mongster's nest

- disturbing fantasies, traumatic verses, definitely mongrel thoughts

I left my parents in San Francisco

Thank you Billy Esposo for this Philippine Star column: What are our youth really thinking? Watch the Cebuano video teaser of Kabataan Partylist. Have you seen our TV ad on ABS-CBN? Find out why I appreciate Koko Pimentel’s TV ad. Thank you Tinig for featuring Kabataan Partylist. Check also my past columns for Tinig. UST will vote for Kabataan Partylist.

Sa aking tatay at nanay: I’m overjoyed to learn that Mama will be coming home for a one month vacation. Campaigning will be over next week so Frances and I will have more time for malling, gossip and bonding with Mama. Renee is excited to meet her Lola again. Although, I think she is more anxious to get her Barney toys which you promised to her.

Friends (and even foes) have been asking how did we raise funds during the campaign. Of course we relied on the contributions of our members and supporters. In every activity, we coalesced with other candidates to minimize costs. I also replied that my parents were the most consistent campaign contributors of Kabataan Partylist. They thought I was joking.

I could not have travelled around the country without the much needed subsidies provided by you. The money you sent was also used to print some of our campaign materials. Some of my colleagues presumed sending money was not difficult on your part since you are migrant workers living in the USA. They are so wrong. I know you are not earning that much. Perhaps you took a loan or used your credit cards. I feel guilty everytime I spend your hard-earned remittances. I know you are working for more than 12 hours everyday just to earn enough money to survive. But I could not refuse your help. We needed the money. And I thank you for your understanding, sacrifice, sympathy and love.

I feel grateful that you have always been supportive in all my endeavours; although I know sometimes you couldn’t appreciate why I remain a poor activist when I can look for a high paying job. From the moment Dad caught me reading Lenin in 1998, I knew you were hoping I was just undergoing a ‘phase’ in life. You never got tired reminding me to start thinking about the future, especially the welfare of my beautiful daughter. You had your objections on my being a radical activist. But you never, even for a moment, threatened to abandon me or throw me out of our house. You have always respected my decisions and you have always believed in me.

When I informed you about my candidacy, you readily agreed to give full support for our campaign. You check on me everyday, asking about my activities, problems and political developments in the country. You monitor the news everytime you are at home hoping to get a glimpse of me and my partylist. You are my number one fan, my most devoted supporter and to a certain extent, even financier of our partylist.

As parents, it is no longer your obligation to assist me in my political activities. You raised me well, sent me to college, and I already have a wife and kid. But you couldn’t stop giving your affection and material support for me and my advocacy. I am eternally grateful for having wonderful parents like you.

In one of our conversations, I relayed my outrage over other partylist groups receiving funding and political support from Malacanang, local politicians and warlords. While our group is forced to accept donations from our hardworking parents, other partylist groups are using taxpayers’ money to finance their campaign. With the publication of the names of nominees of partylist groups, the public will learn how certain powerful politicians are attempting to gain more power through the partylist system by fielding their own children, relatives and subordinates as candidates.

I learned so many things during the past three months. I became more disappointed with the kind of political system existing in the country. If you were with me on the campaign trail, you will also feel disheartened over the disparity of wealth in our country, the distrust of people on politicians and a general feeling of hopelessness among our youth. I became more resolute to continue with our crusade for meaningful changes in our society.

I have been an activist for ten years already. The coming elections will not affect my resolve to remain a dissenter and reformer. I’m confident that you will continue to cheer, support and love your prodigal son.

Related entries:

Dear Renee.
Family Ties.
Why partylist.
Activist son.

posted by: mongpalatino at May 05, 2007 12:37 | link | comments (7) |
personal

Comments:

#1  05 May 2007 - 23:35

 

Having lived in the San Francisco area for over a quarter century, you are quite right abour your observations.

And life is especially hard for the newer immigrants. We can start with housing, and other essential quality of life issues.

While jobs may be plentiful and wages are higher comparatively speaking, the cost of living here is much higher compared with the rest of the country.

Thus, here's wishing you success in your political endeavor, which has been fertilized and sustained by hard-earned funds coming from here.

Anonymous

#2  07 May 2007 - 15:28

 

hi mong,

anyway... 2 things:

1) congratulations on Renee! I'm very sure that your lil bundle of joy is your inspiration to pursue on the aims of KABATAAN, rest assured that I will support KABATAAN on it's beliefs and foundations... SULONG KABATAAN!

2) Thank you for featuring my blog on your Global voices site, it made me more inspired to write and expose the profound beliefs that I heartly brand as WRONG.

Anonymous

#3  07 May 2007 - 20:23

 

I want to wish you good luck and more power to your run as a possible congressional representative for the yourth sector. You are fully insighful and should be well worth the votes you can get...

Anonymous

#4  10 May 2007 - 21:05

 

im sure your parents are proud of you.

Anonymous

#5  11 May 2007 - 06:00

 

greetings from kabataan-ugnayan in new york city! youth from new york city and los angeles, california made a video to support kabataan partylist... in just 6 days the video has received over 5,000 hits on youtube! go KABATAAN!! check out the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZuZNVlBkz4

Anonymous

#6  11 May 2007 - 23:30

 

Hi future congressman! :) I checked out the UST article and I was appalled by the idiocy I witnessed.

Others who gave an answer opted for party-list groups that carry pro-population control, pro-contraceptive sex, and pro-divorce platforms.

UST's school paper still poop on party lists who support these advocacies. JEEZ.

So anyway, I just wanted ask. What is the Kabataan Party List's stand when it comes to these three issues - population control, contraception and abortion.

Anonymous

#7  31 May 2007 - 23:16

 

MSN I NIIPET
MSN

Anonymous

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