Working on the manuscript for our new book, Jess Estanislao’s It Can Be Done, brought to mind three kinds of joy.
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Photo: Margaux Antonio
First, the joy of being young. Perhaps every generation has this in common: to be told of the things they will not live to see. And yet each one has managed to bring forth remarkable, life-changing things into the world. This book is for everyone who has experienced what it is like to be young and working for a cause. I hope it can be a reminder of the joy that comes from realising that we have many more years to give to our country—many more years to work, pray, and reach out to others. Dear young Filipinos, we are the generation that will live to say, “it can be done”.
Second, the joy of being loved. Though we rarely say it out loud, we express our love for country in many ways and as often as we can. But do we realize how much we are loved? In the way that only a country can love its people? In the way that only a country can forgive hundreds of years of heartbreak brought about by ignorance, corruption, and poverty? In the way that only a country is a clue to our place in the universe? And most importantly, in the way that only a country is the manifestation of a great, big, sweeping embrace from above? We are loved.
Third, the joy of being ordinary. This is a book of 12 inspiring stories of governance from within Philippine government. They are written academically, but they come from the heart and they are meant to be read by those who are looking for signs of what the future will bring. They narrate the journeys not only of visionary leaders but also of responsible citizens playing their roles superbly. These are stories that tell us that there is strength in numbers; and that we are bright, able, and on the side of millions of ordinary Filipinos who can help bring our ‘Dream Philippines’ to life.
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Photo: Kirsten Ramos
As I close this editor’s note, which did not make it to print due to our prioritizing more important details, I would like to thank the author, Dr. Jess Estanislao; his friend and fellow author Dr. Bob Klitgaard, who wrote the foreword; our co-authors from the 12 national agencies and local governments featured in the book; my associate editors Isabel Camus, Kirsten Ramos, Marose Anatalio, Guia Luistro, Jonas Trinidad, Nicolas Espinoza, Jan-Ace Mendoza, Diana San Jose, and Gabby Macasinag; and our illustrator Francesca Lagmay.
Our special thanks to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Director Beth Pilorin, from whom we borrowed the words to the title; our leadership team and colleagues who organised the launch event; our volunteer student artists from the Malate Literary Folio who were with us at the event to sketch and paint portraits of our guests; and our friends who have been pledging their support to help launch and build our advocacy.
Visit bit.ly/GoodFilipinos to pledge for the book.
Marielle Antonio is a Program Officer at the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA). Send her an e-mail through [email protected].[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]