Why I support ALYANSA

I've been active in campus politics for the past eight years. I've involved myself as part of the campaign machinery, as a member of the executive board of my political party, and a member of the council. It's been one big roller coaster ride. When I started out, I was idealistic, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I felt that through my party, and later through the student council I could actually change the world, even just a teeny tiny bit. But I soon found out that such is not the case. It was a rude awakening, actually. There was no one to hold my hand or walk me through it all as I realized that being involved in politics (campus or otherwise) is an almost certain path to disillusionment and burn-out. Not to mention the buckets of tears I cried over the years, big (literally and figuratively) baby that I am. At least that was the way it was for me. In my masochistic heart of hearts, I enjoyed the different responsibilities and the opportunity to get to know and work with other people, but at the end of the day, I realized that I didn't like the constant feeling of self-doubt that in my case inevitably comes with being in a public position. You constantly second-guess yourself and your motives and become sensitive to what others say and think even if in the past such was not the case. It was because of all this that I decided not to run again, both in undergrad and subsequently in law school.

It also did not help that over the years, my personal sometimes great, and sometimes not-so great, experiences were effectively multiplied and compounded as I was privy to the many misgivings and heartaches people I knew who were likewise involved in campus politics had. Through my not-so-baby brother who spent one year in the USC and two in the School of Economics Council, I vicariously experienced day in and day out how sometimes good intentions coupled with good ideas are sometimes not enough. Through many friends, I vicariously felt the pain of personal attacks and mudslinging. While I did not like what others were experiencing and felt for them, such also gave me a taste of reality, of the imperfections and flaws in the system, in any system for that matter.

Despite the imperfections and flaws, I remained with my party, ALYANSA. Sure I didn't always agree with certain decisions made by my party, quite vocally making it known to the world. I felt that my loyalty to my party was hinged on the principles espoused and not to the personalities involved. I think that is why despite my many misgivings over the past eight years, I have had no problem staying on. I've realized over time that it is practically impossible to attain perfection or even complete satisfaction with the way things are. It's simply a matter of making the most of what we have, and remaining true to ourselves and what we stand for. Yes, it may sound like I've settled, that I've compromised, but I beg to differ. There's nothing shameful in 'settling' for as long as there is consistency with principles and no one is harmed in the process. What is important at the end of the day is integrity. Whether you stood by unwaveringly for what you believed in and lived and led in such a matter as would be consistent with those principles especially in the face of trying circumstances even if there are more convenient paths to take. That for me is the non-negotiable.

That is why it's easy for me to say that despite the many heartaches and heartbreaks campus politics has given me a taste of over the years, I have no problems remaining with ALYANSA even as a mere supporter. Despite knowing the hardships of campus politics from the campaign, to the time one is actually holding the office, there is the internal drive and spirit to once again present themselves as a real choice to the UP students. That was something I could not bring myself to do and that remains something I continue to admire in others for that takes courage, strength of spirit and commitment to something bigger than the fleeting highly-charged emotions, criticisms, and the like that inevitably come with any kind of campaign. Politics can sometimes be dirty and frustrating, but there is that willingness to go beyond the bad – and sometimes ugly – in pursuit of the quixotic impossible dream.

In the same way I vote for candidates in the coming national elections based on platforms, principles, and integrity, I vote for ALYANSA because I know what they stand for. I know where they are located in the political spectrum. I know that with them, what I see is what I get and that they're not pretending to be something else simply to get votes. In the imperfect system we have to contend with, I choose to vote for leaders whose principles and ideals are consistent with mine and who have the audacity to aspire for better things for all of us. That appeals to the idealist in me. Maybe these ideals will never come into fruition, but I harbor no doubts they will at least try their very best and will take on the burden of standing for and speaking up for what they believe is right even if it's not popular or even if it's difficult, as true leaders would and should.

Arianne Reyes
Juris Doctor, UP College of Law (2010)

Vice-President, UP Law Student Government (2008-2009)

BA Political Science, magna cum laude (2006)

Chairperson, CSSP Student Council (2005-2006)

#1 Councilor/Secretary-General, CSSP Student Council (2004-2005)