I was politically apathetic, I must admit that with shame. I graduated from UP, a nesting place of activism and political stand, yet I only attended forums and rallies when required. Instead of will, spit and fire, I have with me my umbrella and fan in tow.
I guess a long barrage of disappointments and a sense of helplessness created for me a shell of indifference. I am actually annoyed with elections because aside from almost always coinciding with my birthday, I am perpetually bothered by unintelligent jingles. And the more stupid they sound, the worse LSS you get.
Then I married into a very politically-aware family.
I am forced albeit self-imposed to evaluate and be more aware. My late father-in-law was the Mayor for more than two decades in Roxas. He was in my opinion, a revolutionary leader, who improved the quality of life of non-voting indigineous Mangyans. Some people might say I am biased but the difference is, I have formulated that opinion long before Paolo and I got married. I am from the same place and I say with so much conviction that he was the most-loved Mayor of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. I see how much that shaped my husband’s attitude regarding politics, governance and leaders.
I am slightly embarassed in family discussions regarding politics. My eyes glazed over on talks about presidentiables, and local showbiz. Two things I don’t really care about.
Then, this election. Why am I rooting for someone with relatively no experience?
First, let me ask you, What experience are you talking about?! In this corrupt government, the lesser experience you have, the more credible you are for me. I would rather start on a blank slate than with a candidate with a flowery resume filled up with “experience” serving from a corrupt institution.
What this country needs at this time is not a business or a technical leader. Maybe in ten years (dreaming?), we become like Malaysia that sprang its way up from a third-world to a developing country we’ll be needing a leader with a good sense of industrial expansion. But for a country that has more than half of its citizens below poverty line, a firm moral stand is much needed than a solid litany of experience. We are still reeling from the 9 years of nightmare we have been subjected to by an intelligent (with so much experience, mind you)...yet very cunning, little woman. What we need more than anything else is resuscitation, rehabilitation…healing. What we need is someone with a strong moral stand.
I am no political connoisseur. I was actually, as I pointed out, politically apathetic. But somehow Noynoy being a candidate stirred a basic patriotic instinct in me, a sense of idealism that I never really saw in recent years. For the last years, we always end up choosing between lesser evils. This time, I believe not just so much on the “Noynoy promise” alone but the great legacy of integrity. A promise is just that: a promise. But I would rather bank on a legacy of change and a new beginning than hold my breath to a Salesman’s talk.
I guess some people might be sick of the last months that we were subjected what others might call a thinly-veiled political schema of Remembering and Honoring the late Aquinos. But the worst that Noynoy can be called is a little unsure bird maybe lacking in fire perched in a great, established heritage. But really, is riding on your parents’ legacy as worse as an all-out in your face corruption or worse, an alliance with a nightmare administration?
I believe that a good leader should have a bit of reluctance with power. It is not a sign of weakness, but a way to audit and evaluate their capability. It is always said, when you think you have arrived, that’s the end of you.
We are voting not just for a person, but what that person represents, what they stand for and all the people behind them. Nine years of exploitation is more than enough.
I’m taking Kris this time, over Gloria. Thank you.
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