HE DUNNIT. Barack Obama made it to a very White House as the first black president of the United Sates of America. Or maybe that should be: they dunnit. The U.S. voting population has just elected its first black president. And no matter what color blinds we have, put on - or pretend to - it's historic.

My interest lies, however, in how Fil-Ams react to this. I'm a little surprised that among the good number I know, they by and large supported McCain. Four of the Fil-Ams I asked are with the military, which is a traditional Republican stronghold. They do adhere to the maxim that what's good for the GOP is good for the military. One of these Fil-Ams even takes a trip to the U.S. just to vote. Never mind absentee voting.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Another McCain man was so displeased with the election result that he got his investments out of the market the day after. His entire milieu doesn't trust Obama's "socialistic" economic policy of "spreading the wealth." I.e., taxing the rich more. Their sentiment: "What kind of policy is that! You should be taxed based on the established rate and not on your social stature. What is the purpose of working more or harder? You get "penalized" in taxes if you attain a certain social standing... "

I do have someone who tells me straight though: "Ayoko sa itim.

Ayoko sa cultura nila. Basta ayoko sa kanila." It takes all kinds.

It was interesting to watch the US presidential election, even if one did so in bits and pieces. Watching America grapple with the race issue (or non-issue) along with the economic meltdowns that accompanied the whole election season, was good T.V. Best moment: when Cooper Anderson had a guest in the CNN center via hologram.

Classic Star Wars.

(November 16, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.