The Philippine Online Chronicles

Nereus Acosta’s voice booms, filling the entire room over at Sentro, while his fellow Liberals, TG Guingona III, Ruffy Biazon and Dr. Martin Bautista listened intently. Acosta was reacting to a question posed by my colleague Rochelle Chua on why he supports Liberal party president Noynoy Aquino.

Acosta’s answer was equivocal---he supports Noynoy because of the sacrifices he and his family offered for the country. Who among us, challenged Acosta, can do the same thing? Noynoy Aquino, Acosta said, grew up without a father. For more than a decade, the Aquinos suffered under the brutality of a regime so inhumane that it left thousands dead in its wake.

Neric Acosta and Martin Bautista

Acosta was answering a question that everyone asks—why vote for Noynoy and the Liberals? Acosta, like Noynoy and TG Guingona, were victims of the martial law regime. Acosta finished his Political science studies at the University of the Philippines before going to foreign schools to get his Masteral and Phds. He then went back and became active in the anti-dictatorship struggle.

TG Guingona and Ruffy Biazon

TG Guingona recounted how he and Noynoy spent several years together while their fathers languished in jails. TG Guingona grew up alone while his father worked tirelessly to dismantle a regime. Noynoy took care of his family while his father recuperated from a heart illness after spending close to nine years in total isolation. TG was there when Noynoy and his family buried Ninoy.

Martin Bautista

Dr. Martin Bautista is not a victim of martial rule. He came back to the country because he shared with the vision of Noynoy and the Liberals. Like Rizal, Dr. Bautista abandoned a lucrative practice in the States to help build a totally shattered country caused by the corruption of a self-absorbed regime.

Biazon, meanwhile, said that his father was a professional soldier who rose from the ranks. He recounted how he spent several weeks alone with his dutiful mother while his father fought the insurgents in Mindanao. When Cory Aquino ascended to the presidency, his father battled those who wanted to oust her. General Rodolfo Biazon became Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and went on to become Senator of the Land.

These fine gentlemen have varied backgrounds. Acosta works as an educator, a distinct contrast with TG Guingona who happens to be a developer. Biazon once served as a Chief of Staff of two Senators before he embarked on a political career as legislator while Dr. Bautista works as a doctor. All shared the same passion and the same determination to serve their Motherland. All are distinguished gentlemen, Liberals at heart, who, like their party president, envision a Country where everyone lives in peace and everyone shares the same opportunities like the others. They are all after one thing—to be anointed by the people as Senators of the Land—and craft laws that matter. It is all up to us and to God if their ambitions will be fulfilled.

Patricio Mangubat is a pseudonym . It means "country fight". Yet, the one behind this name is real. He can be briefly described as a long-time activist as well as a communication strategist. He once taught at the University of the Philippines and at Dela Salle University. He blogs at The New Philippine Revolution. Aside from writing, he recently opened a roast chicken business, Manok King. He blogs at filipinovoices.com and New Philippine Revolution.

Photos by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Some Rights Reserved.