2 years younger
ikaw ako tayo ang pagbabago bangon!
It was in the 2004 Elections that our Spiritual Director ran for the Presidency. I was only thirteen years old then, but my eyes were already fixed on the destitute state of the people. I can no longer keep my eyes shut and escape reality. Just like the heart of our Pastor, I had the heart for the people.
I wasn’t yet involved in the youth ministry then, but when I knew that the KKB (JIL’s youth arm) in our chapter (composed of teens 15 yrs. old and above) were helping in the campaign efforts, I joined in. We glued the Bangon Pilipinas posters on street walls and hung the banners at the streets and even at the side wall of NLEX. That’s all i could do then.
But when circumstances arose, like meeting other youth who doesn’t even have a clue who Bro. Eddie is, I felt the urgency to speak from my conviction and share what I’ve known about him (excluding personal experiences of course). Dealing with people who know a bit of constitutional provisions like the “separation of church and state” became challenge to me, but as I continued to encounter similar people, I harnessed my grasp of the defense and make my argument plausible — i did this at 13 years old. But at the same time, I keep to myself my hidden motive (in the first place, i was compelled to support my pastor in his campaign for presidency because i realized that if he wins, it will be easier to evangelize the Filipino citizenry).
Campaigning in the form of engaging on one-on-one talks became common. I usually began stating the unqualified candidates who merely wanted to gain more power and wealth. After that i proceed to informing them of the possibilities of seeing the nation recover from its economic crisis. But, of course because of politics these possibilities will always be a dream as long as these corrupt politicians are around. At this point I give the alternative from the traditional politicians, Bro. Eddie. Later I discuss the “winnability” and how the campaign machinery of that time would work miracles, and it did. Then I expound the capability of this pastor to run the nation with righteousness and about his proficiency in dealing with economics, as he was a former economics professor. The various plans to uplift the dampened status cannot be limited because if God is placed on the scene no plan is going to be foiled.
Dealing with the brethren can be dealt differently though. One proposition that stands out is about choosing the leader from among the brothers. This proposition can easily be accepted by most, especially after discussing the “winnability,” because most of them know that capability won’t matter as long as he has God’s ability.
The last grand meeting before the election was held at Quirino Grandstand. I was one of the millions who attended the gathering and claimed to have witnessed history unfold before our eyes. Literally I saw a sea of yellow all the way beyond the Rizal Monument. People wearing yellow shirts flowed into the area non-stop until before midnight (imagine that). My older brother and I was about to board a ship bound to Nasipit that night. While waiting for a taxi that would take us to the port, i was mesmerized at the sight of seeing people from different sectors clamoring for change. I took my last glimpse of history then i boarded the taxi.
We arrived to Nasipit then went on to Butuan City. My cousin informed me that the local JIL Church’s youth group (composed of teens 15 yrs. old and above) were also busy in their campaign for Bro. Eddie. I knew how exciting this activity is, and besides I find no problem dealing with people who are older than me, so I joined them immediately. We posted posters of Bro. Eddie and went around the city playing the campaign jingles sung by the late Yoyoy Villame. If i remember it right they called it “recurida?” I also found out that Bro. Eddie himself would come to Butuan City and conduct a gathering there. So while we were going to every corners, dead-ends, rough roads and remote barrios we also announced Bro. Eddie’s crusade, i mean gathering. After all the speakers were exhausted after repeating the announcement for maybe a hundred times, they suggested that I should take the turn. They all know I’m not proficient in bisaya but i tried and practice makes perfect, so I spoke fluently on no time (fluent in speaking the announcement only).
Bro. Eddie’s motorcade from Surigao became was a trip that got us going around in circles. Our vehicle (the KKB’s vehicle) were not quite on the track which made us trailing somewhere in nowhere. The supposedly “greeters” as what they call the group weren’t able to greet at the supposed place but they also had the chance to greet. Evening came and we’re lost and hungry.
Then the election.
Awful results were the only things that we saw as we went from voting precincts after voting precincts. Then I went back to my Lola’s house. The adrenaline and the tiredness that came out of frustration mixed around my body. My limbs were almost giving up because of the pressure of disappointment, but that’s the way things are. Without any other thought I looked forward to 2010 convinced that this thing will happen again but in a different light. I know the man I’ll look up to as an image of Righteous Presidency and will someday follow, would not take his first love for granted. Wala nang kasing bigat pa ng Bundok Sierra Madre. I knew he’d run, I didn’t lost hope. I knew the man who said “Ang pagmamahal sa bayan ang kasing bigat ng Bundok Sierra Madre” will never betray his own words.
