I understand now that the privileges I?m able to enjoy also depend on the decisions our leaders make
WHERE DO I BEGIN? IT?S been a whirlwind of faces and places that I barely have enough time to step back and gauge how far I?ve traveled, literally and figuratively.

I recently participated in a road trip called ?Rock The Vote: Road Trip to Change,? a concert caravan that made its way through different areas in the Philippines in support of the Liberal Party?s movement for change.

We handed out flyers, yellow ribbon stickers and baller IDs, did motorcades and held concerts at night. Sounds simple? Believe me, it wasn?t. We rolled deep with three buses and a handful of cars.

Most young people, myself included, would normally keep out of politics. But nobody ever said politics, music and creativity can?t mix. And so they did, for nine straight days, throughout the 1,500 kilometers we covered?and that was just the first leg alone.

We departed from Manila in the morning of April 17 and went around Pampanga before holding our first concert there with bands Moonstar88, Spongecola and Hale.

I remember hopping onto our official Rock The Vote bus hassled by the fact that my cell phone had been stolen while I was shopping for supplies just the night before. But as a fan of the movie ?300,? I channeled the most Spartan-like mindset I could muster and set Leonidas? famous battle cry as the message alert tone on a borrowed phone.

Highlight

The concert was always the highlight of the day. At 6 p.m., just before we opened the gates, I?d have this gurgling fear that nobody was going to show up. But thanks to the combined efforts of participants and volunteers from Youth For Noy and Pinoy Power, we were able to pack venues with crowds of up to 10,000.

We were promoters in the morning, concert organizers by mid-afternoon, and production team come nightfall. With performances by popular artists such as Sugarfree and Noel Cabangon, including numbers from rappers and dance crews, every night was a celebration!

I am thankful for the fact that, without these artists who ventured out with us, people would not have gotten to know a little bit more about good candidates like the SLAMAT LORRRD slate. It wasn?t just dead air that received the message of hope and change we were advocating.

Needless to say, we never ran out of things to do. By day 7, we were practically running on willpower alone. There were times I had to remind myself where I was in space and time, even as I fought the urge to simply hide and sleep.

Despite the fatigue, we all knew since the beginning that we were in it together. There was no stopping us. Of course, we had those genuinely unforgettable moments, like when we all stood at the northern tip of Luzon seeing the endless horizon.

Appreciation

Since Rock The Vote first hit the road, it has landed in 14 provinces in Luzon, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu. Among the things I learned: A rekindled appreciation for OPM and a new-found talent for designing cut-up shirts. I also found that Human Heart Nature all-organic cleanser and moisturizer won?t let the scruffiest of faces down, and that it really is hotter in Tuguegarao.

I made a new friend (and a new shirt) every day. And as corny as it sounds, I?m proud of the fact that we raised awareness. I understand now that the privileges I?m able to enjoy, be it my favorite 5-inch black pumps, a cocktail or two, even my fat dog Molly, depend on the decisions our leaders make.

For the people involved in Rock The Vote, it was no longer just a rocking road trip but a crusade of sorts. For sure I came out of it feeling even more like a Spartan. The journey was truly epic. But the destination is what made it all worthwhile.