As I reflect on my experience, I would be remiss not to acknowledge and express my gratitude for the invaluable support I received from our community. I’ve met so many people and established lasting relationships. All throughout, there were words of encouragement and acts of friendship and solidarity. Young people in our community took an active interest in civic engagement and became immersed in learning many crucial lessons in this election.

We’ve learned our community, especially the younger generation, is developing a sophisticated understanding of the role politicians play in shaping Canadian society. We’re learning to choose our leaders based on their demonstrated experience. We’re learning to choose our leaders based on their sincerity and dedication to community service. We’re learning to choose our leaders based on their proficient understanding of the issues that affect us.

I take comfort in knowing that we’re now better equipped for increased success in subsequent political endeavours. I’m confident in our ability to continue to engage the community and I’m equally confident in our ability to wisely choose the leaders that will capably represent not just Filipino-Canadians, but all Canadians from every community.

This experience has galvanized everyone that has participated in the process. It has opened doors for young Filipinos that want to have a say in the future of their community. Essentially, this experience has helped us identify and empower a new crop of young Filipino changemakers.

What’s next? Outside of politics, we’ll continue to build on the success of Tulayan (www.tulayan.com). We’ll keep everyone engaged and excited with Tulayan. We’ll continue our work that has attracted smart, young, forward-looking Filipinos.

Through the use of culture as a bridge, Canadian born Filipinos are discovering a way to connect with their heritage, and as a result, creating a point of connection between them and more recent Filipino immigrants. So, through learning about themselves and each other, the heart of Tulayan is really community building, a crucial activity for the Filipino diaspora.

Tulayan will continue to address the genuine desire for ventures that explore the substance of our culture. Tulayan will continue to identify and highlight positive role models within our community. Tulayan will continue to approach all of our undertakings with critical thinking, altruism and humility.

We’ve learned that there is a serious appetite within our community to demonstrate our capacity for leadership. We’ve learned that we’ve established a foundation that we can build on for our community's aspirations in the future. We’ve learned that there’s a lot of work to do and that we’re willing and capable of taking on the challenges before us.

And finally, Happy Holidays to all!

The Vancouver 2011 Civic Elections are now behind us and I congratulate the mayor and councillors that have been elected. I wish them all the best in their new/renewed roles and may they serve the city well.

Seeing the first handful of poll results come in indicated that I would be in for a long night. What was unexpected was how the rest of COPE's candidates would fare. In the end, only Allan Wong for the School Board would get elected and the rest of us would be left pondering our immediate futures. What was most disappointing was seeing the narrow margin that kept Ellen Woodsworth out of the last council spot.

This is my first time running for office. Really, this is my first foray into politics and it's been a memorable ride. It's now a few days since the results came in and I'm finally feeling like I can catch my breath. From the exciting nomination to the disappointing end of the election, it's been an amazing experience.

It was exciting as much as it was challenging. Up until the last two weeks leading up to November 19, I was still working my full-time job. From 9a-5p, I would be in the office all day and then rush off to any events, debates, meetings right after work and then not be home until 10-11p. 

The most physically challenging thing about this campaign wasn't the lack of sleep or the hunger from missed meals. For me, it was when I pulled my back on Friday, November 4, trying to lift my baby's car seat. I've been in agonizing pain since (my back still hasn't recovered) but I had campaigning to do and I wasn't going to let that stop me. The pain at times was distracting and made it hard to concentrate during debates (such uncomfortable chairs!). I even showed up to an interview in sweatpants since I just came from a physio appointment. Needless to say, canvassing, leafletting and mainstreeting had to be accompanied by sufficient doses of ibuprofen and occasional trips to acupuncturists and massage therapists.

I've met so many people and established new and lasting friendships. I was in the news a lot and someone even put out a diss track about me. I kissed a flying fish, had an op-ed piece for the Vancouver Sun printed (that was also published in the Calgary Herald), received an endorsement from the Georgia Straight, was profiled in Schema Magazine, performed a spoken word piece to express why I'm running for office, had an amazing campaign video produced where my daughter steals the show, and I took the lead in releasing COPE's platform.

