Dear Friends,

In November, election fever descended on the Yasay household and politics took front seat in conversations, particularly about Jun Yasay's possible candidacy. Three political parties sent feelers inviting him to run for senator. As his wife and partner, I was vehemently opposed to this idea. My compelling argument is one often told to visitors to the Great Wall of China: "Do not attempt to scale the wall unless you are determined to reach the top." Yes, I did not want him to run, unless success is reachable -- with funds, machinery, and a political party.

On the day before his registration as candidate, I had a full day and left my phone at home. Because of the time difference (New Jersey/Manila is 13 hours), he was not able to reach me at the moment when he was officially offered to run as Vice President under Bangon Pilipinas. This was propitious since I would probably have not agreed. Instead of my call, he got one from a prayer warrior who spoke about his vision of Mordecai, second in rank to King Xerxes, who was held in high esteem by his people because he worked for their good and spoke up for their welfare. This was the sign that he had prayed for.

When I arrived home, I turned on the TV to the Filipino channel to catch a glimpse of Jun at the COMELEC office, registering to run for Vice President with Brother Eddie Villanueva. That was the first I heard of it! My initial reaction was one of disbelief, then anger, followed by embarrassment, and finally humility, because I saw the hand of the Lord. Who am I to question the inspiration from the Lord? Who am I to ask for success when the Lord may just want to use him for His purpose? Running for the vice presidency is not about how I feel or its effect on our family life. It is about doing the Lord's will. How appropriate that I am writing this letter on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception! Mama Mary serves as my inspiration -- she said to the Lord: "Yes, Thy will be done." She had so many questions but it did not stop her from submitting herself fully to God's plan.

Many people will be skeptical about this move. Does Jun Yasay really stand a chance against political giants, like Mar Roxas and Loren Legarda? Why should we waste our vote on him if has no chance of winning? I feel that it is time for us to break the vicious cycle. In the last election, we chose GMA because we felt that she was the lesser of two evils. Look where she brought us.

It is time for us to take back the real power -- the power to choose leaders who are the most deserving. It is about time we change the conventional wisdom of voting only for those who are popular or who have the best chance of winning. We have to choose leaders who are competent as well as God-fearing, who are not afraid to stand up for ideals and morals, at all costs.

Jun has been preparing, unknowingly, to serve the country. Born from humble beginnings, of a father who was a pastor and a mother who was a public school teacher, the virtues of righteousness and the value of a good education was hammered into his head. He does not only know what is right, he also lives and defends it -- from his days as a law student at the University of the Philippines involved in student activism, to his stint as SEC Chair where he showed true courage, never willing to compromise morality. His wisdom comes from intelligence and uprightness.

I write to ask for your support for my husband's campaign for vice president. If you can get a least 5 people close to you to engage in discussion about the virtues of our candidate and the importance of this particular campaign, we will have 5 more votes. And if they can, in turn, do the same thing, we can keep increasing our numbers.

To learn more about his candidacy, please visit his website (www.junyasay.com). Feel free to share this letter with your friends. You can also contact Jun or me through the website and we will be happy to answer your questions or take note of your comments and suggestions.

Maraming salamat po.

Cecile Yasay