YOUNG VOICE
Election reflections
Two hours and thirty-seven minutes. I waited in line just to smudge my index finger with indelible ink easily rubbed off by two pea-sized drops of a cheap sanitizer. I could have read a Nicolas Sparks’ novel and be three-fourths done. I could have watched around four episodes of GLEE. I could have sang the entire Lady Gaga album and even master her bizarre dance steps. But, I continued to wait. I waited in line to feed the infamous PCOS machine a ballot that would ascertain me that I am still residing in a democratic country. Two hours and thirty-seven minutes. I waited that long just to vote. And with a queue moving slower than a snail, I was able to come up with some tidbit-sized realizations, amateur analysis of a political exercise from an amateur first-time voter.
Filipinos wanted change badly.
Thirty eight million Filipinos got their messages across. The recent elections was said to have the highest turn out of voters since 1978. Filipinos left their usual routine so they could vote. Lolo walked some three-kilometers to his voting precinct. He may have to delay tilling his small rice field, but he feels no regret. He is voting for a certain candidate for municipal mayor, who promised Lolo a more productive future for his crops.
Clearly, Filipinos wanted their bets to grab the seat, hoist the much-coveted positions and fulfill the shimmering promises of a less-poorer Philippines.
But they're not doing much to impregnate change.
Yes, it is responsible of you to drag your heavy butt to the voting precinct and exercise suffrage. But our voices remain fickle and overpowered by last-minute campaign jingles and a vendor’s popcorn machine. Voting precincts had their grounds carpeted with a linoleum of sample ballots, food containers, all things belonging to rubbish.
By simply throwing garbage on its appropriate bin would show how apt a Filipino is for his or her so-called change. For change to happen, we need action.
Filipinos are loyal and use this value to unite.
Countless people are seen with green ballers, orange printed caps and T-shirts and even yellow-ribbon car stickers. This just goes to show that we are capable of uniting for a common cause. Loyalty can beget unity. We just need to find the right mixture of colors to create a rainbow or bond that is so powerful.
Now that the roulette landed on the yellow-man, I am pleased. Not only because my bet won but also his opponents have publicized their concession and have made known their willingness to support. I am sensing a bright rainbow for my country; I hope I will not be disappointed.
Filipinos have weird reasons.
Most voted for Gibo because he is smart and has great fashion sense. Others voted for Erap because he’s the alleged champion of poverty and has great hair. Some voted for Villar because he’s wealthy and has the experience.
Lapid’s my man because hell yeah, he can ride a horse! Revilla’s my dude y’all because he’s dreamy. Jamjam’s my bet because she’s damn pretty and hot. Oh please, any more sensible reasons? I hope each Filipino will grow, enough to judge a candidate’s worth through his character, intentions and reliability. Let’s be mature voters.
Filipinos can be honest if they want to.
The usual notion of Philippine politics is dirty and cheat-infested. A day before the election, I withdrew Php 4,000 from my ATM and guess what, I was given 20 two-hundred peso bills and so did the rest who also withdrew from their ATMs. My mother then speculated it was just the banks’ effort to provide a convenient way for political desperados to buy votes. My classmates shared several enveloped sliding through their front gates with some 300, 500 or 1,000 cash along with a sample ballot. Some took the money and brought a gallon of ice cream and did not vote for a cheating candidate. But most of them refused and gave back the envelopes with the cash. Many Filipinos reported cases of vote-buying and it was one way of proving that we’re naturally honest and like things clean. Most trademarked corrupt candidates, previously holding positions, failed to win the support of the majority (and I’m so tempted to name some; in your face cheaters!)
Two hours and thirty-seven minutes. I waited that long just to vote.
But it was worth it. My candidate won.
Yet, it’s not the primary reason why I see the point of those two-hours and thirty seven minutes.
I saw hope.
I saw a people though not yet fully geared up, but are yearning for change.
I hope my yellow-man can assimilate the Noypis to move, can turn a burning desire into action. (Reactions to reylangarcia@yahoo.com)
