I SAW this tarpaulin signage erected along the highway. I could not help but notice it, not because of its size (it’s only about 4ft tall and 6ft wide) but because of what it says. Something is wrong with it.

I have a friend who lives in Dapitan and he gives me updates about the political situation of the city. He told me that the people there have been so used to receiving money from a powerful political clan for their votes. I had to ask, “Do they have to buy votes? Aren’t they powerful enough to gain position without resorting to vote-buying?” He told me that it is already part of the system and that nothing could be done about it.

BLOGGING is a manifestation of democracy. Aside from being a medium for self-expression, it is a tool for shaping public opinion and, ultimately, for making a difference within the blogger’s vast sphere of influence.

There is power in the written word and blogging makes it even more powerful. A blogger just sits in front of his computer at home–or in schools, cafés, restaurants, or on the streets–and in a few clicks, his ideas would travel across the distance, influence another individual or a community in another part of the planet, and who knows what could happen next? The possibilities are without limits.

I RECEIVED my Voter Information Sheet for the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections and with it is the official sample ballot from the Commission on Elections.

Have you received yours?

The COMELEC is actually required by law (RA 7904) to furnish every registered voter a copy of the Voter Information Sheet that looks like that sheet of paper  in the photo above. According the law, the COMELEC should distribute it 30 days before the election. The last day should have been last 10th of April. I got mine the other day only. Well, due to the intermittent brownouts, the COMELEC has a scapegoat.

ELECTIONS IN the Philippines would not be complete without vehicles–from a luxurious Everest to a lowly tricycle–roaming the streets, broadcasting campaign jingles through loudspeakers and turning the town’s thoroughfares into an open-air music bar with a frantic mix of borrowed music with localized (and often awkwardly-written) lyrics.

Jingles are a creative way of introducing a candidate and conveying his message across to people. They are played over and over again to increase the probability that the electorate will recall the candidate’s name and characteristics.

BARELY A month before the May 10 Elections, I still haven’t finalized my list of candidates to vote. In fact, I still haven’t known all the candidates running for positions in the local government. So must be most of our populace.

This list of candidates in Sarangani must be helpful:

Printed: 01/30/10

(Grabbed this from Sir Avel’s blog)

Let’s ponder upon this list and  start getting to know them deeper.

This year is going to be a exciting election for two reasons: first, we have Manny Pacquiao going against Roy Chiongbian for Representative; and secondly, this is the first automated elections. I’m expecting (not hoping, never) too many invalid votes.

ONE OF GenSan’s pride,  Teatro Ambahanon of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, will stage Tecla, a contemporary ballet that depicts the struggles of today’s women, tonight at the KCC Convention Center.

Aside from being an art lover, I am especially interested about the show because a friend of mine, Hanna Theresa Rivas, is part of the cast. She won in last year’s National Modern Dance Competition duo category.

I already got a ticket. It only costs fifty pesos. I hope to see you there.

The show, I believe, is part of Kalilangan 2010’s public offering.  Check out Sir Avel’s Blog.

I AM not bitter.

(I hope that by the end of this post, I have fully convinced myself. Haha.)

Seriously, I have never been loveless because my heart has always been  filled with love — not for a single person but for the humanity as a whole. Haha.

Whaah! This is such a stupid post.

I didn’t know Erik Erikson’s developmental stages is this serious. Ugh. Intimacy vs Isolation. I hate it.

Here’s my list of tips on How-To-Survive February 14:

• Never listen to Smother Me by The Used.