While I take exception to labeling myself a political groupie, I am lucky to be interviewed about being a Gibo supporter. :)

Below is the full transcript of my interview (conducted via email) for “Pretty Persuasion” the election edition of Young Star, out today, Friday, on the Philippine Star. Muchos gracias to Paolo Lorenzana for interviewing me. Oh, and for the record, my boyfriend’s name is JAT, not Japs, as reported. :P

1. Age, what do you do/year and course? How have you helped your candidate in your place of work/study?

I’m a twentysomething lawyer also currently pursuing graduate studies. I try not to mix work and my personal advocacy, but I do enjoy discussions with my colleagues about the elections. Outside of work, I give away what campaign materials I have on me to undecided voters who may be interested in considering Gibo. My boyfriend is also an active volunteer. He campaigns and helps organize events in his city. So far he has joined all the major Gibo events in Metro Manila. When it’s possible, we try to go to events together.

2. Craziest thing you’ve done for your candidate, if any?

One lazy Sunday, I didn’t eat the whole day because I was so engrossed in writing an essay outlining the reasons I’m voting for him. It’s my personal tour-de-force. I’m proud of it, and I’m happy it’s been getting a lot of great feedback on the internet. I’m exhausting all means possible to send him a copy of the essay I wrote. It’s crazy because I’ve been bugging a number of people to print it and give it to him. Although I don’t consider it crazy, I’ve also given out stickers and ballers to commuters making their way through dirty and congested EDSA-Cubao at one activity organized by the Green team volunteers. I didn’t know anyone and I came alone, but I got to meet some volunteers.

3. What have you done for him lately?

I went to the Gibo Rocks 2010 concert with my boyfriend - it was a wonderful experience with the Greenies. I’ve written an essay on why I’m voting for him, and I continue to share articles and posts about him on social networking sites.

4. When/what was the last instance you defended your vote/candidate?

The other day. I was ticked off and sent a text message to a friend of mine who asked me if I was supporting Gibo because of my boyfriend. Frankly, I was insulted and disappointed. I used up about 480 characters to express how I felt about such a question.

5. What was the moment you realized he was the man?

I already begun considering Gibo but I think it was after reading F. Sionil Jose’s insightful and moving article about him (“Light At The End of the Tunnel”) that I was convinced.

6. What point/s in his platform turn/s you on?

Before I go into the specifics, let me say first that I appreciate Gibo’s approach to the campaign - it’s an insight to what kind of leadership he offers to the country. His message-driven approach which emphasizes the importance of national unity and his professed style of consensus-building, to me, are what our country needs right now to move forward. He also practices what he preaches - a clean campaign founded on positivity and principles. As for the specifics of his platform, I appreciate his development-oriented approach to confronting the problems that face us. In particular, I admire his platform on instituting reforms and revitalizing the agriculture sector, in the hopes of emancipating farmers from poverty and dependency by molding them into agri-entrepreneurs. I also admire his plans for intensifying and rationalizing infrastructure development.

7. If you could change one thing about him, what would it be?

Any flaws that you aren’t too keen on and that could be the reason he may lose votes? It’s a dilemma. Gibo is often painted as elitist, a candidate who lacks ‘masa appeal’ because of his style of campaigning. The best example would be in his ads. Gibo refuses to ‘pander’ to the masses by bombarding us with soundbytes, celebrities and emotional displays. He just doesn’t want to be popular! He wants people to think and decide rationally for themselves - thus, he is not giving up his GMA association just to score more votes. If I were to change that about him - that stubborn, principled side of him, then there would be no point in believing in him, if he’s just like the others. In short, I wouldn’t change anything about him.

8. If it wasn’t him you’d vote for, who would it be and why?

Sen. Richard Gordon. He has a good track record of public service and I know he has the capacity to lead the country.

9. Why do you feel you’ve got the cred to support/campaign for this candidate?

  Actually, I am just like any Gibo supporter who can articulate and engage others in relevant discussions about Gibo’s platforms, positions on issues, vis-a-vis the other candidates - you can randomly choose a Greenie to talk to and you will know what I mean.

10. Ever met him? What was said/what happened? If you haven’t, what’d you tell him?

Nope, but I hope to meet him. I would probably thank him for making me believe that there’s real hope for our country.

11. Any little-known fact you know about him that may validate your fan-girl status?

I know Gibo first laid eyes on Nikki at Faces Disco sometime in 1990.