Duty
I was the only one in the family enthusiastic enough to fulfill my duty to my community vote in today's barangay elections
Mom was busy with chores. "I don't know any of the candidates, anyway," she admitted.
Sarah, who failed to register on time, was annoyed after a barangay captain candidate's motorcade blasted her from her afternoon siesta last week, further alienating her from the political process. "I'm annoyed." she hissed.
The original plan was for me to wake up at 6:30 and get to the polls in time for the opening at 7 a.m. Then I could have used a quick jog around the subdivision right after, given that I could no longer remember the last time I jogged (it was definitely in third year).
My plan failed as I woke up around 9 a.m., had breakfast first, and reached the covered court/precinct at 10 a.m. Oh well. No lost time, really. My appointment was still at 3 p.m.
Except that I couldn't find my name on the list--and on any other list for that matter. Heck, I couldn't find my specific voter's precinct table. Precinct 0237-A anyare.
I inquired with a nearby poll watcher. "The ballot boxes are still on the jeep," she said, pointing to the jeepney parked outside the covered court.
A huge white tarpaulin was tied to the jeepney's hood. "COMELEC: Do Not Delay." The universe has such a twisted sense of humor.
This. Was. Not. Happening. Flustered, I went out and peered inside the jeep. Lo and behold, there were three ballot boxes and their pertinent paraphernalia, all still waiting to be unloaded from the jeep's rear. I asked the two people sitting inside the passenger area why the hell the ballot boxes were still idle inside the jeep.
"Kulang pa nang teachers para magbantay sa mga presinto," they plainly said.
I didn't want to rot inside the sweltering covered court waiting for the fricking ballot boxes to be unloaded. Walking back home, I just realized how damn important the role of teachers were in the electoral process, that the fate of a few thousand voters in nine precincts rested in their hands.
Long story short, I returned after lunch and finding the ballot boxes were finally in their proper places and the precincts were already being manned by teachers, proceeded to vote. I wasn't annoyed with the teachers, really. In fact, I thought about how much of a job election duty was for them. They put in so much, and receive very little in return. Hell, even their lives are at stake with this noble obligation. they are burdened with. They are, really, heroes.
***
Remember the saying, "A friend in need is a friend in deed?" That it's your duty to help out a friend who's in trouble, in need of assistance?
I'm going to try to do just that tomorrow. Hang in there, Mario. I hope I'll be able to make it.
Mom was busy with chores. "I don't know any of the candidates, anyway," she admitted.
Sarah, who failed to register on time, was annoyed after a barangay captain candidate's motorcade blasted her from her afternoon siesta last week, further alienating her from the political process. "I'm annoyed." she hissed.
The original plan was for me to wake up at 6:30 and get to the polls in time for the opening at 7 a.m. Then I could have used a quick jog around the subdivision right after, given that I could no longer remember the last time I jogged (it was definitely in third year).
My plan failed as I woke up around 9 a.m., had breakfast first, and reached the covered court/precinct at 10 a.m. Oh well. No lost time, really. My appointment was still at 3 p.m.
Except that I couldn't find my name on the list--and on any other list for that matter. Heck, I couldn't find my specific voter's precinct table. Precinct 0237-A anyare.
I inquired with a nearby poll watcher. "The ballot boxes are still on the jeep," she said, pointing to the jeepney parked outside the covered court.
A huge white tarpaulin was tied to the jeepney's hood. "COMELEC: Do Not Delay." The universe has such a twisted sense of humor.
This. Was. Not. Happening. Flustered, I went out and peered inside the jeep. Lo and behold, there were three ballot boxes and their pertinent paraphernalia, all still waiting to be unloaded from the jeep's rear. I asked the two people sitting inside the passenger area why the hell the ballot boxes were still idle inside the jeep.
"Kulang pa nang teachers para magbantay sa mga presinto," they plainly said.
I didn't want to rot inside the sweltering covered court waiting for the fricking ballot boxes to be unloaded. Walking back home, I just realized how damn important the role of teachers were in the electoral process, that the fate of a few thousand voters in nine precincts rested in their hands.
Long story short, I returned after lunch and finding the ballot boxes were finally in their proper places and the precincts were already being manned by teachers, proceeded to vote. I wasn't annoyed with the teachers, really. In fact, I thought about how much of a job election duty was for them. They put in so much, and receive very little in return. Hell, even their lives are at stake with this noble obligation. they are burdened with. They are, really, heroes.
***
Remember the saying, "A friend in need is a friend in deed?" That it's your duty to help out a friend who's in trouble, in need of assistance?
I'm going to try to do just that tomorrow. Hang in there, Mario. I hope I'll be able to make it.