What now, Carlo Ople?

A lot of people have been asking me if I have plans of running for office anytime in the near future. I’ve been thinking about this for the longest time now and after a lot of prayer, thinking, and consulting, I think I finally have an answer! The past few weeks have been filled with so much revelations and I finally pieced them all together this yesterday during the 6th year death anniversary of my late grandfather.

My auntie, Susan Ople, gave a passionate speech during her declaration about why she finally decided to run for senate in the upcoming elections. She talked about what some people told her when she sent out feelers that she’d run. “Anak siya ni Blas Ople… So what?” That was one of the reactions that she’d get from people who don’t know her. She went on in her speech to explain that the question she asked herself wasn’t “so what?” but “Anak ka ni Blas Ople… so what now?”

I agree with her 100%. Being part of a political family should not be about benefits or free passes to a career in government service. It’s a challenge and a call for genuine service. You have to work harder because you have to break the image that you’re running only because you share the last name. You have to put it more effort compared to normal because there are higher expectations. Don’t run because you have a relative who’s in government. Run because you really want to serve. Run because you are ready for a life of sacrifice. Run when you think you’re ready to serve your country more than your family. You will need your relationship with your family to be in the best shape because believe me when I say that politics will take a major toll on your relationship with your wife and children.

As a public official, my grandfather left a legacy of service, passion, and intelligence. However more than that, I knew him as my grandfather more than him being a Senator, Senate President, or Cabinet Secretary. I remember his warm smiles and firm handshakes more than his fiery speeches on the floor. But more than anything, I remember his indomitable love for this country. That same love fueled him to break out of poverty as the son of a fisherman in Hagonoy. He graduated top of his class, became a journalist, and eventually embarked on one roller coaster political journey. My grandfather served under 5 presidents: Marcos, Cory Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Arroyo.

He did all of that without the benefit of having someone in his family in politics before him. And in that thought, I found my answer.

The starting point to a career in government service is a real love and passion for this country and for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Your heart has to be in the right place. But more than that, your family has to be ready. This is not a decision that you will make on your own. This has to be something that your spouse and kids agree to. By being a public official, you are making your family vunerable. I can’t count how many broken families I’ve seen because of politics. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about.

As a government official, you are exposed to innumerable amounts of temptation that can damage your relationships with friends and family. It’s a no-win situation because in the times you say “No”, most likely your career will suffer your you’ll actually put lives in danger. In the times that you give in to temptation, you are forever beholden to your benefactors. In the moments that you give in, you live a double life – because you definitely don’t want to let your family find out what you’ve been doing behind their backs.

The journey to being a public official begins with that desire to serve, and you don’t have to be in office to do that. To resist all of the temptations that come your way, you need to train yourself hard. You have to build good and solid relationships with friends and family. You need to be financially secure so that you won’t look at your position as just a source of income. If ever that it will be your only source of money, then you have to make sure that the salary you get will be enough to sustain your lifestyle. You have to develop REAL love for the country. All of this doesn’t happen over a few days, months, or even years.

That’s my challenge to myself and to everyone in my generation. If you want to change this country, don’t do it by jumping into politics unprepared. Don’t just throw yourselves into the lions’ den without having the benefit of a sharp blade and a sturdy shield. The only thing sadder than a corrupt politician is seeing a promising young leader turn into one because he or she wasn’t prepared.

Change the country by changing yourself for the better. Then change your family. Then change those dear to you. And if you keep doing it, then you build a stronger heart, a stronger family, a stronger relationship with God, and a stronger bank account (lol).

So what now, Carlo Ople? Running might be an option, but not in the immediate future. I think it’s a phase that I’ll eventually have to take on, especially in the later part of life but for now I’m more than happy to just be the soon-to-be husband to my soon-to-be-wife. I’m excited to be a father. I want to carve out my career in digital marketing and maybe venture into business. I also want to come up with something that will inspire the Filipino youth to start dreaming again.

You don’t need to be a politician to love this country.

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