A man of God and a man of gold...

San Fernando Pampanga, Is it the government versus the church?

On one side, the hand-picked candidates of President Gloria. These are a family of jesters running in politics. On the other side, a priest who thinks he can make a difference.

Father Ed s on leave from priesthood but remains a man of God. He has the support of the people and the support of the bishop. It is the "Priest versus the sinners" in Pampanga, where a lot of corruption seemed to have stemmed from. Can the man of God make the difference?

For a time, he will be subject of puns and jokes. Now that we see that stardom can't guarantee a seat in politics, can priesthood? I hope it can. You'll have to study 10 years first. Actors don't usually have the kind of education. (Not all, mind you!)

In his landslide win, can Father Ed's win tell us something? Are the people not as dumb as politicians think? The masses are known to be fickle and are known to be swayed by the church. What events swayed who? Can the people of Pampanga not take it anymore? What about in the other provinces?

This has been one bloody election. It seems to get worse and worse. I hope Father Ed's win tells us that our choice can make a difference and corrupt people can't cheat when the general will of the people are awakened.

Just a Witness?

I rode a taxi on the way to work and the driver was listening to the morning talks on the radio. They were debating about the running politicians and their schemes. I asked the driver who was he going to vote for?
He told me he was not allowed to vote because of his religion. "Ano po religion n'yo?" I asked.
"Ako po ay Saksi ni Jehovah."
"Jehovah's Witness." He seemed so proud of his religion but sadly he didn't feel too involved in society. It felt like talking to a foreigner.

Sadly, he was only to be a witness of history. But aren't we all? How involved do we have to get in order to be more than just a witness?

Right to Suffrage or right to Suffer?

When we vote, then we have the right to complain. We have the right to compain to who is in the position. Whether we put him there of others did, that politician has the OBLIGATION to represent the people and act for the betterment of the nation.

Only in the Philippines you need to stamp your fingerprint and sign in three different papers and still there is cheating done. Why? For the sake of the few who want more.

We are suffering because the right to suffrage is just a mockery, a waste. Why vote if you know these people will cheat.

But then we vote hoping for a future...

hoping for a chance...

Hoping one day, we will have the real right to suffrage and not suffer.