In a week’s time, elections will be upon us. I normally do not talk about (least of all, blog about) politics. The dirt that is continually stirred up is enough to give me an asthmatic attack just reading the newspapers.
A sample ballot is plastered right in front of my computer. And so far, it is still almost all blank.
For the senatorial slate, I am sure to vote straight for the 3 Kapatiran candidates (Adrian Sison, Zosimo Paredes and Martin Bautista). No question about it! I can see the sincerity in their faces and being non-politicians, they are even more credible. They have a platform that does not only talk of the social and economic dimensions but more so, the MORAL and SPIRITUAL dimensions that I found lacking in the platforms of old political candidates. I came across an article where Kapatiran had supposedly accepted the possibility of NOT making it — but what the heck. I want to make a personal statement through my vote. I am sick and tired of all the empty promises and the stench of corruption surrounding the elections. It is high time that decency is brought back not just to the polls but to the nation in general. Moral decay is all around us. Only we can clean our backyards.
I have 9 more senatorial candidates to go! Nope, 8. I am voting for Chiz Escudero pala. Over the next few days, I will try to complete my magic 12. Ang hirap!
Now, the bright and hopeful side of all this is a 16-year old lady by the name of Mikaela Irene Fudolig. She is the 16-year old Summa graduate of UP for 2007. Her valedictory message intrigued me no end because I always imagined that it was the road less traveled that would take our nation out of its misery. In fact, “The Road Less Traveled” by M.Scott Peck, M.D. is on my to-read booklist for this summer.
But this young lady defies all norms and exhorts us all NOT to take the road less traveled but instead, she calls on her batchmates:
Do NOT just take courage, for courage is not enough. Instead, be BRAVE!…
Do NOT just be strong in your convictions, for strength is not enough. Instead, DEFY the pressure to lead a comfortable, but middling life…
Take NOT the road less traveled. Rather, MAKE new roads, BLAZE new trails, FIND new routes to your dreams…
In UP’s website, I learned that Fudolig was only 11 and a sophomore at QC Science High School when admitted into UP. She is the youngest graduate ever of UP and was admitted (and this is where my jaws drop…) without a high school diploma and without taking the UPCAT. Where it takes a general weighted average (GWA) of 1.20 to graduate summa, Fudolig does so with a GWA of 1.099.
This bemedalled lady could literally pick and choose what to do with her life. She could apply for the best position her BS Physics degree can get her abroad. Any company worth their salt will be privileged to have her work for them. And yet, she chooses to give back to her alma mater and to this country. In her own words she says: “And so I put my money where my mouth is. Today, I place myself in the service of the University, if it will have me. I would like to teach, to share knowledge, and perhaps to be an example to new UP students in thinking and striving beyond the limits of the possible.”
This kind of mindset is what we need so badly in government — the desire to give one’s best to the nation without counting the cost. Several years down the road, I am hoping that Fudolig’s example would inspire many others in her generation to continue hoping and continue working to make this a better nation. If we can still turn out youth who think and act like her, we have a good chance of turning this country around once they are old enough to run in the 2 houses of Congress.
I’m voting 9-3, 9 from the opposition and 3 from Kapatiran.
I am definitely voting most of the opposition candidates. But am still thinking whether to include the Independent guy….
I dropped Mr. Noted. I believe its time to make a stand. Calling for Gloria’s resignation is not enough, she must be held responsible/accountable. I don’t like wuzzies who place safe.
The politicians are now aware that we, the electorate are more informed. They will be careful and more sincere in dealing with us. They know we’ll be watching their every move. I’m sending a political statement with my vote.
You’re right, Schumey! Our votes should be our statements. However, I am not totally convinced yet to vote some of the opposition candidates. OK, will spend a few days mulling these last few slots in my sample ballot. Worse case, I may leave some lines blank.
The people do seem better informed now. I think we’ve crossed some invisible line and now want to tell these trapos that enough is enough.
They should make a stand with issues and not be wishy-washy; otherwise people will hold them accountable and remember what they stood (or didn’t stand) for.