To be blunt about it, I've never been this invested in politics until this recent election. I am that one kid in a sea of student activists who paid less attention to politics back in college despite being part of a socio-political student-led organization. Why? First, because politics is dirty. You don't know how dirty it can get here in my country. It seems like Niccolò Machiavelli is everyone's mentor in all the wrong ways. And second, it kept repeating itself, sadly this time again.
My sullen apathy could be traced back to all the moments the 11-year-old Pat sat in front of the tiny, old television and watched people in power get away with every single charge from plunder, to tax evasion, to graft and corruption, to name a few. All it took was a broken neck and connections, connections with those who are in power. People could be enemies now and friends later all in the name of survival. There's no such thing as sticking to one set of values; people befriend whoever could give them the power to rule. Told you, it's dirty. And as a Filipino, I am not proud of it. 💔
But this election was the turning point. After a few weeks that outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo announced her Presidential race, I thought we finally had that one rare opportunity we've all been waiting to come. A chance for more inclusive growth, for accountable and reliable government, for a transparent leader. I didn't just end up loving Leni for no reason or for hate for other candidates. If people could've only listened to her without mocking her because she's a just woman, if they could've critically read her platform one by one, if they could've opened their hearts to the endless possibilities of positive changes her administration could offer, maybe we could've done better as a nation yesterday. For months, VP Leni's volunteer-led nation-wide campaign flourished like blossoming roses in a wild forest and it sparked hopes in our hearts that we are finally nearing a new era, a new dawn not perfect but better than what we've all been getting in the last six (6) years or so. But as they say, we missed our chance. We missed the last train.
The last 22 hours have been disheartening. It felt like breaking up with my first love all over again. You know that kind of pain that may heal on the surface but may never truly fade in time. That's the kind of pain each and every supporter of VP Leni feels now. My circles have been crying since last night and staring at walls like they don't exist, some even took a day off just to let the frustrations pass. We are all heart broken not because Leni lost the fight, but because the Philippines lost its chance to redeem itself once and for all.
We fought a fight for the underrepresented, the marginalized, the commoners, a fight to restore people's trust in democracy. We fought the good fight until the end. And in another life, I'd gladly and proudly do the same. For now, the majority has spoken and they crowned a thief! What a ridiculous sight to behold!
I've tried figuring out why people wanted the dictator's son on the seat, but things don't sum up just yet. Well, I guess I have 6 years to figure that out. At the moment this community helped me in dealing with my disappointment and frustrations which are now over-the-top.
What happens next? You, the world will be watching. I hope you don't watch us march on the streets again. Else, find me there! 💪
So, you are that one kid who was part of the org but was more interested in acad. Hahaha. I was the opposite. "The Prince" was like one of the basics if you are into campus politics and/or journalism.
To be honest, I felt the same, but this isn't my first time on the block. I've been disappointed election after election after election. You will learn to live with it. So, in a way, I wasn't really surprised by the outcome. I felt optimistic that this could have been the one where we grew as a nation, and showed political maturity, but, not yet as evidenced by the results. So, again, back to the drawing boards.
There's plenty of things to do while waiting. Six years is a really long time to be more vigilant about fake news, misinformation, disinformation, revisionism, etc. What we can do is the opposite: to sow the seeds of truth, to fact-check, to be more vocal about who the best and the brightest leaders are, to create a strong social media presence that can counteract what they've done.
All is not lost, it is not just a sea of volunteers that we witnessed but a budding social movement, and more importantly, we are the writers of the next chapters in our nation's history so this is not yet the end of the story for us. Cheers! ✊
Yup, that's me! The kid who ended up collecting membership dues and making sure the org had funds 'coz that's the safest place to be while maintaining acads and serving the people pa rin hehe 3 years din yun! Takot na takot akong tumakbo dati kahit alam kong kaya ko naman. Baka pagalitan ako ng Mama ko haha Acads is life kasi si mother😅
Ahhh, ang sarap lang basahin, ang sarap damhin. Hindi naman matatapos lahat ng sinimulan natin. Patuloy parin sa paglaban! Yan sinumpaan natin eh. Para sa bayan, ngayon at kailanman. 🥰
Parents always want the best for us; I understand your mother. Nanay for the win! 😊 Sa pag-usad pasulong ng panahon ay unti-unti rin umuusbong ang tama at katotohanan. Mabagal at makupad man marahil dahil sa mabigat ang dinadalang pasanin. Sa dulo ay darating rin ang panahon na aanihin ng lahat ang lahat ng itinanim.
