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Cosmo: What made you decide to run for the presidency?

Perlas: It's the massive deterioration, not only the social conditions of the country, but the inner conditions of the country. That, for me, was my alarm, because [our country was] externally deteriorating, but our sense of dignity, honor, our freedom, our creativity were still intact. What alarmed me was more and more Filipinos felt paralyzed, felt helpless, felt hopeless. For me, that was already the beginning of the destruction of the soul of the Filipino, and I couldn't tolerate not doing something about it. So, that's what triggered me to run. I believe that Filipinos have many talents in many areas of life. We can be among the best in the world. That's already proven. But we are not using this talent to contribute significantly to our betterment and the world...because the political system is Jurassic Park. And I'm out to change that.


Cosmo: Describe your leadership in three words.

Perlas: Vision, action, courage.


Cosmo: Under your administration, what will be the pivotal role of women in nation-building?

Perlas: Things are going to be significant. I have given a lot of talks for women; the last one was a major one, the Beijing Women's Summit. It was the meeting of women leaders from Asia and the Pacific. There, I was really emphasizing that many problems in the country were created from a patriarchal perspective. [The patriarchal perspective] is actually a perspective of domination, control, egotism, isolation; while I was expressing that what the world needs is more nurturing, interconnectedness, more process, more participation. I was emphasizing that we have masculine and feminine qualities within, and I don't expect female leaders to imitate male leaders. That's the worst thing that can happen, when the feminine is actually eaten up by the masculine. Feminine qualities can become more mainstream in society. In the Philippines, I really believe we're a matriarchal society; but because women leaders have started imitating men, [we now have] the hegemony of masculinity in distorted form.

There are positive and negative qualities to both feminine and masculine qualities that both sexes have. And we need to have more of the feminine in society. That's why I'm introducing a lot of processes. Say, for example, what I'm introducing is a feminine framework. Social justice is really a feminine framework; it is [about] caring and nurturing for others. The framework of competition, survival of the fittest--this is very masculine. Let's all move forward together in the new bayanihan. Bayanihan is a framework of participation, strategic partnerships. So, it's a very feminine framework because we develop the wisdom of the whole.


Cosmo: Describe the modern Pinay. Who is she and who she should be?

Perlas: For me, the modern Filipina is very well educated, is cosmopolitan in the true sense. Because the modern Filipina recognizes that she's not only a Filipina, but also a human being, that's why she actually empathizes with suffering in whatever form. She's compassionate, creative, and dedicated. She's really engaged and not detached from the world. I think when the female gets absorbed with her beauty, that's a pitfall. We should use our beauty, our talents, our smarts to service others. That, to me, is a true Filipina.

Tags: politics,Philippines,2010,candidate,president,elections,Nicanor Perlas,presidentiables

16 Comments

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• Dave
  16. Eto facebook nya http://www.facebook.com/nicanorperlas at eto naman official website http://www.nicanor-perlas.com
  April 01, 2010 at 09:14 pm report abuse
• Dave
  15. I think Perlas is the best choice among all the presidentiables. He has a very good track record and has done considerable things for the country in the last 40 years. He had pioneered organic farming and sustainable development, banned 32 harmful pesiticides and fought for things that before was not seen as important until recently. If we will vote for a president his plan should be clear... Perlas is not famous because he does not do things just to be famous. Sana tulungan at iboto natin siya. Whyd did he not run for a lower position? The answer is quite simple... the problem is not in the laws but in its execution. About Noynoy if he is good then how come his performance in public service is mediocre? If Villar is the choice why did he not help the poor before where in fact he does not need to be president to help? Ang kailangan natin ay isang servant-leader.
  April 01, 2010 at 09:12 pm report abuse
• eayummy
  14. pwede bang wag mag-vote ng president..i dont like any of them
  April 01, 2010 at 12:09 am report abuse
• 
  sweetdecember
  13. 13. sa totoo lang di ko po sya kilala but iv'e heard na his name before and hearing good things bout him. his similar to gordon, the potential is there but not enough.
  March 30, 2010 at 04:02 pm report abuse
• 
  shadysurvives
  12. hindi pa rin ako decided kung sino iboboto ko for president eh.pero one thing's for sure sa veep : BAYANI!BAYANI!BAYANI! =)
  March 30, 2010 at 12:54 pm report abuse
• 
  shadysurvives
  11. daming magagandang plano, like the other presidentiables, and the past candidates to.nagkakatalu-talo lang sa execution pag nanalo na.
  March 30, 2010 at 12:53 pm report abuse
• 
  yhannylace
  10. sorry but he's not that famous..
  March 30, 2010 at 10:43 am report abuse
• 
  Santori01
  9. hmm... well-said answers..but not enough for me para maconvince..
  March 29, 2010 at 11:53 pm report abuse
• 
  daise
  8. sana tumakbo siya sa mas mababang pwesto na lang, mahirap namang manalo kung hindi siya kilala eh..
  March 29, 2010 at 10:29 pm report abuse
• Michelle
  7. @lavfifth Nicanor Perlas is a world-renowned Environmentalist and Political Writer. This is his first time to delve in Politics, and he does not employ any Mass Media-based campaigning-- that's why you do not hear about him on the television or the radio. :) He runs a very intensive-- and impressive-- campaign- campaign sorties to remote areas in the country, ONE-ON-ONE conversations with random people, and biodegradable campaign materials. He does not have any sense of celebrity, even with the various achievements he already has. Please read about his platforms at http://www.nicanor-perlas.com/Nicanor/complete-platform2.html, to help us all make an informed decision come May 10. Thank you. :)
  March 29, 2010 at 10:10 pm report abuse
• 
  zyramae_12
  6. i've never heard about him..but he has good plataforms but sorry Noy got my sympathy and loyalty..
  March 29, 2010 at 09:28 pm report abuse
• 
  zyramae_12
  5. I will vote Aquino for President and Roxas for VP, because I believed that NoyNoy will not steal nation's property in any forms...because I know he will not destroy his family's name in exchange of money unlike the other officials! Go Noynoy! "country Beyond Self" the core of Former president Roxas and I know it will be pursued by Mar when he won as VP.
  March 29, 2010 at 09:26 pm report abuse
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  lavfifth
  4. Who is he?!
  March 29, 2010 at 06:58 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  3. i don't have any idea if who am i gonna vote.
  March 29, 2010 at 06:07 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  2. im still thinking if who really deserves my vote.
  March 29, 2010 at 06:06 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  1. he has a good purpose also like the other presidentiables.
  March 29, 2010 at 06:06 pm report abuse

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