I was out of town where smart bro is not smarter enough to have a signal. So this is a delayed post. But not that delayed since elections is still tomorrow. I have a day for my voice to be heard.
Most people say VOTING is a right. I say it is not! VOTING is a responsibility, OUR RESPONSIBILITY, to our country. When I hear friends talking about politics, complaining on how corrupt the Philippine government is, I can’t help but raise an eyebrow because most of them did not even vote during elections. So what right do they have to ask our system when even a simple Responsibility, they have not done?
I have always been passive. When things don’t involve me, I go on with my life. But when I graduated and came to the real world, slowly, I became socially aware. I can’t help but be involved. Once, when I went to the City Hall to get a business permit, I felt like an indigent, begging them to entertain me so I can file for a permit. Why did I feel like I owe these a$$*!@^ government officials so much so that I had to beg to be entertained when in fact I have been paying my taxes well? My income tax refund for 2008 has not been returned by BIR to date. But once I got delayed in paying my monthly tax, they penalized me and made me pay twice than my usual. It hurts me to hear teachers telling students to recite the alphabet from E to G – Epple to Gero; since when did we have a three letter alphabet? I think kids deserved to learn more than that. I never had plans of going abroad but after nearly five years of working, my salary level from 1 since 2005 had only increased to 2 after five years, it made me think twice. I think there is a better life than this. And the start is this coming May 10.
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Last year, when I heard Aquino was running, I was definitely decided that he will be the one I’m voting for. As months passed, my adoration for him waned. I was basing my decision, like most Filipinos, on sensation.
Then a good-looking, well-educated man caught my attention. As early as January, I was campaigning to my friends to vote for G1BO. Once I was asked why I was voting for G1BO. With confidence, I boasted to my friends his credentials – top notched lawyer, Harvard grad, good-looking, good cook, sensible, articulate and all that jazzed. And did I already mention good-looking? My friend only retorted, “Ej, I think you’re not describing your president. You are describing your ideal man.” I was caught off guard.
Stubborn as I was, I convinced myself that I was for G1BO. I signed up to be a volunteer, became a fan in Facebook, and changed all my profile pix to anything that resembled G1BO. I was decided yet somehow it felt un-right.
Until this Monday, I saw a different light. My fascination for Green turned to RED. No, I wasn’t basing my decision based on popular ratings, nor was I looking for my ideal man. I was looking up to a leader -- A man who has proven his track record with or without the media sensation. He talks a lot of sense. He has a clear vision for our country. He knows what he wants and he knows how to do it. Red Cross. SBMA and Subic. Wow Philippines and Department of Tourism. When I hear all of these things, greatness comes into my mind. And for the first time in months, choosing GORDON felt right.
It pains me that not everyone knows what he does. The popular vote is not always the right vote. Let us decide based on qualifications not on popularity.
Choosing the lesser evil is still choosing evil. Let us stop complaining and do something. So please vote. And when you vote, please vote wisely. And when you vote wisely, vote for GORDON.
What this country needs is not just change of men but a change in men. – Richard Gordon
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