Fr. Flavie Villanueva: ‘Tinotokhang ang katotohanan, tinutokhang ang kaban, tinutokhang yung malilinis sa Pilipino’

In serving the poor, tenacity is essential—especially in a country like ours, where, as we see in the congressional hearings on the flood control projects, funds meant for public services too often end up in the pockets of politicians.

For the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation, Inc. (AJKFI), founded by 55-year-old Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva,  SVD, and honored in the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, that tenacity has sustained a decade of unwavering service to the poor. Fr. Flavie was one of three recipients of the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awards, an honor that distinguishes him as“a beacon of mercy and courage who stands with the poor and the persecuted.” The other recipients, who received the awards last November 7 at Metropolitan Theater in Manila, were Shaahina Ali, an environment advocate recognized for her leadership in the protection of Maldives’ fragile marine ecosystems; and the Foundation to Educate Girls Globally, an organization in India founded to promote education among girls in rural and marginalized communities. 

At the AJ Kalinga Center in Tayuman, Manila, the homeless can come in three times a week to share a proper meal, take a shower, change into clean clothes, and join learning sessions aimed to help them slowly reclaim their dignity and sense of self-worth.

I still remember a phone conversation with Fr. Flavie in the early days of the pandemic five years ago. His voice was heavy with frustration, disbelief, even anger—but never defeat. He was told that there were authorities ordering the homeless around the center to “go home” after the lockdown was imposed. “Homeless nga!” Father Flavie told me, expressing his indignation.

The AJ Kalinga Center was forced to close during this time, but Fr. Flavie refused to sit still. He reached out to colleagues and friends, secured temporary shelters for the homeless, and rallied his volunteers. Even as the world was in the grip of an invisible killer, Father Flavie’s spirit proved stronger and relentless.

I’ve long admired Father Flavie’s story, first through one of the most compelling profiles written by my friend and former colleague, Tarra Quismundo, in the Philippine Daily Inquirer in December 2016.

At the height of Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called war against illegal drugs, thousands of poor Filipinos—denied due process and crushed by inequality—had already been killed. Tarra wrote about how Father Flavie, in his youth, lost his way to drugs, only to find redemption in God’s call that led him to the mission to help the poor and ultimately, to the priesthood.

Volunteering one time at the AJ Kalinga Center, I saw how meals for the homeless were being served—generous slices of vegetables and meat, rice cooked well, seconds offered until they were full. They’d take a shower, would be given clean clothes, would share kind words and prayers with each other.

In his interview with TheDiarist.ph shortly after his Ramon Magsaysay Award was announced, Father Flavie said that what mattered most was making those at the margins of society feel that they are visible to society.

The same philosophy guided his work with EJK families when Father Flavie formed AJKFI’s Program Paghilom: listen to them, make them seen, help them heal.

In May 2024, the Dambana ng Paghilom at La Loma Cemetery was launched. Father Flavie spearheaded its construction after learning that the leases on public graves of EJK victims were expiring. The shrine now offers them a permanent resting place, giving the victims dignity even in death.

I also witnessed how Father Flavie can get things done because he never takes no for an answer. I can only describe it as “respectful persistence.”

Early this year, he asked me to help work on a book compiling stories of EJK families. I tried to beg off and told him I was swamped with deadlines. He encouraged me to attend just one meeting, assuring me the work would be easy. “Mag-eedit lang ng stories, sis,” he said. It turned out that, with four other writers, not only were we editing but also were writing the stories of EJK families. The work was far from easy, yet I stayed. 

In July, we launched Paghilom: Healing from the Philippine Drug War.

Our Buhay Ang People Power Campaign Network partnered with Program Paghilom for the inurnment of eight EJK victims, which was meant to close our month-long Justice for All campaign on September 23. But a typhoon brought heavy rains and flooding.

Father Flavie called me the afternoon before. “Sis,” he asked, “are we pushing through tomorrow?” He checked on the families, then called back with his decision. The inurnment and closing program would be postponed. “Na-tokhang na, binaha pa,” he sighed, with that mix of frustration and compassion so familiar in his voice.

Father Flavie’s mission endures, anchored not only on tenacity, but also on love. Love for the poor. Love for those stripped of dignity. Love for those who, against all odds, still deserve to heal and be seen. 

