Several months away until the onset of the official campaign period, the scuffle for political primacy amongst our presidential candidates is instantly recognizable.

The presence of political ads indicates how this recent political race is being contended with by the movers and players of the May 2010 elections. Accordingly, media is seen and being utilized as a powerful tool in this aspect in terms of getting messages across every region in the country where ideally even the most remote of areas get hold each of candidate’s political piece.

For instance, Manny Villar identifies himself as being one with Masang Pilipino who knows and understands the economics of the impoverished living as he himself once-upon-a-time lived like the poor.

Then, there is Chiz Escudero posing himself as ‘bagong umaga’, the glimmer of hope to a portrait of an otherwise seemingly hopeless nation shackled in dire poverty.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro prides himself with having both “galing at talino’’ in his commercials, two characteristics imperative of whoever will seat as the next president, in order to lead the country effectively.

And there is Noynoy Aquino who in words of one syllable affirmed to fight graft and corruption in the government.

Poring over this matter however, it is not much to say that this is an archetypal pattern of how things are being delivered at a conventional type of campaign which more often than not necessitates vast financial reserve for the candidate. But even so, this exercise cannot be negated from the formula. Part and parcel of the whole process of a successful campaign demands synergies from the grassroots level. It is in this spirit that the Noy It Forward was conceived.

Noy It Forward, launched last Nov. 2 at Barangay Loyola Height’s Covered Courts, is an effort by Pinoy Power-Youth and Yo! Noy to raise 100,000 volunteers in 100 days for Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas. The idea is similar to the multi-level marketing model wherein each volunteer will recruit at least three of his or his friends until the target is reached. These recruits will serve as campaign volunteers and poll watchers in the 2010 elections.

Noy It Forward is an opportunity for a number of Filipino youth who have expressed support for Aquino and Roxas to now translate this expression of support into something concrete and tangible. By way of involving, the whole campaign evolves itself into something to which people, irrespective of social stratum can own and share and thereby, devolves itself from the idea of being controlled by the rich and powerful few. Now, an equal leverage is turned to every single one to take steps in accordance
to what will benefit the society, as a whole.

Apart from Noy It Forward, PiNOY MARathon is another activity to which those who wish to support Aquino and Roxas can be a part of. It aims to gather more volunteers for the tandem and raise more funds for the people’s campaign.

The fun run targets up to 500 participants from all over Metro Manila and nearby provinces who will run for 6 kilometers to show unity and support not only for the two candidates but as well as for the execution of the reform agenda for 2010 and beyond.

The fun run will be held on Nov. 21, Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Supporters of Aquino and Roxas especially the youth who firmly believe in the principles they stand for are expected to take part in this yellow-colored event.

They say, change will come only when people believe in the probability of it happening, in the same breath, acting upon as if it will really come to pass. Aquino’s campaign will prove to be a true people’s campaign not when they say they are voting for him but when they throw him support such that the idea of change will really come about as it should. Moreover, many also stress that the 2010 elections will be about the Filipino Youth finally making their voices heard in choosing the right leaders for the country, through these Yellow affairs we can be sure that they are certainly making their presence felt.
To join and support Noy It Forward! and PiNOY MARathon, you can contact Karl Satinitigan at (02) 426-5657 or you can send an e-mail to karlsatinitigan@gmail.com.

Cristyl Senajon graduated from Ateneo de Davao University and is currently working as Program Assistant for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo School of Government.