I don’t want people to misconstrue me as making bida because I know Noy personally from way back.  In fact, when I joined PiNOY Power (before it got its name) from the very first meeting in Ateneo, I did not approach Noy until he saw me at that concert in UP.  No, I did not join this group because I know Noy. I have had the privilege to meet the other candidates in the past too. But PiNOY Power is advocating an institution here>that of the position of the President of this Republic and the ideals and the constitution that the person in that position should uphold.  Of course, to our mind, that person is Noynoy.

Noy (as we use to call him back in College; we didn’t go to HS together) was a regular guy. He didn’t want to attract attention (the name Benigno Aquino III attracts attention without him having to do anything).  On the very 1st day in College in our 1st class, the math professor makes her class roll call: “Benigno Aquino III?” He raises his right hand and says: “Yes ma’am.”  “You related?”  “Yes ma’am.” End of conversation. You must remember that Ninoy was still in jail at that time and everyone in class was conscious of that. I guess not wanting to live under the shadow of his famous and accomplished dad, Noy was a bit “laid back” so as not to catch unnecessary attention and for people not to make unnecessary comparisons (between him and dad; not fair, right?). If he was the leader in a group/team/class in college, he would always rule by consensus. No one would ever label him unfair, biased, high-headed or underhanded.

I have been very privileged to have joined him in a very small group study at his place in Times St. with then Citizen Cory cooking lunch for us. Knowing how difficult things can get with a one-in-four-billion (the world population then) of a dad, Noy wanted to be and was a regular guy.  He joked with us, ate what we did and shared our sentiments about just about anything. He was a bit careful though to voice out about the Marcos regime then (and catch more attention) as Irene Marcos was our batchmate and a figure in campus. I don’t know if the guy who wrote the play “Bongbong and Kris” toyed with the idea after knowing about “Noy and Irene” in campus.

I guess the fact that I have personally known Noy since college days (we met occasionally after that) and that I vouch for his character when I talk to the people I convince about voting for Noy makes me sort of an effective campaigner on a one-on-one basis…and hoping that these people I talk to reverberate what they hear from me (that they have actually conversed with someone who has actually conversed with Noynoy). It’s like they have known Noynoy too. Of course I add the fact that Noy these days has actually declined huge campaign kitties from dubious groups offering them in exchange for favors/positions in a Noynoy Administration…and that Noynoy will even be more   effective if Mar works with him in tandem. Hopefully, six years of Noynoy and another six with Mar would give our country and economy some impetus and sense of continuity in projects and social progress. Of course, SLAMAT LORRRD follows.

-Steve Cua

Noynoy is ready. In fact, the people are ready for a leader with integrity.

 Admittedly, he is not a flashy, glib speaker. Admittedly, some of the other candidates are more emphatic and may even express wit. But we have all seen too often the 'bright' ones elected and have overlooked their character. Are they honest? To whom are the beholden? Marcos, GMA were REALLY bright and "ready' to govern, and take our money along with them.

The best and most loved Presidents we've had were not flashy. In fact they were seen  or criticized as 'weak' or not bright. I am speaking of Magsaysay and Cory. They will be remembered for restoring faith in Public Service and democracy.  They lived and died without amassing great wealth and just worked tirelessly.

Look at the other candidates.  Who would you trust to buy a used car from? Someone who will sell you the highway to go with the car? Someone who will not answer straight about what the car has been through or whether some parts were cannibalized, or whether it was flooded out during Ondoy?? Or someone who tells it like it is?

Noynoy can and will hire the best and the brightest to be in his cabinet.  My point is, integrity is the MOST important aspect of the Presidency. Talent can be hired.  If President is corrupt, then down the line of governance, the signal people will get is it's OK to be corrupt as well. We must break out of that cycle.

Flash and glitz are cheap. But integrity is solid.

-Jim

pinoy power!!!

habang nasa airplane pauwi from ilo-ilo kanina nabasa ko sa dyaryo na most filipinos want to receive love than give it away! a very interesting survey! 

pwes gamitin na rin natin yan! let us be the givers! let us give them the power! the power to believe that it is they and not villar who ultimately has the power to change their lives! 

let us remind them that there is a place deep in their hearts where there is no room for villar! a place within all of us that cannot be corrupted!  hindi pwedeng presyuhan! hindi pwedeng bilhin.  sabi nga ni claudiang bading sa concepcion tarlac,

"i am not for sale! i am for noy!" 

i remember very well in one meeting when jim said let us marinate in our own values! those words of jim stuck in my head! our values will set us apart from villar!

nasa kainitan na tayo ng noy-mar campaign! while we are engaging with them, we have looked beyond them! we have looked far beyond noy, mar, and slamat lorrrd! we are looking at pipol power! we are are protecting people power! we are respecting people power! for we are are pipol power! 

sa sorties the taumbayan end the program shouting with all their might and with all their heart to noy, mar and slamat lorrrd saying,

"ibibigay namin sa inyo ang lakas ng people power!"

and at that point there is so much energy that fills the space! and simply, that is the power of

LOVE!

happy valentine's day to pinoy power aka pipol power!

-mae