Being a PR strategist for Baguio and La Trinidad Community events mean that I am in touch base and in direct contact with people from different walks of life.
Everything is connected- you need to listen to information if you want to succeed in everything you are doing.
I attended the forum for " The Baguio We Want, the Baguio They promise Us" and was given a chance to have a glimpse of what was inside the minds of the Mayoral candidates.
Candidates for Mayoral Position Del Claravall, Mauricio Domogan and Jose Molintas were able to present their stand, including a Guillermo Hernandez.
This is actually a good start, it might not contain the elements of an improved forum that will suit the entire taste of Baguio as a whole.
The forum is one good way to have a feel, a definite pulse as to what these candidates are.
Attended the forum yesterday at Baguio Convention center and had a better understanding of how the candidates running for Mayor formulate their thoughts.
One of the candidates for Mayor was very eloquent, he definitely knew how to speak, and the way he stood up, his bearing is unquestionable--however because I have been around this community for a very long time-
I know that this candidate has yet to touch the pulse and heart of the city-- you can't just have the bearing-- of a leader, you must have a soul.
The other candidate, was obviously technical as he has always been- this will still work for other people in Baguio who don't want to formulate their own thoughts- his thoughts are still quick, obviously well read- but I heard about projects that he insists are being done-
But I have yet to experience myself as a resident.
The other candidate was for pure fun- at times we just need someone to make us feel light for something so serious.
The last candidate for which I have decided to vote was more willing to learn and adjust, there had been no false promises as to what he will do, there are no comforting words for the residents of Baguio, just plain truth--
Here lies the problem of the city- and he is the only candidate in their inviting everyone in the city to move--
Because honestly, it is not just the Mayor alone who will decide the fate of this city-- it would be everyone, and only a Mayor who will invite you to Wake up and acknowledge where you are right now-- and only the one who is willing to discuss potential
solutions, only the one who goes around town and mingles with every sector is the one who is going to have a chance to make it work.
Del Claravall, is the candidate for Mayor I was talking about- being a good observer of what is going on I took careful observation as to how he delivered his speech.
And in summary-- he was logical but at the same time he is an open vessel for ideas- this is the reason why the community has to listen right now- and help him--
This is a fresh slate for the city- sure, the other candidates are very well rehearsed with their speeches-- Hitler too was rehearsed, he knew all that had to be said in order to tape into the emotional current of people-- but this is not what Baguio needs-- what Baguio needs is a leader who actually listens and is opening up the chance for a real community collaboration.
For the most part, he is the Mayoral
Candidate who is not in feud with anyone, or at least has not public enemies in various sectors- this means there would be less
political issues being hurled at one another if he wins- this means more time for supporting the projects of the city.
His key points during the forum was concentrated on having an actual researched plan for the city of Baguio, and the first thing he focused on is how to engage people to come out and help.
Baguio needs a charismatic leader, someone with Charisma, who is well loved in order for people to move, it is still a small community despite the urban developments and there are still many things that could be done by people who connect with each other easily.
Del Claravall spoke about long and short range solutions and rationalized the public vehicles should park in the barangays- he has served a long time and worked with barangays and understand how they flow.
Laws must also be implemented according to him, he noted how it is taking certain government offices to process papers especially when it comes to land disputes.
He also spoke about socialized housing and how that could be used as a way to reduce the problem with illegal settlers.
Edilberto Clarvall, emphasized on community participation, to merge barangays and to connect them in order to better energize.
He also emphasized on the value of research, when it comes to issues like water regulation and how to resolve the water problems of Baguio, he spoke about technologies like water fetching systems that will solve the lack of water.
This to me is forward thinking, none of the other candidates spoke about using research information to better equip the city with what it needs--
The city needs a better way to distribute information-- because we are already loaded with information but we are not able to process them correctly-- this is what Baguio needs to internalize better.
After the debate, I noticed people flocking to him, representatives of vendor in the market.
Different social groups and organization representatives came and hugged him like they know him for a very long time.
They were more than eager to touch his hand, have a quick chit chat with him- the energy of this person is very light, motivating, very in the new-- just what Baguio City needs.
