Jun Lozada in Baguio
“Do what is right, walk in the light. Set me free from my fears and hesitation. Start the change I want to see…in me.”
Engineer Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Jr. was in Baguio yesterday to be interviewed “up close and personal” by Baguio residents during an interfaith rally at the SLU Center.
It was a lovely, peaceful afternoon that we trooped to the auditorium, seated ourselves wherever we wanted (I noticed that Baguio folks are generally shy and preferred to stay in the seats in the back to the ones in front), excitedly conversed with folks we knew, and met many new ones.
Then as the interfaith rally started we prayed together, watched choirs, singing groups and a dance group perform, and listened to Jun Lozada’s Message of Hope, then had an open forum.
In front of us was a man, who obviously has gone on a long journey to find his authentic self and be able to share his journey of discovery.
My impression of Jun Lozada? Well, for someone who saw him anxious, scared and a bit defensive in the beginning of his ‘ordeal’ to one who was swept into a maelstorm of interest and support, to one who was (in the words of an astute yet kind observer) plagued with ’spiritual materialism,’ Jun Lozada yesterday was a Man at Peace, a man who understands his role in the apocalyptic days of the Arroyo regime, a man who has learned many, many valuable lessons in the span of a few tumultuous months, a Man on a Mission to encourage Juan de la Cruz to re-engage in society and determine the future of our country.
Jun Lozada’s humble message empowers…
1. Actively seek the Truth. Because the truth hides or is purposely hidden.When he was in search of answers to his predicament, not one person advised him to tell the truth. How he realized that this is the best path to take. How the quest for the truth has become his journey.
2. Corruption has become the norm. That we must recognize this and consciously reject it. We either participate in it actively or condone it. Both ways, it’s wrong. We see corruption as ‘talagang ganyan.’ It does not have to be. It should not be.
3. Be a role model. For the children. Begin with little things. He gave as an example showing the children that the ballpen and paper at home did not come from your office, that you bought it ourself. That elicited a nervous collective chuckle from the audience. Jun Lozada was not condemning these ‘little dishonesties,” he was just reminding us that it was dishonesty nevertheless.
4. Humility. Oh, he talked about how this journey he has embarked on has not been very easy. He talked about his son, about being under the charitable care of the nuns, humorously how he was now an ‘honorary woman.’
Jun Lozada talked about how when the light of the truth shines upon you, folks can actually see your “dungis” (dirty linen?), and how they focus on your dirty linen so that the light will not shine upon and expose their own dirty selves.
I had an experience like that recently, when we processed to advocacy of a co-worker on the use of drugs and bribery. Instead of responding to the issue, he attacked me, my dogs, my cars and my house. It actually unnerved me to know that I was being watched so closely by a virtual stranger and my possessions inventoried, only to be used against me in the attempt to ‘defend’ his actions.
Jun Lozada explained that when you are a light-bearer, a truth-bearer, that folks will also look at you and scrutinize your past life. Here was a man who has come to terms with his past life, has seen the massive errors of his ways, is ready to face the music as far as his past sins are concerned (accountability), who for a while was basking in the light of acceptance but now knows the personal sacrifices he has to make in order to show the Philippines courage and conviction, to be a good role model to all those who are hopeless, helpless and afraid.
5. “We have all different maps, let’s use a compass instead.” This was a particularly interesting observation of his — that we all have our solutions to problems and force these upon others who feel, equally, that their solution is better (”maps”). He suggests that, if we are all going the same direction anyway, we maybe should just be guided by the same compass, pointing to the ‘True North.” He’s so very right here and I agree with him completely on this point.
For example, we all have very strong feelings on what we can or should do for a better Baguio. As long as we all decide what we want, it does not matter how we get there, which roads we choose to take, as long as we all reach our destination!
6. “Tumaya, huwag maki-balato lamang.” Here Jun Lozada used a cute story about a man who was praying to win the lotto, praying and praying. Until one day God decided to talk to the man to say, “I heard you! But maybe you should have placed a bet!” Then he went on to explain how we should ACTIVELY PURSUE what we want instead of waiting to reap the benefits of the efforts of others.
Oh how I agree with him on this point. I have observed that very few of us are willing to take a risk, and those who don’t take a risk are just waiting for the results, and hoping to ride in the victory, glory and benefits.
Jun Lozada goes on to day that he does not believe that those who did not take a risk should benefit. Actually, he said it more positively, more like, it is the winner who is entitled to the prize.
