HIGHLIGHTING THE ROLE of personal values in politics, The Repvblic (TR) hosted its 7th annual Congress with the theme “The Political is Personal: What Kind of Political Beings Are We Becoming?” on October 1 at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium.
In an interview with The Bedan, TR President Lee Saltore explained why this year’s theme was chosen to look inward after seven years of looking outward at power institutions.
“…[W]e have to look inward on who or what kind of individuals or personalities are running them,” he said.
He explained how the annual event’s objective was to push students to reflect on how personal convictions ultimately influence public systems and governance, including how internal principles trickle down to the external global environment.
The program opened with remarks from TR’s moderator, Prof. Moses Aaron T. Angeles, followed by the main discussion led by the guest speakers, along with a roundtable discussion that featured the three esteemed speakers.
Leanne Ysabelle Ventura, a Diplomacy and International Relations student at Ateneo de Manila University, reflected on her experience emphasizing on the lesson that exploration and questioning are never inherently wrong.
Ventura drew her discussion on this lesson as she underscored how this manifests the standard foundation for transformative political engagement, with an emphasis on how “neutrality can become complicity.”
In her discussion, she urged students to recognize that politics goes beyond institutions as it is the people themselves who have the capacity to question conformity and carry their humanity into political spaces, living by their moral principles.
The second part of the discussion proper, led by Atty. Argel Cabatbat, a Bedan alumnus, lawyer, and former representative of the Magsasaka Partylist, offered a glimpse into the harsh realities of politics.
His discussion revolved around stressing the deep-rooted corruption within our political environment, demonstrated through his journey as a student to being a legislator, where he encountered systemic corruption.
Atty. Cabatbat then shared how he fought against institutionalized corruption as he championed farmers’ rights despite constant threats and personal risks, urging the students to do the same and see themselves as future changemakers who can challenge the system.
Rance Miguel Peralta, a licensed environmental planner working as a project manager at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), closed the discussion with a reflection on personal integrity and collective responsibility.
As one of the founders of TR in 2018, Peralta made a stark reminder of how the organization has always been built on service and academic excellence, distinguishing the event as “a living tradition of political engagement,” which calls students to actively participate in nation-building.
“Integrity means nothing if we do not live in the same shared reality,” he remarked, encouraging the participants to see their choices as part of a larger democratic fabric, highlighting the value of small but meaningful contributions, the humility to accept criticism, and the spirit of Splendor Sine Occasu, “doing beautiful things without having to break others.”
Following the discussion, a roundtable discussion ensued, where students were able to interact and ask questions with the featured speakers on issues of integrity, accountability, and ethical responsibility in public service.
The Congress ended with the manifesto recitation, the awarding of certificates, and final remarks from one of the activity chairs, Ms. Samera Jamal. In an interview with The Bedan, Ventura reminded the Bedan community about the significance of youth action in shaping the trajectory of today’s political climate, stating, “The youth have such a magnanimous impact, and we also redefine the mechanisms of change.”
She also discussed how the youth’s active political participation is vital to sustaining democratic spaces.
“It doesn’t have to be with the big changes that you think are there… You can start in very small ones. Start a conversation with a friend. Talk about the political climate. Look at what’s happening. Maybe ask a friend to hone their political decisions. Share, spread awareness,” Ventura said.
As the event demonstrated how meaningful change begins not only within institutions but also within the decisions and awareness of each citizen, Saltore hopes that the essence of the annual congress’ theme of how “politics is personal” is inculcated within the participants.
(with Bianca Ashley Bitanga)