Balut con Ballot
[lesson^^plan]
Oftentimes
at midnight’s depth, one could not escape the humdrum of this shabby though
sometimes a ragpicker hollering “ballot penoy” while meandering through the
dark old fashioned esteros. Nocturnal
street men just can’t help themselves scurry
towards this hopeful vendor like scavengers and devour the bounty of his
handmade. How they savor with much chomping the tender meat of this frail chick
while sipping its mouth watering sap that a spoonful of salt wouldn’t be enough
to complement the tang. See how superlative
an eleven-peso balut penoy could feed
such midnight starvation? I thought then of the fulfillment they
provide to this shabby but adroit mambabalut and how he manages walking through
the bleak esteros with only a fork to tender his living. Though at some climacteric point, nights are
just as rough as an empty basket. But
still, as I presume, he would not stop from toiling. Such virtuosity cannot be bribed. People in this wretched situation are left
with no choice but to raise their families by any means of livelihood they can
afford. It is irrefutable that in our
country poverty tops the line. And now
that the upcoming May elections banner its way through the air, the poor are
once again pinned by demagogues who fabricate a façade of sham promises. Such scenario is not new. It has become part of the system. The tintinnabulation of election bells
reverberates so stridently that it vibrates a decibel of vigilance to keep
track of the ballot. Politicians just
can’t get enough that they inundate the media with their ala novelty stratagem
to broadcast their advocacies which oftentimes appear so ludicrous and
comical. One politician is too proud to
campaign his name by the tune of Boom-Tarat-Tarat that he himself can’t even
jive to the beat. Another wannabe
persuades a blitzkrieg of her education program. Shouldn’t “she” be educated first on
political etiquettes? Here comes this Defender of the magistrate, all smiles in
his commercial. Who wouldn’t be awed if one is endorsed by the King of Blabs? And
oh we should never forget this Mr. Veggie who persistently convinces the
gardeners to plant him on the plains of electoral sheets. I tell you, he needs more fertilizers to
produce the stipend at every farmer’s table.
This buzz rings the public’s ear everyday from the dispute between this
Star for All Seasons and his Brother-in-law vying for governorship to the inept
falling stars who wish to land a place in Senate. I have nothing against these showbiz personas
running for a seat in the Senate. Well,
there’s this saying that goes, “great things start from small beginnings”.
Maybe they should just realize that they need to climb the ladder one step
after the other. They easily ride on political propaganda with their honor at
bet. How they prey on famed novelty to
win the hearts of the hodgepodge strata that they’re no less than a ravenous
mimic on political deadlocks or worst, stick and stink like parasites! This is stupidity in sublime. One manipulates after the other. Is this the caliber of politicians who will
mold our nation towards economic prosperity and national solidarity? Is this how they sell democracy at a price so
painstaking? This is one very apparent predicament which needs deliberation to
exterminate these predators plaguing and devouring our political system. The only remedy is to ascend morality
promoting an impartial, fair and honest election. It all starts within one’s self- the kind of
personality one has will always be a matter of upbringing. It’s high time for us to act upon our
character. We cannot do away with life’s
vulnerabilities. This is what keeps us
from being stagnant at our expense with our conscience dictated by our egoistic
appetites. Such attitude can be
eradicated by way of temperance, fortitude and discipline. We then can attain national solidarity and
economic prosperity. We will not only
promote the welfare of the people but also ameliorate the system that’s keeping
us from waning and disintegrating. Let’s
make a difference by proving not just to ourselves but to the Supreme Justice
that we are His people who build a Nation- in love, peace and solidarity. All
these will buttress to a stable peaceful Philippines. And this “mambabalot” who roams the street at
night will rightfully merit his dignity with a seal of pride among his
fellowmen with an empowered “balut penoy” as antidote of the venom poisoning
the ballot.
