Last June 11, 1998, the lifestyle section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted an article written by Geraldine Rullan that looked into the Philippine political crystal ball. It was called, “A Glimpse of the Country’s Future” with a tagline, “Five young leading men who will probably figure in elections 2010.”
The five men featured were the cream of the crop of their generation: Argee Guevarra, David Celdran, Kiko Pangilinan, Mike Defensor and Dennis Mendiola.
We are revisiting this article to take a look at how our friend Mike was viewed in that particular conjucture, and how he fares compared to the rest of that generation.
Here is the first part of the article.
"The generation of Martial Law babies hinge their hope not on the tradpols or on political mercenaries or on old names and tired faces who reflect little of the dreams of the young.
After all, in less than a decade, the movers and shakers of the present will soon be tombstone entries or will be buried in the dustbin of the nation’ s history.
“Who will stand in the gap?” is the query. The youth look among themselves, hope of the fatherland they are called. Could they take the reins of government and usher in new hope – a better life for their children?
The year 2010 bids them to run the race of the country’s leadership. Kiko Pangilinan, Mike Defensor, Argee Guevarra, Dennis Mendiola and David Celdran – certainly not a mix of the questionable kind. Mega lawyer, beloved congressman, anti-establishment poet-columnist, Subic’s golden boy and brainy newsman – are driven by the passions of their youth to change the world and to serve.
Their names are divined from the oracle softly resonating in campus corridors and in the halls of many boardrooms, like whispers presenting themselves as prophesies. All of them have courted controversy and often, admiration – well-deserved or not. All of them belong to a different breed of leaders who by their personal and hard work earned for themselves respect and curiosity from a jaded X-generation.
All of them have done this, have done that. They have achieved reputation that probably exceeds their substance. But in the homestretch when the next generation searches for new leaders to lead it well beyond the Centennial, could they measure up the expectations of their peers and their country’s?
What about Mike Defensor?
That is something we will explore in the next entry.
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16 comments:
None of them actually is in the position to run for the Presidency. At best, two of them still has a name, the rest are lost in the translation.
None of them actually is in the position to run for the Presidency. At best, two of them still has a name, the rest are lost in the translation.
I agree that these five were the "cream of the crop" of their generation.
But history has shown that they did not live up to the expectation.
But these are young people, they can still reshape their future.
Sayang!
And why is Argee Guevarra in the equation?
2010 is still halfway of their lifetime, let these people make a difference in the next chapter. Yes, I agree, wala naman talaga sa kanila may karapatan maging presidente, even your friend Mike Defensor.
But 2016 might be a different timeframe.
Sino si Dennis Mendiola?
Si David Celdran puwede pa but he is too weak to be considered a political force.
Argee Guevarra is known to be a mudslinging lawyer. Lagi nag hahanap ng gulo.
So only two in that list are qualified to lead the nation, both of them are not loved at all by the youth.
Why is Ace Durano not in the list?
Hindi ba tuta ni GMA si Defensor?
If ever this traditional politician runs, I will not vote for him.
He is a political turncoat so I am pretty sure he will fit into whoever takes the presidential seat.
Now, he wasted a few seconds of my precious time.
A glimpse, no matter how minor, is almost always relevant, since it represents a truth, no matter how small.
However, a glimpse starts to blur when its relevance is screened by smog, or when its truth fails to be consistent.
I am curious to find out if the glimpse of truth in 1998 is still present in each of the five.
The "cream of the crop" of the military academy has a better batting average of making good in the future because of its controlled environment and established culture. Their sense of seniority discourages junior officers to jump to the next levels early on, giving them enough time to develop themselves.
But partisan politics is a totally different story. The partisan crop seems to be naturally inconsistent, predatory and they change color spontaneously depending on the environment.
Masyado pa sigurong maaga. Natalo sya nung nakaraang election. At malamang lalabas uli sa baul ung isyu kay Jun Lozada.
Kiko has a higher marketability at this time. He went “independent” (which spared him from the PGMA stigma) and he has Sharon.
The presence of Argee Guevarra seems to balance the equation. Whether you use a (+) or (-) sign on him, the way he challenges popular thinking and the status quo gives him the right to be on the equation
Perhaps, the saving grace for Mike Defensor would be the PNR. He must sustain its initial success. Or else! Some ghosts of the North & South Rail still linger from the time that he was HUDCC Chairman.
I agree that it is still too early, or very untimely, for them, including Mike D. I am longing for a leader who would truly champion the cause of the poor. Mike D. had a partnerhsip with Gawad Kalinga beofre but I invite him to go back to those sites that he had helped.
Kiks,
Just one question: is there something that Mike can do that will make you change his mind about him?
Just for the sake of discussion. We don't know and this blog is not telling us whether he is running or not.
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