For Those Whose Parents are Voting for BBM Tomorrow

I’m sorry.

And I am sorry for myself, too.

I have been expecting it, that my mother will vote for the son of a dictator, a killer. Someone who has never shown any competency on the position he is trying to be in.

I’m so sorry that we cannot sway our parents with our millennial antics, with our angst, and with the truth. That no matter how they’ve pestered us before when we were still studying (and for those who still are) to never cheat, do good in school, bring home those medals, they will be voting for someone who faked his own diploma.

When we were growing up, we were told to never steal as God is always watching (or whoever almighty you are believing in) and sins will bring you to hell. You should always be a good child so you will grow with aspiring ambitions and people won’t step on you. But surprise! They are voting for someone who will continue to oppress those who are already oppressed, the reasons why the country remains poor because they keep the wealth for their own, and of course, those with traces of theft and until now, their family would say they never stole anything. Worse is, they are voting for someone who supports impunity. Until now, victims of the bloody, dreadful Martial Law are never found. And you never heard their remorse, even acknowledgement at the very least.

I knew she was voting for him mainly because one, her family is from the North. Two, she voted for the incumbent, too, in 2016. The 2016 scenario was something I could still accept that time and even until now. As people wanted change, everybody fell for his macho-charming words. (Gladly, I didn’t.)

It was no longer a surprise. I wasn’t hurt. I was pissed. I am angry. Yes, present tense. And I know that no matter I’ll say, I won’t convince her. It’s futile. It showed in her answer.

She said it as if it was the truth, It’s different now.

Her answer was short and it didn’t make any sense. It was a lame upgrade of how supporters say, Past is past, move on!

Honestly, it’s not only her. I know our relatives are also voting for him — because duh, they are from Borongan. You know how it goes. Last election, my Aunt even encouraged my mother to vote for the sister as a senator because their family “beautified” their hometown. The only breath of fresh air this year was when I saw my Tita’s post saying she didn’t vote for him. Finally, someone in the clan did the right thing.

I couldn’t muster the courage anymore to ask my brother. I’m afraid that he will have the same answer. He voted for him last National Elections, too, all because he was the running mate of his chosen president. For that, I could never forgive her. I couldn’t let it go. She put their family back in power. She even agreed that he was cheated on. May you rest in peace, Madam, but you are one of the reasons why we are fighting so hard right now, to save the next six years and so on.

As I turned around yesterday, in jest, my mind said that prolly next cutoff, I’ll subtract PHP1,000.00 from the money I’m giving her every payday. When she asks why it doesn’t count the way it should be, I will go and say, Ask your chosen president. He prolly took it.

I'm sorry that we cannot change them. But we can always change the future. Let's win this shiz.

***

May you choose leaders who will show up even during the most difficult times, even if no one else wants to show up. In case you are wondering, it has always been let Leni and Kiko lead, for me.