My fellow young liberals, Mabuhay!

If there’s one thing that could be said of us liberals, it’s that we are never strangers nor fearful of change.

Certainly the last decade of the 20^th century, and the first of the 21^st, has been a time of great changes. Has it really been just over a decade since the Wall fell and the so-called “third wave” of democracy swept the world? The Internet is not a century old and yet it has changed the way we define ourselves and how our lives are lived. In fact, I can vaguely remember a time when there were no cellular phones, email or Facebook. Yet these things are as ubiquitous to us young people of the Information Age as anything in man’s history.

Yet even as humanity seemingly threw down the shackles to freedom and explored the horizons this new Age opened up for him, new challenges appeared that slowed or even stopped outright this growing democratization, just as old beliefs strove to rein in the so-called degradation of “traditional values.” And no region has seen this tension between the promises of change and freedom with the certainty of tradition and control than Asia.

It is within the context of my experiences as a youth leader in the most vibrant democracy of Asia that I press my suit as one of IFLRY’s Vice Presidents.

I believe that I have the necessary experience and exposure to not only meet the challenges facing us Young Liberals in this world of constant flux but also to reconcile these challenges with the demands of our movement to promote liberal democracy worldwide.

My election as IFLRY Vice President will focus, but not limited to, the following areas:

Programs and Advocacy: We have to develop new programs and new strategies on our advocacy campaigns. Our educational programs must not only be beneficial to the workings of the federation but of the member organizations as well. It must focus on skills capability building so their work at the local front would have more impact and success. We must also develop new way of managing our campaigns using new and available technologies that are effective and efficient in delivering the liberal message. This effort would set us apart from other political forces in terms of image and perception more distinctly recognized as carrying greater influence and effect. Our programs and advocacy would essentially embody our collective ideals and the encompassing change we offer the world

Strengthening of the Secretariat and Resource Mobilization: This program is the backbone of the success of IFLRY, without which all other programs would be futile initiatives. Particular attention should be given on how we could get the Secretariat to function better, more actively, and more deliberately. Resources would mean organizational, informational, knowledge, physical and most importantly financial resources must be ingrained in the operational mindset of the Secretariat. Therefore, a creation of Resource Management Team that will be tasked to draft a plan to make sure that all of our activities are actually covered including potential sources of finance as well as efficiently utilizing other resources is in order.

Expansion and Consolidation. IFLRY must expand its network where its presence is weak particularly in Asia. In this regard, the partnership with Regional Organization must be harnessed to realize this objective. It must also establish linkages not only with liberal youth organizations but with other stake holders that has the same vision as that of the federation. We can consolidate these gains by involving our MO’s in our cadre programs or creations of pool of trainers, media pool, writers pool, advocacy pool et. al.

Change – the kind that is positive, lasting and non-exclusionary – cannot come from using the old formulas and perspectives, nor can it be brought about by an uncompromising attitude to the context of what we wish to change. There must be a convergence in the changes we wish to bring about and an appreciation for the different situations where this change will operate in.

With your confidence, it is my fervent desire to be the agent of this change, and help lead our IFLRY into this new age.

Together we can change the world, and change starts today!

Jan-Argy Tolentino
www.janargy4iflryvp.wordpress.com

Political Affairs Officer IV : Commission on Appointments (Rep. Rafael P. Nantes) September 2004-January 23, 2006

Faculty-Member : Department of Political Science & Public Admin.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines – June 2003-present

Political Affairs Officer II : Commission on Appointments (Rep. Rafael P. Nantes) September 2001-June 30, 2004

Executive Director : Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI) February 1998-February 2006

Political Affairs Officer III : Comm. on Appointments (Rep. Wigberto E. Tañada) May 1999-June 30, 2001

Speaker/Facilitator : Trainings and Seminar conducted by :
The National Institute for Policy Studies & The Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Region III Coordinator : KALIPI Campaign for the 1998 National Election

Training Officer : Kabataang Masang Pilipino (KAMPIL-Party list)
May-December1997

Student Coordinator : Youth for Enrile in the Senate 1995 Senatorial Election

Research Assistant : to Professor Ofelia Calabig – Academic Head, PUP Open University 1997-1998

Legislative Staff (Practicum) : Senior Deputy Speaker Raul A. Daza House of Representatives – 1996-1997

Trainor/Speaker : Different trainings and symposia on Political/Electoral Management, Leadership, Personality Development, Organizational Management, Debate, et. al.

