Looking for a hero?

With a little less than a year to go before the 2010 presidential elections, the scramble to find a hero for the country has begun. Movements have sprouted, the biggest so far being the Ako Mismo campaign, which was launched during the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. PLDT-Smart Foundation, one of the organizations funding Ako Mismo, says that its goal is to awaken and spread the Filipinos’ sense of responsibility as an individual.

Basically, the movement says that the biggest problem in our country is not poverty or hunger or unemployment, it’s our lack of hope. With various celebrities in different fields as spokespersons, it pushes the idea that people can actually help the country with their collective individual efforts.

They say, “Ayoko sumuko. Ayoko na magreklamo. Ayoko na umasa sa iba. Ako na ang kikilos. Ako na ang gagawa ng paraan. Ako na ang magsisimula. Ako ang tatapos. Para sa bayan ko, ako.” The movement then poses the question, “Ikaw, ano mismo ang gagawin mo?”

If you go to www.akomismo.org, apart from the faces of big-name celebrities like Maxene Magalona, Angel Locsin and Ely Buendia, you will find a big blank box asking you what you would commit to doing for the country. A novel and noble idea, really, but it has been met with a bit of online controversy which has trickled down to mainstream media.

Having watched the Pacquiao-Hatton fight only in replay, I first got wind of the movement through Plurk—unfortunately through a message questioning all the “secrecy” and the purpose of all the information you have to provide in order to sign up for membership in www.akomismo.org. 

An email forwarded by Jaime Garchitorena, speaking as a member of Youth Vote Philippines, questioned the fact that the owner of the site wasn’t known (DDB Philippines has since claimed to be the one behind it; PLDT-Smart’s Manny V. Pangilinan has said he didn’t want to be identified with it precisely to avoid its being given political color) and the fact that you have to give all your private data, like mobile phone number, address, etc., to sign up (the site has since stressed that the database won’t be used for political or commercial gain). He then cautioned people from giving private information that could be used for whatever purpose they weren’t made aware of. 

I’m never one to speak up so publicly against something right away, but I commend Garchitorena for doing so constructively and opening a dialogue and paving the way for many positive changes to the site. I just hope people won’t get stuck on distrust, as we all know many Filipinos are wont to do, considering all circumstances. Maxene Magalona herself has expressed her thoughts on this in a Facebook note. To quote, “These kinds of people are actually what make the Philippines seem hopeless. I mean, here is this movement, actually trying to make a difference in the Filipinos (since change begins with oneself) and instead of believing in it, there are some people who choose to put it down.”

Then again, I suppose any effort worth doing will always be met by some criticism, even opposition, but, if it is indeed as noble as it purports to be, there would be no stopping its progress.

I haven’t signed up for membership in Ako Mismo yet, but I will. I just have to be clear about what measurable action for the country I will commit to.

What about you?

Email your comments to [email protected] or text them to (63)917-9164421. You can also visit my personal blog at http://althearicardo.blogspot.com.