TheDiarist.ph’s interview with Father Flavie (with our English translations) on Sept. 10, 2025, with a few questions from The Guidon (publication) of the Ateneo de Manila University:

TheDiarist.ph: Pwedeng patuloy yung sinasabi niyo kanina, na patuloy pa rin although at a lower rate ang EJK cases kasi yung kultura na naghahari pa sa military…. na parang naging highest bidder na lang ganon? (Although at a lower rate, the cases of EJKs (extrajudicial killings) continue to this day— given the prevailing culture within the military…. as if depending on the “highest bidders”?)

Father Flavie: Dahil nawala po yung confidential funds, nawala at natuldukan yung pamamaraan kung saan sila ah kukuha ng pambayad sa mga kanilang kinasangkapang mamamatay tao ay karamihan, sa balita sa amin, ay nakuntento o humanap, or should you say, they became more enterprising by allowing themselves to be used as guns for hire. Because this people also need to earn a living and apart from their day so-called day job sumasideline sila.

(Since the confidential funds were taken away, by which they could pay their hired killers…. Many of the reports we’ve received say that these people have either settled for or, should I say, become more “enterprising”—by allowing themselves to be used as guns-for-hire. Because these people also need to earn a living, and aside from their so-called day jobs, they moonlight on the side.)

And this is nationwide still?

I believe that it’s nationwide. We see random killings taking place…. kung dati panay mga nasa laylayan, ngayon random na eh and the more disturbing thing also, yung sinasabi ni Fr. Bert Alejo na sanayan lang ang pagpatay. Ngayon kahit hindi gun-for-hire basta may baril sa inuman, parang ang bilis na pumatay. I’ve seen a video na naglalakad lang pinatay niya from behind and umalis. Ika nga hindi to pulis, hindi to mamamatay tao, ordinaryong tao na may baril, at napuno lang marahil dun sa kaibigan, pinatay. 

(I believe it’s nationwide. We now see random killings happening. Before, the victims were mostly from the margins of society, but now it’s more random. What’s even more disturbing is what Father Bert Alejo said—that killing has become a habit. These days, even if someone isn’t a gun-for-hire, as long as they have a gun and they’re drinking, it’s easy for them to kill. I’ve seen a video where someone was just walking, shot another person from behind, and walked away. That wasn’t a police officer, nor a professional killer—just an ordinary man with a gun who, maybe out of anger with a friend, killed him.)

Upon learning that you are the recipient of the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award given in recognition of your work with the marginalized sector of society, including the EJK victims, how did you feel? And how do you think this will impact your continuing mission? 

Nung una talagang naramdaman ko nung pinapaliwanag sa akin ni Miss Susan Afan (head of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation) last July (At first, when Ms, Susan Afan was explaining to me), nagutom ulit ako kahit busog na ako sa almusal (I felt hungry again, even after I already had breakfast). Sabi ko, “Totoo ba to Susan? (Is this true?)” She read the citation. So I had to pinch myself after a short prayer of Glory Be that this is indeed happening.

I felt small, dwarfed, humbled and, of course, the sense of gratitude for the RMA Foundation for recognizing me or more particularly the mission. I told Miss Susan that I’m receiving this on behalf of at least three people—the faceless victims, the thousand faceless, homeless people in search of a home and meaning, the voiceless victims of EJK, and the many people who also possess that greatness in spirit who have been fighting for that cause—democracy, accountability, justice, and peace. Ang pakiramdam ay nag-uumapaw na pasasalamat at meron ding kalakip na kaba dahil ito ay naniniwala ako may malalim at mas malawak na panawagan pa sa akin at sa misyon. (My heart overflowed with gratitude—but also nervousness—because I believe this award carries a deeper and wider calling for me and the mission.)

So you think more will know about and heed your mission? 

Hopefully na mas malawak at magkaroon ng mukha yung mga homeless na kilalanin sila bilang hindi display sa sidewalk, bagkos mga tao na naghahanap ng hindi pansin but ng kalinga. Yung mga sigaw natin para sa katarungan. Mukha lang marahil ng EJK ang ating ibinabandera. Pero sa pangkalahatan patuloy din naman tinotokhang ang katotohanan, tinutokhang ang kaban, tinutokhang yung malilinis sa Pilipino. Tinokhang lahat eh. So ang panawagan ay simulan natin yung paghilom ng ating bansa.

