(SECOND OF 4 PARTS)
CLOWN-GRESS
We also need to exercise our right to vote seriously. Refusing to sell our votes is only the first step. It’s about time that we set specific standards that candidates should measure up to before we write their names on the ballot—standards that go above and beyond the qualifications set by our Constitution for candidates seeking a particular public office.
It’s time for us to realize that some personalities are venturing into politics not because they want to serve the people but because they think they are popular enough and could get a seat in the government through it. They know their popularity could easily catapult them into public office. Power, like fame, is also addicting. Some of these famous people running for elective positions want to have both.
An interesting question is, “How many showbiz and sports personalities holding public office now were elected not because they are both qualified and capable but because they are popular?”
There are other questions that we need to answer as honestly as we should – “What did those actors, actresses, singers, TV personalities, basketball players, boxers, and other celebrities who used their popularity to win contribute to the improvement of the quality of life in the localities where they were elected?” Those among them who were lucky to become President, Vice President, Senators or Congressmen (or were given cabinet posts), did they contribute anything to national development?” “What good, if any, did their ‘star power’ bring to politics and governance in the Philippines?”
Suppose all those seasoned and veteran politicians with master’s and doctorate degrees in law, economics, political science, public administration, and business administration who have been in public service all their lives could hardly move the needle forward on socio-economic development. What do we expect from showbiz, media, and sports personalities who suddenly turned into politicians only because they are immensely popular and they know that Filipino voters could easily be deceived? Do they honestly think the skills and knowledge needed to run a public office can be acquired by taking crash courses in leadership and management?
Sadly speaking, this is how politicians and celebrities-turned-politicians think of Filipino voters – they can not only be bought, but they are also unintelligent. Most of those running for public office consider the Filipino voters cheap and ignorant – cheap because they are willing to sell their votes for a small amount of cash and ignorant because they don’t know how to choose the right candidate for a position.
Choosing the most qualified and capable candidates is not rocket science. We can evaluate their qualifications to match the position they are seeking. We can check their track record. We can hear them talk during the campaign in person and through any form of media. We can determine who among them is eloquent and can articulate their government platform and who is dumb and merely banking on their popularity so they could get the support of unsuspecting voters or have truckloads of money to buy votes. If we find those celebrities truly qualified, capable, and sincere in their desire to serve this country, and they are the best candidates vying for an elective position, we should vote for them. But if, upon examination of their credentials and background,d you find nothing but their popularity, you’ve got to make the right decision – vote for the most qualified.
We have to separate the wheat from the chaff. We must be diligent in distinguishing the qualified and capable candidates from the pretenders. Electing leaders unto whom we give the mandate to lead – unto whom we pin our hopes for a better nation – is not a game. Elections are not popularity contests.
Governance is a serious business and should be done full-time. A public servant cannot be a part-timer who attends to her/his duties and obligations only when there are no shooting sessions for movies and TV shows or practices or games to play as an athlete in any sport.
We should never entrust a public office to clowns.
PART ONE (THE CURSE OF VOTE BUYING)
(FIRST OF 4 PARTS)
THE CURSE OF VOTE BUYING
If we think our leaders alone can deliver us to the proverbial “promised land,” we are gravely mistaken. If we believe that among them is a messiah who can bring about the socio-political and economic reforms needed to make our country progressive and peaceful, then we are having a dream, or more fittingly, a nightmare, and it’s time to wake up.
It is not because nobody among them is qualified and capable of leading our country to greatness (but I won’t blame you if you think so). It’s just that nation-building doesn’t work the way we think—that it can be done unilaterally by those we elect to occupy the seats in the executive and legislative branches of government. We believe our only role is voting, which we even fail to do responsibly.
That is one (probably the worst) of our major problems as people – the mindset that the leaders we elect have magic wands they can wave to solve all of society’s ills and all of our nation’s problems. It is the prevailing belief among us. We pin our hopes for a brighter future on our leaders.
We expect them – the governors of our provinces, the mayors of our towns and cities, and the captains of our barangays to solve our problems. We expect them to weave their magic and cast their spell, and then when the smoke dissipates, we suddenly live a better life.
We think of our members of Congress and senators as witches and wizards who could improve our country through their out-of-this-world powers.
