“On a sweltering day in March 2007, a man reached out to shake Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan’s hand. ‘Isama mo sa kampanya,’ the stranger told him, pressing something into his palm before retreating behind the packed crowd that met Kiko that day in Mabalacat, Pampanga.” So begins INDIE: Defying the Odds, Redefining Politics, Celeste Flores-Coscolluela’s gripping account of the 2007 independent senatorial campaign that marked a turning point in Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s career. More than a biography, a campaign how-to, or a report on Philippine politics circa 2007, INDIE is an inspiring story of one man’s struggle for political victory against the odds and of one nation’s search for true leadership amid dark and murky political waters. MORE THAN JUST KIKO For sure, there are enough details in the book to bring the reader closer to “Senator Kiko.” Coscolluela paints colorful images of the roots that have inspired Kiko’s activism, the fruits of the young senator’s principles and idealism, and the 90-day struggle that his campaign team worked painstakingly hard to conquer. There are quotes and stories told by his siblings (”May apog talaga siya. I told him, ‘Niligawan mo si Sharon Cuneta, may apog ka talaga,” shared by eldest sister Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas), insights into his personality as told by those who knew him even before Sharon and the Senate (”He knows his priorities. So, yes, he has ambition, but he’s not crazy about it. Certain lines he will not cross, or cross far enough that he will lose his sense of self… or lose people he cares about,” shared by former UP roommate, TV host and news anchor David Celdran), and interesting tidbits shared by his campaign team (”Berocca is his talisman. A cold beer at night. And he’d be lost without his iPod,” shared by former Team Kiko staffer Kina Santillan). Cf course, there are the stories shared by Kiko himself, as well as by his Number One fan and Megastar wife, Sharon Cuneta. The story of Kiko’s victory, however, is larger than the story of the popular personalities that surround him. After all, his campaign wasn’t won by the oligarchs or by multi-million-peso sponsorships, or even by his popular wife and siblings. At its core, INDIE is the story of the tiny details that made the small successes that built the 90-day campaign, brick by brick. It is the story of people’s hope, faith, and trust in a leader; of diligence, doing your homework, and arming yourself well for the battle ahead; of believing in the goodness of humanity and in Divine Providence when nothing else seems clear. LESSONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN AHEAD Political campaigners, guerrilla marketers, political analysts, sociologists, and anyone interested in the phenomenon that was the 2007 “indie run” will find gems of truth and wisdom embedded in the 84-page book. Whatever “success secrets” Senator Kiko and his team must have used to assure victory in 2007 are made open here; assumptions made are confirmed or clarified. Even some of Senator Kiko’s top supporters go on the record for this book, baring all about why they supported the man and his mission. The anecdote which begins and frames the book says a lot about the nature of the campaign and the hope it has inspired in people. It ends: “Kiko wondered at the words of the stranger: ‘Isama mo sa kampanya.’ Uncurling his fist, he saw what it was the man had given him: a crumpled up one hundred-peso bill.” One hundred pesos multiplied by hundreds, thousands, or millions is enough to rebuild a country. One voice, one vote multiplied by hundreds, thousands, and millions is enough to win an electoral revolt and start fresh for a new generation. As literary icon, columnist, and editor Jose (Butch) Dalisay Jr. challenges us in his foreword: “The next time anyone says, ‘You can’t beat the system,’ tell them to ask Kiko, and tell them to read this book. It’s an inspiring story of political reform and renewal that’s only just begun.” -- ~ Review by Niña Terol-Zialcita Originally posted in: http://theartofchangemaking.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/indie-lessons-for-non-traditional-campaigners/