On going beyond the ‘successes of the past’

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For Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th, these ideals remain compellingly true amid the reality of political chaos. No matter the current rhetoric often condemning statesmen for the ills of Philippine society, he is still consumed by unwavering pride and undiminished passion to ensure that the very ideals on which he was raised burn as bright for future generations.

“To this very day, my brand of politics is one of hope, and I believe that every Filipino should and can overcome poverty, with a government that provides them the right support and the right opportunities,” declared the 16th Congress’ youngest senator, whose political pedigree is buoyed by a martyred uncle and statesman and two former presidents, among a spattering of relatives in various elective posts, past and present.

Whether consciously or subconsciously, this fourth generation Aquino has followed a path as straight as a rule to prepare him for a prominent place in government.

An Atenean through and through, he was a consistent honor student from elementary through high school, small-scale women entrepreneurs.

The project helped along 10,000 sari-sari stores toward success, lifting thousands of poor families from poverty. The program in fact bagged the United Nations Project Inspire Award in 2011, besting over 400 enterprises all over the world.

For his efforts, Aquino was deservingly named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in the category of Social Enterprise and Community Development. He was also chosen as one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World in 2012.

For Aquino, however, more valuable that the awards for the Hapinoy Pro-