(Hopefully, yes. I hope that more people will see the homeless, not as decorations on the sidewalks, but as people seeking not attention, but care. Our cries for justice—people may see only the EJK victims, but in truth, even truth itself is being “tokhang,” the nation’s treasury is being “tokhang,” even the honest Filipinos are being “tokhang.” Everything is being suppressed. So my call is for us to begin the healing of our nation.)

Guidon:  With Duterte’s ICC trial under way, ano para sa inyo yung pinakakahulugan ng hustisya sa kontekstong ito? Ano po yung dapat mangyari or inaasahan po nating mangyari sa paglilitis? (How do you see justice in the context of the ICC trial of Duterte? What do you foresee?)

Ang pagkakulong ni Rodrigo Duterte ay isang puntos lang. Gusto kong bigyan diin yon. Hindi ito panahon ng malaking-malaking pagdiriwang na nakamtan na natin yung mailap na katarungan. Madami nga nagsasabi na nangyari pala, kasi madaming hindi naniniwala na mangyayari. Nguni’t dahil nandun na siya ay naniniwala ako sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga hurado, Office of the Prosecutor, na mamamalagi na siya doon. 

Nguni’t hindi doon nagtatapos, sapagka’t ang palagi kong sinasabi, si Duterte ay arkitekto lamang ng marahas na bangungot ng patayan na kanyang sinimulan. So marami pa, kung merong arkitekto, may tagapanday, may taga mason, may taga pintura, may nagtatakip ‘di ba? May nagpapaganda na maganda pumatay. litisin natin, patayin natin ang adik. 

So ito ‘yung mga tao na dapat din panagutin. At hanggang hindi sila nananagot, patuloy na magiging mailap ang katarungan. Nguni’t hindi natin titigilan ang pagsigaw, ang pagkalinga sa mga nangangailangan hanggang makamtan natin ito. 

(Duterte’s imprisonment would be just one case in point. I want to emphasize that. This is not a time for grand celebration that we’ve finally achieved that elusive justice. Many said it wouldn’t happen—and yet, it did. Now that he’s there, I believe, with the cooperation of the judges and the Office of the Prosecutor, he will remain there. But it doesn’t end there. 

(Duterte was merely the architect of the violent nightmare he began. If there’s an architect, there are also builders, masons, painters, and those who covered up or made killing look good. These are the people who must also be held accountable. Until they are, justice will remain elusive. But we will not stop crying out, nor stop caring for those in need, until we attain it.)

Guidon: Napakaganda po ng sagot. Maraming salamat po. Pang-context lang po, yung mini documentary po kasi ng The Guidon, hanggang ngayon naaapektuhan pa rin ng mga EJK—ang mga na-interview na po namin puro mga pamilya po, widows and orphans, for example. Itong hustisya na kakalarawan lang po natin, ano po para sa mga biktima ang ibig sabihin, ang weight ng ganitong paglilitis, yung weight ng gusto nating kalalabasan?

(That’s a beautiful answer, thank you. For context, our mini-documentary The Guidon focuses on the lives of those still affected by EJKs—widows and orphans, for example. So in that light, what does justice mean for these victims?)

Sa mga kahanay at ka-myembro ng Program Paghilom naturuan at kahit papaano naimulat natin sila doon sa larawan ng hustisya, bukod sa usaping paglilitis, yung usaping pang-legal, legalities na malitis maiharap sa korte at makulong. Binigyan diin ko na ang hustisya ‘yung pagbibigay din ng katarungan sa sarili katuwang ng paghilom. 

Ano ibig sabihin non? Kapag ang isang nanay, minsan nga hindi na nanay eh. Lola na. Kasi yung nanay pagka hindi po nasa abroad lang, pagkakita niya na nakahandusay na, lumalayas din yung nanay. Iniwan niya ‘yung mga anak ha. Naiwan sa lola po at sa lolo. 

 

That’s the feeling of depression and helplessness—dahil ako ang dapat magtaguyod sa aking mga anak, dahil wala na yung breadwinner. That feeling of helplessness drives them to flee, leaving behind the grandmothers. 

