BALOTA’T TINTA: A Vote for A Hopeful Tomorrow

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Risa Hontiveros

BIRTHDATE: Feb. 24, 1966 BIRTH PLACE: Manila, Philippines NAME TO APPEAR ON THE BALLOT:

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HONTIVEROS, Risa

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Risa through the years

Ana Theresia Navarro Hontiveros-Baraquel, or more known as Risa Hontiveros has worked in the Congress for more than 11 years and is currently a senator in the Philippines. She is an activist and has authored laws that succor women, children, the LGBTQIA+ community, the healthcare system, and people with disability as well as those who suffer from mental health problems. Before entering politics, she also served as a journalist. On the next page is a timeline that contains her education, work experiences, and some of the awards she has received.

Received an Award for Peace and Advocacy, Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM)

2001

Akbayan Representative, 13th Congress

Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Akbayan Representative, 14th Congress

Chairperson, Akbayan Party

2004 to 2007

2005

2007 to 2010

2012 to 2021

start 1988-99 2001-04

1988 to 1992

1987 to 1988

1983 to 1987

1983

Member, Government Panel for Peace Talks with the NDF

Secretary-General, Coalition for Peace

Community Organizer, Foundation for Development Alternatives

Graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University | AB Social Sciences, Cum Laude

Graduated from St. Scholastica College

Vice Chairperson, Committee on Cooperatives, 17th and 18th Congress

Member of the Board of Directors, Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Chairperson, Committee on Health

Co-Chairperson, Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development

2014 to 2015

2016 to 2017

2016 to 2019

Received the Love Gala Ripple Award for HIV-AIDS awareness

2017

Received the Lagablab Network Equity Champion Award

2018

present 18th Congress Vice Chairperson, Committee on Finance Chairperson, Committee on Women, Children, Family relations, Gender Equality

2016 to present

2019

2018 to 2021

Senator, Republic of the Philippines

Received the Silver Rose Award for Social Justices

Member, Commission on Appointments

Punching Through The Walls of Stigma What is Social Stigma?

REVIEW OF KEY TERMS, THEORIES, AND CONCEPTS

Based on Erving Goffman’s “Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity” (2009), the society determines the attributes and routines deemed natural or likely to be encountered in the said environment. These established expectations are eventually embedded in the society, turning them into norms, then manifested as demands. Since these anticipations are unconsciously being anchored deep into the society, one mindlessly sees a stranger through the lens of these socially constructed expectations.

Hence, stigma is the extreme rejection on an individual because of his socially nonconforming characteristics.

Gender Discrimination As reported by the Philippine Commission on Women (2019), the Philippines still holds the top place in Asia in terms of closing the gender gap (for about 78%).

However, contrary to this report, women still experience cases of domestic abuse, benefit disparity, and workplace discrimination.

The prevalence of gender discrimination worldwide becomes alarming that in the worst-case scenario, some result in violence. This gender bigotry perpetuates inequality between men, women, and non-binary individuals wherein there is unequal treatment on the basis of gender (Save the Children, 2021). Connected to the stigma rooted in the society, the causes of inequality start from one’s childhood and the gender norms faced by one as one grows in the said environment.

Practicing Everyday Activism What is Everyday Activism?

According to Mansbridge (2013), Everyday Activism is more than just a response to an existing crisis but a daily practice activated by a social movement and a conscious attempt to create gradual change directed towards the advocacy of one. The statement “changing the world one habit at a time” captures the essence of everyday activism such that the small changes committed by a large number of people can create a massive ripple effect. This idea is largely tied with the concept of “The Self as Individual and Social”.

The Man as an Individual and a Social Animal This concept mainly emphasizes on the reversibility of how an individual affects and, in turn, is affected by his social context. In the book Principles of Social Psychology (Stangor et al., 2014), the social self can also be explained through the Social Identity Theory which asserts that a person gains selfawareness from the society he belongs to. On the other hand, the society would cease to exist without an individual for it is mainly composed of complex relationships, diverse experiences, nuanced beliefs and values present among its members (Hossain & Ali, 2014).

When we practice our right to vote, we must think not only of today, but more importantly of yesterday, tomorrow, the day after that, and the farthest days yet to come.

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INTEGRATED ANALYSIS

Integrating Activism Into Everyday Life

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Risa Hontiveros practices everyday activism even before she became a legislator and champions many advocacies which collectively aim to elevate Filipino’s quality of life. Due to the social injustice she, herself, and others have suffered in public spaces, online, and even at home, she relentlessly strives to give women and other sectors a more genuine representation by means of habitually inquiring and addressing relevant issues. Her type of activism is not grounded solely as a crisis response, but it was already embedded in her to fight for peace and more just society. All of these are evident in her accomplishments as a legislator and peace advocate.