We think our President, vice President, and cabinet members are mighty superheroes who can save us from any disaster and protect us from villains. Well, they are not. If we think we live in either the DC or Marvel universes, it’s time to wake up. We live a real life, not a “reel” one.
It’s time to wake up. We must realize that those elected (and appointed) politicians and leaders manning our government’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches are as human as us. They don’t have superpowers. They cannot solve all of the nation’s problems by themselves. They need our support as citizens. Each citizen—rich or poor, professional or not—has a role. Each of us should contribute to nation-building.
What can ordinary citizens do to help make the Philippines a better nation?
What about not selling votes during elections?
We expect too much from our government, yet we do not vote for the best and most qualified candidates for public office during elections. Instead, most of us write on the ballot the names of the candidates willing to buy our votes.
Vote-buying is an open secret in our country. It is freaking rampant. It has become the norm. It’s making the electoral process lose its essence. Leaders are elected not on the strength of their qualifications, abilities, and platform of government but on the power of the money they can pay each voter who would promise to cast their votes. On the eve of election day, bidding wars begin. Once candidates get the information their political rivals offer a certain amount for each voter, they will likely double that. The starting price is usually P500. Then, candidates will try to maneuver until the price becomes P1000 per vote. The desperation among the politicians sometimes makes them willing to cough up P2000 (or even more) for each voter.
Would elected officials admit that they are guilty of vote-buying? Of course not. So, we could only wonder how many percent of our elected officials bought the positions they are currently occupying. The other question is how much they spent during the past elections to secure their win.
Stopping this culture of vote-buying and selling is difficult, but it has to be done. We must realize that the leaders we put into office should have the moral ascendancy to lead. It is difficult, if not impossible, to look up to leaders whom we know cheated their way to their offices. They are not credible as leaders. We could not apply the principle of “public office is a public trust” when we know the persons occupying public offices “bought” their mandate. These scheming politicians feel their office is their “private property” because they paid for it. They can do, therefore, as they please, and their constituents cannot and (shouldn’t) complain because they have been paid.
Those who thought they duped the politicians by taking the money they offered them are wrong. They were so happy with that P500 (or P1000… make it P2000) they received. Such an amount is nothing compared to the millions of pesos they will get when the politicians dip their dirty hands into the government’s coffers. The money those politicians use to buy votes is considered an investment. Once elected, they will ensure they will get a return on their investment, with the corresponding interest.
Then we complain about how our government is performing. What kind of performance would we expect from politicians we awarded the mandate to lead not because they are qualified and capable but because they have the money to buy votes?
As Thomas Jefferson says, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.”
Every Filipino needs to realize that suffrage is not just a right but a moral obligation. It’s not for sale. Don’t reason out that you’re selling your votes because someone’s buying. “It takes two to tango.” Both vote-buyers and vote-sellers are guilty of this wrongdoing.
Don’t expect the politicians to stop buying votes. They would never do that. Politicians will do everything to ensure they get elected and have the power they crave. Power, as they say, is addicting. They want it so badly and salivate so much for the accruing benefits and opportunities they would get once they are in position. Only those born yesterday don’t know what benefits and opportunities those are.
It is not public service they are thinking of when they run for elective positions. I could be wrong. But am I? How many of those occupying seats in our government’s Executive and Legislative branches are genuine public servants? Who among them are real statesmen?
I was invited as a judge by Bulacan Private Schools Association (BULPRISA)-District 2 for their extemporaneous speech competition. How grateful and excited I was for the opportunity. There was no hesitation when I accepted the invitation for doing so presents a chance to get reunited with friends in the academe that I have not seen for a long time, having been in South Korea for more than a decade now working as a teacher and honing my skills as a writer and researcher. Accepting the invitation also allowed me to, like a kid, return to my old playground.
Yes, BULPRISA was my playground. Seeing those nervous and excited teachers, parents, and contestants in a huddle reminded me of the days I trained and coached students for declamation, oration, extemporaneous speech, poetry, essay writing, tula, talumpati, and sanaysay.
