FVR In Canada and The GK Dream

Contributed by Antonio Meloto

With the global economic meltdown and the heated American political campaign as backdrop, I was on the road for one week, October 23- 29, with former President Fidel V. Ramos, spreading hope and warming up the hearts of Filipinos in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver to our version of change called Gawad Kalinga. The passion at every stop was enough to thaw the cold Canadian winter which came early this year.

Two things struck me on this trip. Foremost, is that the change in geography or citizenship does not alter our cultural DNA or lessen the affection for one’s roots particularly in areas like Canada that champion diversity and respect ethnicity. The overflow crowd in every event was not just due to the popularity of the guest or the nobility of the cause but an outpouring of affection for the motherland. They came to hear that there is hope for the Philippines, that their loved ones are safe at home, that the pain of temporary separation from them will not be in vain. When unbundled out of their thick winter outfits, there was nothing Canadian about them; the accent of my fellow Ilonggos in Toronto was still as thick and as sweet as the molasses of Negros. The other thing of course was FVR; he was something else. At 80, he is not too old to dream and to dare. With the trademark unlighted cigar in mouth and the customary thumbs up in every photo op, I saw the patriot beyond the power, the person beyond the symbol, the real beyond the caricature. I do not know how history will judge FVR but up close, at that particular period in time, in our public engagements and private conversations, in my book, he got the highest mark and my respect. The seven day journey with him revealed the intimate link between two kindred spirits with different roots and spheres of influence; one used to moving in the orbit of the strong and the powerful at the top, the other with the weak and the powerless in the slums. Hearing it directly from him, however, I finally saw the connection of both and it was reassuring to know that the work of ordinary citizens in Gawad Kalinga is no less significant or strategic to him than the exercise of power at the highest level of governance.

He affirmed what was clear in my mind; the importance of the role of the private sector in public service, whether we liked our leaders or not. There is a time to elect them and a time to remove them, properly and peacefully. For me, love of country and loyalty to her is my highest interest as a citizen, loyalty to leaders is only as long as they serve that interest. Now I can reconcile in my mind the significance of the Ramos leadership by looking at his achievements as a good beginning that we must continue but at the same time learn from his failures whatever they were. It is this connectivity and continuity that I find exciting, and the friendship that goes with it. First, as a major architect of EDSA I, FVR, together with former President Corazon C. Aquino and Jaime Cardinal Sin, inspired millions to take to the streets to fight for democracy and a change in leadership. Gawad Kalinga, on the other hand, breathe People Power by empowering the people and moving the arena of battle from the streets to the poor communities. The focus of GK is not in the change of leaders but a change in them and the social environment that breeds bad leaders. On a personal note, EDSA I was the start of my search for my soul as a Filipino. Together with the army of community organizers and healers from Couples for Christ, it was our longing for a deeper expression of love for God and country which eventually evolved to what is now the GK movement for nation-building. The improvement in the economy was FVR’s next biggest achievement. The reform of the banking system and the change in economic policies attracted investments, improved productivity, increased trade, and cushioned the impact of the 1997 Asian economic crisis. The growing prosperity at the top however did not trickle down fast enough for the lives of the poor to improve; his term was not long enough for his economic initiatives to gain momentum. It also needed a simultaneous massive ground-up effort like Gawad Kalinga which was born in 1995 and still at its infancy during his presidency. Ten years after relinquishing power, he was in Canada to promote it. He flew halfway across the globe to express solidarity with GK workers whom he fondly refers to as Global Kababayans. That is continuity of leadership, beyond position or term of office. Finally, when asked, he considers the peace accord with the MNLF in 1998 as his greatest accomplishment and he delights in knowing that Gawad Kalinga has built 28 villages for Muslim families and plans to do more. Peace in Mindanao is a priority to him as it is to us who see the Muslim as a brother and a friend.

In this trip, I did not see a soldier trained for war but a man of peace. He was patient with the jostling autograph seekers and considerate with the nervous but dedicated organizers from GK ANCOP Canada, mostly members of Couples for Christ, who occasionally fumbled with protocol in awe with their celebrity guest. But enthusiasm won over inexperience and the power of the message of hope and healing, of caring, sharing and daring, at the end of the day, was what really meant the most to hearts abroad that never left home.