7. Accountability. He points out the ironies of the current Philippine situation, the injustice of it all. How those who steal millions avoid jail while those who steal hundreds go to jail. He asks, “How do we explain that to the children?”
Baguio welcomed Jun Lozada well. I have many little stories to tell you folks, too! There were some nuns seated way at the back and when I invited them to move to the front because there were empty seats, a sweet nun said, “We have to stay here because we are the security.” They’re just the cutest, the most gentle security force I have encountered!
But hey, we did stay behind them in February 1986! Even in Sister Act, the mafiosos could not bear to shoot Whoopi Goldberg in a habit, although they knew she was a lounge singer!”
I walked in with two little ladies who rued the fact that they had not brought a camera along, so I volunteered to take their photo with Jun Lozada that they could download. In fact, I took many photos yesterday and then realized that when I got home, that I did not have a single shot of myself at the venue. Hahaha.
I loved the freedom of movement my camera and I enjoyed yesterday, how the folks were all so very nice and peaceful — no jostling happened, there were no unpleasant people at all. It must have been that positive energy generated by an interfaith rally with well-intentioned folks in attendance.
There were short speeches by Baguio professors, Sister Mary Jo Mananzan (who has been such an ‘activist’ for the past two decades!), an opening prayer by several denominations, an opening song by the wonderful Maryknoll Choir, lively intermission performances by Salidumay that had the audience singing and laughing along with their lyrics, an open forum where PAGASA batchmates Marie Balangue and Dom-An Macagre were able to ask really interesting questions like, “How do you sleep?” “What are your permissible zones?”
There was Eric Pangilinan who was one of the earliest at the venue, Sister Perla of ICM who is my neighbor, Maureen Tanseco who it turns out is a Benedictine, Des (who asked Jun Lozada “Why didn’t you come to UB?”) and Auring Bautista whom I promised to send the photos I took of them and Jun Lozada to. There was really nice guy John “Igan” Marasigan who writes, sings and bikes who joined Salidumay on stage during their second performance.
Maita Gomez, tall and stately, came forward to announce that all was not over in the Motion for Reconsideration in the Neri case pending before the Supreme Court of the Philippines, which drew an applause of relief from the crowd.
There were a few hundred people and noticeably NO POLITICANS, even local ones, as it is an express condition for the Caravan for the Truth that no politicians be allowed to exploit the crowds that Jun Lozada draws, or to cloud the very clear message of hope that he is sharing with his countrymen.
Right before his speech he was handed a shirt with a prayer that he gamely wore before going up front to speak. Security reasons called for him to speak in front but not on stage it seems. But when the crowd called for him to go onstage, he threw caution to the wind and climbed up. You see some folks in power see him as a threat are really do not want him alive with his words ‘kicking.’ (You-Know-Who)
Having been able to photograph Jun Lozada up close, I had occasion to come into eye contact with him several times. For his was an honest face, with eyes that were not afraid to look straight into yours and with a ready smile that would follow. These were my private Jun Lozada moments yesterday, that I will carry with me in my journey for a better Baguio and a better Philippines.
My prayers and best wishes go with him, the unlikely hero. May his message ring loud and true for he is one great example of how one man’s change of heart can cause a tidal wave of change for the better. This we learned at the first PAGASA Workshop in February just as he was about to testify before the Senate. Jun Lozada is one of the examples of Nicanor Perlas’ teachings on the power of inner change for societal transformation.
As we move to the 3rd Baguio PAGASA Workshop of Hope on Monday, we are more confident that our message is the same as Jun Lozada’s. He put it very well, “Different maps, maybe, but with all our compasses pointing true North.”
VIEW/DOWNLOAD ALL PHOTOS HERE
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| Jun Lozada in Baguio |
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for posting the event, your thoughts and reflections about the forum. The pictures and your sharing made me a part of it. I am sure that your private Jun Lozada moments are worth more than having a photo op with him.
I hope that every man’s compass will point to a better world.
Hi Grace,
I figured I’d respond to your email through a Jun Lozada post instead. This article by the way is written for YOU in particular, and all those who missed the event in general.
As of this writing, I am still completing it with photos and ‘pahabol’ stories of that interfaith rally that I can remember. You see, Dom-an, Marie and I spent the next 10 hours processing so much information on other topics as well.
See you in Monday!
