Youth Define the Filipino as a Liberal

Left: Cavite Rep. Joseph Abaya, Roxas City Councilor Pepe Del Rosario, Ronnel Lim, Cheryl Cristobal and Marlowe Selecios

The Philippine Young Liberals (KALIPI) held a book launch, awarding ceremony and debate as part of the Liberal Party’s 60th anniversary celebrations on 23 January, 2006 in UP Diliman. Partnering with Liberal Philippines and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), KALIPI awarded Marlowe Selecios, Cheryl Cristobal and Ronnel Lim, the three winners of last year’s essay writing contest on what it means to be a young liberal in the Philippines today. It also presented to the public the publication The Filipino as a Liberal, a compilation of the 15 most impressive essays.

Following the book launch was a discussion between the three winners, Cavite Representative Joseph Abaya and Roxas City Councilor Jose “Pepe” Del Rosario on liberalism and the Philippine condition.

“The fact that we have so many bright liberally minded authors is a reason to celebrate and be happy about,” said FNF Resident Representative Dr. Ronald Meinardus. “It shows that Philippine liberalism is a force which transcends the political party. These are people who believe and cherish the liberal principles such as personal freedom, responsibility, tolerance and human rights,” he added.

The Filipino as a Liberal is available in major bookstores.