Skeptical, to change the conversation, especially on social media sites, might have been the reason why VP Leni Robredo was the guest of honor during the Feb. 7, 2017 event of Inspirar that was held at SM Aura, SMX Convention Center.
Having witness the bashing of this VP, made me think that online, indeed, there is no-holds barred when it comes to criticism, mean jokes, and more. I have seen the Facebook news feeds about VP Leni, along with other government officials such as Pres. Duterte, and of course, De Lima. The news feeds, tweets, and even posters created may be an opinion, yet sometimes, the truth is thwarted, and then the lambasting goes all out.
Aggression and sarcasm - not the answer.
So, who is reading this article of mine because of the title? We have turned skeptical because of the way news is presented. Just the fact that VP Leni was the guest of honor made it appear like it was she who was behind it, and that is not true.
Inspirar has been a community that has been asking and moving in many ways to "Change the Conversation"- instead of being offensive, instead of being hurtful, instead of demolishing a person online, don't you agree, that it is about time to do things in a more positive way and change the conversation for the good of our country - instead of creating issues, presenting solutions?
Inspirar has the light to lead the way for the answer. Founded in 2010, this community has a lot of outreach projects. The event that I attended was centered on inspiring stories, curated, yes, to make it better, but real stories of real people who turned that bad that happened to them to good, overcoming the suffering that they went through to succeed.
Covering advocacy events isn't my thing as being the one who spearheaded the movement of "No to Free Blog Posts" I do have a stand that it is not enough for a blogger to be invited, as I will not be able to write about it if I am not, nor fed as it is what I have to be write about, and that we must be compensated fairly, as we spend time, money and effort to achiever results with our online reach and network. Since that time, in just a little over a year, the change has happened, and bloggers are being compensated fairly. This article was requested, and since I do want to make the change, and can help make the change for the better, I decide to write it.
Inspirar stories made me cry and gave the light of hope at the end. We can be, as one story title says, a victim that becomes a hero.
Going beyond our daily needs, going beyond the advocacy, Inspirar does serve a purpose that was created long before VP Leni was made victim to social media bashing. I dislike cyber bullying, though I know that was is done online should be resolved online.
Another way to say it, if you want to make a change, and be the change, is to be part of Inspirar.
Author's note: During the event, I was asked by blogger Tin Gonzaga if I have a story about how I handled difficult situations and turned bad into good. I told her I have a lot, but I no longer want to think and repeat what happened in the past, as that cannot be undone. I do have notes, posts, about my thoughts, and sometimes these are tweaked, and can be more of a desperational writer with a niche in sadness, and yes, dwelling on being a victim isn't good as we cannot wallow in self-pity, and must go one with life, embracing the beauty of the who we love and seeking to be more positive in all that we do, difficult as that may be.
During a discussion lately of why people don't want to go to the hospital and get proper medical care even if they are in pain, one said that it was because there is a loss of hope. Hope, when that is gone, then there is no tomorrow in our minds, and that ends today, right now.
Have hope and be the better person.
