My kids in congress
It’s been a year since I last wrote about my kids
here in Congress — Tin-Tin and Lyn.
I am awed by the energy, creativity and commitment
of these two kids (ok, so they’re not really kids as they’re both 22; but to me
they will always be kids because they were barely 20 when I first met them and
‘hired’ them to be legislative staff for Ka Bel’s office here in Congress). I
don’t remember being like them when I was their age. Sure, I was already tibak then, but I was the brooding, quietly angry, quietly sad type. Tin-Tin
and Lyn are happy, energetic 
types, they do their exhausting work if not with
always with smiles, then at least without making the slightest complaint or
grumble.
Lyn is a drama queen of a good sort. She has a
lovely voice, she’s moves gracefully, and she likes to put together and wear
outfits which I (Ms. Sneakers and jeans) would think 20 times before even
considering wearing. Which doesn’t at all mean that she looks ridiculous
because she doesn’t. She looks comfortable, and young and creative. She paints
and draws, and she’s ambidextrous. She’s passionate about people and people’s issues.
Tin-Tin is more tomboyish in attitude, nevermind
that she studied ballet in her younger years. She’s also the techie — grooving
on the newest computer programs and gadgets. She has strong discipline and is
also a fledgling graphics artist. She’s my main lieutenant, and when I panic, I turn to Tin to reclaim objectivity and calm. She’s never emotional, always sensible.
Both Tin and Lyn write like fiends. Their position
papers and interpellation briefers are both concise and expansive. They never
tire of doing research, and they’re practically residents of the congressional
library. They are cheerful community organizers, able to inspire and motivate
urban poor community resident to fight for and defend their rights.
I never wrote about this, but when I first left for
Hong Kong months ago, I felt very confident that I was leaving the office in
very capable hands. And I did. Tin and Lyn — along with the other staff –
held the fort and did everything they could to make sure that Ka Bel’s office
continued to function and serve its constituencies despite the fact that our
principal was illegally and unjustly arrested by the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration.
Am very honored to be working with these kids.
——–
The art and gift of great conversation; to
communicate honestly, fully, deeply where you reveal yourself and your past and
everything that you’ve been and are without pretense and worry of being judged.
To wear not only your heart on your sleeve but your soul and your guts as well;
and to allow another to see you, really see you.
This is why I appreciate ‘Before Sunrise’ and its
sequel ‘Before Sunset’ so much. It reminds me of the various conversations I’ve had with people
who became friends or became more than friends,argued with, broke up with,
reconciled with, let go off, forgot, or rediscovered all over again in a
completely different light but a good light all the same.
I’ve had conversations with people that I so wish
that I was able to record and document! With friends who at the time felt
expansive and then expounded on what they thought life meant or how life should
be lived; with ex-boyfriends who shared their childhood tragedies and glories;
kasamas narrating how they became activists.Life stories than were told the way
some of the most compelling movies were created.
In my my journals I keep notes and descriptions of
these various conversations, what made me feel amazed about them, what will
forever make me remember them and the persons I had the conversations with.
—–
Makati City under siege. Smells strongly of
Malacanang. Gloria and her spokespersons can deny everything until they turn
blue, but Pinoys are not stupid: they can tell a politically-motivated move
when they see one. Ghost employees indeed! If the DILG where truly to after
every LGU (and local government official) that employed ghost employees,
probably ALL mayors, governors, congressman would be charged and then suspended
from office. Macapagal-Arroyo has done so much worse than hire and pay
non-existent employees (something which Jejomar Binay’s accusers have yet to
prove), but her self-righteous henchmen in the DILG and presidential
spokesperson are exhorting Binay and his supporters to obey the rule of law and
step down. This is more than enough to make one upchuck. Malacanang’s
scriptwriters are so pathetic - poor plot, transparent motivations,
contradictions and conflict utterly lacking in subtlety. They’re fooling no one with their assertion that they’e only doing their mandated duties as guardians against corruption in public office.
Yeah, right. Abangan ang susunod na kabatana sa super gulo at super-OA na soap operang pinangungunahan ng anti-hero na si Gloria.
