Today is May 10, 2010. The day my people will elect a new head of state, and in doing so, hopefully end nine years of political, economical, and social rape our incumbent president has so wantonly committed against the country (to the point of capitalizing on social security disability).

Hopefully.

For despite all the promises, the propaganda, the platforms, the plastic smiles and fake hugs; will electing a new leader actually solve the ills besetting my beloved Philippines? Just a little while ago I came across the following thread between several of my Facebook friends.

Friend 1 (status message): Here’s hoping for a peaceful and honest elections and a conscientious electorate! Praying for a new President who will be selfless and will have the will to bring about change back home!

Friend 1 (commenting on his own post): Sana sa next na uwi ko, may trabahong mag aantay sa akin na makakapag taguyod sa pamilya ko para di na ako bumalik! Asa ba? :p (I hope that the next time I come home, I’ll have a job waiting for me that is enough to sustain me and my family so I won’t have to come back here. I wish!)

Friend 2: Malay mo naman! Pag ganun uuwi na rin ako! (You can never tell. If that’s the case, then I’m definitely coming home!)

Friend 3: Meron (there is). but the pay’s not ever gonna be as good as where you are.

Friend 1: Meron nga ano? Sana nga lang, yung trabaho na di lang makakapuno ng pagkain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, kundi yung makakapagbigay ng comftable na bahay, kaunting kasiyahan at may naitatabi para sa bukas. Hayz! (I hope there is. And not just any job that’s enough to feed you three times a day, but a job that could give you a comfortable house, a little entertainment, and savings for the future. Sigh!)

Friend 3: i don’t think whoever’s gonna be the next pres can deliver that. Sadsad sa utang ang Pilipinas (Our country is beset with debts)…it’s only the evat and your remittances that’s keeping it afloat. but it would be a step in the right direction kung ang susunod na pangulo ay sapian talaga ng mabuting espiritu at gawin na finally ang dapat para sa bayan… (I hope the next president will suddenyly have an epiphany and finally do what is right for the country).

Sad but true. I too agree with friend number 3. But still I am hopeful. I am hopeful that whoever sits on the throne after this circus is all over will be someone willing and more importantly- capable of steering my country in the right direction. But in the meantime, I cannot help but relate to a comment I heard one of my profs say during one of our board  review sessions:

“We are the Literati. We don’t really care who
gets to sleep in Malacanang. Those things are beneath us. As long as we
do our bit and make a difference in our communities. Let them picket.
Let them yell themselves hoarse.”

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