SIFTING THE SANDS OF TIME

What are the signs that the Philippine elections today will be peaceful and honest? Peaceful? We will know that on Monday. Honest? It's 50-50. It was only today when the cards honestly counted the votes and delivered them to the right names. But in terms of scoring the Comelec, we can give the grade of C for effort and E for results. Why are they testing the machines on the last week before the elections? Is that appropriate managerial planning, with billions of pesos already spent for the elections?

Come on, Folks, we are up against a brickwall that is so very hard to knock down to make all its transactions transparent, honest, and up to par with what is called good governance. But our own efforts are very good -- whereby all sectors are truly moving to make this unique opportunity for us to choose our leaders be the best one we have had after so many decades.

But right now, I am worried about the words that people have been dropping -- Kris said she wanted "to stab" someone who had been commenting on Noynoy, whereas another said a similar violent statement against her brother. And these are both women speaking words that can tear apart anything. What does this augur for us? We need to vote as a group to prevent others from harming anyone, or someone who has a contrary view of politics. I think that riots occur because harsh words have been exchanged and so people feel so sensitive about those they hear that they try to strike back. And some people can also be insensitive to drop statements that they may or may not know could hurt people.

One thing I know is that many people have spent a lot of money, energy -- physical, mental and emotional-- to their campaigns in order to win. Their supporters have also egged them on to persist hoping that with their candidate in power, that could get reflected on them, as well. But at this time, out of 7 or 8 candidates for a position, only one will win.

So here is my advice to everyone. Think of your next plan should you win. Well that is easy because then winning means you will have all the resources in your hand and all the promises you made will have o be fulfilled within the term for which you were voted.

On the other hand, those who will not win, or have an inkling that they won't, then they can do the following:
1. consider 2010 as their dress rehearsal;
2. consider running for a seat in the Constitutional Convention;
3. consider running in the next elections and plan the campaign well; and 4. have another job waiting for you -- something creative, therapeutic, and wholesome for you to regain yourself again. Have a good space and time for retooling your perspectives to gain more knowledge of yourself. Look at the electoral exercise as a chance for you to know the Filipino people, to know the government, to know yourself and how you have coped with the stresses and tensions of joining the elections.

Time never runs out till the last sands fall, that is what I believe in. And every human being can still do something great till that time. What is necessary is for us to know what we really want in life.

However, one thing I would like to give as a reminder -- let us not lose our faith in working for a government that is based and will work on the bases of truth, honesty, justice and equality. The Filipino people deserve that and more.