Bautista: I’m possible

IN ONE of my recent invites to speak, I was reminded again of an experience I had as a scholar of the United Nations (UN). I had been selected among the many city mayors to represent the country in a very special executive course.

The experience is something I will never forget. It was an honor being selected and it was even made better when I was told that it will be in their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. I was to be housed in the luxurious Kempinski. Even better was that they had asked me to include my wife Joy as a companion and to join in some of our excursions or out of class experience.

The course primarily was for the UN find champions in different countries for conflict resolutions. Something that would be very difficult in many countries. In the Philippines, it is normally said that our leaders are “strong” politically, it would just mean that they are powerful. And everything else revolves around that leader.

It was here where I had passed the screening for some Juan that could eventually change a mold of a strong leader. At first, I had not realized what they were looking for but today I had realized it. Most mayors I was in the company with were all strong, the likes of a Haggedorn, Osmeña, Estrada, Binay and Duterte. Even the women mayors were as strong, Mary Jane Ortega and Marides Fernando to name a few. Yes, we were all colleagues as city mayors before all this.

Not that I wasn’t strong nor weak, it was just that they had seen some chance of changing the mold and that they must have seen in me. The experience I had was something that would change my life forever. The way I dealt with people, be it in government or business. It was now all about being NICE and KIND. Nothing else.

The United Nations espoused neutrality, fairness, non-partisanship, equality and not taking sides. Definitely very difficult if you think about it. How can a mayor of a place do this when we live in a world of bias and conflict? But that is exactly where I wanted to go, thus being selected for it.

In fact this was that eye opener for me to leave government. Been there and done that. If many will really understand the reasons for me to run in the recent elections this was it. It was a chance to showcase many of the things that were taught in our course for many to see. I am definitely a loser, but this was that chance to showcase how elections and candidates should be. It is about respecting Juan another. Winning is another story. But the effects of losing is always difficult for many. Not me.

Remember, there will only be one winner that is by a simple majority. The rest like I was, losers. Imagine all the supporters of a losing candidate, in our case, candidates. And just one winner. Obviously it will be very difficult for Juan to support someone you didn’t vote for, am I right? Yes of course that’s natural. But that is where the UN would like to change things.

I pray for our leaders to hopefully learn from experience and hopefully try to do their job and just find solutions for conflict. Conflict is everywhere and everything. But then I am reminded too that it is better to be kind than to be right.

Our final exam struck me the most. It was a simple question. What would you do with $500 million if UN were to give it to you? I had mentioned that being a banker I will invest it in Swiss Banks. I would instead just use the interest. At one percent of $500 million, I can fund annually the development of Burnham Park, a new public market, housing, disaster mitigation, water and electricity projects, public safety, roads... Etc. Just the interest alone.

The UN were quite amused and interested with my answer over among all those who were there in class, mayors and governors from around the world. Not to mention by depositing it in Swiss Banks I also champion for them since we were in Switzerland.

But it is not that simple. $500 million will only be given if there shall only be ONE answer. That to me is the most difficult, having to ask every Juan what would you want with 500 million. I will get 500 million answers too. I know that I will never get it. So too with my classmates, we were all resigned and said it is impossible.

Well nothing is impossible. The question handed to us was actually a difficult reality but it happened. And this was in Brazil. Actually there was a civil war and that there was lawlessness. There was no politician to stand up for it, well because they were all killed. Since there was no hope the UN decided to “try” and fix things. It sounded impossible but it is worth a try. And so they did try. If all fails they will still keep the $500 million in the Swiss Banks.

But beyond expectation and not with the hope to fail and to the amazement of everyone in the UN, the Brazilian people had indeed only one thing in mind. Can you guess? I would have never thought in my wildest dreams for it.

A Football Stadium!

A deal is a deal. $500 million was given to them. In fact, everyone volunteered to be a part of the project. Something they wanted to say to be a part of. There was unity, there was pride, something they thought they would never see. One people, one dream.

Upon completion the whole world had noticed. Nothing was impossible from now on. It can be done. From this they were asked if they could host the next World Cup, again the people were proud, happy and honored. They did host the World Cup of Football.

In the end it is not what the leaders would like to do that happens. It is actually the collective voice of every Juan that can make the impossible possible. But in our case I am still sorry to say that it will still be difficult, but possible.

But today as a private person I continue to hold dear what I have been taught and learned from being selected by the United Nations. I have realized that I just simply have to listen to what people say. I’m possible.

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