“The public loves a winner” could never be so applicable in the chronicling of events. In battles, the names of the winners were emblazoned in gold and marbles markers. In crime cases, the police officer who solved the case would get the accolades. In political contests, the names of winners were in the headlines of newspapers.
The general losing the battles, the murderer and the victims, and the losing candidates were almost invariably forgotten. This is the story of Mang Atong, the perennial loser for public office who lived in Tondo long time ago.
One of the most important democratic legacies Filipino learned from the Americans was the elections of public officials to run the government in local and national levels. After fulfilling certain basic requirements, anyone rich or poor, educated or not, brilliant or a moron, as well as male or female and in-between, could run for public office. This is the very essence of democracy. Of course, winning is another story.
As far as many could recollect, Donato Marcelo (Mang Atong) would always be a candidate for public office in every election. Unfortunately, he never wins.
So in that part of Tondo, Mang Atong earned the moniker of being “the perennial candidate”.
A political defeat at the polls would discourage many candidates to run again, but Mang Atong was even emboldened to run again in the next election. If the song “Let me try again” was composed during the Commonwealth period and years following it, that certainly would fit Mang Atong’s theme song.
“Why don’t you tell your husband to avoid being the laughing stock of the community, Mrs Marcelo” asked by Councillor Miraflor when he met Mang Atong’s wife at the City Hall.
“My husband must be a big fool trying to run without a political affiliation and funds. All he had are platforms, strategies and action plans, whatever they meant, replied the wife. “Truth to say, all he does is dream of being a politician, while I work hard to keep the family going”, she concluded and left.
When the election year for mayor and councillors came, this old loser would start to organize his political strategy. He would contact ward leaders and other people who like the members of his family could not dissuade him for what he was doing. Many knew his limited resources and the fact that no political party would take him seriously. However, the kibitzers and rah-rah groups would egg him to throw his hat into the ring to get a free meals and drinks.
Mang Atong would convert his residential house as his political headquarters and would try to scrounge money for his campaign funds. Businessmen would not contribute to a sure loser, as his friends and kin would become rare commodities.
“A quitter never wins” would be the logic of some self-anointed ward leaders quoting the motion of Manuel Uy, the sweepstake king selling the lottery tickets.
Weeks before the election, Mang Atong house would always full of people, from fake leaders to hungry stomach. Some would lay out plans and strategies to get votes, as well as sure-fire proposals. In the end, all of these would require funding.
Mang Atong had already mortgaged his house and even loan sharks would not extend him any centavo.
A “Meeting de Avance” on the eve of election would climax the campaign. Mang Atong would make his last fling in terms of expenditure, a go-for-broke situation. There would be a parade, food and entertainment. The whole night was a Mardi Gras. By dawn, many are still celebrating at the candidate’s expense.
In any election, all candidates are hopeful no matter how the odds stood. The whole election day, Mang Atong’s headquarter which was his home was full of people. By noon, only few were left. By nightfall, when counting began, the home was completely empty.
“What went wrong”? “I will win next time” declared Mang Atong as he stared at the tally tables at his house which served as his campaign headquarters.
Mang Atong aspiration to win the public position never came. He became haggard, aged and disappointed to what had happened to him.
Pacific War came and later the enemy occupation. Due to scarcity of prime commodities, the enemy administration established neighbourhood associations to serve as distribution center for these basics staples.
Many would not cooperate with the enemy in any way, Mang Atong was appointed as chairman of this local association. He gladly accepted the public office.
In his new job as administrator, he worked diligently and distribution would always be on time. He could not be enticed to black market the items for he wanted to help the needy. He also worked from early morning till late at night
He was indeed a bundle of energy in serving the constituents. If he was only given the chance on his political aspiration, he can be a good public servant.******