Tuesday, February 9 became the official start of campaign for candidates for the national elections in the Philippines. The 90- day campaign period culminates on May 10, 2010, the day when citizens of the country decide who will take them either to glory or to hell for the next six years.
Tense ang atmosphere sa Comelec office as it tries to meet deadlines. The start of printing of ballots na nga lang took 2 or 3 deferments bago tuluyang nasimulan a few days ago. The National Printing Office has started to go on 24- hour printing sked to make up for lost time. Kakayanin naman daw ayon sa kanila. Gamit nila ang Versamark2000 printing machines na galing pa sa inyo diyan sa Canada- matibay sa pukpukan talaga!
Mahihilahod din sa education campaign ang Comelec, I am sure. 61% daw ang hindi pa fully nakakaalam about poll automation- abaw, andami nyan! Sinisimulan na sa MetroManila ang pagtuturo ng tamang pagfill- up ng pagkahaba- habang balota, the longest ballot ever! Media have also been supportive in educating readers- isali mo pa ang mga paliwanag ng mga kanta ng Sexbomb girls and other singers and bands on the proper handling/filling up of ballots.
And there they go!
Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas, lead candidates of the Liberal Party, together with its senatorial bets chose Concepcion Tarlac, the Aquino’s hometown as symbolic start of their campaign. A Catholic mass officiated by 30 priests, a motorcade that led the group and followers to Capaz and ended in Tarlac City where a rally was held, a statue of Tita Cory unveiled, an evening miting de avance with Noynoy saying his campaign promises in a rap song- all in a day, whew!
Samantala, Sa hometown naman ng ating pambansang bayani, Dr. Jose Rizal pinasimulan ng Partido Nacionalista ang kanilang kampanya. Isang mahabang motorcade ang nagpasikip sa trapiko doon pero hindi pa yan, mas malaking miting de avance ang ginanap kinagabihan- Wowowee na nalipat na yata ng airtime mula katanghalian ngayon ay evening primetime na. Andun si Willy and the Kembot girls. Hanep sa saya at tilian ang mga manunuod na botante. May bonus pang duet sina Sen. Villar at pangunahing supporter nitong si Willy Revillame.
Gibo Teodoro and the rest of the candidates of the administration party Lakas- CMD chose Antipolo City, wellknown bailiwick of Lakas in MetroManila. Hindi naglakas loob kumanta ni Gibo although I have a suspicion that he can carry a tune very well. Ayaw sigurong matawag na ‘trapo’ ang palayaw dito sa ating bayan ng traditional politician, mga sinaunang style baga- kakarga sa baby ng botante, besu- beso, hugs sa mga lola, magnininong o ninang sa binyag o kasal, etc etc.
Erap and Jojo Binay were at Plaza Miranda for the Partido ng Masang Pilipino show of might. Karay- karay nila si Lito Atienza who will try to make a comeback as Manila Mayor, lalabanan ang incumbent na si ‘Dirty Harry’ Fred Lim.
The rest of the candidates for Presidency conducted simple but I think, quite symbolic first day campaigns- Jamby Madrigal, the Senator went to mass and distributed food to recent fire victims in Caloocan City. Hala kayo, masyado kasing idinidiin ang pagka sobrang rich ng apelyidong Madrigal, e. Biro nyo, tinanong si Ms. Jamby during a U.P. forum kung alam nya ang presyo ng galunggong at itlog na maalat! Of course hindi nya alam- kasi, ayon sa kanya, isa syang vegetarian.
Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas, together with his hataks from the Jesus Is Lord congregation were up and about before dawn for a mass and unfurling of the biggest Philippine flag in Luneta. Literally natabunan ang lahat sa laki at lawak- 3 or 4 hectares daw yata!
Dick’ The Flash’ Gordon and running mate Bayani Fernando went around Olongapo City in a motorcade with their Transformer mascot in tow.Hmmm, parang iyan ang nakita ko in the Christmas display of Marikina City last Christmas, a- yung gawa daw sa recycled basura- magaling, magaling at patuloy na narerecycle ang mascot na Transformer! Umawit din sina Gordon at Bayani- tanggap naman nila na wala silang pangpondo sa mga singers at artista kaya sila na lang. Aba, kaya naman!
Wait ang lahat sa pag- aantabay sa mga pagimik ng ating mga kandidato na sa mga panahong ito ay nanunuyo sa mga simpleng tao who will wield the power to enthrone their choices for the highest positions in government come May 10. Candidates step down from their pedestal to shake hands, hug, embrace and utter the sweetest of promises to. Nakaplaster ang ngiti sa mga mukha nila- hindi mapawi- pawi.
We pray that in the eventuality that they win at matanggal ang mga nakaplaster na ngiti, ang papalit namang kunot sa kanilang noo ay tanda ng kanilang malalim na pag- isip ng mga solusyon para sa matitinding problema ng ating bayan. Di bale nang hindi tayo madalas ngitian ni Mr. President, Vice- President or Senator- basta lang makahanap sila ng paraang mapangiti ang kinabukasan ng Pinoy.
Tidbits: Greetings to my former classmate, dear friend and Paris connection Marlys Alfiler- Schuermann. For movie buffs planning to visit Paris, she and travel author- husband Michael offer a unique Paris movie walk- they will take you to sites that have been settings for unforgettable movies ( Sabrina, Da Vinci Code, etc.). Their site: http://parismoviewalks.web.com.
My new friends Danny and Aida Manapat of Marikina City are saying a big HI! to family in Vancouver. Danny, an OFW will be leaving for Saudi Arabia again next month.
THANK YOU, dear wonderful readers!
