I had never imagined in my life that I would be this active for a political candidate. As a young kid, I was surrounded with politics in my mom’s side of the family, proclaiming that I was gonna be the Mayor of Bantayan Proper to my entire family when I was just 5 years old. I had been in campaigns and rallies. It was normal for me…
But then I grew up and I got disillusioned with the system. As I aged, I came to realize that an honest politician was an oxymoron. Someone who truly wanted to serve the public for the genuine sake of helping out rather than fattening their wallets didn’t exist. I accepted, rather sadly, flailing my arms in despair that a competent, dedicated, and principled public servant was nothing more than a mythical creature and it was always going to be that way...
Until you came along, VP Leni. You were like our Northern Star, guiding us into honest-to-goodness service without need of fanfare nor high honors. You not only served, but more importantly, you inspired us to take action as well. You are more than just a public official, you are a symbol of inspiration and hope.
And the odds may not have been in our favor fairly with the elections, but I will always be grateful for being part of your Pink Movement. Because of you, I was able to give my time, effort, and energy to a worthy cause so much bigger than myself. Because of you, I reconnected with old friends I hadn’t talked to in a long time and we encouraged one another to aspire for a better Philippines we all dream of. Because of you, I made new friends who I never would have met otherwise, if not for this campaign. Because of you, I rekindled my love for OPM and discovered so many great bands and artists who were volunteering so willingly for you. Because of you, I learned so much about Philippine geography from watching all your rallies around the country, even in the farthest nook and cranny you found yourself in. Because of you, I stepped out of my comfort zone and participated in events like House 2 House campaigning and talking to as many people in the margins as possible. And above all, because of you, I reaffirmed how much I love my motherland. And no matter how disillusioned I got in the past and even in the present, I am thankful that because of you, I know now that Hope always finds its way.
You are not a mythical creature. You are as real as realness gets. When I look back on the Kulay Rosas revolution, I feel only joy. No regrets, no sadness, no bitterness. I only have joy that cannot be measured in any quantity as it had been such an honor and a blessing to campaign for you, and more importantly, to share the hope that you had given me to so many others.
I thank you from the very bottom of my pink heart that you paved the way for us, and even in our loss, you continue to shine bright the path that lies ahead, staying true as our Polaris… our Northern Star. Our liwanag sa dilim.
Forever Proud Kakampink,
*Janice
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