Sabi ni nanay Corazon, sana may konting pabaon. Para saan ang pabaon? Para makabili ako ng gulong

May kwento ko niyan, na magsisimula sila ng teatro. Tinitipon ko yan at may konting pep talk, kamustahan. Isa sa tinatanong ko, “Anong pangarap mo pagkatapos?” Sabi ni nanay Corazon, sana may konting pabaon. Para saan ang pabaon? Para makabili ako ng gulong. Saan mo gagamitin ang gulong? Kasi kapag napakain, tapos na mag-homework, pag tutulog ng mga apo ko, ako naman ang lalakad at magtutulak ng kariton, maghanap ng kalakal para maibenta ng alas-kwatro, pambaon nila sa eskwela. 

Lola ito—64 years old. Sabi ko kay Randy, our program director, uncle of Kian (de los Santos, EJK victim). Sabi ko, “Randy, humahanap ka ng GoodYear na gulong. Yung pinakamagandang gulong, o kaya humanap ka ng kariton, bigay mo sa kanya.” Nagkaroon siya ng kariton.

(Among those in our Paghilom (Healing) program, we teach them that justice isn’t just about legal proceedings or imprisoning the guilty. It’s also about giving justice to oneself — in partnership with healing. What does that mean?

(Sometimes, the mothers aren’t even there—the grandmothers are. Because when a mother, usually working abroad, returns to find her son lying dead on the street, she too leaves, unable to bear the pain. The children are left with the grandparents. That feeling of helplessness—“I should be providing for my children, but now I can’t”—drives some to flee.

(Let me tell you a story. During one of our sessions, I asked the group, “What’s your dream after this?” One grandmother, nanay Corazon, said, “Father, I hope I have a little money left over.” I asked, “For what?” She said, “To buy a tire.” “What for?” I asked. “Because after my grandchildren finish their homework and go to bed, I go out to push my cart and collect junk to sell the next morning, so I can give them school money.” 

(She’s 64 years old. So I told our program director, Randy (Kian’s uncle), “Randy, find a good tire—or better, a cart—and give it to her.” When we did, that simple act met her need.)

It’s not like the Filipino mother to abandon her child. So how did it come to this?

The first thing that comes to mind is, sorry, I’m blaming no one here but Duterte. Hindi lang dahil pinatay niya, because he provided us with instant solutions to a problem. Adik ka, hindi ko sasabihin na walang away sa pamilya ano marahil sukdulan yung away tapos pinatay (Addict, so kill him). The mother feels totally at a loss, helpless, and the best solution is to flee. Tapusin na ang bangungot na ito (Let’s end this nightmare). That mindset, a growing culture of instant relief, of fast-food and remote-control mentality. 

Then Father, how do you explain that Duterte remains popular, or there are still Filipinos who see him as a father figure, or they turn their blind eye to the EJK. How do you explain that to the Filipino today?

Tapusin ko lang po yung sinasabi kong hugis ng katarungan ay madami. Hindi lang sa usapin legalidad, pero kapag ang nanay, ang lola, kapag nagpasyang bumangon, kapag ang ulila ay nagtiyaga na mag-aral, katarungan yon. Kapag ang isang bata, tulad ni Lovely na sarado ang isip para magpulis para makaganti, nagpasyang kumuha na ng kurso para maging guro. 

These are episodes, phases of justice for me. 

Bakit popular pa iyung mandarambong? Bakit popular pa si Rodrigo Duterte? I think it has become a cultic battle, we could also see how in Mindanao, (people think) na palagi naman ang bida nasa Central Luzon, dito naman sa atin. Besides siya yung ating ama. 

They were able to coin that word “ama.” A lot of it has to do, he’s popular because of the narratives they prick on their psyche. 

Kasalanan din partly ng simbahan sapagkat hindi napapalakas yung prophetic witnessing…. Yung faith, life, living and witnessing are hardly seen these days 

The second would be the cultic mentality, the regionalism mentality. I believe, and I’m dwelling now on our most loved and cherished religion. Kasalanan din partly ng simbahan sapagkat hindi napapalakas yung prophetic witnessing, kasabay ng pagtuturo na ang yung sabi ni Fr. Bert, ang debosyon hindi malayo sa eleksyon. Yung faith, life, living and witnessing are hardly seen these days. 

 

I was talking to a congressman. Sabi niya, “Father, nasan na yung panahon ng EDSA? Nasan na yung panahon nung birth control? Nawala na kasi nung birth control problems, nandun yung mga madre, pare, obispo.” Pero ngayon pinapatay kaliwa’t kanan, wala. 

