our common good

Welcome remarks and state of the party's educational programs for the Evangelization of Politics
by Eric B Manalang
President,Ang Kapatiran Party
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Peace to all !
We welcome all gathered here to join us in our first ever fundraising event for the evangelization of politics,a major component of the Ang Kapatiran.
Our event is of course intended to thank you all our members,supporters,aspirants and friends to see where we have come from and what we will continue to do beyond 2010 to be able to transform politics away from a personality and patronage driven culture,to a new culture of principles,platform and authentic public service.
Just about 12 months ago we started to revisit our ways of organizing and communicating what the party is all about.
We agreed that there needs a change in how we are going to change as a party and as a nation.
There are 2 things we now emphasize more;
- we need to focus on the youth as leaders and not merely as voters or supporters
- we will gear our educational programs towards it and these programs must reach the poor if we are to expect a real difference.
In order to actualize these we had 2 transformative initiatives.
- project MMX or 2010 which is our thrust to call the youth to action specially at the lowest level of political engagement
- Passport to a New Philippines,the political teachings for all citizens who have hope in the countries future but needs a working guide to refer to in the journey of engagement.

Utilizing all means to communicate our teachings including non traditional media,electronic communications and of course the traditional medium of newspapers,radio and TV,the party was able to release over 12 press statements printed in major newspapers,we had been featured in several editorials and commentary by socio- political writers,live and taped interviews and joint panel discussions with our leaders together with others were made on several radio TV/Cable networks.We also had attended various assemblies focused on the coming together of new and traditional political personalities.

We followed the advise of a well known columnist when we asked him how do we get into the news without having to feed the news and he said" make the news!".

True to our calling to courageously live prophetic politics, which is radical and controversial,the party did what is now seen as a natural thing to do.
By reversing the ways of the trapos 180 degrees , not only would it be the right ways to do things,but it would make news.

The educational component of Ang Kapatiran is the vehicle for the engagement and its brings about the struggle between status quo and new politics of transformation.
This is the empowerment of good education.

So where are we now?Are the fruits now being seen by the flowering of the trees? Yes we now see it.
- more have joined the party and since Jan 2009 we have nearly doubled our card bearing members all over the country and many are much younger than before.From early 2009 we now have 1,500 plus new members.In 2008 we had just about 2,500 card bearing members and about 2,500 informal members.
- even as we have major constraints on project MMX due to funding the program we can still target 1,000 candidates to be fielded in selected towns and cities that are now being developed.
- the party has visited over 32 major towns and cities presenting the teachings to clergy,lay,ngo's and other civic organizations and some government groups.
- the was a total of 20 dioceses and 8 archdioceses visited and presentations made to both clergy and lay leaders.At least 20 towns and cities are actually organizing thru out the country while others are being given follow up visits to help in conducting the teachings utilizing handouts,CD/DVD.
- breakthroughs of the party again in having its first daily 1 hour radio program in Davao which is heard in about 30% of southern Mindanao.
- the CBCP invited Nandy Pacheco to its plenary as a resource speaker again,this time to expound on the parish based political desk and its impact to the lays involvement in politics under the pastoral guidance of the clergy.
- an interactive website angkapatiranparty.org was established early this year and is a major connect to the public and those interested to help the party.
- the involvement of brother Muslims in ARMM have see an upsurge after many teachings were made by our coordinators in the areas.The younger Muslim youth have spoken about Ang Kapatiran as the only party they can trust after listening to the talks.
- even as other reform movements exist and coalese,the party remains steadfast in doing its mandate to field a complete slate of aspirants for national positions.Tonight we will introduce some of them including some local aspirants.
- a tactical pattern is emerging in a few major towns and cities where fielding of complete slates is being targeted in order to show the people that there is a good chance for transformation if most if not all of local officials with be from the party.

So what else is expected to be done until the filing of candidacy starts and the campaigning begins?
The Party will be more aggressive and has now gotten 6 more young volunteers who are being trained to do the evangelization of politics talks to the youth sectors.We have also gotten a bigger HQ to contain the 4 Team Coordinators for the national slate.

If we can spread out the work to the 40 organizations we have made presentations to it would be like a miracle wand and the whole country would have the members and candidates we will need. This is the target of evangelization,to awaken the neutral and call the 99% to start something,no matter how small.

Tonight is a tribute to small ideas and actions.Ours is to be faithful.
God is in charge.
Have a great evening sisters and brothers.