In the numerous editions of BULPRISA competitions we joined, sometimes, we brought home the “bacon.” There were also times we got “egg” instead. But both “bacon” and “egg” are delicious. The experience the students I trained and coached gained is as valuable as the medals they missed winning. The experience may be more important than the medals. Why? Well, while the medals were kept in boxes or cabinets, collecting dust and eventually losing their color, the knowledge the students gained and the skills they developed during their training will remain with them forever. The self-belief I inculcated among the students I coached and trained is more valuable than medals. I remember how vehemently our speech contestants complained when I asked them to have as a final practice before the competition, delivering their piece in a public park where people were roaming around. After the competition, win or lose, most would thank me for making them undergo the ordeal; it made them develop confidence.
My involvement in BULPRISA activities was not limited to training and coaching participants. For some years, I also served as an officer of the association and chairman of cultural and sports events. I was also invited to judge cultural competitions and wrote several declamation pieces that were officially used in BULPRISA competitions.
I became involved not only in cultural contests but in sports competitions as well. I trained and coached basketball teams.
———-
Below are links to sample declamations I wrote and used by BULPRISA as official contest pieces:
This is my book, which has been officially published by Amazon. Please check it out. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT4RGQ9H
To GOD be the GLORY!
__________
Aside from the values of faith and self-belief that my mother effectively inculcated in me, one key element of personal growth and development embedded into my system even long before I joined the self-improvement bandwagon was lifelong learning. My parents kept telling my siblings and me the value of education, the need to learn new things and skills, and the importance of always striving to be the best and strongest we could be to fulfill our dreams and ambitions.
I believed them to the point that when I had already acquired the degrees I wanted, I looked for a new jar of knowledge where I could dip my fingers. I pushed it further when I realized I had been doing much related to improving my health and acquiring new skills. I decided to focus on personal growth and development.
At first, my affair with self-improvement was just a fling. I thought it was enough that I read self-help books. However, I was not satisfied. I thought adding positive thinking to my faith, self-belief, and lifelong learning was enough. I was wrong. I wanted more.
Then, the unexpected happened. My romance with self-improvement took a serious turn after I watched a film entitled “The Secret.” I saw the DVD of the movie only by accident. The store owner mixed it with other genres of film. When I bought it, I had no idea what it was. There was no synopsis or a brief note explaining anything about it. That was it… everything was what the title suggests—SECRET.
I wondered if it was a mystery thriller or a sci-fi movie. When I played it, I discovered it was a “self-help” film—technically a documentary. I must admit that I first considered the ideas presented preposterous. From the beginning of the film, what I saw and heard appeared as if lifted straight from the pages of a science fiction book, but they also tickled my curiosity, perhaps because I love science fiction.
I continued watching, tried to be open-minded, and thought of the information in the film as tips for personality development. I have always considered anything that advocates positive change worth my time and effort. I watched it a second time, and some exciting segments were a few more. After that, I started using valuable tips I learned from the movie. I even shared the ideas I discovered with my students whenever I saw a connection to the contents of our topic.
Then I decided to do an Internet search for one of the speakers, the one who spoke first in the movie – Bob Proctor. That Internet search led me to his motivational videos on YouTube and links to information and videos of other motivational speakers such as Jim Rohn, Wayne Dyer, Les Brown, Joe Dispenza, John Assaraf, Brendon Burchard, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Simon Sinek, Tom Bilyeu, John Maxwell, and Mel Robbins. I heard them mention Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale, and Earl Shoaff, which led me to find them online.
They were all my professors at VU (Virtual University). I religiously watched the videos they posted on their social media platforms, and they taught me well. I consider them my mentors in the field of personal growth and development. Through them, I learned much about constructs related to self-improvement and Positive Psychology—goal-setting, planning, decision-making, time management, well-being, mindset, personal accountability, lifelong learning, good thinking, positive thinking, self-discipline, and more.
I consider them my mentors. They taught me valuable lessons I never learned in school. Thanks to them, I realized that in striving to be the best I can be, as my parents instructed, there are attitudes and beliefs I must pursue and possess, skills and abilities I must learn and acquire, and practices and activities I must carry out and perform. I realized how essential they are for achieving one’s full potential and becoming the best.
Seeing how personal growth and development have benefited me personally and professionally and recognizing that as a teacher, I can help my students and influence my loved ones and dear friends to experience the same, I have embraced self-improvement as an advocacy. I am committed to promoting it. There may be those my mentors from VU could not reach but whom I may be able to. I strive to do so in my humble ways.