(Let me finish first: justice has many forms. When a mother or grandmother decides to stand up again, that’s justice. When an orphan, with only a broken phone or candle, keeps studying—that’s justice. When a girl like Lovely, who once wanted to become a police officer to avenge her father’s death, instead chooses to become a teacher—that’s justice too.

(Now, why is Duterte still popular? First, it’s become a cultic following. People in Mindanao feel that heroes always come from Central Luzon or Visayas—so they saw him as their “father.” Second, this is driven by regionalism and a cult mentality. And third, the Church is partly to blame—because we’ve weakened in prophetic witness. As Father Bert said, “Devotion is not far from election.” Faith and social action should be one—but today, they’re divided. A congressman once told me, “Father, where are the days of EDSA? During the birth control debates, priests and nuns were out protesting. Now people are being killed left and right—and the Church is silent.”)

So for me the Filipinos have become so far and wide today. There’s also an abyss in the priestly, the prophetic and the kingly role of a Catholic. We have just simply and sadly been contented and celebrating that feeling-good Christian identity that we get on Sundays, novenas or religious piety. Split-level, so to speak, the dichotomy between faith and life. 

Father, you said natukhang ang katotohanan. For our foreign readers and watchers, what is the English equivalent of tokhang, or has that word become so unique to the Filipino today? 

Duterte. “Tokhang” is synonymous with anything ugly—anything related to death. And when we talk about death, we’re talking about everything that once was beautiful about being Filipino—from sovereignty to good manners and right conduct. Ganun yung spectrum. Ganon kalawak yung (that’s how broad) the spectrum. (That’s how wide the spectrum of destruction is.)

What do you think of the flood control scandal today, when people are glued to their phones watching the hearing?  And as they say it’s laglagan time. 

I was on the phone with my dear cousin, even if she was sick she slept at one watching the live coverage. And when I asked and was partly reprimanding her, her reply, “But it’s entertaining.” 

Sabi ko, is that how low we have become? Entertaining sa atin yung yung paano binaboy, ginago at niloko ang taong bayan? (That we find it entertaining to watch how the nation has been deceived, robbed, and betrayed?)

 …. Meron akong munting lilikhaing statement mamaya na, siguro nainis na rin ang Diyos, na hindi na kaya ayusin ang bayan kaya nagpadala na siya ng baha, para matuklasan at mapawi ang mga kwento-kwentong haka-haka. (Anyway, I’ll be releasing a short statement later—perhaps God Himself has grown impatient fixing this country, so He sent the floods to wash away lies and expose the truth.)

In the old times, we remember how the flood becomes a very powerful tool for cleansing, but more particularly the flood that hovered over the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Hindi ko naman sinasabing mamatay ang mga salarin, pero sana mabanlian sila ng tubig ng konsensya at magsalita (I’m not saying the guilty should die, but I hope they’re scalded by the waters of conscience

…. Tanong ko hanggang saan to? Where do we go from here? Are we really serious about really pointing to the highest official who is corrupt? So do we prosecute also the Speaker of the House? 

 

You mean how deep can they go? 

How deep they can go and what is the political will of the President? So we pray, na itong baha na ito ay tunay na magbigay daan sa paglilinis at paglilitis ng lahat na masasama sa ating lipunan. (We pray that this flood truly leads to the cleansing and trial of all those who have corrupted our society.)

Don’t you think the president brought the floods controversy upon himself? 

I know, I know, I know. But I believe he’s trying to take things one step at a time. I was moved when I saw him tear up—maybe because I, too, am a recovering addict and empathize easily with people’s pain. Perhaps he felt even a fraction of empathy, which pushed him to act. I hope so.

Since Duterte’s being tried by the ICC—something we didn’t think possible before— do you think this will lead to broader accountability in the corrupt system?

I’m hoping for another warrant to come out this last quarter, latest the next. And that warrant would be for a chief of police and I hope it’s Bato, and with regards to it’s a legal question, it’s even political, but what is certain for me and I hope for a lot of Filipinos, we cannot survive another Duterte. We cannot have Sara Duterte as president, just by looking at how she throws tantrums. Particularly when she threatened the First Couple and the House Speaker. Not that I’m a fan of them, but it just reveals who she is.