Toronto, the center of life in the province of Ontario, treated us royally. Even the clouds parted to allow avid golfers, FVR included, to indulge their favorite sport and raise funds to build a GK village in the Philippines… without getting their balls wet. The line is borrowed from the former president who was in good humor throughout the trip. One joke that was always a hit with the audience was his claim of dual citizenship-“as a Filipino citizen and …a senior citizen.” Former First Lady Ming Ramos pointed out that he is actually funnier now that he is no longer the head of state. The magic of Toronto was not just the red carpet welcome rolled out to us but the value that the city has placed on the Filipino as a preferred immigrant citizen, a credit to our people’s hard work, competitiveness and good behavior – which made us very proud of them. My host, Pidoy Pacis, is a golden goose of Saladmaster in North America which donated one hundred homes and a livelihood farm in his hometown in Iloilo; their global CEO, Keith Peterson, flew in from Texas to join us for a day in Toronto to recognize the Filipino’s contribution to the success of their high-end cookware business. The golf tournament sponsor, Arnold Milan, is a top entrepreneur in Ontario, from gaming to energy provider, who matched whatever was raised to help the poor in his home country. Lady Judge Mila Syme was there as moving spirit of the Holy Spirit alumni drive to build more GK communities, looking every inch a beautiful Filipina despite her power on the bench.

They were all there at the GK Gala Night; Ancop CEO Ricky Cuenca gathered them, the brightest and the best of our citizens in Toronto who have not stopped hoping for our country and caring for our people, including like-hearted friends Sister Haydee, Richard, Temi, Macky, and Felma who kept me sane in the whirl of activities. Ambassador Jose Brillantes and Consuls Andy Mosquera and Ruth Padua led the Philippine diplomatic corps in our calls with Canadian Officialdom, from former Prime Minister Jean Chretian to Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. It was evident hearing it directly from the top, that Filipinos are a big asset to Canada, an emerging force in the country’s future growth. They are the top immigrants in Winnipeg, over fifty thousand to-date, third in the entire country. This explains to me the logic behind the generous support of the provincial governments of Ontario and Manitoba to Gawad Kalinga; it is not simple philanthropy but an investment in the development of our human assets who are potential citizens of their country and a gesture of goodwill to Filipinos who are already there.

There is no doubt that our people are desired by the most developed countries of the world, which delights and saddens me at the same time. Right now they have the first pick of our best talents without investing in their upbringing or education because we have nothing better to offer at home. Filipinos who migrate also dream of a better future for our country but the needs of their family are real and urgent. Besides love of country is not a matter of staying or leaving but of believing in that dream. Sadly, there are many who have remained in the Philippines who are a source of shame to us, but that’s another story. In the meantime, it is enough that I rejoice in the achievements of those in Canada and grateful for their generosity.

There are many achievers in Winnipeg, the premier city of Manitoba; foremost of them is Dr. Ray Pagtakhan, the first Filipino elected to the Canadian Parliament, a proof of our collective strength once we transcend our petty rivalries. The cold Manitoba winter was no match to the hot welcome of the Filipino community, excited to be visited in this far-flung corner of the world by their former President and eager to show him off to their Canadian friends. Every event was packed; Premier Gary Doer was with us on two occasions on top of the fireside chat with him at the Capitol; our organizer, Gk coordinator Vic Lopez, was deliriously busy and happy. It was hectic, to say the least, but I found a breather in the company of second generation Fil-Canadians who sneaked me out for a late night pizza. They were proud to be Filipino and enamored with Gawad Kalinga which gave them a sense of roots and purpose in a white man’s territory. In this bleak landscape of cold and snow which is unnatural to the warm-blooded, the bright colors of home and the happy faces of children that they saw in our videos have sparked a love affair with the country of their ancestors and made the GK cause a romance and a lifestyle. I stayed awake all night with my roommate, Mt Everest explorer and old schoolmate from Bacolod, Art Valdez, dreaming about conquering our biggest challenge in the Philippines, Mt Poverty, before the light dims on our generation and it is time to rest. It is comforting to know that our compatriots in Canada are likewise awake and have found in Gawad Kalinga the channel for their dreams and their tears, like my friend Arnel who wept every time we met.