Despite growing up in a society flawed by stereotypes, Risa Hontiveros is one of the people who looked beyond the socially reinforced beliefs and maximized her influence in the public office to author bills that promote and protect Filipinos’ rights. In fact, she became one of the pioneers who ardently participated in crafting contemporary policies concerning the rights of children, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community. By being an agent of change, she serves as a model to everyone of what kind of values and beliefs a society should perpetuate.

Specifically, she has always been an advocate for equality in terms of granting opportunities, which is clearly manifested in her active work in giving women the imperative representation in the realm of politics.

Regardless of having multiple women who are clearly active and competent, the reality of those actually running a government position seems to be far-fetched; however, Hontiveros continues to challenge politics by raising women’s interests and issues in the forefront of government regulations and initiatives. Her unceasing advocacies reflect her character, who is unafraid to individuate in a male-dominated political sphere.

Individuating from the Society

INTEGRATED ANALYSIS

Unraveling the Connection Between the Self and the Society

Risa Hontiveros pays her dedication of life, power, and knowledge to the society by ensuring to take action upon her roles and responsibilities as part of the Philippine culture and nation.

She, as a Filipino citizen who campaigns for various advocacies that aim to better our country, helps shape our most-coveted progression through sharing her own intellectual and practical capabilities to the social institutions and domains that comprise the entirety of our society. This way, her aspects of the self such as nationality, racial identity, educational attainment, and care towards her fellow people assist in the formation of a bigger role that she can take as a senatorial candidate.

She devotes her political platforms to numerous social issues that the Philippines is facing today; but of all the advocacies she successfully managed to take action for, her call and initiatives for gender equality and women empowerment are considered most remarkable among the many others. She dedicates her political impositions and privileges to Filipino individuals who have long been suffering from abuse rooting in gender inequality. More notably, these advocacies of hers lean in the powerful act of assisting Filipino people, especially the members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, towards a world where anyone can freely and safely practice freedom in self-expression.

With this enters the concept of establishing a humanizing connection between oneself and the worthy truth that all of us, no matter our preferences and outlooks in life, are equal.

This becomes a reason why Hontiveros’s advocacies in raising gender equality and protection for the LGBT and women’s rights remain truly one of the many exceptional battles she aimed to fight.

ARGUMENTATION OF SUPPORT FOR THE LEADER

When we practice our right to vote, we must think not only of today, but more importantly of yesterday, tomorrow, the day after that, and the farthest days yet to come.”

For the past couple of months, our country has been set in yet another long but fleeting period of contemplation regarding the evaluation of deserving political candidates one should elect. With all the natural disasters and dreadful calamities that had been continuously ravaging our lands from then to now, certain personalities have proven their intentions pure and their love for the nation nothing but invincible.

Among the many other dispositions and throughout all the years she spent serving the Philippine government, Risa Hontiveros stands worthy of the recognition and support that she has been receiving from our local and international communities.

“Kapangyarihang nakalaan para protektahan ang kababaihan, kabataan, at kalusugan ng buong sambayanan.”

Para sa Kababaihan at Kabataan Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation and a series of onslaughts rooted in wars between different countries, local news outlets recently report that Hontiveros vows to continue fighting for women and children’s rights. By being the first woman socialist of the Philippines, she has authored multiple bills and laws that were pushed for legislation to protect the rights of women and young children against modern-day’s foremost challenges such as abuse of young and adult women, teenage pregnancy, and toxic marriages among the others.

Hontiveros, ever since, has been relentlessly pushing for the implementation and/or careful maintenance of bills and laws that have an overall objective of nourishing the rights of women and children as Filipino citizens. Some of these subjected conventions include: “Girls Not Brides Bill”, “Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy Bill”, “Divorce Bill”, “Raising the Age of Sexual Consent Law”, and “Bawal Bastos Law” which are all generally aiming to protect the welfare of these people.

Para sa Sambayanang Pilipino In her first term as a senator of the Philippines, Hontiveros was already capable of passing 13 laws into the national congress. In particular, these laws include: the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Law, Bangsamoro Organic Law, Universal Healthcare Law, Philippine HIV & AIDS

Policy Law, Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, Philippine Mental Health Law, Safe Streets and Public Spaces Law, First 1,000 Days law or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng mga Nanay Law, Speech Pathology Law, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Law, and Simulated Birth Rectification Law.