AWARDS

Finalist : Gintong Kabataan Award-Province of Bulacan

Champion : 4^th PUP Grand Quiz Challenge (CEP Leg)

Champion : CEP Quiz Bee

Best Debater : PUP Grand Debate ‘94

Best Debater/Speaker : Inter-Collegiate Debate ‘95

Best Debater : Lincoln-Douglas Debate Cup

Best Debater : Inter-Collegiate Debate ‘96

First Runner Up : 1998 Metro Manila Schools Debate

Antler Award for Service : CEP Week ‘95 & ‘96

Antler Award Co-curricular Excellence : CEP Week ‘98

Antler Award for Leadership : CEP Week ‘96

Antler Award for Academic Excellence : CEP Week ‘95

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Young Liberals & Democrats of Asia (Present) : Secretary General

Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (2001-present) : National Secretary-General

The Liberal (official newsletter of the Liberal Party) : Managing Editor

Liberal Philippines Magazine : Board Member

PUP-Alumni Association (CEFP) : President

National Anti-Poverty Commission Youth Sector : PrepComm/ELECOM chair

Human Rights Youth Action Network (1998-2000) : Trainings & Educ. Chair

Moral Recovery Program Youth Council (1999-2001) : Chair, Special Projects

National Youth Commission (1998-2001) : YSO-Coordinator

Bantay Tele-Cinema Youth Network (1998-2001) : MTRCB Deputy

2^nd National Youth Parliament (1998-2001) : Parliamentarian

KOMPIL Youth (2000) : Org. Coordinator

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK-Catmon) (1996-2002) : Chairperson

Alliance of Students for Action & Progress (1997-1999) : Standard Bearer, Chairperson

PUP-Parliamentary Debating Society (1996-1997) : Prime Minister

PUP-Student Council COMELEC (1995-1996) : Chairperson

PUP-Student Council Tribunal (1994-1995) : Magistrate

PUP Political Science Society (1994) : Constitutional Commissioner

PUP Quizzers Circle : College Coordinator

PUP College of Law Debating Team : Team Captain

SEMINARS/TRAININGS/SYMPOSIUMS ATTENDED

International

Engaging Citizens for Responsible and Effective Governence : November 22-27, 2007 – Jakarta, Indonesia

IFLRY Gen. Assembly & YDA Convention : July 20-22, 2007 – Dallas, Texas, USA

Challenges for the 21^st Century : July 16-20, 2007 -Dallas, Texas, USA

The Beauty of the Internet: An ICT Workshop : May 17-22, 2007 – Penang, Malaysia

The Art of Asking: A Workshop on Fundraising : January 17-21, 2007 – Colombo, Sri Lanka

28^th ExtraOrdinary General Assembly of IFLRY : December 16-18, 2006 – Andorra Vella, Andorra

Dangerous Paths of Media: Youth Against Violence: December 9-15, 2006 – Barcelona, (Catalunia) Spain

Young Leaders Workshop on Education : August 11-16, 2006 – Lahore, Pakistan

Observation Study of Taiwanese Election : September 27, 2006 – Taipei & Kaohsiung, Taiwan

International Conference on Public : April 26-29, 2006

Accountability in Overseas Devt. Assistance : Siem Reap, Cambodia

27^th General Assembly of IFLRY : November 26-29, 2005 – Skopje, Macedonia

No Education: No Freedom, No Opportunity : November 13-25, 2005 – Hannover & Gummersbach, Germany

Political Rights and Asian Youth : August 22-26, 2005 – Taipei, Taiwan

Running a Successful Political Campaign : May 10-17, 2005 – Jogjakarta, Indonesia

Liberalism & Fundamentalism : November 3-8, 2004 – Kathmandu, Nepal

Executive Committee Meeting of IFLRY : June 18-20, 2004 – Singapore City, Singapore

Advocating Human Rights: Position of Youth in Society: June 14-17, 2004 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Running a Successful Youth Organization : February 2004 – Tai-Chung, Taiwan

The Youth in Democratic Transitions Prospects for Young Liberals in Asia: October 23-26, 2003 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Liberalism II: Policies for the Future : July 5-14, 2003 – Dusseldorf & Gummersbach, Germany

CALD Young Leaders Workshop : October 2002 – Manila-Tarlac-Baguio, Philippines

Liberalism: An Examination of Basics : February 02-16, 2002 – Leipzig & Gummersbach, Germany

Asian Crisis: Political Response to the Problem : October 1998 – Bangkok, Thailand

AYCPLD Congress : October 1998 – Bangkok, Thailand

International Youth Forum : July 8-15, 1996 – Seoul & Kyongju, South Korea

Local

Basic Orientation Seminar on Liberal Democracy: August 15, 1993 – Liberal Party National Headquarters

Makabagong Pulitika:Ito ang gusto ko! : November 14-15, 1993 – ISO, Ateneo de Manila University

