rebuild, forest covers to restore, unproductive land to till, children to educate, habits to change, and right now, floodwaters to tread but we will get there …somehow… if we start to believe that we can do it, together. If Singapore did it, we can do it too.
This is for me Asia coming of age, underdeveloped countries like the Philippines rising from mindsets of helpless slaves from a colonial past, no longer accepting that we are inferior, defining our own destiny based on our dreams and aspirations. We must see western countries as friends and partners, no longer as masters and almsgivers.
Asians are productive citizens in America, registering the highest average household income among various ethnic groups, the lowest unemployment and the least burden to the welfare system. Many of them are reconnecting with their roots to be catalyst of change to the poor that they left behind in their home countries. GK has become a popular channel for this growing mood among Filipinos abroad to give back. It can also be a channel for countries like Vietnam, India and China with their nationals who have left their shores.
We have established GK Hope Initiative (GKHi) in Singapore registered under the Economic Development Board (EDB) to share our growth experiences with other developing countries in the region and to learn from them as well. We look forward to bringing the concept to Goa, India in 2010 in partnership with Tripura Foundation brokered by GKHi. It will be a village built with residents along their cultural and religious lines with support from successful Indians and their friends from the global community.
Singapore, despite its size, is an ideal hub because it is big on synergy and convergence. It also has credibility after licking material poverty in a short period and achieving harmony notwithstanding a population of diverse ethnicities and religions. It is home to caring citizens, many of whom I greatly admire: Ai Lin Ong, who visited us 26 times in 3 years to help us with our nutrition program for malnourished children; her best friend Su-Chzeng Ong, who is using her influence as former VP for Jardine Fleming to gather corporate support for our cause;
Harvard educated Melissa Cui, who is passionate in advocating the interest of Filipino domestic workers in Singapore; and Ju Hu Soh, who has the highest Emotional Quotient among his young peers I have the privilege to meet, working for the poor in my country that he has not even met.
This is a classic case of Asians helping Asians in our corner of the world. We will visit each other's homes, trade our goods, drive poverty out of our doors and attain peace within our borders by being family and friend to one another.
If Bill Gates comes, we will applaud him for his generosity as we admire Oprah for using the power of media to make this a better world.
In the meantime, please pray for us as we wade through our floodwaters until we learn to take stewardship of our fabulous pearl of the Orient called the Philippines by wiping the mud of poverty that covers the true gem inside the hearts of our people.
This speech was given by Tony Meloto at the CSR Forum in Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy last October 22, 2009.
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