To the best of my ability, I aim to plant seeds of motivation and inspiration in others, encouraging them to recognize their potential and embrace the transformative power of self-improvement. I believe that each interaction, no matter how small, has the potential to spark a profound change in someone’s life. Whether through teaching, writing, or engaging in meaningful conversations, I see every opportunity as a chance to leave a positive imprint on those I encounter.
In doing so, I am trying to carry forward the legacy of my mentors, whose wisdom and guidance have shaped my journey. Their influence reminds me that advocacy is not confined to grand gestures but is often reflected in our quiet, consistent efforts to uplift those around us.
My mission is to reach individuals who may feel unseen or undervalued, empowering them to believe in their capacity to grow and succeed.
In my classes, I actively seek opportunities to instill the value of striving to improve. I do the same in informal discussions with friends, loved ones, and sometimes strangers. Whenever I have the chance to discuss something related to self-improvement, I seize it without hesitation.
My approach is grounded in the belief that the desire to grow and evolve is universal, and all it often takes is a spark—a meaningful word, a shared experience, or a heartfelt conversation—to ignite that desire in someone.
It reminds me of how those simple compliments from a couple of teachers in high school inspired me to study harder.
I also write essays on personal growth and development, which I post on my websites and social media accounts. When I realized how much I had already written on the subject, the idea of writing a book on self-improvement emerged. I decided to compile and interconnect everything I had written about personal growth and development into a book.
My motivation for writing this book is clear: I want to offer a guide that could help readers like you achieve their full potential, be the best and strongest version of themselves, and attain fulfillment by achieving what they desire. When I began working on this book, I also had my students in mind. I hope they and other young people like them will read this book like you.
You have dreams and ambitions, but uncertainty can sometimes keep you stuck. You doubt your ability to achieve them. Sometimes, your challenges feel larger than life, your dreams out of reach, and self-doubt gets the best of you. However, I still believe that you have the power to become the highest version of yourself, manifest your dreams, and flourish into becoming the best you.
It is not luck or chance that gets you to the fulfillment of dreams and desires—it is learning the right strategies and applying the focus, determination, and passion you need to pursue your personal and professional endeavors. The future is yours to take.
This book is divided into three parts, each focusing on different aspects of self-improvement. In Part I, we will discuss beliefs and attitudes; in Part II, skills and abilities; and in Part III, practices and activities.
Henceforth, I will collectively refer to beliefs and attitudes as a value system, skills and abilities as a competence framework, and practices and activities as a habit scheme.
The world needs people willing to rise to their full potential, lead purposefully, and contribute to something greater. I believe you are one of those people.
As you read through the following pages, I hope you will find the encouragement, insight, and tools you need to take the next step in your journey. My goal is to inspire you to look at your personal and professional goals not as impossible dreams but as inevitable outcomes that await your dogged determination to succeed.
This book is both a reflection of my journey and an invitation to join me on the path to unlocking the greatness within you. I do not feel like I am already the best version of myself. Thus, my journey towards unlocking my full potential has not ended yet. If you have not started with yours, now is the time to begin.
“Win the morning, and you win the day.”
~ Aries Spears ~
Whether you believe it or not, the things you habitually do or do not do every day, consciously or unconsciously, will determine how healthy, successful, and happy you will be. That’s how powerful routines and habits are. It would help if you were mindful of the activities you engage with every day. Reflect and ask the following questions: “Are there things you’re supposed to do but have not done?” and “Are there things you did that should not have?” This discourse deals with the distinctions between routine and habit and how adhering to a consistent routine and good habits can unlock your full potential.
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A person who consciously sets routines can be likened to a pigeon with a keen homing instinct that can navigate its way back home no matter how far away from its loft you release it. Conversely, anyone who does not have specific daily routines and does things on autopilot is like driftwood floating in a river. Without intention or direction, the driftwood is subject to the forces around it, carried by the current without control over where it goes or when it stops.
You may pause for a while and reflect. With which could you be likened – to a pigeon or driftwood? Do you have specific daily routines that you perform religiously or start and end a day singing to the tune of “Que sera, sera”?
