My politics

I grew up apolitical. It wasn't until around 19 years old when I left the JWs that I began thinking about the possibility of having a political position. And even then it felt weird. Being an outsider stays with you. I was skeptical about politics even after I left my religion. I identified with the Left and joined a political party during my last year and a half at UPB. I voted only once. I want to dedicate the large portion of my life within.

Confession: anarchism appealed to me so much that for a short time I even felt like I approved of anarcho-capitalism. I no longer believe in this perspective.

Being a writer in the Philippines means that if you don't have a political position—if you are apolitical—you are scorned. I responded with this challenge by allowing myself to read widely, listen and befriend fellow writers with strong political positions. For example, writing so we must meet apart with Jesa Suganob was personally tough because I had to dialogue with someone adept with her political views.

Here is what I now know. Politics is simply a long answer to the age-old question: How should we relate to each other? A writer must never resist this question, especially one who identifies as a religious writer. Like in all things in my writing and religious life, I think that authenticity must be the primary goal in answering the question above. I must be honest to where I am right now in my politics. I must recognize the history that brought me here. If I want to change, which I do, and my direction is kiitsu, returning to my neighbor, community, cosmos, and the Great Life, I must do all the changes while taking account of my raw materials. I must not pretend that I'm a socialist or a communist when I'm not.