BAGUMBAYANI INITIATIVE-Ateneo Incoming Head Lyonel Tanganco hopes that the Ateneo chapter of the Bagumbayani Initiative will be able to debunk the misconceptions of Ateneans about government work and encourage them to take part in it through the internships and thesis tie-ups that it offers.

According to its official website, Bagumbayani Initiative is “a movement initiated by a group of young civil servants who want to promote positive change and integrity in the government by sustainably recruiting young people into the civil service and marketing it as a practical, viable, and purposeful career option.”

The Ateneo chapter was launched on April 22, 2016 at the University Dorm Basement. Speakers in attendance were Nayong Filipino Executive Director JQ Quesada, Department of Transportation and Communications Consultant Sunny Sevilla, and Ateneo de Manila Class 2012 Valedictorian and Bagumbayani Initiative co-founder Kenneth Abante.

Tanganco cited Quesada who countered common descriptions of the government such as “big, slow, and inefficient” by placing them side by side with the dynamism of the youth during the launch of the Ateneo chapter.

Tanganco said, “Young people are so alive and very active. [If we] put them together, I think there’s positive change that can happen in the government.”

Meanwhile, Sevilla attributed the lack of progression in the government to “inertia mentality.” He is doubtful that change will happen given that there are no new ideas at work.

He said, “[The] government represents all of us. We want things to change, so this is your chance. People need to get in there and do work – work that has an impact, work that leads to change.”

Quesada added, “We want to make [the government] young and vibrant. Ito na po ang mukha ng government ngayon. (We want to make [the government] young and vibrant. This is how our government is at present.)”

Young, vibrant gov’t

Abante explained that the initiative, which began operating in 2015, aims to debunk misconceptions about civil service and promote it as a purposeful vocation. It works on a match-train-sustain framework.

The match pillar involves connecting promising individuals to government vacancies, the train pillar provides mentorship to these young people, and the sustain pillar seeks to “continually cultivate their energy and idealism.”

Bagumbayani Initiative-Ateneo Lead Coordinator Ray Gomez stated that the timing is perfect because there has been a growing acceptance of government and government work in the Ateneo community.

“Throughout the years, people have been interested in government, and the organization is just building on that. Ateneo believes in sustainable change and we feel like for sustainable long-term government to happen, a good government is a prerequisite,” Gomez said.

“Can you imagine a good country with a dysfunctional government? It’s kind of impossible, it’s inconceivable. To care for society, for change, for service, it is ingrained in Ateneo,” he said. “Sayang ‘yung nabubuong momentum if we don’t provide clear avenues for them (The momentum will be wasted if we don’t provide clear avenues for them).”

Given the present conditions, Gomez explained that the Ateneo chapter will be focused on destroying misconceptions by providing accurate information on the benefits and opportunities that come with civil service, as well as building a community of Ateneans who dream and strive for a better government.

He emphasized that the Ateneo chapter will engage with the government by coordinating partnerships between government agencies and the Loyola Schools (LS).

Bagumbayani Initiative-Ateneo Launch Project Head Prio Opelanio mentioned that the organization is not concerned with proselytization.

He said, “We want to make Ateneans more immersed on what the government does and what the government can do.”

He recognized that Ateneans will venture into different sectors after graduation, but he insists that what is needed right now is for them to have a hand in serving the people with the values Ateneo has cultivated in them.

“It is a good platform to meet other people, see their hopes, and hear their stories. Because even though they come from different backgrounds, there is diversity, you can see that they are working towards one goal,” Opelanio added.

Aligned with nation-building

Outgoing LS Vice President John Paul Vergara commented that it is inspiring to find more and more Ateneans who want to join and take part in the government.

Vergara said, “The first thing that came into my mind was that we have a good indicator of how effective our formation or core curriculum is. Not that we’re [directly] doing it, but essentially we provided the environment where they will do it more or even consider doing it.”

He notes that it is very consistent with the articulated goals of the university such as nation-building and service.

According to Vergara, there is nation-building along the lines of hoping to reform the government, and there is service in helping out marginalized communities by improving government service.

“A support group like [Bagumbayani Initiative-Ateneo] can inspire you further. If you come up with support groups like this, there are more possibilities for cooperation between the university and the agencies, and find out more ways to help,” he added.

Tangancoinsists that through the internships, thesis tie-ups, and employment opportunities, Ateneans will be able to see this new perspective that they are capable of positive change in the government.

“We’re here to help you,” Tanganco added.

Gomez explained that since the Ateneo chapter only formally started in the second semester of SY 2015-2016, they will have to undergo the usual procedures under the Office of Student Activities to become registered as an unaccredited organization. However, the administration has been very supportive of their cause.

He admires the diversity of Ateneans through their different disciplines and advocacies, and asserted that “it’s very apt in a community where we fight for different things, you fight for that one thing that is the foundation of it all.”

Gomez added, “The difference between a good government and a bad government are the people inside of it, and Ateneans can be that difference. Let’s build a better government together.”