Evotelution: Voting in the eyes of a nonvoter
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:15:54 +0000
When I was a child, collecting politicians’ cards every election period was a trend in our neighborhood. I would always wait for the caravan of politicians and collect their campaign paraphernalia. I counted myself lucky, too, if I’d be able to get cash from them.
I’d bring home the stuff that I gathered, sort these and show these to my family. Eventually, I would convince my parents to vote for these candidates written in the cards. At that time, I thought that the capacity of a politician to lead was measured by their kindness and effort to emphasize their popularity through these small cards. I was wrong.
As I grew, so did my standards. I changed my perspective and ranked politicians’ effectiveness not on their paraphernalia, but based on their campaign jingles. The groovier and attractive the song was, the more I admired the leader. I would always sing those jingles even up to our house — I still remember some of the lines even now. And eventually, just like what I used to do when I was younger, I would convince my parents to vote for the candidate of my favorite jingle. So, I thought that my standard at that time was on point, considering that these jingles did not only contain pitches and rhythms, but even politicians’ frameworks and projects. I thought that these songs could dictate whether they would hit or miss the note of leading the nation. But again, I was wrong.
Years passed and I realized how low my standard is when it comes to supporting a politician. I opened my eyes — and my laptop at the same time — I did my research and tried to know the candidates more. Of course, I used the most accessible means of knowing a candidate — Facebook.
I was attracted by how people on social media described a candidate. I was urged by Facebook polls and surveys. I was swayed by the eagerness of other people in supporting their candidates, no matter if I knew them or not, or if I knew the truth or not. And so, I once again convinced my parents to vote for the candidates that were trending on social media. At that time, I I equated leadership withfame. If people know you more and support you more, then you are capable enough to lead. And just like before, I was still wrong.
Looking back now, although I was not yet a registered voter at that time, I still felt nothing but disappointment by how I saw and based a politician’s efficiency. Several factors affected my lens of viewing and supporting a candidate, but none of these variables molded me into a possible smart voter — the type of voter that this country needs. Some may say it was just normal for a child to be easily manipulated by the sugarcoated tactics of politicians, who have unraveled self-interest plans when they are already in the position. But, as early as possible, children should be exposed to the reality of politics, for they hold the fortune of tomorrow, and it is not considerable good if this mindset that sprung from childhood would foster when they reached the age for voting.
Truly, children are the least priority yet the most vulnerable during campaign periods. They are not the central interest of campaigns, but they tend to be one of the most affected, as they are yet at the point of curiosity where everything seems to matter. I’ve been a kid too, and I know how frustrating it is to see that the politicians that I once supported are just another pawn of disappointment in holding the nation.
It is said that it’s not the children’s fault when he’s born poor, but it is already his liability when he dies with the same strata.
Relating this in the context of voting, a child is not born aware in the reality that lies behind the game of politics, but it is his duty to open his eyes and be awake on his real role as a voter.
In my case, I was easily persuaded by the small things that I forgot to look at an even larger picture. However, these mistakes that I committed at a young age forged me to be more eager in discovering a brighter hope for what awaits in the future. And as proud as I can say, I know that I am more of a keen observer now, especially when it comes to criticizing a politician, as well as his capacity and intentions to lead.
Being a first-time voter this coming elections, I have set certain standards in supporting a candidate, and none of these criteria include their good paraphernalia, groovy jingles, popularity and other non-leadership-related characteristics. I am not declaring that the standards I set are the right benchmarks when it comes to voting and choosing a political lineage to support, but these are my criteria that would eradicate the traditional politicians that I am already sick of seeing in the position ever since I am young.
I strongly believe that there’s no wrong vote, only wrong decisions, manipulated by certain factors. As voters, we are not children anymore who are susceptible to the tactics of these traditional politicians, we should be more wise in choosing to whom we would entrust our future and the hope of every child.
The right to vote has been one of our most effective tools in emphasizing our freedom as citizens. This made us feel that we are part of the governing process especially that in our hand lies the fortune of our nation’s direction. Given that we already have the freedom to decide if who we will constitute our state’s leaders, we should also be responsible enough in using it in a smart way.
Deciding who to vote is not an overnight process, it takes time, observation and even research — if fortunate enough — henceforth, we should not elect someone who we just saw in a poster, nor heard in a jingle and not even more because of pee pressure. We should be a smart voter, not only for ourselves but even for our nation, especially for every dreamer, every child and every hopeful that his country has.
BY MIKE NIKKO R. TANDUGON, 19
First Year, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila, Best Narrative Essay, college level
The Manila Times 2019 Essay Contest
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