Noy News: the official newsletter of Noynoy Aquino

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ZAMBOANGA CITY --The group Concerned City Government Employees published the results of a secret survey conducted on 1,000 government officials and employees, showing the Liberal Party's Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Sen. Mar Roxas as the top choices for the nation's two highest posts. Aquino led the group's polls, with Sen. Manuel Villar trailing last. »Mindanao Examiner

Youth group aims for 100k supporters in 100 days

MANILA -- The youth empowerment group Yo!Noy launched "Noy it Forward" in an effort to recruit 100,000 supporters for the Noy-Mar tandem in a span of 100 days. Recruits would serve as campaign volunteers and poll watchers. Yo!Noy says the youth want to turn their idealism into something concrete, and they believe Noy is the change the country needs. »GMA News

Aquinos support Soc Villegas as archbishop

DAGUPAN CITY -- The Aquino family says Pangasinenses are fortunate to have the former protegé of EDSA icon Jaime Cardinal Sin, Soc Villegas, as the new archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupen. The Aquino siblings were all present last week for the ordination of Father Soc, who was close to their mother until she passed away in August. »Philippine Daily Inquirer

More Pinoys consider themselves poor

MANILA -- About 53%, or 9.7 million, of Filipino families consider themselves poor, the latest reports from Social Weather Stations (SWS) show. About 7.5 million families consider themselves food-poor. According to Sen. Noynoy Aquino, poverty is not only the loss of money but opportunity, and that transparent spending on the part of the government would help alleviate poverty substantially. »Business World

Around Town: Juana Change bares it all

MANILA -- There is a resounding sentiment among many Filipinos that we've simply had enough. Mae Paner embodies the clamor for a new Philippines in her new exhibit "Pangatawanan Mo Nah." We take a look at the motivation behind the bold, new and naked truth that spurred her latest call for change. Wanna change? One loud YES, coming right up. »read full story

Let's talk about it

The Scoop: A matter of conscience

The Catholic Church is the reproductive health bill's staunchest opponent. Aside from misinterpreting the bill's provisions, is it misinterpreting the teachings of the Church itself? In the face of this conflict, then, Jaime Salazar asks: how must the good Catholic act? St. Thomas of Aquinas would counsel prudence: to learn the facts, take advice, and understand the issues involved; to judge carefully what one has found; and to act out of reason so as to ensure good and avoid evil. »read more

Commentary: What you don't see

Is being the son of revered national heroes Ninoy and Cory Aquino a boon or a bane? Certainly not the latter, says Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros. As Filipinos, family is everything. Who your parents are and what they taught you says a lot about who you are and what you will impart to your fellowmen. The grace of Ninoy and Cory upon Noynoy is something other presidentiables cannot be said to have, at least to the same degree. Perhaps this lack is a threat to them, but surely, a gift to the people. »read more

Tinig ng Bayan

The true meaning of People Power

While it is echoed many times over in revolutions around the world that fight against oppression and injustice, the true spirit of EDSA is unique to the Filipino people. But Mark Anthony Malcampo of Parañaque points out that people power is not something we simply use to overthrow a government and forget about; it is in everything we do that brings us closer to a better tomorrow. The Philippines need not submerge itself in the quagmire we find ourselves in, if we can summon the true meaning of People Power in our day-to-day lives. »read more

Call for submissions: The little moments count. What's your Noynoy moment? We want to hear about it! In an original essay or blog entry, share with us what this election means to you. Inspire us! Send in your entries in English, Filipino or any dialect, and be heard on Noy News and NoyPipol. newsletter@noynoy.ph

Issue Highlights Aquino-Roxas top Zamboanga survey More Filipinos join ranks of mahirap Youth group aims to recruit 100,000 supporters Juana Change bares it all What you don't see Dangers of freezing oil prices RH Bill: A Matter of Conscience 100,000 FB fans and counting Avatar voting continues Dreaming of a yellow Christmas		A New People Power Sabi nga nila, it's not a popularity contest but, what can you do... he's popular. Even more popular than Kris (!), sabi niya sa Twitter. But I think his celebrity is rooted in something more profound than a family name or a sikat younger sister. His overarching popularity in the polls and in hearts all over the country seems to be faith in Noy himself: the person he is, the hope he represents, the inspiration he instills. There are those who deride him for "riding" on his parents' name. As if he could deny the legacy of his parents. As if he could let the fight die with the death of his mother and refuse to uphold what his mother lived for, and his father died for. Then there are those who consider his absence from the spotlight as indicative of his absence of policy. They are so wrong. It only shows how he sees public service: a duty, and not an an opportunity to toot his own horn screaming "See how wonderful I am!" (Unlike some people who, by endorsing every bill they can lay their hands on, compromise integrity and practical consideration, thereby creating a hodgepodge of laws that contradict each other, and in the process they contradict themselves -- balimbing, it's called). Like Mae Paner, I've had enough of shameless politics. Of politicians using this country as if it were their personal cash cow. Yes, Juana, I wanna change! We wanna change! As a nation! This Christmas I hope we can stand together under a bright yellow parol and show the world, that not only is there hope, but that WE STILL DARE TO HOPE. Noynoy's popularity is, at the core, a loud voice that speaks of a collective yearning for change. A voice that, if we believe enough, has the power to transform that Hope to a new, and quite wonderful, Philippines. This is the new people power. ~ Nina Sanchez, Editor

Sabi ni Noy... "If we continue with this momentum, we will make change a reality."