A Seminar on Political Organizing, Strategy & Tactics: July 15-17, 1994 – Hotel Danarra, Quezon City

National Training/Seminar on Youth Empowerment : August 20-21, 1994- Rosary Hills Retreat House, Tagaytay

The Prospects of the Party-List System : October 5, 1994 – Manila Galeria Suite

Caucus of Asian Liberal and Radical Youth : October 15-16, 1994 – Asian Institute of Tourism, UP

Moral Recovery Towards Philippines 2000 : October 20-24, 1994 – Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City

GATT: An Issue of Safety Nets : November 18, 1994 – Manila Galeria Suite

KALIPI 2^nd National Assembly : August 19-21, 1995 – Palo Park Beach, Tacloban City

Beijing in Manila: Equality & Development : October 20-21, 1995 – YWCA Headquarters

Sangguniang Kabataan: What you should know : April 15-18, 1996 – Peñafrancia Resort, Naga City

Youth Leadership Training for SK : May 28-29, 1996 – Bulacan Sports Complex

Summer Leadership Training Seminar : May 28-30, 1997 – Ciudad Christia Resort, Rizal

Workshop on Human Relation: A tool in Public : May 16, 1998

Administration Recreational Hall, PUP Library

KALIPI 3^rd National Assembly : September 9-11, 1998 – Cagayan de Oro City

2^nd National Youth Parliament : December 1998 – Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City

Speaker-CEGP-Bulacan Congress : January 29-31, 1999 – Malolos, Bulacan

Speaker-Young Cadre Training : April 1999 – Tanay, Rizal

Skills Training Workshop for Young Liberals : May 29-30, 1999 – Bauang, La Union

MRP Sectoral Assessment & Planning Session : June 28-30, 1999 – Baguio City

Speaker-DEKADAKALIPI : August 20-23, 1999 – Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City

MRP Orientation Workshop : October 1, 1999 – National Library, Manila

Human Rights Youth Action Network : October 1999 – Baguio City

Speaker-Political Advocacy Training : December 17-19,1999 – Tayabas, Quezon

Speaker-Conflict Management : February 5, 2000 – Miriam College, Quezon City

Speaker-Trainor’s Training for Young Liberals : February 2000 – Crown Peak Hotel, Naga City

2^nd Summer Institute on Good Governance : May 7-11, 2000 – Baguio City

MRP Youth Sector Values Orientation : September 13-15, 2000 – Antipolo City

Speaker-Political Instability : October 5, 2000 – University of Sto. Tomas, Manila

2^nd Youth Summit-Amnesty International-Pil. : October 21-24, 2000 – Brentwood, Baguio City

Political Management Training ; November 2000 – Oasis Hotel, La Union

Speaker- KATAGA Leadership Training Seminar: December 11-13, 2000 – PUP Hasmin, Manila

Judge- College Y Debate Cup : February 5, 2001 – PUP, Manila

Facilitator-Freedom Youth Camp : October 29-31, 2001 – Sto. Domingo, Albay

NAPC-Basic Sector Preparatory Committee Workshop : November 12-14, 2001 – Hotel Rembrandt, Quezon City

1^st Philippine Political Parties Conference : May 3-5, 2002 – Manila Hotel

4^th Summer Institute : Good Governance for Political & Economic Recovery: May 23-25, 2002 – Tagaytay City

Seminar Workshop on Developing a Liberal Legislative Agenda: July 19-21 2002 – Subic International Hotel, SBMA

Speaker-Student Leaders Conference : November 30, 2002 Garden Suites Hotel, Manila

Writing for Party Publication : February 8-10, 2003 – Ninoy Aquino Center, Tarlac City

Workshop on Website Development : May 5-7, 2003 – FNF Office, Makati City

Facilitator-Youth Empowerment Seminar : February 20, 2003 – PUP-NALRC, Manila

Speaker-National Liberal Students Conference : July 25-27, 2003 – Monte Vista Resort, Laguna

Speaker-RTU Student Leader’s Congress : October 2003 – DAP, Tagaytay City

Speaker-PhilCES National Congress : January 27, 2004 – Assumption College, Makati

PERSONAL DATADate of Birth : December 30, 1976 / Place of Birth : Manila / Citizenship : Filipino / Civil Status : Single / Height : 5′6″ / Weight : 160 lbs. Father’s Name : Rogelio R. Tolentino / Mother’s Name : Gloria Y. Tolentino / Language/Dialect(s) Spoken : Tagalog, English

A Seminar on Fundamentalism in Kathmandu, Nepal

Tree-Planting in Lahore, Pakistan

Workshop on Challenges to the Asian Youth in Pnom Penh, Cambodia

“Running a Successful Political Campaign ” _ Seminar Workshop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia