This isn’t a political post nor an endorsement of any candidate. I believe in free choice and I feel that now more than ever. Facebook and twitter are on fire with Pinoys actively advocating for their candidates. My feed is inundated with memes, links to blogs or websites (dubious and official) personal stories, selfies with twibbons etc. Social media has become THE most powerful medium of communication for all of us who want to have our say on who the next leader of the Philippines will be. There’s probably someone on Facebook just tracking and counting all the activity that Pinoys have been doing these past few months. Wala man tayong pera pangampanya, may bala naman tayo sa social media. But therein lies the rub.
The things I read online oftentimes just have one conclusion:
“Bobo ka pag binoto mo si…”
“Tanga ka pag binoto mo si….”
Ano ba yun, the upcoming elections has made us all foolish. Politics is personal and the majority of the reasons that we pick our candidates may be right for us, based on our own experiences and so if someone picks another candidate, that’s a reflection of their own experiences too. As Coach Pia taught me, we all make the best decisions that we can at any given time. My decision for our country’s top two positions (among a host of other positions we will be voting on) reflects who I am and where I am now at this point in my life. My choice is the culmination of my thoughts, opinions and experiences.
Some may argue that drastic change is needed by our country while some say that continuity will get us farther. From what I read in FB there seems to be no compromise and no gray area. So, it’s not surprising how these online debates have caused so much grief among friends and family members. Unfollowed and unfriended — uso rin yan ngayon.
“AAAH ayaw mo ng ganito therefore ayaw mo umunlad Pilipinas, bahala ka dyan!”
Naman, no one ever wants to sabotage their own country. The thing is, after the elections, whoever wins, we all have to still live with each other. The person I will be stuck in traffic along EDSA (or wherever Waze takes me and Dan) might have voted for another candidate who I did not support. As much as I would like to pin my hopes on the new president, I know that the hard work of pushing this country forward lies with me. As much as I would like to be inspired by a new president and VP, I would much rather be inspired by my fellow Pinoys. I pray that everyone’s passion and hope for change stays with all of us even after the elections. It shouldn’t stop when our candidates lose. We shouldn’t be complacent when our candidates win either. Our country deserves better but the work towards true progress lies in all of us.
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