THE LITTLE PRINCE

"Here you may see the best portrait that, later, I was able to make of him. But my drawing is certainly very much less charming than its model."

-The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Post-election 2013: My 2 Cents

Who are you to say that one person voted unwisely just because he voted differently than you? Is it not premature to judge the wisdom of a vote when the elected are yet to perform?

We are supposed to be supporting whosoever shall sit in office and participate in the  development of our nation even if these officers-elect were not those whom we voted for. But instead, some of us opted to divide ourselves into factions of supporters and bashers, forgetting that we ought to be united. Some even resort to unnecessary sexist, and perhaps even almost racist criticisms of those who won, insulting not only the elect but the electorate as well. What's worse is we hide this misdemeanor in the guise of liberty... of freedom of speech... of right.

I am not saying we have to silence ourselves in all instances, good or bad. What I am saying is that we cannot retreat from our obligations as citizens just because we do not like our new officials... and should we speak, this we must do for a noble purpose and not for the sake of it.

I admit, most of those whom I've voted for in the recent elections have lost. But even so, I refuse to say that those who voted differently than I were stupid, idiotic, --- or unwise. After all, it is wrong for me to regard my brain (or any other brain in that matter) as the standard of wisdom and intelligence. Otherwise, they should have just let me vote in behalf of everybody else.

The problem is that most, if not all, of us pledge our allegiance to a certain candidate instead of pledging our allegiance to the community we belong.  Our non-participation and/or sour graping after elections due to the loss of those we voted for against the victory of the other contributes to the failure of our very own progress. We shouldn't regard our officials as superheroes who will come to save us from all evil while we play the nonchalant citizens of Gotham nor should we think of them as society's menaces like avid readers of the Daily Bugle do. We must not only take an active role but one which is also significant... necessary... meaningful.

We have to realize that once there are winners, there ought to be no more opponents. No more parties. Just a community who have spoken. A community which requires respect.

We pride ourselves for our democracy, but democracy without respect is chaos.

We can either help each other towards peace, order and development as an undivided whole... OR--- bring this community into ruins by writing the names of our officials in our imaginary death notes as though they are criminals while we lie in our own graves awaiting resurrection but doing nothing. Our call.

December 27, 2011

Three (3) of my girl classmates from highschool already have children, Two(2) are awaiting delivery, One (1) has babies and is living with her partner, One(1) is married without a child, One (1) is married and is expecting a baby, and One(1) has a baby and is awaiting marriage.

Sound like a math problem, huh? (Well, i’m not asking questions.)

It excites me to know my mates are already mothers and wives. It wasn’t long ago when we used to play patintero (gatekeeper) at the gym or sit at the kiosk eating the sandwich one of my classmates sold.

If they could turn back time, knowing they could change their past, some of them would have lived their lives differently.

Their lives now are a few phases ahead. And some of them proceeded unprepared.

We’re only twenty one at present (Some of us younger).  An unconventional age to have a family.Young at the eyes of most people. Maybe so.

But Seeing those girls and how they have managed to build their homes, how they have worked hard to sustain it and how they have committed themselves to it, I have to say, made me have a new found respect for young wives and mothers. 

I am not saying that they had it easy as though it were a mere walk in the park. They had it hard and it was tough for them to get through every day. They were already pressed to figure their lives and their children’s lives out while others their age were, on the other hand, worrying about what profession to pursue, what classes to take, what schedule to avail, etc.

It was a challenge they had to face, carrying only whatever weaponry they have.

They fought with faith.

My mates might not be travelling on the main road. But, at least, they’re moving forward…They’re bettering their lives a step at a time.