YOUNG VOICE
Campus Politics
I had my generous share of politics back in elementary and high school. For seven straight years since Grade 3 until 3rd year high school, I created a dynasty. I seem to be a landslide favorite for class president. In my senior year, I also became Student Council President. It never occurred to me that I might have pulled those off with my irresistible charms and tantalizing charisma.
Years later, I found out I may not even have either of them. But, honestly, unlike some, campus politics for me wasn’t just another venue for additional extracurricular points. I have that undying urge to reach out. I wanted to help. My campaign speeches that enclosed words promising service through the cleanliness campaign, library expansion, peer counseling program and enrichment of student-administration relationship, mirrored my pure and determined spirit to serve without dirty personal motives. I and my voters were too idealistic then, that we never realized how real politics differ greatly to ours. Sometimes, when I look back, I couldn’t help but grin.
Real politics is far different from the free-spirited and taintless campus politics inside the walls of checkered skirts and colorful lunchboxes. When two groups of students fight over the chalk-drawn hopscotch spot in the quadrangle, student leaders simply suggest the taking-turns strategy. To everybody’s surprise, it would work out perfectly. When the administration and opposition parties brawl over yet another dance step or some intrigued house bill, country leaders would suggest the most complex solutions, and much to no one’s surprise, would lead the argument to be even more complicated.
Campus and real politics differ in the organization of priorities. When the girls’ bathroom stink more than the boys’, the student leaders sought ways to add more fresheners and fix the broken pipes and loose flushers. When a third of the archipelago was smothered in landslide and flood, the country leaders argued about how to sing correctly the Lupang Hinirang. Campus politics dealt stink with soap, which is logical. Real politics dealt casualties with sing-a-long competitions, it seems quite a bit logical doesn’t it?
I registered myself at the COMELEC office of our municipality. Now that I can vote, I won’t let this privilege pass.
Frankly, I’m tired of the prevailing system of Philippine politics. I know a simple newbie voter, such as myself, won’t send a massive hurricane that would snap everyone back to their senses. But I’ll continue dreaming, that one day hopefully, real politics will resemble the old campus politics --- pure, determined and
service-oriented with occasional tolerable motives for extracurricular points.
Still, my fellow voters and would be voters, let us not waste the opportunity of suffrage. We still have 12 months to figure this out. We still have 12 months to get to know the candidates. We still have 12 months to have second thoughts about our bets.
Politics seem to be such an interesting field if its meaning is given justice. I am at awe how man can set aside denominations and use his power of leadership to bring a common group to progress. But, because politics is now glued to the notions of corruption, graft and nepotism, my hope is a little bit shaken. I am afraid that someday, the world will cease to know its true definition. My brother even asked, why is it when election season comes near, road widening and asphalt laying sprout like weeds everywhere.
His mind is still attached to campus politics. Why can’t real politics be like campus politics?
First, you make a promise to the voters. Then, they
vote for you. After which, you fulfill the promise. It should go that way. Yet, I am aware that in today’s materialistic and egocentric society, no one will remain as the pure, determined and service-oriented class president. Each of us has our own dirty ideations. That is why we must keep our eyes peeled to see who’s the least dirty among them.
I’d like to share my three simple qualifications that a certain candidate should have in order to get my vote. One, he or she must do something to uplift the family. Two, he or she must value the youth. And three, he or she must know how to prioritize, objectively.
Knowing how the Lupang Hinarang was composed note for note by Julian Felipe is just bonus qualification.
My fellow youth, be counted this next election. Everyone, we still have twelve months.
(For comments and reactions email to reylangarcia@gmail.com. View http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)