My kabarangays, my friends, and folks I talk with seem to be generally contented with the outcome of the midterm elections. Being also an exercise to vote for local elective officials, the public expected and feared violence to ensue between and among political rivals in towns and provinces especially those far from the center of the respective local government.
Ganyan naman talaga kasi here in the Philippines- napakapersonal ng eleksyon na posibleng ang isang supporter will fight to the death in protecting and defending his anointed candidate. In reverse, meron naman ding mga ilan lang naman who will resort to activities- illegal na, violent pa, to insure a victory for his candidate.
Generally peaceful ang official declaration ng Philippine National Police, salamat naman. Nasabi naman na Overacting sila, at least their days of pagbabantay many months before the polls insured the peaceful conduct of the political exercise.
My personal happiness in this election exercise was the victory earned by two women contenders for Senate seats- both neophytes but both working very hard to get the job.
To the surprise of many, Grace Poe Llamanzares, adopted daughter of the late ‘Da King’ of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr and The Queen of Philippine Movies in the 60’s na si Ms. Susan Roces triumphantly emerged Number 1 among Senatorial winners.
She was 5th, 7th, or 11th in the surveys. What could have happened so that the inexcperienced candidate was able to jump over three seasoned senators to land in first place?
Sabi ng mga sentimental, parang sine daw ang tagumpay ni Ms. Grace. Para daw mga pelikulang likha ng kanyang tatay, mga obrang tumabo sa takilya at naging dahilan ng pagmamahal ng sambayanan sa kanya. For Ronnie Poe’s films gave the ordinary man na nakaramdam ng pang- aapi in his life inspiration and hope na siya ay muling makakabangon at magtatagumpay by doing what is good and fair, striving to reach his dreams, and bearing all the trials that come his way.
This film narrative ay nangyari din sa tunay na buhay ng artistang si Fernando Poe- tumakbong pagkapresidente, binigyan ng pag- asa ng mga botante dahil sa init ng pagmamahal na ipinaabot nila dito while he made his campaign sorties around the nation, pero natalo din sa eleksyong steeped with rumors of cheating by the administration in power at the time.
E why naman iniluklok agad sya sa Number 1 just because Pinoys are really so sentimental and tend to sympathize with underdogs?
Sa tingin ng marami, the interviews and guestings conducted by major broadcast and print networks, including na rin social media, helped Grace Poe to introduce herself to the sambayanang Pilipino.
She came out lowkey but knowledgeable, respectful, never bombastic and antagonistic. Mahinay magsalita pero may substance ang mga katagang sinasambit- walang pait sa puso even with the family’s extreme disappointment in the elections where her father was allegedly cheated of votes that would have led him to the Presidency.
Hwag isnabin si Number 1 Senadora dahil napakasimple and low key nya- She was honed at the University of the Philippines before she was accepted to Boston College in the USA. In both learning institutions, she was active and was exposed in government and politics. She also co founded a Filipino Culture Club in Boston College.
While overseas, she was a teacher, product manager and product liaison officer for some private enterprises. She came back to the Philippines to work for her father’s FPJ Production company. After her father’s death in 2004 and upon the assumption of PNoy as President of the Republic, she was designated head of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
I also smiled with the victory of Nancy Binay, daughter of the Vice President of the Republic. She may not be as educated and experienced as the others but she has been a hardworking and dedicated assistant to her parents who have held public offices- 27 years, Nancy says, enough to observe the ways of government and governance. Nancy promises to strive to bring the good Makati City life of ordinary folks to the rest of the poor in this country.
I thought it was foul of some people to make fun of her dark looks and her simple get ups as she travelled with her party’s team to campaign. Ayan tuloy, na Nora Aunor sya and landed among the upper half of senatorial winners. Masama ang mandusta!
These two ladies have been adjudged by the sambayanan- kabilang sa 12 choices they made as their new senators.
I doubt that they will become disappointments to the bayan- on the contrary, I bet they will do all they can to prove that the people chose wisely.