In the national elections of 1987, the first under the Cory Aquino administration, I had the privilege of being part of a campaign for a congressional seat in Laguna. I say it was a privilege because the three-month campaign turned out to be one of the most exhilarating and inspiring experiences in my life, even though we lost to the candidate with the most money.

While low on funds, we were high on enthusiasm and grassroots support. We did the whole shebang: distributing posters and leaflets (on cheap newsprint) in churches and marketplaces, organizing barrio-to-barrio meetings, shaking thousands of hands, holding a lively miting de avance in the town plaza (well-attended because we had a popular movie star as guest). Most importantly, our troupe went house-to-house to talk to people face-to-face.

It was literally back-breaking 18-hour/day work that parched our throats, browned our skin and dropped our weight as we walked to remote sitios and huddled with fishermen after hauling in their catch for the day. The demanding, all-volunteer labor was a humbling education of a lifetime. From the campaign, we took away valuable lessons on how people in the grassroots thought and lived.

In this year's election, we are witnessing something unprecedented: a widespread nationwide house-to-house campaign powered by youth volunteers for a presidential ticket. H2H is a common practice in local elections but not for national positions where it's more cost-effective and practical to rely on mass media to convey the candidates' messages.

But, as contributing writer Andres D. Bautista emphasizes in his article this week, times have changed, misinformation has become the name of the game and only direct outreach to voters can counter the lethal brew of lies and fake news.

So from across the seas, we wish the campaign volunteers continued strength and fervor as we pray (and do our bit to help in whatever way) for a better tomorrow for our Motherland.

This Week’s Stories

House To House, Heart To Heart by Andres D. Bautista

Bienvenido N. Santos, You Were A Friend Of Mine by Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

A Filipino Voice From Down Under by Harvey I. Barkin

[Partner] Statement Against Red-Tagging And Disinformation

Read Agains:

Eighty years ago this year, on April 9, 1942, the Fall of Bataan, "the biggest single surrender in U.S. military history,'' happened. It was a tragedy that should not be forgotten.

Remember Bataan by Cecilia I. Gaerlan http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/remember-bataan

Re-enacting the Bataan Death March: A Personal Journey by Jon Melegrito http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/re-enacting-the-bataan-death-march-a-personal-journey

The Happy Home Cook: Grilled Salmon and Shrimps in Banana Leaves by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-grilled-salmon-and-shrimps-in-banana-leaves

Video of the Week: Kubing the Philippine bamboo jaw harp