Cebu as a Stage for New Politics

I heard Nick's talk during the launching of his candidacy in Cebu last Feb 13... and I understood why Cebu is strategic in the game of politics, and why he chose Cebu as the launching site of his candidacy. Roughly, here are the points that he mentioned, with my addition:

1. Cebu or the Visayas is in the heart of the Philippines. This connects to the principle ...that the heart of the revolution is the revolution of the heart. Indeed this strong heart sense manifests in the region's strength in arts and music.

2. It was in Cebu that Christianity was first implanted (remember the first baptism... of Rajah Humabon and his wife; ... the Magellan's cross?). The essence of Christianity remained, despite the flaws... and we are considered to have the biggest heart and spreading this love principle all over the world.

3. It was also in Cebu that the "first resistance" to invaders was staged (Lapulapu vs Magellan)... Now another invader is to be conquered. That which remained from the past is now deeply internalized, thus for societal change we need start from within.

4. In Cebu the people's consciousness of the "rural reality" is still very strong and integrated. This is not so in the bigger cities. Cebuanos still strongly feel the reality of the farmers, fisherfolks, urban poor and other sectors of society.

I am sure there are other reasons. May I invite you to add to the list? Also feel free to modify the expression to make it inspirng? I'd like to add too that the phenomenon of the Sto Nino is a great unifying factor. Then there is the fact that Cebuano politics runs very differently from those in other influential cities. And the synergy of the volunteers in the province is just incredible.

Cebu, continue to be the shining star for New Politics. You will do a quantum leap very soon. 

Posted by Pam Fernandez