I recently came across this quote from former President Cory Aquino that really moved and stuck with me. She said, “People Power must start from within. The potential for greatness of every Filipino needs to be cultivated before true strength in numbers can be realized for our nation. People Power resides inside each of us, waiting to be unleashed to trigger a chain reaction that would transform the fabric of our society.”

I have come to believe that People Power should not be looked upon and celebrated only through the prism of a peaceful revolution, but through the eyes of an enlightened and hopeful people, who are awakening to the possibilities of using People Power as a genuine movement for societal change.

Former President Cory further expounded on this concept when she declared in a keynote speech for the Magsaysay Forum some years back, “Since 1986, one of my main preoccupations had been on seeking ways by which to make use of "people power" as a force for eliminating poverty.”

I could not agree more. I strongly believe that we need to ensure that the concept of People Power be taught to a whole new generation not only as a celebration of one of the greatest moments in our country’s young history, but also as a philosophy of engaging each one of its citizens as vital instruments for nation building. Our former President believed, that in order for our country to progress, it needs its citizenry to be involved as active participants and service partners.

The late President set many examples for her people to follow, and in the last few years of her life, she recommitted herself to helping the poorest of the poor. Many of our impoverished countrymen live on the outer fringes of society, desperately trying to eke out a decent life out of indecent conditions. Tita Cory felt that by providing them with the tools as well as a means to acquire a decent life were of utmost importance. She established the PinoyME Foundation, that acts as a vehicle for helping the poor thru micro finance. Thru PinoyME, those in need can avail of micro loans that can be used as funds for starting small businesses, improving lives, funding education, etc.

From humble beginnings, PinoyME (www.pinoyme.com) has grown to having an estimated Php 1 Billion circulating and providing genuine assistance to as many as two million indigent beneficiaries. The immediate goal is to reach five million clients with a total of P5 billion in funds fueling grassroots businesses.

Tita Cory was also a strong supporter of Gawad Kalinga. She firmly believed that Gawad Kalinga was a true epitome of the definition of People Power. She said “It is now evident that People Power has come of age, when its pursuit defies the human temptation to use that power for one’s personal interest. Gawad Kalinga is proving that People Power can have the most noble of aspirations, that it can motivate ordinary citizens to become extraordinary Filipinos.’ She added, “In the expression of People Power, Gawad Kalinga seeks meaningful change powered by love for God and love for neighbor. It moves away from conflict and instead opens doors for convergence and harmony in the pursuit of a cause noble enough for all Filipinos to embrace. It does not look down on those who have less, and is not judgmental on those who have more.”

Many people have forgotten that at one time, Tita Cory held ultimate power in our country. But she was of the firm belief that in order for our country to progress, the solutions cannot only come from the Government. She believed that awakening the spirit of People Power in the citizenry and channeling that for the common good was the ultimate solution for bringing progress to the country and the people.

She said, “Through the years, I have learned from experience that, ultimately, People Power is about finding and unleashing the leader in each one of us. It is about harnessing the inherent integrity, the sense of compassion, the will to make sacrifices, and the courage to take risks to achieve goals that would serve the common good. Each of us is called to do our share. It is about building little bridges to people who can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.”

There has been much said about finding the “Ninoy” in each of us; that there is a hero inside every one of us (http://iamninoy.org). I think we should now also look for the “Cory” within our hearts. Tita Cory truly believed in the goodness of each Filipino. We all need to once again rally to her call for People Power. But this time not solely to oust a dictator, or to rally in the streets or to protest injustice; but to set forth and do something positive to help our fellow brother and sister Filipino. If we all rally to this call, then we can finally honor Tita Cory’s words, “I thank God for making me Filipino.”

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

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