‘Have we reached the Tipping Point?’
ON THE 28th of January in the year 2024, a highly anticipated gathering of leaders from national, regional, and provincial levels will take place at the Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City. The attendees of this Leaders’ Forum are all affiliated with Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD).
The main objective of this forum is to provide a platform for these leaders to call on the entire nation to demand TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and GOOD GOVERNANCE from our elected and appointed officials. The forum also addresses pressing issues in the country, including corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability among public officials.
The Leaders’ Forum will be a highly significant event that will bring together influential leaders from different parts of the Philippines to discuss critical matters that affect the country’s progress and development. The forum’s outcome will be highly anticipated, and it is hoped to pave the way for a strong mass movement that will bring us to a brighter and more prosperous future.
What is the pressing issue that our country is facing today?
According to the latest report by OCTA Research, the majority of adult Filipinos have expressed their grave concern regarding the unrelenting surge in prices of necessities and services.
Charter change was not as significant as the rise of inflation. However, Senate and Congress are busy debating about the mechanism for a Charter change.
If we connect this to the event in Davao City on the 28th, this event reminded me of the book The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. This refers to when a small change or idea becomes a big, widespread trend or phenomenon. It explains how certain things, like products, behaviors, or political ideas, can become extremely popular and influential. It may also mean how political and mass movements change the political landscape of a nation.
Gladwell’s Tipping Point has three principles. First is “The Law of the Few,” where certain people called “Connectors,” “Mavens,” and “Salesmen” have a significant impact on spreading trends. This element is the main purpose of the Leaders’ Forum.
Second is the “Stickiness Factor” principle. This emphasizes the importance of making a message or product memorable, easily understood, and shareable for a lasting impact and creating a “word-of-mouth” effect, where people talk about and recommend a particular thing to others.
Last is the “The Power of Context”. The environment and social context in which something occurs play a significant role in its success. Certain situations or conditions can enhance the likelihood of a trend taking off and spreading rapidly. Context can include cultural norms, social networks, or specific locations or events. Context and social surroundings are crucial in creating a successful movement. These elements play an essential role in determining the outcome of a mass movement.
Therefore, the Leaders’ Forum in Davao City on January 28 will open more doors for societal change. It has the factors that were mentioned in Malcolm Gladwell’s book.