PERHAPS by this time, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) wannabees are on the brink of getting high with fever for their various efforts to win votes this coming Monday, May 14 for the synchronized barangay and SK elections.
Many I have heard, are having their political war chests depleting with resources as the campaign for barangay elections today had become too pompous, seemingly patterned after national and local elections in the country. Some youth say that elections in the barrios had leveled up.
I had handled election campaigns in the past, organizing leaders and campaigners, setting up caucuses and other barangay election activities. Then, barrio folks are too eager to listen to their aspiring ka-barangays’ political platforms and aspirations. In some instances, groups of residents are even the ones requesting for simple meetings just to know the plans of their candidates for barangay positions.
Campaign materials then are simply made of cardboard hung on poles and walls or the simple newsprint paper with the names of candidates hand painted. Small flyers are then made of ordinary sheets of cut paper with the handwritten names of aspirants.
Some had their names stamped-padded on paper with the usual stamp pad ink. These crude materials used for campaign were proven to be effective then with the loyalty of voters to their bets.
Barangay election campaigns today even if some people call the elections as merely “bularit” or “pam-barangay lang”, had become quite ostentatious and expensive of course. I had witnessed some campaigners and candidates having their motorcade rallies which is said to be a favorite “show of force” aimed at snowballing support or simply to intimidate rivals.
There are the usual house-to-house campaigns with some residents seeing their ka-barangay aspirants for the first time. These candidates’ visits to residence are usually backed-up with campaign vehicles playing jingles that add up to the merriment of the campaign trail.
Despite the fact that barangay elections are supposed to be non-partisan, most of the candidates had formed their line-ups and their political parties in the guise of having their “team.” These groups usually have their uniforms to show their unity and the being a member of the team.
Aside from caucuses or short meetings, some conducts grand “miting de avances” complete with entertainers and snacks for the audiences. See how barangay election candidates wage their battle and spend so much resources for the positions? We might not wonder what their reasons are aside from their usual wanting to serve. At this stage of the campaign, most of the aspirants have already spent a lot.
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For a couple of weeks I have missed writing my column due to some ailments. I am with the hope now of finally getting well and write again. My apologies to my handful readers.
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Belated Happy Birthday to Annabelle Lo Ponseca and happy reading to Bernadette Rose “Baby Badette” Aguirre. They are two of the hardworking and industrious workers of the Pampanga Provincial Government.