My first challenge as a citizen

Armed with a mission and a vision, I take on the heavy responsibility—to cast my very first vote during the May elections.

You read that right. This May, amidst the scorching heat and thick crowd, my beauty will grace down one of the voting precincts in Cebu. Fresh and young, I accept the challenge that has been laid in front of me.

Challenge, I call it because that is what it is to me, as a first-time voter.

Initially, I thought it was simple and effortless. It’s like answering a periodical exam. I look for my room number, present my voting ID or permission and write on a ballot behind a towering hard folder to "cover" my "answers". It’s fun imprinting thumb mark and getting my fingers covered with indelible ink.

At last, I get to vote. I’ve always looked forward to exercising this right. I never get to until now. It’s one of those rare moments where I get to have a voice in the government, where I get to be involved with political affairs.

However, voting has never been easy. More than just the process, the tougher task is in the choosing, in selecting. Yes, I’ve voted all throughout my life. From the very first moment I raised my hand for my preferred class president to the latest when I wrote my chosen SSC Chairperson. Picking the best amongst the others has always been a nerve-breaking and brain-wracking activity for me.

But this time, things are different. Talk about national elections. It is way higher and more serious compared to the school-level elections. I appreciate how the running candidates put in much effort for their campaigns. They put up posters and distribute flyers. They cruise the radio and TV airwaves with their easy-to-remember jingles, emotion-appealing words and strong, hard-hitting taglines. Because they are appealing to the entire Filipino people, they have to hold campaign sessions and gatherings all around the country. They visit even the far-flung barrios just to seek undying support.

Exhausting and tiring it may be to these aspiring politicians, I feel twice the sweat and blood, although not physically. I struggle over not swooning over to candidates with attractive looks, celebrity affiliations and strong personalities. I try not to be affected by candidates with the overused maka-masa appeal campaign style or candidates who have famous icons as their primary endorsers. I resist accepting money, gifts and other offers from these candidates. I fight the fancy of singing with political jingles and the punch lines I see on TV. Listening to the numerous projects and platforms the candidates promised to implement once they are sworn into office is really deafening. They go on and on about their plans of actions but actually I don’t know who among these candidates will really realize these programs.

Dirty politics is how they describe Philippine politics. Even I could tell, too. Some of these government officials get so high with the feeling of being elected that they often neglect their duty to those who put them in that position. Indeed, some things are easier said than done. And several of these things are often all talk and not done.

Therefore, I search for candidates who don’t promise at all. As they say, promises are meant to be broken. I am looking for real leaders who can direct and guide our country to progress, to development. I need someone who can manage the country without the condition of getting anything in return. I’ll be rooting for the leader who won’t be blinded with material satisfaction and monetary happiness, who knows what to prioritize first in accordance to the need of the country, who realizes the importance of education and invests in it and who despite everything remains strong in his principles and values. Best of all, I’ll be voting for the candidate who has a loving heart, smart mind and servant hands.

But what is the use of all these if my vote will be manipulated, will not be counted?

The COMELEC has yet to prove its credibility during the May elections. We’ve witnessed how the "Hello Garci" scandal shook the whole nation and ruined the reputation of the COMELEC. It is really hard because the results of the elections will affect every Flipino. The COMELEC must understand this huge responsibility. Thus, come May, they will reestablish whatever honor and respect they have lost.

Given the right and duty to vote for the deserving candidate, my choice can change the whole nation. A little bit of exaggeration? Not at all. True. I may only be given one chance to vote, but that vote is important. And I would make sure that my vote will be counted.

After all, I am armed with a mission and a vision.

My mission: to choose the right candidate.

My vision: see a well-developed Philippines run by responsible government officials.

And I hope you’re one with me in this cause.