Week 21: Voting is #BetterByBicycle

Ah it's that time in Filipino's lives again when a promise of new beginnings in Philippine governance rests upon the hands of "we the people". Today the Filipinos headed to precinct polls to cast hopefully new leaders who will shape the country's political landscape for years to come. I went to my assigned precinct as early as 6:30 AM, by bicycle of course, to avoid the kilometric queue in this very hot weather. The bicycle is always the best choice to get to there because I get to be spared from getting stuck when traffic builds up as I approach the precinct. But I ended up queueing for my turn to vote anyway (as anticipated). That's why I always have my bag, so I can bring a book, a notebook and a water tumbler. I should've been enjoying the cool weather and pristine environs of Melbourne by now, I was supposed to join my parents on their vacation but I decided to delay my flight schedule for over a month so I can participate in the elections. I take my civic duty very seriously.

I feel a certain sigh of relief because since the official campaign commenced a couple of months ago, it had been very noisy, literally and virtually.  From annoying campaign jingles echoing through barangays to endless motorcades worsening traffic congestion woes of commuters. My biggest pet peeve? The giant tarpaulins with faces of mostly corrupt people, wallpapered on every street, cluttering every corner and adding more burden to the plastic pollution crisis. Online, the noise was all over my feeds. Social media is a political battleground, flooded with sponsored posts, attack ads, viral memes, and waves of misinformation. Troll farms and keyboard warriors operated at full capacity, pushing hashtags, manufacturing outrage, and deepening political divides. So yeah, it's such a relief to return to normal days.

But then, a wave of anxiety and depression also fills me in as I anticipate the results. The surveys on voter preference were very disheartening. The same old, corrupt, incompetent and unqualified figures were consistently topping independently commissioned surveys. As I type now, the counting of results may have already began, I'm not sure, I haven't checked. I'm still preparing myself for a possible disappointment (most likely). It's always been like this ever since I started voting that it's starting to feel like a masochistic pursuit. Despite this, I still choose to be hopeful. Hope keeps us to move forward even in the direst situation. I know that change will not come quickly or visibly. But by remaining hopeful, I get to convince myself that my small actions will make an impact in the long run. Hope sustains the people who plant, knowing the future generation will one day reap the fruits. 

When the results are in, and if it turns out to be as heartbreaking as the last election, the narrative that it's difficult to love the country will resurface once more among frustrated citizens. But people shouldn't take corrupt politicians as synonymous to the country. The sociopolitical structure maybe flawed and dirty but there's no doubt that the Philippines is a beautiful country inhabited by heartwarming people. It is the homeland that nurtured and shaped me to be the person that I am now. It is worth loving and protecting. Our civic duty does not end when we cast our vote, it's just the beginning. Democracy is not just about showing up on election day; it’s about staying informed, holding leaders accountable, engaging in community efforts, and standing up for what is right all the time. True nation-building happens not just through ballots, but through constant participation, vigilance, and action.