The word “routine” describes activities regularly performed. Routines can be personal or work-related and are done at the day’s beginning, during, and end. A routine may include behavior as typical as “waking up at the same time every morning” or as important as “going to work as scheduled.”
It can be argued that something you do repeatedly every day eventually becomes a habit, and thus, it ceases to be part of your routine.
At this juncture, clarifying the difference between routine and habit is necessary. The two are related but distinct concepts. Eyal (2014) argued that people want to turn everything into a habit without understanding the fundamental difference between a habit and a routine. He explained that habit is the impulse to do a behavior with little or no conscious thought, while routine is a series of behaviors frequently repeated [intentionally].
Eyal pointed out that most things people want to turn into habits will never become habits. Some routines can eventually become habits, but not every routine can become a habit.
The things you do daily can be deliberately set as parts of your daily routine or are habits you perform on autopilot. Those activities you intentionally or unknowingly do can benefit or harm your well-being. The ones you do routinely (and not habitually) are the ones that will move your SH2W needle.
Duncan (2022) explained that a daily routine is simply a collection of habits you do daily. He added that you likely have a series of daily routines you aren’t fully aware of—for example, things you do automatically when getting ready in the morning, starting your workday, or winding down in the evenings. He argues that making activities intentional means shutting off autopilot and consciously creating daily habits that increase productivity and generate happiness. Making routine intentional is also eliminating the habits that stand in our way.
A habit is an automatic behavior triggered by specific cues and usually performed without much conscious thought. Milkman (2021) explains that habits are like shortcuts—they’re things we can do quickly and without thinking because we’ve done them so often that they’ve become automatic. Routine, on the other hand, refers to a sequence of actions regularly followed, usually intentionally designed for specific times of the day. Routines are typically more deliberate and involve conscious planning.
As Milkman pointed out, a cue or trigger is often needed to remind us to start our habitual actions. For example, if you habitually brush your teeth after meals, you’ll likely do so automatically after finishing a meal. By contrast, a routine behavior is not connected to a specific cue. Following a routine, like going to the gym for a workout, requires conscious and deliberate effort—even discipline.
Habits form automatically over time, whether beneficial or detrimental, shaping your behavior often without conscious thought. There are good and bad habits. You must strive to retain positive habits and break negative ones. Self-awareness and discipline are crucial in helping you reinforce beneficial habits while working to eliminate harmful ones.
In contrast, a routine is generally designed to be beneficial, as it involves intentional planning and structure. People rarely, if not never, schedule activities that harm their well-being. You can incorporate positive habits into your routines to form a framework of beneficial behaviors that support pursuing your goals and overall quality of life.
As articulated in this discourse, a daily routine is a set of specific activities (including positive habits) scheduled at certain times of the day and performed in pursuit of one’s goals.
Your routines embody your goals and plans and are fueled by your whys. The things you do every day are supposedly tied to the goals you have set. Every move you make during your waking hours should be part of the plan you established to pursue those goals.
Setting routines indicates that you are controlling your destiny, unwilling to be dictated by the currents of fate—floating without a purpose, at the mercy of circumstances like driftwood. Establishing a daily routine is an effective way of managing time. It ensures that you do your daily activities as scheduled.
Organizing your activities sets clear intentions and indicates your seriousness about pursuing your dreams and ambitions. It is a hallmark of being purpose-driven. When we begin a day, we cannot afford to stay adrift, moving from task to task without any true purpose.
Routines are indeed driven by a purpose. We include an activity in our daily activities for specific reasons. We also add to our daily routine habits that we deem beneficial, which would contribute to attaining our goals.
Routines are beneficial in many ways. Csikszentmihalyi (2008) states, “When you establish a routine, your body and mind start to adapt, making it easier to slip into a deeply focused state known as ‘flow.’ Establishing a routine creates familiar cues that signal your brain to prepare for deep focus, enabling you to immerse yourself completely in an activity. Over time, this consistency allows you to transition smoothly into productivity without forcing it.
Choosing and sticking to your daily activities shapes your mood, shaping who you are (Murray et al., 2020). The activities you select each day influence your mood by setting the tone for how you feel and approach the world. Consistently engaging in positive, purposeful actions can foster a stable, uplifting mood, gradually shaping your habits, attitudes, and identity.