British Columbia’s pearl, Vancouver, was our last stop; it was no less hectic or fun, organized by the able team of Prim and Rose Javier, with full support from the consulate. It was a happy reunion for me with long time CFC friends, Nick and Norma Borja, with the fabric of cause and mission, faith and patriotism intricately woven into our friendship. My affection for Vancouver has grown over the years with more friends added and more heroes attracted to the cause.

The Gala Night was ablaze, patriots and friends fired up the hall: Joey Albert, the voice of Gawad Kalinga in Canada who opted for dual citizenship for greater conviction and credibility; young caucasians Daryl and Rebecca from Victoria who will devote their passion for the poor by living with them for six months in their village in Talisay, Negros Occidental; and the amazing families of students from Holy Cross and the University of British Columbia, who were swooning over a dreamland in the Far East that they now consider their second home. FVR’s presence honored their sacrifice, fueled their fervor and inspired more to take our aspirations for the Philippines seriously. His contribution of $50,000 to build a village at the formal dinner was well-applauded and matched by generous partners but it was his spirit and enthusiasm that made the cause of nation-building real and priceless to noble souls on foreign shores who have not given up on our country. As the trip ended, it was crystal clear to me that the core of leadership is an intelligent heart.

Greatness comes to those who have gained the wisdom to move beyond self-interest, when wealth and power are no longer ends but means to a greater good. Real power comes to those who no longer seek it, who can inspire hope and invite trust because they are beyond vested interest, ego trip or power drive. Definitely, FVR will continue to attract those who seek great power, like the presidency of our country, especially at this time when the scent of power in 2010 is in the air. With his stature, greatness is not in being a power broker but in breaking those who use power to exploit and enslave the weak who do not have it. And the entire country will be with him because our hearts long for change, to regain the honor that we have lost after four hundred years of enslavement.

We are humbled and grateful for his magnanimity in championing the Gawad Kalinga cause. He is aware that this is a twenty one year struggle for us since we launched the campaign in 2003 to end poverty in our country in one generation. Like the Obama campaign, we will conduct it with the passion and talent of our people, harnessing our global army of patriots and cyberspace. Unlike Obama, however, our victory is in the empowerment of our citizens, not the election of a top leader. We will persist in this campaign in good times and in bad times. Our resilience will help us turn adversity to opportunity, despair to hope. Now is our time, despite the bad times. The global recession will challenge us to strive for self-reliance, the cheap contaminated goods from abroad will motivate us to be producers, not mere consumers. We will rise from the ashes soon and forge ahead of our Asian neighbors because we have finally found our soul and our strength as a nation. With his sense of purpose and zest for life, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, nation-builder and friend, will be with us when Gawad Kalinga celebrates the great victory of the Filipino people in 2024.

Arnel, my friend from Winnipeg, your tears are not in vain.

Reflections On Giving

We sow what we reap. When we smile at people, they almost always smile back. When we give goodness, we usually experience goodness in return. When we give love, we also often experience loving relationships. There is always something good about giving.

When I pondered during the “silent time” of our Singles Leaders Retreat, it dawned on me that at times I feel I have not done enough to fulfill God’s work. There were times I couldn’t find the words to encourage a friend. There were times I missed giving honor to many brave hearts and beautiful minds. There were times I was not an ideal example of how it was to be a Christian. But the experience of having brothers and sisters in our community who still go out of their way to let me know they care, in spite of my imperfections, always reminded me of God’s unconditional love. And the more I am inspired to call on God to be able to serve and love others with all that I am.

The experience of giving, the experience of goodness is always a win-win situation. Many times my motivation to do better is largely to pay tribute to the encouragement and support of people who believed in me. Giving up is not an option knowing that with God’s grace I can still touch many lives as they have touched mine. I am the man that I am today because of others. It is because of this that I seek to be a man for others.