Monday, January 11th, 2010...3:49 pm

Registered Voter for May 2010

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May 2002 Barangay Elections is the most unforgettable election for me. Not only because it was the first time I exercised my right to vote but also because my dad ran for councilor and he won! I remember it was a moment of victory and celebration for my family. That was Dad’s third and last term and we were very proud that our neighbors still voted for him - they’ve always believed that he’s a highly principled man which is true.

May 2010 National Elections will be another first - this is going to be my first time to vote for a president and also the first time to vote in an automated system. As early as now, I’m already thinking if the teachers who will assist the voters on that day are approachable. What if I couldn’t understand the instructions? Will they shout at me?

My brother’s girlfriend told me a story a few weeks ago.  She said a representative of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) came to help a less fortunate neighbor of ours. Mr. X’s wife just passed away and so he needs to take care of their seven children by himself. To make it more complicated, Mr. X is  jobless which means to say he is also incapable of sending his kids to school. It was said that DSWD offered to shoulder the educational expenses of the children but he had to sign a legal document, just a statement that he really can’t support the kids. Trouble was, Mr. X doesn’t know how to write his name! So the representative told him to put his thumb mark instead, “I need your thumb mark”. To everyone’s shock, Mr. X said “Ma’am, I don’t know how to spell thumb mark, I can’t even write my name.” Admittedly, I also laughed when I heard the story. But I was laughing and crying at the same time! I was laughing because I thought it was a joke and then I cried when I realized that it was for real. I felt bad.

I haven’t decided yet who I’m going to vote for president - Villar or Aquino - but Mr. X’s story is urging me to choose someone who gives high priority to education.

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