I would have believed in him if he had the balls to veer away from the opposition. It is just so tiring to see another Mawanay. People are tired of those people clowning around. And every time we have a President who is seated we always want to attack him/her. I think that is working against our country.
Hi Dan,
Ah, Jun Lozada was precisely one of the President’s Men until he had had enough of the plunder. Isn’t that why his testimonials are so credible to so many? He was an insider, a supporter, a cohort of an evil, evil woman who is being unmasked. Of course Lozada’s past, for which he accepts full accountability, is shady. That’s why he, as a repentant sinner, has become a good role model for so many.
I believe his is not working against Arroyo as much he is working for the Filipino people at this point. In fact, I do know that no politicians are allowed in the rallies and forums, either pro or anti.
Have you been reading the news at all? Our president is entering into shady deals with foreign countries that disadvantage our country. Our president admitted to being the voice in the Garci tapes (which is an implied admission of not only impropriety on her part but of cheating itself), our president is lying about economic gain figures that all economists are disputing now. There is nothing our President is doing that is not motivated by greed.
How can anybody not oppose the rape of the Philippines?
I’d like to write something on the Lozada’s point on having different maps, but better we all have one compass.
A compass points to the TRUE North wherever you are (as long as the compass is held LEVEL — so must we be level-headed as well).
And the question now is — what is the TRUE NORTH symbolic of?
Aside from Truth, a better Philippines, …
I find the PAGASA workshop helps answer questions we raise. And that we find our answers in the purity of the question we ask. And the answer will reflect our motive.
Looking forward to another 3R moment of Repeating, Relating, and Reframing with PAGASA. I hope new people join us too!
Oh yes Marie,
Just like in Interfaith Rallies where we realize we’re praying to the same God (so folks please stop using religion as an excuse for wars — it’s really all about property and money everytime!)…
…We realize that all efforts to actively improve the quality of life for the folks in this country, all programs that are designed to eradicate poverty, all the little things each citizen can do (organized or not), as long as the motive is pure, will lead to the same positive results that are beneficial to all!
Oh I get it — the pure and selfless motive IS the compass!
Hi Lisa,
I am afraid I am not with you this time.
Where can I get more info on Jun Lozada?
What is his handicap ? which clubs is he a member? How many Lacos does he have?
The country have tried a lot of this , Cory, Gringo, Trillanes etc.. and other prophetic people and we still ended up where we started.
Lets remember the one who lost out in this deal is the son of the former speaker. His company is peanuts compared to ZTE one of the worlds biggest IT equipment providers. Let’s face it, a few kick backs there and here, are part of big govt business not only here in the Philippines.
The Philippines is unique. we need a unique solution. We can not copy the style of the US and Europe.
If its a GMA style of Mahatir and Lee Kuan Yew why not give it a try?
“Let’s face it, a few kick backs there and here, are part of big govt business not only here in the Philippines.”
Hiya Cryst,
Of course you doubt Jun Lozada, he was admittedly a corrupt cohort of GMA. But isn’t that the beauty of his message?
He revealed to us the system of corruption (GMA is no Mahatir or Lee Kwan Yew, dear, she is Marcos, Ramos and Erap combined) that exists in this country which is designed to keep all of us poor, stupid and hungry.
GMA has been in charge since Dec 2000. That’s eight years of lies about economic gains and peace, of state-sponsored terrorism. Look at our debts, look at the gap between rich and poor, look at the excesses.
More than anything look at how we have allowed it by not questioning? By acceptance without vigilance. By apathy and tolerance. By forsaking peace for the sake of quiet.
For this ‘betrayal’ Jun Lozada is in danger from the State. For this turn around, he is being accepted by the people. Jun Lozada is a Filipino stripped to his core, and that core is liked, not his former trappings.
It is great for you to doubt, disagree, dissent. But do that for everything else, too, please.
I agree we need a unique solution — how about we re-engage, each one of us in politics? Not by running for public office necessarily, but by showing our ‘leaders’ they are accountable to us. For we are a country in search of a unique solution that no one seems to have.
hi lisa,
i was there, right behind jun lozada during the gathering. i came because i wanted to see whether the message, which i believed to the core, was matched by the messenger, about whom i’ve heard so many stories in both extremes. in short, i wanted to personally assess jun lozada’s credibility.
i came out of tuesday’s events a believer. his sincerity was like a magnet that drew me. i saw no holy man, just a regular human like us all. but he’s gone a step ahead, having put all things on the balance and emerged rooting for those that matter most: self-respect which derives from having accepted and forgiven oneself as well as a sense of mission which includes acceptance of the sacrifices involved.
may his tribe increase!
i share his thirst for true north, and i hereby place my bet on our country.
mabuhay ka, jun lozada, at mabuhay ang lahat ng pilipinong katulad mo sa pagnanasa - hindi para sa pansariling hangarin, kundi para sa ating kaawa-awang bayan! tayo na, kabayan, taya na!
