Last Friday, August the 1st, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Sen Mar Roxas and a number of respected Filipino bloggers, along with friends and staff of the senator.
The Agenda
Whenever there are meetings and interactions with politicians, cynics are quick to sneer and say, “Mamumulitika lang yan.” On the other hand, if the politicians don’t reach out to their constituents, people say that they are unapproachable and mayabang. It’s the politico’s Catch-22. Fortunately, Sen Mar Roxas is more than familiar with the norms of the Philippine political arena and he knows that it’s okay to be a politico as long as you have something important to say.
So what was on the agenda? Basically it was a meet and greet event. It was also an opportunity for Sen Roxas to soft-launch himself as the newest face in the Philippine blogosphere. He now blogs at marroxasblog.com. There was also a lengthy discussion about his latest battlecry: SCRAP OIL VAT! which has an online signature-avatar campaign at virtualrally.net.
In our 2-hour meeting, Sen Roxas was in his element, sharing ideas with his blogger-acquaintances/friends and making the connection between old and new media, and also between the oil VAT and fuel prices.
On 2010
As expected, Sen Roxas was asked if he was going to run in 2010. His answer was that he believes that the single most expedient way for reform is the presidency and that’s why he aspires to the position. When asked what it was like to be a public figure, he answered by trying to describe the connection he feels every time he looks into the eyes of his countrymen. Understandably, he had difficulty explaining what this connection was like. I personally believe it’s something that cannot be put into words. He added that in his heart of hearts he knows that people are counting on him to do a good job. I know this sounds like politico-speak, but you had to be there to realize that this man is sincere.
I hope and pray that more government officials will feel this connection with their constituents so that they may truly serve the best interests of the Filipino people.
| Back (L-R): Manolo Quezon, Abe Olandres, Carlo Ople, Paolo Florenda, Lester Cavestany, Sen Mar Roxas, Marck Rimorin, Juned Sunido, Arbet Bernardo, The Jester-in-Exile, Marc Villanueva
Front (L-R): Sonnie Santos, Susan Ople, Yvonne Chua, Ellen Tordesillas, Noemi Dado, Gail Villanueva
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for my part, i turn to...
7 Responses to “Sen Mar Roxas, Blogging and Making the Connection”
hi lester! it was a pleasure to meet you and the other bloggers for the first time. i hope it won’t be the last! more power!
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thank you po and it was a real pleasure to meet you too. sana sa pagbalik ko sa christmas, magkita po tayo uli. God bless
Abe and Ellen…?
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Sen. Mar Roxas indeed have a very logical point. Oil prices are so high (and will probably keep on increasing) it is more beneficial specially to the poor if the VAT on oil be removed.
Lester: Nice seeing you pare! ‘Til next time. Ingatz ka!
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Marc, parekoy maraming salamat at nagkita tayo. Sayang di na nasundan. Di bale, may next time pa yan. Easy lang ha
hey lester,
i didn’t know that you’re back in manila. just romping the internet trying to find blog info about mar roxas. will link u up in my next entry. best regards!
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