Daily routines also help you take control of your day and, subsequently, your life. They allow you to start your day, make better decisions, sleep better, enjoy quality time with loved ones, and have more time for activities you love (“Why Routines Are Good,” n.d.).
Having a daily routine will help you improve your focus and productivity. A list of specific activities at specific times of the day will allow you to concentrate on doing things one at a time and deliver the best possible results. Knowing what should be accomplished eliminates unwanted stress. Neuroscientists claim that when you set to do something, you are preparing your subconscious mind for the job, and doing it will no longer cause you to feel stressed.
The success, happiness, health, and wealth you want to achieve will not emerge from a stroke of luck or just sporadic bursts of effort. They will result from intentional daily routines—those small, often unnoticed actions that accumulate and compound over time. Take the example of daily reading in your field of expertise; it’s like a drop of water on a rock. Ovid once said, “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” The benefits of consistent reading—or any other habit you cultivate and include as activities in your daily routine—are impossible to predict now, but over time, they add up in ways you might never have imagined. Your daily routine shapes your life’s course when repeated with discipline and purpose.
Daily routines are usually divided into three parts – activities we do in the morning before performing our chosen profession/vocation, during the time that we perform that profession/vocation, and in the evening when we return home and before sleeping.
People have different morning rituals. Jim Kwik (2020) recommends his ideal morning routine – recall your dreams, make the bed, drink water and take supplements, breathe, meditate, move [exercise], take a cold shower, nourish your brain, journal, create a to-do list, a to-be-list, and a to-feel list, read, make a brain smoothie, do brain training, and start with your most difficult and most important task.
Which ones of Jim Kwik’s recommendation are you actually doing?
Bokhari (n.d.) argued that a healthy morning routine has four core components: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. He considers those four as the sources of energy that each of us is born with. You must unleash your physical energy and activate your body to prime it for a successful day. Learning something new or doing at least one thing each morning is essential to sharpen your mind. He suggests addressing your emotional and social needs by checking in with yourself, connecting with people you care about, and unleashing your spiritual energy by doing something that allows you to reconnect to your purpose, faith, or WHY.
During the day, your work or business takes a considerable chunk of your daily routine. A daily work routine is a set of behaviors aimed at achieving and accomplishing tasks most efficiently when practiced daily. A pattern of habits, activities, and behaviors governs how an individual plans a task schedule and decides which task should be done at what time (“Five Steps in Daily Work Routine,” n.d.)
Experts recommend taking breaks during work hours to boost productivity, maintain high levels of focus, and prevent burnout. The “Pomodoro Technique” is an effective way of doing this. The technique requires work intervals (e.g., 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break).
The pursuit of your evening routine commences when you go home from work (or when you stop working). An ideal evening routine helps you wind down, reflect on the day, and prepare for the next one. The goal is to relax your body, declutter your mind, and prepare for a restful sleep.
Studies conducted on daily routine recommend the following to-do list for an evening routine: unplug and disconnect, reflect on the day and practice gratitude, plan and set intentions for tomorrow, engage in relaxing activities, practice personal hygiene and self-care, set up a sleep-friendly environment, and practice relaxation techniques or visualization.
Instead of spending long hours using gadgets, you might consider dedicating time to other activities, such as reading, journaling, or meditating.
A carefully planned daily routine is required to live a purposive life. It makes every action you take intentional and geared towards achieving your goals. Starting your day with morning rituals that will invigorate you the whole day ensures that you will work productively and get your desired results. Ending the days right is just as important. Thus, your evening rituals should not only be spent for further self-improvement but must allow you to recharge and get ready for the next day. Consciously choosing the activities for your daily routine is a manifestation of purposiveness. It indicates the desire not to live your life on autopilot. Establishing an organized set of activities is veering away from merely going through the motions of life.
__________
NOTE:
You can see the references in the following link…
 | M.A.D. LIGAYA on WHERE WE STAND |
 | spellzea on WHERE WE STAND |
| M.A.D. LIGAYA on A Note From My Students |
 | nilichoandika on A Note From My Students |
 | Edge of the Fall (Pa… on Edge of the Fall (Part 3) |
M.A.D. LIGAYA
M.A.D. L I G A Y A 