Na elect na sila wala na magawa, hwag muna natin husgahan,tingnan muna natin kung ano magawa. Tagal na ako di naka boto dahil nasa ibang bansa at malayo sa city. Hindi ko alam sino mabuti o masama, sa sinabi mo,nalungkot ako fir both side😔😔😔. Wala ako kampihan pero masabi ko lang give a chance kasi nanalo na kasi.. Ginawa ang election para pipili ang tao. Tanggapin muna natin. Proud of you bravely open this in this playform😇.
Hello po, Ma'am @olivia08. By virtue of no choice, dyan na po talaga tayo papunta, titingnan na lang po natin kung ano pong kayang gawin. Nakakalungkot lang. Hindi ko naman po sinasabing walang magagawa, yung sa akin lang po, may better person to do the job po sana. Pero the people voted already and that's it na po. We still hope a better Philippines under his administration pa rin naman. Ipanalangin na lang po natin ito! 🙏🙏🙏
A very sad reality. :(
We will hope for a better Philippines under his administration pa rin! 😍
yes, that's right... there's nothing we can do but help make the Philippines a better place.
I hear you, Pat. 😩
Asa ang taaaggaaaayyy???? Charett, isa ra diay ka smirnoff ang kaya ba haha 😂
Hahaha see you soon chika niya ta hehe
I am one of the “silent” supporters of VP Leni because some of my friends are for that “thief”. When I asked them, they just don’t want VP Leni to be the next president which I think is very subjective. They bashed and threw fake news at her but I just kept quiet because I respected their decisions.
I could’ve said good things about her. I could’ve defended her.💔 Now I have to endure and accept the results.
Nevertheless, we to move forward and be alert.
It's okay, Jes. I understand where you're coming from. I also chose to stay silent when I'm with people who are too close-minded to hear anything, even facts. Lisod kaayo na sila ka storya so might as well save your energy.
And yes, move forward nata but we shall never forget! Let's spread love but stay on the right track, where truth prevails. 🥰
@tipu curate
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I can feel your frustration and disappointment, Miss Pat 😪 It is so frustrating to know that no matter how noble our causes are; how pure our intentions are for the good of all Filipino people; how hard we worked to inform others, it seemed like none of it mattered. Because in the end, when money comes in the picture, many people are, unfortunately, willing to take a blind eye. Nonetheless, as what VP Leni has said, our fight doesn't end here. Papunta pa lang tayo sa exciting part, charrr 🤣 Let's continue standing for what is right! Labaaaan 🌸
Ahhhh @wholesamdiaries, daghan nata! 💔 Sad kaayu oy and kapoy sad biya usahay. Makawala gyud gana sa life. Pero padayon gihapon pa! Padayon! 💪🥰
I was rooting for Ping Lacson. I guess the negative campaigning did not work out for VPLeni..
Anyone but him unta gyud pero the people have spoken naman. I'm trying to sit back and relax na. Padayon lang gihapon sa pakigbisog if kinahanglan! 💪
One of the most powerful quotes that applies in many countries and situations around the world is "If voting actually mattered, it would be illegal".
On a national scale this is largely the way how things work. Don't get too invested in any one particular candidate or person because they are selected rather than elected. Voting nationally is a game of who gets the most money and can convince the powers behind the curtain that they will obey. The best success we have is to vote and elect local leaders over our communities. That is where we have the best chance to start to drive change and improve ourselves and our communities. Nationally it's largely a waste of time so don't get too upset on that front. If you have local elections, participate in those as strongly as you can! You will be able to gain much more satisfaction and see results much better than something on a national scale.