The Ateneo De Manila University and the De La Salle Philippines system have expressed their full support for the advocacy group Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon: Magparehistro. Bumoto. Para Sa Bukas Natin for the upcoming 2022 elections. They are two of the academic co-conveners for Love Kita Pinas, a virtual event on May 22 that aims to mobilize millions of Filipinos to register to vote.

Academic institutions like Ateneo and De La Salle are co-convening the event because of the country’s need for genuine, sustainable change, which can only be achieved through voter’s registration. The launch is one of the biggest ways in which registration can gain more traction as the 2022 elections near.

Chief Executive Officer of the De La Salle Philippines system and Makati Business Club chairperson Ed Chua became a co-convenor for the coalition because he believes in the power of community solidarity in inciting Filipinos to vote for leaders who love the Philippines.

“Community solidarity is a key building block for alignment and speed in execution. Voters’ registration enables qualified Filipinos to exercise their right to vote. Voting is a civic duty as well. It’s important for each and every qualified filipino to be able to choose the leaders of the country, hopefully leaders who have a genuine love of country,” the chief executive said.

The Ateneo De Manila University Vice President for Social Development Lino D. Rivera, also a co-convenor for Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon, echoes Chua’s sentiments, “community solidarity is important because we should better understand and appreciate the situation of each one so that we can better care for one another.”

Chua emphasizes that love of one’s country transcends beyond personal interests, which is a crucial characteristic that leaders should possess.

“Love of country is putting the country’s interests above one’s personal interest. It is about continuously looking for ways to make things better for the country—the people, environment, for example. [In other words,] community solidarity.” he reiterated.

Rivera also added that love of country means “discern[ing] how we can serve our country” better as Filipinos. Ultimately, he believes that voting is the most helpful way we can make change for the country and the government.

“Voter registration and voting are important because these are constitutional ways by which we make our voices heard and can make [a] real impact on how the government is run,” Rivera said.

Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon: Magparehistro. Bumoto. Para Sa Bukas Natin is a multisectoral and non-partisan coalition that seeks to mobilize millions of Filipinos to register to vote for the 2022 national elections. The coalition targets an additional 7 million registrants before the deadline of September 30, 2021, as well as inactive voters to reactivate their voting status in the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). More information on the coalition can be found through http://koalisyon.carrd.co.

The Love Kita Pinas event will stream via Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon’s Facebook page on May 22, 2021.