IT IS this particular time of month that the campaign for office begins, our television sets advertise specific party lists of aspiring politicians, certain colors showcase your support, songs played over and over until it’s almost impossible to remember its original lyrics, certainly a lot of pictures all over our cities and again, we are introduced to these familiar faces who say that they can be a solution.
Just last October, I waited in line with mostly people who are about my age. Very soon, we’ll stand in a much longer line to fill out a ballot and speak like every citizen should.
I’m thinking how easy the process of shading beside a number and name and if given the accountability to choose could inspire greater effort to be truly involved.
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There are quite a number of groups that encourage those who can, to vote. Vote because it’s practical? Vote because it is expected? Vote because it is a moral obligation? Why do we vote?
There are so many complaints about how our country needs leaders whom we can put in a position above us with the thought of rising with them. Far too long now, there are Filipinos who have to drive their tricycles past midnight to make ends meet, who say goodbye to a loved one in a public hospital for the lack of finances, children who deserve an education, the educated who find more comforts in the opposite side of the world and poverty that consistently threaten a family’s future.
We cannot fail to overlook that there were also promises, every kind of platform for every kind of crisis and problem. I’d rather walk in the light of those who fight for a better change.
We want a government who not only smile and wave but instead offer a hand of hope. Everyone wants a place we can call home, that while we promote the beauty of our tourist destinations there must also be beauty in everyday life. Since we have this need to belong to where we are being who we are, we must learn to want it enough to do something and make a decision that extends outside our necessities.
I will cast my vote this coming election. It is one vote but it is mine. I have always known myself to be Filipino but to be able to finally take part in an event where we can respond to what we see is lacking, makes me feel like I really am one. I’ve learned that it is easy to lose faith in someone yet I refuse to lose faith in our country, in us.
Forget that I am only in college, forget that I can be so limited with my contribution to society, and forget about age, gender, whatever position or label we occupy. Here is our chance to make a difference. Democracy means responsibility, understanding the best that we can possibly offer and that in many ways, we step away from the notion that corruption is permanent.
We each have our moments where we are given an opportunity to make a statement as individuals that is for one another. This is about writing down every name in that piece of paper. If we claim that we are tired of seemingly never arriving to developments, if we claim that we are so disappointed at the person who was supposed to represent our beliefs, we have to commit to our rights, our freedom and continue with our attempt to set things right.
They say that the youth are idealistic. They say you lose that optimism through the years. I wish they turn out to be wrong.
Regardless of the fact that there are so many unresolved issues that it’s hard to picture the Philippines in economic glory, I trust that we still pursue dreams that our heroes had for us and that our heroes of today wake for its happening.
Much struggling is involved, however there is much more fighting in detail. Many are hungry, sick and so desperate that they settle for money from those who take advantage of misfortune.
It shouldn’t be so long that the potential of every kid in every Bronx is realized. It shouldn’t be so long that our president knows what is to deal with outside his palace. It shouldn’t be far from now that we join the count of supporters for transformation.
You might call it idealism, mere imaginings but I am simply relaying the reasons why I vote. There is love, too and there is concern towards the nurses without jobs, the boys who show for their rugby session, teachers who struggle, the parents who can’t afford, to my family and your family.
We vote because it matters. We vote because we are worth it. Why shouldn’t we vote?
And my one last question is, who do we vote for?
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