Nicole Yaneza-Bagatsing, 24, recently joined the prestigious Victorian YMCA program ‘Youth Parliament’. The program is a leadership development opportunity for 16 to 25-year-olds to present a bill in Victorian Parliament for a week. Nicole joined to experience the process and develop her skills in a range of skills including debating and public speaking.
Her involvement enabled her to meet Australian politicians, MP’s and various public figures while networking with other youth leaders from around the state. She worked together with a team called the Red Robins, representing the Australian Red Cross. In an interview with The Philippine Times, she shares her experiences in Youth Parliament, and how it has helped her grow while helping her to become a positive role model for other young Filipino women.
TPT: What does Youth Parliament involve?
In a team of six, Youth Parliamentarians were guided in writing a Bill which addresses a state-based issue. Bills are let into the Youth Parliament, debated and voted upon during the sitting week held in the chambers of Parliament House, Victoria. Upon the end of the sitting week, all passed Youth Parliament Bills are officially handed to the Minister for Youth to be distributed to the relevant state Members of Parliament. Other than debates, Youth Parliamentarians were given training in various areas. These include local civics education, policy making, leadership in different political levels, public speaking and parliamentary debating.
TPT: What was your team’s bill (legislation) about?
Our bill was about rehabilitating the youth justice system in Victoria. Particularly, around the detention centres which further traumatises young people. This bill focused on rehabilitating detention centres to a more holistic approach of establishing wellness centres instead.
TPT: What motivated you to apply for Youth Parliament?
I love leadership programs that focus on civic involvement! Youth Parliament ticked all the boxes. We learned about government structures, civic processes and legislation structures. On top of that, there was debating involved too. A lot of times, I have found myself in positions where I needed to advocate for myself or be an ally and advocate with someone else.
TPT: What did you learn?
I learned how to actively debate in Parliament! It is definitely an active mind exercise. Now I understand the process of how actual Parliamentarians debate proposed legislation in Victoria. I now know that it requires a lot of quick thinking, precise terminology and critical analysis. I know what it felt like to debate in previous high school classes, but the feeling of debating legislation in Parliament was at a whole different level. It felt very structured and much more fast paced.
I did get a rush of adrenaline as my team would refute our points, or I had to deliver points refuting the opposing team. Overall though, I also learned how to be diplomatic in parliamentary debates. I always chose to focus my perspective on areas of improvement for the bill, not personal attacks or emotional degradation. It was definitely something that shifted my focus on what a Parliamentarian actually does. I also learned how to be diplomatic in these settings.
My team and I always chose to shake hands with the opposing team whose bill we had to debate against. They were an incredible team (Buloke Loddon), and we had such beautiful sportsmanship about it all. Our debate was fiercely delivered, yet it was done with so much respect for the opposing side. The opposing team against my team’s bill all gave us kind praises, whether it was through compliments of affirmation, nods and handshakes. It taught me that whilst there are debates happening amongst the side you’re against in Parliament, it can all be done in an amicable manner. Youth Parliamentary debates weren’t designed to demoralise each other. It was a refreshing feeling, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the debates as much as I did, had it not been for the camaraderie us two sides had established.
TPT: What made you interested in legislation and interested in joining the Youth Parliament?
I come from a line of incredibly accomplished civic leaders, politicians and legislators from the Philippines!
On the Yaneza side of my family, there is my Lolo Venancio Yaneza, who was a rancher, farmer, civic leader and legislator. As a young lawyer, he became part of the legislative staff of Senator Helena Benitez in the mid-60s. Aside from being a well-loved civic leader among his peers and constituents, Lolo Ven represented his agricultural province at the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He was also voted as a member of parliament and was an Assemblyman for the province of Masbate in 1984. Working for the national government in the late 70s and early 80s, his work was instrumental in establishing peace with insurgents in the Southern Philippines during that time. Incidentally, my Lolo Ven’s mother, Lola Azon, was the original civic leader in their family as she served as a councilwoman for several years in their hometown in the Bicol region.
Meanwhile, on the Bagatsing side, there is my great grandfather, Ramon Bagatsing, Sr., who was mayor of the capital City of Manila from 1971 to 1986. My great grand Lolo Monching was dubbed “the incorruptible” for his clean track record in public service.
Meanwhile, on the Bagatsing side, there is my great grandfather, who was mayor of the capital City of Manila, Ramon Bagatsing. My great grand Lolo Ramon was dubbed the incorruptible for his clean track record in public service. He was also cited as the nation’s ’10 most useful legislators’. Outside of politics, he has also served as the chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. I find this fascinating, as here I am four generations later, representing the Australian Red Cross at Parliament.
Further on the Bagatsing side, there is also my grandfather, Human Rights Lawyer Reynaldo Bagatsing. Lolo Rey was Pasay City Councilor in 1970. As well as Pasay City Vice Mayor from 1986-1988. He would spend his birthday at the City Jail, providing free legal counsel for those who could not afford it.
On my paternal mother’s side of the family, the Beyers, my great great grandmother Linggayu Gambuk Beyer, was actually the leader of her indigenous tribe of ethnic Ifugaos, a position she inherited from her father, who was the tribe chieftain. She was greatly admired by her community and ruled just as strictly and bravely as any male leader would have.
TPT: How does your family background in public service and legislation work tie into your career now?
Having grandparents who fought for human rights and represented people in need, I grew up being aware of how important it is to give equal rights to others or at least give them a fighting chance. Growing up, I also became aware of how privileged I am compared to so many others.
I am thankful that my family background has made me not only aware of this but has also deeply ingrained in me a sense of right and wrong and how to be an ally. I find myself constantly motivated. Truly it’s been a privilege having the ancestors I have. I’ve got a natural interest in current affairs and politics, civic involvement and leadership even if I am no longer in the Philippines.
To involve myself in spaces with individuals focused on knowledge, growth and public service has been a natural inclination for me. My grandfathers and great grandfather, and even great great grandmothers, were all pioneers ahead of their time. I’m privileged to say that having the ancestors I have has given me not just added motivation but also an added sense of responsibility for what it means to be a civic-minded leader.
I draw knowledge from my forefathers, I am a product of their accomplishments and hard work. Whatever I have attained today is an extension of them and part of their legacy in serving others. My success was never just my success, I always like to think my success is their success too. It has never been difficult for me to dream big. If ever I feel like I’m losing motivation to dream big, I just need to remember they would never stop dreaming big for me.
All the achievements that have come before me have definitely influenced the choices I make for my career. I purposefully choose opportunities, programs and community involvement that reflect my interest in public service and legislation. I think it’s lovely how my family history has repeated itself with what I’ve gotten myself involved in.
With each small step I take, I am also slowly coming into my own, letting my voice be heard as I learn to be an ally to others. In the process of it all, I’m learning to become a leader for my generation too.
TPT: What do you hope to achieve?
I’ve got so many goals I aim to get around to! I definitely know I’m establishing myself as a person who is passionate about more than one thing. Recently, I’ve figured out what I’d like to do for my Bachelor’s. I’m now studying to become a Teacher. I’m constantly looking forward to working with young people.
I’m hoping that I can continue to be involved in the leadership space somehow. I’m always going to find a way to involve myself in decision-making processes, public service, and youth empowerment. Outside of that, I’m passionate about mental health advocacy for young people.
I’m hoping I can learn to be an ally to those around me. I’m hoping I can be a role model for younger Filipina girls to look up to. I was 16 years old when I moved to Australia, and I wish I saw more Filipina women in spaces of leadership. I’m hoping to motivate other young Filipina girls to get into leadership spaces.
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