In consideration of the fact that these accomplishments were achieved only in a single senatorial term, it is impressive to witness the efforts and dedication that Sen. Hontiveros has offered and still continuously offers for the betterment of our society. What makes her political achievements and personalities as an individual stand out among the rest is her commitment to contribute to the development of all sectors that embody the entire Philippine community.

From her rigorous attention to the rights of women, children, and the LGBTQIA+ community to her persistent fight to improve the country’s deteriorating health care system, Risa Hontiveros remains a motherly and friendly figure that deserves the trust of all Filipino people.

Buhat Ang Sulo sa Gitna ng Dilim “YOUR VOTE MATTERS”.

We could vividly remember how we once cringed over this cliché quote we hear every election back when we barely knew the power we possess in voting and our potential contribution to nation-building.

Our minds were plagued with numerous questions: How can I, a single, “powerless” individual, provide an impact on my seemingly unreachable vast country? As we began to understand our own identity and roles in our country, we started being aware of our society’s harrowing condition and tried to be agents of change. By voting, we are taking part in the decisionmaking that greatly influences our lives, our families, and our community in general.

As young individuals, working on this research project gave us joy and a sense of empowerment. It helped us appreciate our political figures who were proven faithful and steadfast to our rights for justice and progression. In totality, working on this project allowed us to challenge ourselves by means of examining our biases and prejudices, and overcoming our ignorance.

Thereby, as young citizens, we are bestowed with an immense responsibility to think and vote critically. Each of our votes is a vote for every Filipino’s liberty to dream without the fear of tomorrow.

We believe that there is still hope amidst the political darkness we are currently experiencing just as long as we show and act upon our willingness to fight as one people.

GROUP REFLECTION

Hamon sa Agos ng Kasaysayan “An individual is embedded within a bigger context,” this statement highlights that our actions create a ripple effect in the society where we belong. Election Day is fast approaching. With the very few days we have left, we believe that it is highly critical for us, young and adult citizens of the Philippines, to practice our voter rights in a manner that does not only take into account our very personal preferences; rather, it is important that we become conscious or aware of the characteristics that we should look for in a political candidate.

In some corners of the world, having the capability to choose their own leaders has been a long struggle, as they are continuously penetrated by oppressive rule. In essence, to them, democracy seems unattainable. On the contrary, we, Filipinos, have the freedom to speak our minds and select the rightful government authorities. Yet, it seems like some of us are wasting the opportunity to be critical and to vote wisely. Through this project, we have learned something more valuable – we are part of a larger community that struggled and has long fought for freedom and prosperity, and so, we must not let any disruptions negatively influence the present and future of our country by simply voting wisely.

References: Geducos, A.C. (2022). Hontiveros vows to continue fighting for women's rights amid COVID-19 pandemic, wars abroad. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/03/hontiveros-vows-to-continue-fighting-for-womens-rights-amid-covid-19-pandemic-wars-abroad/ Goffman, E. (2009). Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. In Google Books. Simon and Schuster. https://books.google.com.ph/books?hl=en&lr=&id=zuMFXuTMAqAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&ots=RalJp1IMj&sig=4xkvhO8BW3Odk_C9wOCE8Sxm724&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false Hossain, F. M. A., & Ali, Md. K. (2014). Relation between Individual and Society. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 02(08), 130–137. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.28019 Mansbridge, J. (2013). Everyday Activism. The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social and Political Movements. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470674871.wbespm086 Philippine Commission on Women. (2019, December 26). Philippines drops 8 places in gender equality, remains top in Asia | Philippine Commission on Women. Pcw.gov.ph. https://pcw.gov.ph/philippines-drops-8-places-in-gender-equality-remains-top-inasia/#:~:text=The%20Philippines%20remains%20the%20top Save the Children. (2021). Gender Discrimination Causes Inequality Between Girls and Boys Around the World. Save the Children. https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/how-gender-discrimination-impacts-boys-and-girls Senate of the Philippines: 18th Congress. (2019). Women walk the talk: Expect more pro-women laws in 18th Congress, Hontiveros says. https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0927_hontiveros1.asp Senate of the Philippines: 18th Congress. (n.d.). Senator Risa Hontiveros. https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/hontiveros_bio.asp Stangor, C., Jhangiani, R., & Tarry, H. (2014, September 26). The Social Self: The Role of the Social Situation – Principles of Social Psychology – 1st International Edition. Opentextbc.ca. https://opentextbc.ca/socialpsychology/chapter/the-social-self-the-role-of-the-social-situation/ Vote pilipinas. Vote Pilipinas. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/hontiveros-risa.html

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