It is funny when we remember the “things we are afraid of” when we were young. I was afraid of flying on an airplane, I could not trust that something that heavy is capable of flying. Although, frequent trips to the shore nearby where I can see them giant machines come flying about was enough assurance that .. well, they must be pretty strong.
I am still afraid of frogs though. Since I was a boy, up until today.
But grown ups have different views of the world. Sometimes not entirely better than kids, but for the sake of today’s discussion, let us just say we are now more concerned of the greater good. At least I can speak only for myself.
The thing that I am afraid of right now is the political scenario in my country the Philippines.
Yesterday’s news were buzzing with surveys for the Presidential and the Vice race. The survey says that the top candidates Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar are “statistically tied”, because Aquino only has a 2% lead over Villar. And another candidate, Gibo Teodoro, aligned with current administration is starting to show some exciting stats as well.
I ask myself, my girlfriend, my kababayans in the office and some of my friends who they are voting, and none gave me a definite name. Familiar phrases like “Maganda sana kung si ano.. pero ganito din pala.. kay ano nalang ako”. Remember that our dear country the Philippines is still labeled as a “3rd world country”. We need a lot of catching up to do.
What I am afraid of is if that Aquino will win, some sectors will protest, will say “sikat kasi talaga” and end up not interested in his administration. The same might happen if Villar will win. Some will say, “mayaman kasi. kailangan talaga may pera pag tumakbo sa election”. And again, continue to live uninspired. I am not talking about 30 people, a hundred. I am talking about thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people giving the future administration a blank stare, and trust weaker than a baby’s hair.
A few scandals brought up by the still lingering spin doctors otherwise known as “trapos” will break that thread of a trust. It has happened before. It will happen again. The Philippines will elect someone, some get anxiously positive, others will criticize from the start and nothing gets done.
That is how and why the Philippines will lag in the global race. That is a big possibility. That is a very bad scenario. And that is what Iam really afraid of.
