Change Begins with Me
By Happy del Rosario
May 2016


Mahatma Gandhi said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

Now that the national elections are done, it would behoove us to reflect on this one thing: CHANGE IS COMING. We have seen a glimpse of what one person's resolve to make a change can accomplish. It was seen through the choices we made and the votes we cast. Where many of us are tired of empty promises and the false hopes given by many who ran for office, more and more people have taken a stand, and it is a stand to bring change-- something that our nation needs.

Change, however, is not dependent on whoever sits in office. Neither is it dependent on one person alone. Even more so, change is not a buzzword we use in slogans to advertise campaigns...and then what? The word gets overused, even ridiculed, because we have stripped it of power by merely saying and using the word without really acting upon it.

When I hear, "Change is coming," I hear, "Happy (that's my name) is coming." Why don't you try putting your name instead-- go ahead, say it: "(Your name) is coming." It makes all the difference, doesn't it?

My college professor in social work once told our class that change isn't change until there's change. And the older I get, it makes more and more sense. 

Change IS dependent on me...on individuals...on different ones coming together to produce it. Change IS powerful-- let's embrace it. Start at home-- that's where it counts. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Would you want others to cheat you? harm you? steal from you? exploit you? Of course not. 

In our own circle-- our families, our friends, our co-workers, our communities-- let's be that change.  It starts with me. It starts with you. And then together, like a mighty moving force, we will affect the change we want to see in our nation. 

Our leaders cannot do it alone. They need us. We need each other.

Change is coming. We are the change we will see in the Philippines.

Voting (Wisely)
By Happy del Rosario
February 2016

Last week, I posted on my Facebook wall a quote I got from a statement shirt I had many years ago: "Don't be STUPID, vote for someone SMART."  And then, it got me thinking how we can help our countrymen make their votes count this coming elections. Politics and biases aside, here are a few guidelines for all of us:

● Know your candidates.

Do your own homework. Don't just copy or play the "He said; She said" game (we all got in trouble at school when we didn't do our homework, didn't we? And it affected the results of our grades, didn't it?  Do your own homework, and see the results you make for yourself.

● ASK. Ask those questions:

- Is he/she knowledgeable of the law?
- Does he/she follow the law?
- Is he/she reliable?
- Can he/she represent our country among world leaders?
- Does he/she misuse or abuse power?
- Does he/she show accountability and transparency?
- What are his/her views on women, children, the environment, etc.?

There are many other important questions...these are but a few.  Go ahead, just ask those questions. You'd be surprised at the answers you get. And before you know it, those answers will help you in your decision.

● Show up and vote. Never think it's useless. YOUR vote counts. Don't say it doesn't make any difference. YOUR vote matters.

*We were all given ample time to register. Verify your name is on the list: www.comelec.gov.ph
*Have a valid ID on you on election day (voter's ID, passport, driver's license, etc.)

● Lastly, CHOOSE wise, understanding, and experienced men and women. 

Our collective and individual choices determine the direction we're headed as a nation.  It's in our hands. Let's make it count. We have the power-- power to vote wisely.