This work you do—facing the nation’s problems and being with those who suffer—isn’t that exhausting?

Actually nami-miss kong bumabad sa kanila (I miss getting immersed with them). Most of my past days, it’s been with you people. I miss immersing with them, to connect with them. I am trying to find time each moment I could. 

So yung dalawang tanong. Anong pangalan mo? Kamusta ka?

So how do you spend time and connect with them? 

Yung simpleng tanong na kamusta, dun naikot ‘yun. Pangalawa, kung di ko kakilala. I tell this to my staff. Don’t forget to ask the name of the person. Tanong natin yung pangalan nila, identity, yung identity nila, because at the end of the day tao po sila na magugutom at makakalimutan kung ano kinain. Pero ang mamumutawi sa kanilang isipan ay merong isang tao na sabihin natin may katungkulan o taong magara ang bihis, who took time to ask their name. Doon naihahambing niya yung sarili niya na may halaga pala ako. So yung dalawang tanong. Anong pangalan mo? Kamusta ka? And then we just let the time go by and while they’re eating, I would serve as I could, you know. Minsan doon ako kumukuha ng humilya nga eh. Yeah. And I miss that.

(It starts with a simple question: How are you? If I don’t know them, I tell my staff—always ask their name. Because at the end of the day, people may forget what they ate, but they’ll remember that someone—maybe well-dressed or in some position—took the time to ask their name. That gives them back their sense of worth. Those two questions—“What’s your name?” and “How are you?” — that’s where it begins. Sometimes, that’s even where I get my homilies. I really miss that.)

Did you ever get any death threat?

Yes po. That was something we had for breakfast. From the media, from the social media, from visitations here and there, from surveillance, from to the point of visiting my mother’s house which was the worst thing for me. Nagpapanggap na (Posed as) surveyor and that happened twice. And even last January, dito palabas ako ng airport papunta akong (on my way to the airport, bound for) The Hague. Our guard told us, “Father, huwag ka dito lumabas, doon ka sa isang exit, kasi meron dalawang motor (Father, don’t go out this way, take another exit, there are two motorcycle riders).” So maganda rin naman (In a way it’s good). Nakaka-boost ng adrenaline.

Did your mother accept your calling eventually?

Ang huling sabi niya sa akin when she was dying, oh pwede ka na malaya ka nang gawin ang gusto mo kasi mamamatay na ako. Ang sagot ko eh bakit hindi ba ako malayang gawin yung gusto ko kahit buhay ka pa?

(Her last words to me before she died, “Now you’re free to do whatever you want, since I’m nearing death.” I replied, “Why? Wasn’t I free to do what I wanted even when you’re around?”)

How old was she at the time of death?

She passed away at 83. Three years ago. And it was sudden kaya medyo malalim ang kurot (it hurt deeply). 

And because she was a mother who accepted you through everything? 

Oh, she did not. She was condemning me because of this. She was my number one contrapelo (contrarian)…. A mother’s heart will always be for the son’s welfare…. sabi ko, ano ka ba? Eh ikaw ang unang-unang pro life (but you lead pro-life). Kasama mo si Pilar Versoza (You were with Pilar Versoza) rallying on the street…. Second, you told me about kindness, justice. More than a parent, I need a friend. If you cannot be like that…. wala lang sabi ko be like that. Slowly it evolved. 

Your mother was very pro-life and was very active in her advocacy. Do you see traces of her in the widows you work with in Program Paghilom? 

One of the things that motivated me to jump into that mission of caring, even if I have my hands full, was the struggle of my mother as a widow. I was orphaned of a father in ’98, and I saw how my mother tried to make both ends meet, and if that was a pitiful sight, I couldn’t imagine how it was for them. So that was one of the motivating factors…. my empathy for widows.

How many are you in the family? 

…. I have a sister. Nikko (Dizon of TheDiarist.ph) knows the story…. I just came from the US visiting her and when I looked at my pocket at the end of the day when I arrived I was lucky to have $15. She brought me to Mexico for the first time. She treated me. She has a very lucrative (career) and she had it all back then. But you know she was also discovering her life and baka huli nang natuto at naumpog. Unlike me. It took me 14 years. So siya ngayon lang parang nauntog. She just bought her house. Natisod ako sa  dishwasher niya. Sabi niya, “Kuya, matagal ko ng pangarap ‘yan.” Sabi ko, “Magkaiba tayong pangarap eh. Ako hindi dishwasher. Of course, she asked for it (I tripped on her dishwasher. She said, ‘That has long been my dream.’ I replied, ‘We have different dreams. Mine is not a dishwasher’).” 

