It has only been days after the Philippine presidential elections and the winner is yet to be proclaimed. There's actually no need for a proclamation, it appears that the new president of the Philippines is no other than (drum roll please....) Noynoy Aquino.
It is rather disappointing to see the same family names, same people winning yet again.
The elections never mattered to me before. I hardly paid attention to the candidates because I was resolved to the idea that nothing will ever change. Regardless who the winner is, they will just be as bad as the last or maybe even worse. I grew up thinking that politicians only have self-serving interests in mind. Vote-buying was and still is prevalent everywhere, people approach you in the voting precincts with cash, groceries and a sample ballot. Of course, a percentage of the population would stay away from these creeps and would not want to be associated with them in any way but the sad fact is a lot of the voters would accept the bribes out of sheer desperation. I made a vow never to participate in ANY election because no candidate will ever be good enough or have the right intentions. That's how hopeless the situation was.
It is rather disappointing to see the same family names, same people winning yet again.
The elections never mattered to me before. I hardly paid attention to the candidates because I was resolved to the idea that nothing will ever change. Regardless who the winner is, they will just be as bad as the last or maybe even worse. I grew up thinking that politicians only have self-serving interests in mind. Vote-buying was and still is prevalent everywhere, people approach you in the voting precincts with cash, groceries and a sample ballot. Of course, a percentage of the population would stay away from these creeps and would not want to be associated with them in any way but the sad fact is a lot of the voters would accept the bribes out of sheer desperation. I made a vow never to participate in ANY election because no candidate will ever be good enough or have the right intentions. That's how hopeless the situation was.
Then came the 2010 elections and there was one candidate who stood out from all the rest. A candidate whose platform did not revolve around empty promises. The man had a vision, he knew that temporary remedies will not alleviate the country's economic situation. He had foresight, he knew that things are not going to be easy but he knew that the only way to help people is to attack the root cause of the country's issues. I found myself regretting the decision I made early on, I wished so badly that I was a registered voter so I can support him. Gibo Teodoro has awakened my passion for change. He made me believe that it's not as hopeless as I thought it was. After all, there are people like him who has something else to offer other than the traditional way of running the country.
He did not bring celebrities to dance and sing in front of the populace. He did not give out election paraphernalia just to please people. He did not ask the country's biggest stars to campaign for him. He went on to present his plans for the Philippines in debates, universities and other venues where people would hear what he has to offer. He did not engage in mudslinging, did not utter any negative comment about any of his opponents when he had every opportunity to do so.
From thefreedictionary.com
Circus - a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment
What scares me is suffering the consequences of a decision I did not make. The Philippines is now officially a circus in the truest sense of the word. I don't want to be a part of it.
