NICANOR PERLAS’ SPECIAL CONNECTION

Nicanor Perlas pinning a volunteer tag on one of his "prayer warriors"

Outside the gates of the Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu City, you are bound to meet vendors, pushing their candles and images. There they were at the church entrance, just when we were coming out of a mass that culminated a whole day gathering of the supporters of NICANOR PERLAS. This time these middle-aged peddlers were there not out to sell their wares but to catch a better glimpse of a man inside the church that they felt was someone important. And they asked our help to connect with him.

Together with these urban poor women, we retraced our steps and waited for Nicanor Perlas to emerge from the prayer room. The minute they came face to face with the Presidential candidate, there seemed to be an instant connection. He smiled and looked at them in the eyes as they bared their life situations. He was the first political candidate who interacted with them- listened to their woes and inspired them with his vision. They lamented that they had no such opportunity with other political candidates whose bodyguards effectively screened them.

At nine o clock in the evening, these marginal earners still had to bring their day’s income to their families, living as far as Carcar, a town about 40 kilometers from the city. Yet, their mundane cares were brushed off like the dust from their worn-out slippers as they danced for heaven’s blessings. As they raised their candles to the Supreme Being, they became the prayer warriors for NICANOR PERLAS’ sublime intention - the rebirth of this nation.