Wow Annie!
You should have written this post instead. I couldn’t have put it better than that.
Thank you.
Hi Lisa, Thank you for your coverage on Jun Lozada in Baguio. I had to go YouTube to learn some more about who Jun Lozada is. All I can say is that I admire whistle blowers! They risk everything including their own faults being dug up and ultimately their lives- in the name of a bigger issue.
Yes, I saw the video of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXvOMawdeMI, asking about the millions of pesos worth of projects which were selectively awarded that Engr. Lozada admitted that he wasn’t proud of. I’m sure that what Engr. Jun Lozada did in his shady dealings in his past is not a unique situation. Given the right position and contacts someone can enrich themselves.
I believe that we should look beyond what the spotlight is focusing right now because what is happening is just a tip of the iceberg. The $130M is small in comparison to how much all the ordinary Filipinos have contributed to the pockets of corrupt people who work in the government throughout the decades with different presidents.
After this issue about the current administration, another person or a selected few will hold the power, and another cycle begins. Then we will be dealing with the same bulok people at the local levels since they were appointed by people they are connected to.
The problem is so embedded in the system, it’s too freaking normal to have tip someone inside so that papers you want to get signed will move to another desk. Government workers even clerks feel that they have the power to make people run around chasing their shadows to get anything done. I met an American in a party here in the States and he told me how easy it is to conduct business in the Philippines, he said that he just pays people off!
Solution: We should all be whistle blowers. Have a Bribery Report website. Expose those people who want to get paid under the table. Get the name of the person, date, time and amount.
Hi Tina,
Yup, the reason many say we need a unique solution is precisely because the system of corruption is deeply ingrained in the Filipino life by now.
In fact, we have found that if we want anything to move, we must pay extra. Sometimes, like for non-violations of traffic rules, simply because cops or traffic aides are ‘hungry’ (not in Baguio, though, more in Metro Manila), money is EXTORTED from drivers.
The Chinese have always referred to bribery as “facilitation,” part of the cost of doing business. I was given this advice many times decades ago. That’s another reason the Philippines does not attract too many foreign investors.
This system of ‘doing business’ is simply wrong. It did not used to be this way. Even when you pay the proper taxes, BIR bears down on you. The assumption of the local government is that ordinary Filipinos are cheating, forcing the ordinary businessman to under-declare earnings so there will be money left over to line pockets of the examiners.
Oh, the Filipino has become very creative, with the worst motive of all — greed.
This is not us. We are good people.
Yes, it is time for integrity, to prepare for the initial hardships of being upright citizens until we get back to what the Philippines truly is — a tropical paradise with fertile soil and intelligent, hard-working, wonderful people.
Lemme ask some of my classmates at UP Law if they want to run a new website with me, for the legal aspects, of course.
I just registered http://www.angbagongpinoy.com. Watch for it!
Hi Lisa,
For a while I thought Jun Lozada was someone to admire. I admired his first appearances in the senate. Then later I was turned off by his flippancy towards the issues and his side comments during the senate hearings which I thought were uncalled for. Those negative write-ups too about him…
You should’ve come, Resty,
I, too, doubted his sincerity in the beginning, but I followed his journey very closely, noticed how he was for a while filled with a misplaced confidence about his popularity, then he took a step back, then re-emerged.
You would’ve liked this Jun Lozada. He finally knows what he has to do. And honestly, no one else has stepped up and taken the risk like he has.
Actually, a lesser man would have just shut up and hidden behind the Presidential skirts, like Mr. Neri there.
i think the core word here is accountability. anybody who enters the government service is aware that he or she does so not for personal aggrandizement but to uphold and advance the public interest. indeed, public office is a public trust. yet, many have seen to lose sight of this basic principle in public governance. they treat and regard their positions as personal preserves where they could source riches and wealth. these people should be made to answer for their unfettered corruption, no matter who gets hurt in the process. we the general public must zealously and vigorously take part in making this a reality.
Oh yes Bernard, I so agree with you.
