On voting and email

I’d like to dedicate this space for some of the interesting mail I’ve received recently. I love how email makes communication so easy, and I do reply to the mail I get. I don’t get a lot, though, because I think SMS is even more convenient. But I’ve gotten really nice ones these days, and I’d like to share them with you.

But first, a question: Did you vote?

But first, what’s on top of my mind is that by the time you read this column, if things went smoothly, we might have a new president, vice president, senators, congressmen, mayors, and councilors already. I do hope you exercised your right to vote, even if you just voted null. And I also hope that all the negative news being reported on TV didn’t discourage you from heading for your precinct.

I spent a good three hours watching the news in different channels before deciding to go to my precinct and check what was happening there myself. All of the reports were of how many PCOS machines bogged down, how long the lines were, how hot it was. But guess what I discovered in my own precinct? That the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in my village were doing an awesome job assisting voters in finding their precincts, so much that my brother said, “So, if not for them, saan tayo pupulutin ngayon?” But did I hear about them in the news, even as I channel surfed? No.

My own experience of voting took 30 minutes—and that’s with two snacks and the short walk to and from the precinct. Sure, it was hot. Sure, I had to line up for a while. Sure, the people were a bit disorganized. But why focus on that, when so many idealistic kids, possibly using their own resources (like laptops), were volunteering just to make a change?

News media, please. Next time, encourage us too.

PPCRV volunteers all over the country, you guys are my new heroes!

***

EMAIL FROM THE CAMOTES ISLANDS

In response to my column piece “Misheard,” Keith Allan ([email protected]), an American residing in the Camotes Islands “indefinitely” sent me email to contribute some misheard lyrics and to share the interesting story of how he came to call the Philippines his home.

His interesting tale is written in a series of forum or blog posts at http://members7.boardhost.com/bic/msg/1222756656.html.

He shared the following misheard lyrics:

“Dancing Queen” by ABBA:

Real lyric: “See that girl / watch that scene / diggin’ the dancing queen....”

Misheard lyric: “See that girl / watch her scream / kickin’ the dancing queen....”

“Michelle” by the Beatles:

Real lyric: “Michelle / ma belle / sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble / très bien ensemble.”

Misheard lyric: “Michelle / ma belle / some say monkeys play the piano well / play piano well.

***

Email From A Soul Sister

 In response to my May 6 column, where I talked about my current journey and the film The Secret, Shella from Bohol wrote this email (I’ve edited it, because I think Shella sent it from her phone, so most of it was in SMS language):

“Hi! When I have The FREEMAN, I always check your column, because if I were a good writer, I would have written almost the same things… You, me, my sister and my best friends think same way. I can’t really remember the first article that I read, but I remember liking it. I never read this type of columns before…It seems like everybody love Twilight. When I read your column about Twilight, I was convinced I admire you… I cut that article so my sister could read it too…I read the May 6 issue of The FREEMAN and I was shocked when you mentioned The Secret. (It is) working on me too! I just want to air out my The Secret too. My boyfriend right now is my The Secret too. He’s a French artist.”

 Thanks for the kind words, Shella! I love Bohol and maybe we can meet up when I go back! I’d like to know more about your boyfriend’s exhibit. I’ve got more words for your Inbox because my space here is limited. Good luck and good vibes always!

Email your comments to [email protected] or text them to (63)917-9164421. You can also visit my personal blog at http://althearicardo.blogspot.com.