Baguio Insider

As we countdown the days to the 2nd Baguio PAGASA Workshop, excitedly I must add, certain questions as to who must be invited crop up. You see, this workshop can make one person so powerful, it is frightening to invite the ‘wrong’ people to it lest they discover the ‘formula’ for, say, ridding the world of 6 million jews like Hitler did, or how to rule the Philippines for life like Marcos and Gloria did.

And all the while, here we are simple Filipinos, feeling so helpless and thinking that one must be special to lead.

Honestly, each one, no matter the background or financial status (look at Andres Bonfacio) has the capcity to lead.

Then we ask, who has the energy or the desire to lead? In the world as we know it now, mostly the greedy want to lead. So most of us who are not greedy, will choose to be followers instead. Then I ask, WE will follow the GREEDY? How sick is that?

But we find that the world is not made up of just leaders and followers, and oppositionists. It is made up of human beings, some who are principled, some who are not. All of us have the same needs: to breathe, eat and wants: comfort, fulfillment and family.

It is then that question of survival that these greedy people feed on — they coopt us into their system so we can merely survive.

When what we really want is to live.

And by living, I mean a good life for all, that does not exclude other members of society. Tony Meloto says, and rightly so, that poverty is artificial. No one has to be poor so someone else can be rich.

And although God has given mankind ALL the tools we need for a good life, we have redefined God’s truth and decided to complicate things.It is my belief that everyone in this world can be equally rich. And I will devote the rest of my life to this.

The Baguio workshop was a first step for me. I went into it blindly and emerged full of hope and faith, with a brighter future, with a sense of purpose. So I can say that this is the best thing that ever happened in all my life.

I never aspired to be a leader of men, which is why I will never envy my classmate who is now in the GMA Cabinet, or a few good friends who are senators and governors. I just always want a good, quiet life. This is why I left Manila for Baguio more than a decade ago.

But I find now that to live the life I want, I have to fight for it. Even if I want a quiet life, I now have to shout and say, “Give me my quiet life!” There are forces that are stronger than those with all the best intentions. The 2nd Baguio PAGASA Workshop will give you the tools, and the answers, to find your voice. And the answer pala is so simple! We just never knew how powerful we could be if we became the change we want to see in the world.

It really empowers. And you will find that you will be stronger if you make others stronger right along with you. You will be richer of you help others find their riches, too.

You will find that to effect change in this world, you do not have to be a leader. You just have to find the authentic you. Oh, know it all sound so vague, but if you jump right in and trust me the way I trusted virtual strangers (who happened to be wonderful human beings with undoubtedly all the best, and completely selfless, intentions), I can promise you a way better life.

I am making the call because I was privileged to have answered it the first time. And it’s so fantastic, it must be shared. One friend who will attend on Monday was told, “You do a bit of drugs, don’t you? Well let me tell you that this is higher than any high!” Those of you who read this have been called. The ball’s now in your court, as we can only do so much calling.

Join us in the 2nd Baguio PAGASA Workshop. Click the link for details.

You will learn how to live a more prosperous life while helping others prosper, too. You will find your role in Philippine society and find that you do not have to be the Baguio mayor or congressman to effect a change for the better. You will find that all you need is YOU to make this a better world.

You will not asked to lead, really, just to lead BY EXAMPLE. And I think everyone can handle that challenge, right?

It is one scenario where you can have your cake AND eat it, too.

Satisfaction guaranteed.