It's my first time to vote this May election and to be honest, I feel stuck in a rut from all the stories and intrigues surrounding the presidentiables. We're told to be cautious of false promises and petty arrogant fights, yet I still can't figure it out-who is telling the truth among all of them? So I began to do my research.
Across the room, I saw my uncle and aunt reading the newspaper as they always do in the morning. I figured, " They know current events and we share more or less the same principles in life, who better to ask but them, right?" and so I did. I was able to get the scoop on how the past presidents were... since that time it was
their first time to vote.
they talked about how we were so close to being the " Tiger of Asia" until the peso drastically dropped during the political instability of the first EDSA Revolution. That until now, we are still covering from the trillions in debt that started at that time. In short, they told me to choose a leader who will bring the country to it's financial stability.
With this in mind, I decided to check the newspaper myself. I was fascinated by other people's opinions about who should win-whether through experience or sheer popularity. I thought, to be a leader, it's important to be known but it is more important to be a doer. I made a mental note to choose a leader who has the best platform, but more importantly, who'll be able to act in his promises. It pays to know what candidates stand for, and if they have the will to follow through, despite the "politics" that surround them.
Flipping through the channels on the TV, I chose to watch the local news that was on. I saw how much traveling was involved in the campaign of each candidate across the country. Realizing how much time and effort they spent in their planning and actual campaign, I stumbled upon another important factor to consider-involvement. A leader should be involved in every issue, aware of what's happening in every place in the country, and not just being used as puppet by others. It's a form of reaching out and doing one's responsibility as a leader.
Later in the day, I accompanied my aunt to the mall. On my way, I couldn't help but stare at the posters and banners hanging everywhere-from buses to jeepneys to billboards to walls. I also couldn't stop thinking of the wide scope of area those leaders will be responsible for. To vote for a nation's leader, I need to be able to trust him or her for my sake and that of my fellow citizens. It's not a joke to be in charge of millions of people. It was ironic to see beggars and homeless people staying under these posters and banners. They are the ones whose lives are really on the line, depending on how well the future leaders of this country react to their needs. It also takes humanitarian heart to bring hope and change in the lives of these people.
When we go out there to vote, let's just remember these letters: F-A-I-T-H, F- financila stability, A- action, I- involvement, T- trust, H- humanitarian. As the word faith implies, choose a leader who has faith in both GOD and his countrmen. So who is telling the truth among all of them? Don't be swayed by pretty pictures, big promises and flashy slogans. Do it the way I did. Do your own research.. :D