These are just a few of the highlights from the last couple of months. The whole campaign experience was really punctuated by the people I worked with and supported me. From designing flyers, to producing videos, to fundraising, to event planning, to door knocking, I count myself as one of the luckiest guys in the world to have such good friends taking time out of their lives to be so involved in the campaign. 

The COPE campaign team and volunteers were tireless in their dedication in supporting the candidates and were equally motivated in pushing us to work just as hard as they did. I have so much respect and love for you guys.

The Filipino community here in Vancouver has been wonderful in its support. I promise to continue to represent the community in a positive way and to do Filipinos proud in all my endeavours.

I'm so touched by my family's support. Initially indifferent to politics, they eventually went out of their way to leaflet, door knock and make phone calls to help me and my fellow candidates throughout the campaign.

My wife and daughter are my source of strength and happiness. It was difficult barely seeing them these last few weeks but I take solace in knowing that this endeavour has enriched our lives. My wife is an amazing woman of patience and passion and I know I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for her. I'm so happy I get to spend more time with them now.

What's next? COPE will regroup and reassess. I'm confident that COPE will return stronger for the next election as it has done so when it didn't do so well previously. 

Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I discouraged? Absolutely not. I will continue to build on the amazing foundation we've built and make sure we're positioned for success when the time comes. 

We've engaged a lot of people that weren't interested or involved before and we will to continue to have an ongoing dialogue with them to ensure they remain interested and involved. We will continue to spread the positive message we established during this campaign as it resonated with everyone we met. We've learned that people are turned off by negativity and combative attitudes. It's now just a matter of working together to make sure our positive message reaches more people.

Will I continue to pursue running for office? As long as I'm prepared, the conditions are right, and there's a need to create a Vancouver for everyone, yes I will.

The starting point is contentious
The destination is ambitious

We dwell in the in-between, that's in our dreams
Unwritten stories about ourselves 
Like unwritten books on yet to be dusty shelves

Our characters, move from left to right: starting out unrefined, undefined
But our principles, motives and spirit are bold, italics and underlined

Each word, heavier in thought 
As it ponders the price its meaning had bought

Buying meaning with a purpose? Or meaning to buy a purpose?
What is your currency for change? It's not what jingles in your pocket, it's open-minded exchange.

Swap ideas, swap stories, swap spit. 
By the way, I'm talking about open-mouthed kissing with that last little bit.

As chapters fill our pages, our book writes itself in stages.
Let love be the dominant theme, not anger or hate - those two are a dangerous team.

Sure there's plenty to be angry about but your judgement will be clouded
Instead fill your heart with love… passion will keep that space crowded.

Passionate people are admired for their persistence
But it's their sincerity and genuine desire for change that defines their existence.

Let love be your guide and passion be your drive. For the betterment of humanity, let's define that as what will keep us alive.

What is over there? Me. You. Them. Us. It's not complicated, we're all on the same bus.

In life, with love, we can accomplish anything. Is it ambitious? Well, yeah sort of.

What is over here? Me. You. Them. Us. It's a little more complicated, that's something we can discuss.

We can scratch an unknown itch by participating in democracy and earning our right to bitch. 

You're not done when you cast your ballot, you've just begun to paint with democracy's powerful palette. 

Open your eyes and see what your world needs and share what's on your mind, lest your public servants end up being the blind leading the blind.

I promise that I won't read your mind. The last thing you want from an elected official are guarantees they know what issues you'll get behind.

I promise to engage and listen. To take action so as to motivate you to speak with me so I can continue to listen.

This is where we are. This is where we stand. If we don't respect democracy, what we ask from others are just soulless demands. 

My hand is now open, outstretched, more useful than an angry fist in the air.

So I can help who I can, so you and I - we're both moving from here to over there.