I have forced myself and embraced the habit of responding to one or two trolls in a week

How do you stand up to someone with a cult following who believes he can’t do no wrong?

…. I have forced myself and embraced the habit of responding to one or two trolls in a week. Responding in a very gentle, mild, conversational way. So that’s one. Pinipili ko, of course, ano yung may butas pa na pag-asa (I choose the one with remaining sliver of hope). 

Another, I think the RMA is teaching me to further being more gentle in approach… instead of a robust male thing, the feminine side. So I would want to harness that and to approach them not with judgment but with “we win battles by kindness and we kill them with love.” Pwedeng yakapin sa leeg, headlock, pero para magising. But seriously, I think there’s more sense to being open in dialog rather than confrontative.

To the Filipino youth: So ang pakiusap ko, huwag tayong mapagod na pumili ng tama

How will the Ramon Magsaysay Award help your mission?

We plan to expand. We are looking for a lot in Metro Manila to buy a sizeable lot for a junk shop. I will be buying garbage that the young, the homeless gather, and we are partnered with my basurero company who turns junk into furniture and tiles plus expanding and hoping to set up. It was a difficult decision, but I am convinced that between an orphanage and home for the aged is what’s needed. So we will set up a home for the aged soon. 

When you watch the congressional hearings (on flood control controversy), how do you feel and reconcile that with the plight of the marginalized?

Mahirap. Pero siguro para sa akin yung wala nang hihirap pa dun sa dinanas natin nung 2016 to 2022. Bumuhos, bumulaga ang tinuladang salapi, pero dito tinuladang dugo ang dumanak eh. At nagpakasasa pa sila, we have Pharmally, we have China, we had the debt, we were borrowing but we were also spending. So we have the drug money I have the flowchart of that. So I don’t know if that was the worst. Para sa akin walang ibang titindi pa sa bangungot ni Duterte.  I’m happy that all this is coming out now. Hopefully baka matuldukan o mabigyan ng mas seryosong solusyon. And hopefully all this would zero in sa mga kakampo ni Duterte. 

(It’s hard. But nothing could be worse than 2016 to 2022—when not money, but blood flooded the streets. Now, what’s being squandered is money. Before, it was lives. I’m glad this corruption is coming to light, and I hope it leads to accountability—especially for Duterte’s allies.)

My son’s generation would say, what choice faces our generation? Either to migrate or to be with a political dynasty and get government contracts. So what is your message to them, the Filipino youth who is getting, if not cynical, disheartened about the nation’s plight? 

Para sa ating mga kabataan, nakita natin yung kapangyarihan, yung magiting na pagkilos nila nung nagdaang election nang nagpasya sila. Nag-isip kung sino matino, at naniniwala ako na kaya lumusot si Bam tsaka si Kiko ay dahil sa ganong pag-iisip ng mga kabataan. Ang gusto kong sabihin ay, kapag naisip pala natin, kapag naglaan tayo ng panahon na mag-isip at pumili ng tama, may kaayusan na hahantungan. 

So ang pakiusap ko, huwag tayong mapagod na pumili ng tama. Meron pang pag-asa ang ating bansa at ito ay nasa kamay niyo. Hihingi ako ng paumanhin sa kanila, sapagkat hindi ko naipamana ng mas maganda, ng mas maayos ang naihahanda ang kanilang kinabukasan. Pero naniniwala ako dahil meron din silang pinagdaanang pagsubok. Yung pagsubok at ang unos na yon ay may dala ding bahaghari na magbibigay sa kanila ng mas magiting pang kakayanan at lilikha na mas magarang bukas. 

(To our youth: we saw your power in the last elections. You thought, reflected, and chose wisely. I believe Bam and Kiko won because of that. What I want to say is: when we think deeply and choose what is right, order and progress follow. So please, don’t get tired of choosing what’s right. There’s still hope for our country— it’s in your hands. I apologize to you, because my generation failed to leave you a better nation. But I believe that beyond the storms you’ve faced, there lies a rainbow ahead—giving you strength to build a brighter future.)