Political Tidbits
Obama's youth magic
By Belinda Olivares-Cunanan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:06:00 11/11/2008
Filed Under: US elections
LAST WEEK, following the victory of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, one of the most striking phenomena evident in TV footage from around the world was how the youth in the United States and around the world reveled in his victory.
Clearly, the 47-year-old and first African-American to win the White House has managed to deeply inspire young people everywhere and stir their idealism and commitment. This became evident early in the primary race against Sen. Hillary Clinton, when legions of youngsters in America volunteered to work for his organization, doubtless aided by the organizing skills that Obama, who became a community organizer after graduation from Harvard Law School, marshaled for his own presidential campaign.
Youth volunteerism was a cornerstone of his victory in the primary race, and it became a central fact in the battle between him and 72-year-old Republican candidate John McCain. It showed the great divide between the older generation of voters, who tended to go for McCain, and the youth who overwhelmingly went for the charismatic and eloquent Obama.
His gift of touching young people and inspiring them holds immense potential for Obama to be truly the "transformational" leader at this period when America badly needs a rallying and unifying figure. This was evident even to those, like me, who weren't true believers and who weren't impressed by what the Washington Post, an Obama endorser, termed his "thin record."
But this prospect is also most frightening. What if he fails to deliver on this immense expectation of hope to the legions of young men and women in the US and around the world? There is so much room for transformation, but alas, also for disillusion. Obama warned of this in his victory speech in Chicago, when he said that one term may not be enough to bring about the reforms people expect.
I wasn't a true believer, but I wish him luck, as his success would redound not only to the advantage of the US but of the world, in the same way that his failure would severely affect its well-being.
* * *
During one radio program Cecile Alvarez and I had on franchising and its benefits for small investors, a taxi driver called and said that he had parked his vehicle so that he could get tips on where to invest his savings. Franchising has always been one of my favorite subjects, especially since it can truly help OFW families to profitably invest their hard-earned dollar earnings. With the world financial crisis, businessmen are concerned about how best to survive it, and luckily, the 48-year-old International Franchise Association, the world's biggest, predicts that growth in franchising will continue even during these times of uncertainty. It just means harder work and more creative and innovative ways for franchise groups.
Part of the art of survival is to keep track of the business itself. Armando Bartolome, dubbed the "franchise guru of the Philippines," is putting up back-to-back franchising seminars on Nov. 15 and 17, titled "Tips and Traps in Investing in a Franchise" and "Facing 2008 Challenges for Operating Franchisees." The seminars will dwell on the proper way to invest and separating responsible franchisors from pseudo-franchisors, and innovative and creative ways franchisees can perform better in the face of sliding sales and increasing costs. E-mail franchiseconsultants@gmail. com or call Tel. No. 532-8386.
* * *
Reminder on the "Russia with Love" concert: On Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, renowned Russian pianist Katya Grineva, acclaimed as a "Steinway Artist" and now on her seventh season at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City, will perform for the first time in Manila and play the pieces that recently won standing ovation for her at Carnegie Hall. Grineva, who specializes in romantic piano music, began studying piano at the Moscow Music School at the age of 6, and studied at the Moscow Conservatory with professor Pavel Messner before winning a scholarship to New York's Mannes School of Music graduate program, where she studied with renowned professors Nina Svetlanova and Viadja Mashike. She came to Manila in 2006 to receive the Gusi Peace Prize for international artist, with President Macapagal-Arroyo as presentor.
The concert, which will also feature the special participation of soprano Joanna Ong Go and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, is a special undertaking of former First Lady Amelita Ramos, PCSO director Manuel Morato and Ofelia Mananguil Bakker, president of Friends of Overseas Filipinos Inc. Proceeds will go to projects for retired soldiers inside Camp O'Donnell in Tarlac, including a technical-vocational training and livelihood center that will help upgrade their technical skills so they can cash in on increased demand for skilled labor in Clark and Subic. Tickets to the Grineva concert are available at the CCP Box Office, 832-3704, TicketWorld, 891-9999, and National Book Store branches, at P300-P500, P1,000 and P1,500. Senior citizens are entitled to discounts and students will get a 50 percent discount for upper box and lower box tickets.
* * *
More on the season for bazaars: Over the years, one of the most successful bazaars in Makati has been the one organized by my good friends Myrna N. Alimurung and Yu Ming Chin of the Marche International Foundation, for the benefit of several philanthropic endeavors. They will again have a two-day bazaar this Saturday and Sunday at the Makati Sports Club in Salcedo Village, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. This year's bazaar boasts of a wider variety of apparel, food items, home decor and house ware, beauty products, fashion and ethnic jewelry, etc., as well as restaurants serving international cuisine. Each P50 entrance ticket entitles guests to join the raffle with great prizes. For particulars, call Myrna at 0917-5368-413 or 844-4405.
|
