In the Philippines, we value our politics as much as we value our beer. That said, the effects of both politics and beer in this country are similar; it could lead to fights that are circular and tedious at best, and childish and utterly unproductive at worst.
Which isn’t to say I abhor politics altogether. It just so happens that I’d rather watch than have much of a say, because I discovered that the minute you say something, you automatically take sides. And it’s never good for anybody with even an iota of journalistic training to take sides. At least, that’s what I’d like to think.
Cop out? Maybe. I'm not going to defend myself. But I will say that this is why I have tried, as best as I could, to remain neutral throughout the entire political debacle that is the (automated!) elections in the Philippines this past month. Of course, there’s no way one could remain completely neutral, when clowns like Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile cling to the senate with a death grip, when anomalies like Manny Pacquiao, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and that Ampatuan guy (hereafter referred to as TAG) all get elected into public office. But I think that considering my country’s long history of scandalous, bureaucratic, and downright corrupt past elections, I’d have to say that I’m pretty happy that my generation (the last one that made sense, according to Facebook) took a very active part—either in the debates, in the campaigns, or in the elections themselves—in the ushering of a new age.
Sabi nga nila, “iba na ngayon”. Is it, really? We’ll have six years to find out.
To the candidates who won / will win, don’t act like morons and get your shit straight, especially you, Noynoy. If you crap up, the people will have your head, and Bongbong Marcos will be leading the charge (full circle?). To the guys who lost, shut yer traps and accept your defeat. I’m ashamed to say that I know some of you, and these are the guys who are crying foul play like babies (so to speak). To the voters—if your manok won, good for you. If your manok didn’t, then that’s the way it is. I don’t think it’s worth stressing yourself out over the choice of millions of people. Just support the upcoming government, and watch them like a hawk at the same time. That's your job as the citizenry, after all.
In other news, I’m glad the elections are over. That means we won’t be seeing ads of Manong Johnnie in my blog anymore. And my, but aren’t the streets quieter these days?