We Filipinos tend to act only when we reach that point of “Sobra na!” By that time too much damage has been done. We also tend to rely on ’saviors’ instead of being vigilant from the very beginning of the so-called ’savior’s’ term.
Ah, but coming to this realization ourselves and waking others up to the responsibilities of good citizenship, are the first steps towards the healing of our country’s political system.
hiya lis,
i stumbled upon your site a couple of weeks ago and i love it. thank you.
so, this is my first post. don’t know much about what’s been going in philippine politics in forever apart from what i’ve read, seen, or heard here and there but what i do know for sure is the continuing sorry state of the country. there was so much hope in 1986 but after 23 years the government still has not done much at all. they laud OFWs for chrissakes! those folks who necessitate the need to work in foreign lands just to feed their families back home. this should be a slap on officials’ faces. the government has failed and continues to fail to take care of it’s people. why do they not see that?
oh crapola… i’m at work lis, gotta run to a meeting right now. i’ll be back…
toodles…
ok, i’m back. and it’s been 22 years since 1986. not 23. loose nogin screws. sorry.
so anyway, yes. this jun lozada, i’ve seen snippets of him in a local filipino news show. awfully gutsy of him to dissent. that in itself should prove that he is truthful. why rat on people in high places knowing that in doing so one risks life and limb and everything else? the man has everything to lose but he plows on anyway.
“the man has everything to lose but he plows on anyway.”
Hi Juan Miguel,
The Filipinos. supposedly one of the ‘happiest’ people on earth (due to lowered expectations?), are also the most cynical. We have been through so much oppression that we can no longer tell right from wrong, the villain from the hero, the truth from lies, anymore.
We tend to think no one is capable of doing good for the sake of goodness anymore.
Oh, you’d be surprised at how many question my motives for maintaining this blog — which, by the way, I revealed in one of my earliest posts “Blogging Baguio.”
But we must persevere, those who love this country, from wherever we are in the world, lest we lose our souls.
Thanks for your comments. They warm my heart.
Jun lozada has no credibility whatsoever.
Even uses the faith to rally another
church vs state affair.
This simply died down. Turned out to be
alot of people just dont want to go to the streets again.
People now are tired of these things. He has no credibility or a hard-hitting (evidence) knock out punch like Clarissa Ocampo did vs Erap. People are now more concerned on how to put FOOD on the table, take care more of themselves. People (some or even most)finally awake that they will not be used for political agenda of a few basing things on hear say (no exact document)
And now that even Cayetano hinted that the investigations (part 1) of NBN will be already be closed with a final report, stating no direct connection to GMA.
It just shows that Jun Lozada’s NBN so-called “EVIDENCES” were all missed bullets.
It may also show that, should have been there a really concrete convincing no escape evidence then, the people themselves will rally “VOLUNTARILY” to the streets, not just be swayed but a culture of STREET JUSTICE with CATHOLIC (some clergy, not all) court.
That have been said, (some) Filipinos are now more concerned about the real issues with EVIDENCES not just hoopla.
People are now thinking.
Empty cans have nothing in them.
Paid volunteerism insults the poor Filipinos. Even students are universities are being used.
How sad, so desperate.
Started with a BANG. Died with a whimper.
Hi Ace,
While I understand your cynicism (I was that way just a few months ago), may I suggest we channel our energies then to finding the truth — and not just waiting for others to deliver it to our doorsteps.
A deeper understanding of the issue will actually lead you to see how the truth has been suppressed, by ALL the departments of the government — the administrative of course, the legislature and now even the judiciary.
It is with this understanding that should make us ask instead of “Where is the evidence?” but “Why is the evidence being suppressed?”
It cannot be that the NBN-ZTE deal never existed! If it were so righteous, then it would not have been scrapped, right?
“(I noticed that Baguio folks are generally shy and preferred to stay in the seats in the back to the ones in front”
I think it’s more of the di-kami-mahilig-sa ‘artista’ mentality of Cordillerans. Hehehe. One problem with Jun Lozada, IMO, is he seem to think of himself as a rockstar and when things don’t go with what his camps want, they labeled people to be ‘minions of the admin”. They can’t respect other people’s opinion. Just like the incident in Cebu.
Aside from that, his testimonies are like gossips “he said, they said”… and what is insulting is he is compared to Clarissa Ocampo. Such a dishonor for Ocampo who had first hand knowledge and never sided with the admin or opposition during Erap’s trial.