Elections

This is it. Today, we exercise our right to vote. Today, we make a stand and make our voices heard by casting our votes.

8:02am, my Tita Ching woke me up because my brother, John, has finally arrived. As agreed last night, we will vote early in the morning so we could go home right away and watch the updates on the elections on cable. 

I have to admit that I am quite excited to cast my vote. This is my first time to do so. Given that this is also my country's first time to try out the automated casting of votes makes this whole event more exciting. So, there we were at the precinct at around 8:15am and the line was about 6-7 meters long already. The sun was up. More people kept arriving and yeah, the queue kept getting longer and longer.

I was there alone in the line. My bro and tita were in another precinct. I thought it was going to be such a bore to wait in line. I had no phones because both my mobiles ran out of batteries. I had no iPod to listen to since I left it in the car. I had no PSP with me because I don't know where it was. I had no book to read because I forgot to bring one. I'm just so grateful that the family before me was very congenial. They kept me company. The mom was so friendly, she made sure that I was in line with them all the time. She talks to me every now and then and includes me in their conversation. The dad was a natural comedian. He could just look at something and come up with the corniest jokes ever! I'm glad they were with me because they definitely kept me company.

After 4 long hours of waiting, I finally reached my precinct. I searched for my name on the list and signed the sheets, placed my thumbmarks, and casted my vote. It only took me less than 5minutes! 

Honestly, I could rant here and highlight all the negative things that happened today. However, I choose not to do so. If there's one thing that I have learned today, that is the value of patience. 

I am sure proud of COMELEC for pushing through with the automation of this year's elections. Talk about taking a bold step to improve our voting system. Of course, it is bound to have some glitches and we have to understand that. No matter how corrupt the people are behind this automation process maybe, I'm sure that they have still the best intentions to improve our processes. We can't expect things to go on smoothly. In everything, there's always a degree of error... a point where one's expectations won't be met. We all have to learn how to be patient and make room for it. Besides, after all these, that involved party will have the idea as to what to improve on next time. 


I know that something good will come out of this new automated system. I'm positive of it. What I'm not sure of though is that this would be one honest elections. I am hoping that our next President would be really able to lead the country towards progress.


I'm excited to know what will happen next... 


For now, help me pray for a peaceful elections and a peaceful transition.