ElecTiOn DaY

Today, May 10, 2010 is Election Day here in the Philippines. And save for the fact that it is a bit quieter than usual, no one would ever know. Well, that is if you don’t watch TV, or walk down the street ever. OK, I take it back... it’s pretty obvious that something is going on here. Ever since Christmas time, there have been commercials on TV for politicians campaigning. It’s different from the serious messages put out by US Politicians. They have jingles, catchy jingles that everyone knows after a week. TV campaigns are more like regular commercials; sometimes you completely miss the subliminal message of VOTE FOR MANNY VILLAR being sung by cute little kids.

So by January, everyone knew who Manny was, and they certainly knew his song. But just in case they didn’t, the posters began. Every inch of available space on every wall, tree, telephone pole, person, was coated with posters. When I would ride to Antipolo bayan, town, I would see dozens and dozens of Nilo Leybles or Jun Ynares’ or Susan Garcia-Says smiling at me from the grubby concrete walls along the side of the street. Almost made the city look cheery. Then there are the strings of posters, hung like streamers from telephone pole to pole. Those really made things look festive. I would get nauseous trying to look at all of the posters as I whizzed by on a jeepney.


In my barangay, things seemed all-a-blur with politicians taking over the covered court every other day to hold rallies. Dozens of jeepneys and vans, people on foot passing out campaign material, things were CRAZY and EXCITING! I even got to shake hands with one of the campaigning politicians. And just because he was tall and handsome doesn't mean I have a crush, as my kids teased me about for days after wards...

Oh yeah, I can’t forget the vans. Starting maybe a month ago, campaigning took a form I had never seen in the U.S. Vans and trucks, decorated of course with posters of the highlighted politician, began to drive slowly down the streets of the barangay. And from the loudspeaker, they blasted pop songs transformed. “Smack That,” by R&B artist Akon was turned into “Acop,” and sung about the wonders of Mr. Acop instead of the wonders of smacking that. “Nobody Nobody But You” was turned into “Nobody Nobody but Nilo.” Poker Face became Jestoni’s face. It was an interesting turn of events.



Now here it is, the big day, and it is finally quiet. Quieter at least. The campaigns have stopped, and people are out voting. Peace Corps has forbid us to travel for the week surrounding elections and after, as election-related violence usually spikes before and after. There is none here in Antipolo thus far (and most likely not at all, as the violence is usually surrounding NPA military affiliated regions), so no worries. I am just enjoying a “quiet day at site.” Although I kind of miss the buzz.