Contentment

Heading to the polling precinct, I was trying to recall the candidates whose names I'll be shading in the ballot. I made up my mind and only four names made it to my list of senators and the rest of the local positions I'm sure I will be filling up completely.

 I was on my clandestine purple shirt paired with washed-out jeans and my comfortable slippers. I was looking ahead of the place and I really feel the excitement that has been sending me shivers through my spine. I know, even the modest vote of mine will surely be a part of the change we have been trying to call for. 

I hurdled the long lines under the beating heat of the sun. At around 11:30 in the morning I was holding the ballot and I was so eager to fill it up with the name I have in mind. I started to shade the small circles across the candidates name. The feeling was surreal, I checked my ballot several times before heading to the PCOS machine. It was even more liberating seeing the screen flash a congratulatory message after successfully reading my vote. It was the beginning of my success. I candidly head out of the voting place with so much delight seeing my right index finger with the purple ink.

Seven in the evening when the voting precincts had called it a day! Now the counting begins and my faith relies on the right decisions made by the people and the system. Now I am hoping that at the end, the battle shall be won not by the politicians but by the people who rallies for genuine reform and  favors the best and suited individuals for the position. We owe it to our vigilance, we owe it to our determination and our  conscience to deliver the righteous decision. I faithfully believing and praying for the best results. This time I'll find the best contentment!

Excitement

Excitement, this is how I define the feeling I have for tomorrow's big day! It's election time again and it is my second time to vote for the national and local elections. The feeling is so intense, the same way I feel during announcements in every competition I used to join before. 

Tomorrow will be another determining factor on how we are going for the next three years. Tomorrow will define another milestone of democracy, as we let our voices be heard through our votes. Tomorrow will be a make or break for every aspiring political candidate. 

In the past few days at the height of campaign period, issues are all over the news bites and even to the so called rumors and gossips common in every bystander's place. The issues of vote-buying, harassment, violence, threats and so on will always be a part of our culture. A culture of impunity, by which we are all culprits by way of subscribing into it. And lest, we are jeopardizing the sole opportunity for us to determine our future through electing our leaders. 

My excitement suddenly falters upon hearing horrendous stories of those who project to be the holiest men on earth, executing the dirtiest act in order to secure the way towards the earthly kingdom. It saddens me that this one big opportunity turns out to be a deadly competition, not because of the tactics to kill each other but the grave offense of stealing our own human rights to choose freely. It is as if, the warlords have the control over everything, because they are in the position, because they have the machinery to work with and they have been using these to manipulate things on their own benefits. 

I hope that the days when public office is given the highest regard, is not dead at all. We are all in the best position to protect this image by putting the best persons in the right positions. Let us all be vigilant, let us safeguard our right to be heard. Go out and vote with your conscience. This will be the indelible mark we will be leaving in the next generation. 

I hope my excitement does not kill me. I'm still hoping for the best.

Forty-three

Lately, my laboratory tests revealed that my cholesterol level is way beyond normal for my age. This has triggered me to seek for medical attention. I readied myself for the consequences. I know I will have to take medications. I know I will have to be very careful with what I eat, which means; less meat, rice, sweets and all the oily stuff.  And of course the magic word for physical fitness---exercise!

I have to take this seriously, considering I have been suffering from headaches which I dispose as the usual migraine I have. But the frequency has been incomparable and the headaches have been coming from any part of my head unusual of the migraine I used to encounter. Well, reality confronted me and the frequent travels in the past months have been helping me gain more weight! 

So I have to be conscious of my health. Resist the temptation of CHOLESTEROL breeding food and shed some sweat everyday. Fastfood has to be minimized as well as sodas. And hello to the boring or should I say healthy foods! 

I never imagined to be in this condition. I am not even obese, just to make things clear.My only concern is the Cholesterol Level which impedes my delight for sumptuous meals. I could even remember way back in elementary, I used to be in the front row during feeding programs in Nutrition Month. This is because, I'm one of those in the borderline of severe and underweight category in our teacher's nutritional profile. Well, those were the years when I enjoy wearing small-sized tees. An now medium is even out of my size vocabulary. Sad.

But I have been, doing the best I could possibly exert in my busy schedule as a government employee, travelling at least 80 kilometers back and forth, everyday! That's like waking up for 5 AM and going home at  around 7 PM plus the stress in the office and on the ride with the country's inefficient transport system.

In the end, I still have to cope up with the changes I made. Next week, after undergoing medication for a month, I will have my another test and hopefully it has to be good now. Swear I will be very careful now. Forty-three pesos a day is too much for the meds alone. 

Thirteenth

Most may fear about the number 13, perhaps because of its association to bad luck and whatsoever negative elements there may be traced on the ancient superstitious beliefs and  traditions.  Triskaidekaphobia is the term referred to the fear of the number 13.

However, I consider 13 as my lucky number. This is basically anchored on my personal experience whenever I got to be associated with the number. But another 13 will surely be another determining factor for those who will embrace it as their lucky day and those who will forever curse the day as their worst nightmare. 

This May 13, 2013 will again showcase the power of democracy in the country as we face the midterm elections. An opportunity to lash those who have been failures in their effort to improve this country and possibly install those who could bring another spark for this hopeful nation. I still bear with me the confidence of having a successful elections despite the reported setbacks experienced by the COMELEC along its way of preparation. 

It saddens me however that as the big day is fast approaching my list seems to dwindle. For the senatorial bets, I used to have a complete list of those I will surely mark in the ballot. But today I only have three names remained from the original list. Blame it to their poor campaign platforms, their strategies being so futile and stupid and their stand on the pressing issues of the country. 

Despite having everyone banking on their efforts to change and create reforms in the system, their previous records will reveal that they are not even competent and their chances to win as seat solely relies on their family names. Sad but true.

Those who are even frustrated are going into the novelties of the jingles hoping for a good name recall, but they even appear to be more stupid and incompetent.

There also candidates who can articulate well and propose a bright idea but they appear to be so euphoric and impossible considering the dynamics involved in running the state.

For local elections, well everyone is into promises of free everything. I'm so afraid that this dole-out mentality these politicians is giving might affect the productivity of the people because who would care to work if everything is provided for free. 

This is how we treat our elections, this is how we showcase our rights. Anyway, who's winning and who's losing will be determined by us. On the thirteenth!