Senator Risa Hontiveros: "OK Lang Matakot, Kasi Minsan Nakaka Takot Talaga, Huwag Lang Tayong Maduduwag"

Senator Risa Hontiveros. Photo by Lambert Parong.

Senator Risa Hontiveros in conversation with members of the Filipino community during lunch at Cafe Evergreen in Manhattan. June 9, 2024. New York.

“…in my last four years in the senate, what I want to achieve is to have a bigger, effective, scarier minority in the senate, to pass more progressive legislation that would contribute not just to the chances for the opposition in the Philippines - but definitely that; but to pass more progressive legislation that can contribute to a more democratic, more equitable, more solidarity based and humane society in our country.”

Lambert Parong

“…about courage, a lot of younger activists and leaders, once in a while would ask, so how is it if, when we’re afraid? And I always tell them, it’s okay to be afraid because it’s sometimes, it’s really scary, the important thing is not to be cowardly."

"Okey lang matakot, kasi minsan nakaka takot talaga, huwag lang tayong maduduwag,”

Lambert Parong

"And then, I mean all of us chose the life we’re in now because of our inspirations, so I just keep returning to those. I’m inspired by the people I love and who love me, I’m inspired by just pride in being Filipino, I’m inspired by the beauty of nature, I’m inspired by the beauty of our arts and cultures and also by my faith, like many of us, I think, in our different movements, including us in Akbayan party, I was also inspired to be an activist by faith, by liberation theology, by the social teachings of the church, active non violence and all that."

"I think, like any of us, I just keep returning to those springs ka-Pepe Diokno wrote about, Gustavo Gutierrez wrote about that - to drink from our own wells, so I just keep returning to that “balon” - that well; to drink the water, to be inspired and to recharge and refresh, Maraming Salamat."

Senator Risa Hontiveros in conversation with members of the Filipino community during lunch at Cafe Evergreen in Manhattan. June 9, 2024. New York. Photos by Lambert Parong/ Kababayan Media © 2024 All Rights Reserved.