Kanino ba Ako may Utang na Loob?

I was talking to a friend yesterday, and as I was narrating my experience during last Monday's Pinoy Power concert, politics became our topic. That friend of mine was still undecided about who she will vote for President next year. "I'm actually thinking not to vote na lang at all kasi sayang lang oras ko", she said. "Bakit kasi namatay agad si Ninoy?" she added. We are both fans of Ninoy Aquino and Jovito Salonga. I told her to let Ninoy rest in peace with Cory, and let Jovi enjoy his retirement. "Anjan na si Noynoy", I exclaimed. "Pero hindi naman sya si Ninoy", she answered.

I just couldn't let that chance to get an additional supporter slip away, so I told her with conviction:

"Gurl, siguro naman di ka aangal pag sinabi kong nung panahon ni Cory lang tayo nanahimik at nagtiwala sa gobyerno. I don't have to explain history to you. Alam mo yun. The message is clear. We need a uniting force. We need someone with a good character, someone who will inspire us to be good citizens. Pinatay si Ninoy, namatay si Cory - two events na nakitaan natin ng unity ang mga Pilipino. Ngayon ayan si Noynoy, buhay na buhay. I believe he is the President we've been waiting for after Cory." I said other things, but they are just too long to mention.

"Wow, ikaw ba yan? Di ba wa' care ka na sa pulitika?" she joked. "Epekto ba yan ng law school o ni Kris Aquino? Alam ko na... sino crush mo sa mga apo ni Cory?" She knows how to make me laugh even in the most serious situation.

"Anu ka ba? Basta feel na feel ko maging active. Dati naman kasi talagang wala na akong pakialam. E l*che 'to si GMA, ginalit ako ng bonggang bongga. Nung nag-declare si Noy, shoot! Biglang me Presidente na ako. Dapat manalo sya, at mananalo sya. Enough to convince you?" I said.

I suppose I won, because she told me, "Pang-senado speech mo, lola! Sabagay, mabait naman talaga si Noynoy e, at parang sya nga lang ung me ganung bait. Takot lang nya kina Ninoy at Cory pag nagloko sya di ba? Sige na, anu ba yung registration sa text? Sali na rin ako." She was referring to the 9noynoy registration which I posted on facebook. (YIPEE!!)

And then she asked me, "E di ba kay Villar nagtatrabaho Kuya mo? Alam ba nyang kinakalaban mo sya? Baka sabihin nun wala kang utang na loob." I just answered, "Bahala sya sa buhay nya, at pakelam naman nya sa 'kin."

When we hung up after talking about many other things, those things left me thinking...

Wala nga ba akong utang na loob?

Before Noynoy declared his intention to run for President, I was not supporting any candidate, but Villar was closest to being my choice because Kuya works for him. I live here at Kuya's house for free. I don't pay for my food, internet connection, etc. Before Kuya got the job, we were living modest lives. I had a job and I had my share in our rentals. We ate simple food and yes, we didn't have internet connection. Now, food is always great, I have unlimited access to the web, and I conveniently stopped working to focus on my studies knowing that I no longer need to pay for anything. Kuya even started a small business.

If Villar will be our President, Kuya will surely stay in his job, or maybe get some better spot. Nanay will be secured in her position. She is at odds with our pathetic Mayor who keeps on floating her from her job so he could conveniently manipulate our people's money. Nanay never submits to our Mayor's caprices and irrational ideas. Life will be easy when Villar gets elected. Looking at these points, my friend might be right. Baka wala nga akong utang na loob.

But I thought deeper to rebut the idea.

Mom gave birth to me in a government hospital. Dad worked for the government. He started as a utility man, and from his salary he got himself to college. And when he graduated, promotions fell into his hands like rain, still with the government. Mom has also been working in our local government ever since. I finished elementary education in a public school. I took up my high school at PUP. I got my college degree at PLM. I was a constant beneficiary of academic scholarships. From end to end I was a government scholar. Now, Mom is paying for my tuition fee in law school, still from her salary.

Kanino nga ba ako may utang na loob?

My question got answered. I owe the government so much. I owe the taxpayers because their taxes sustain the government and provide funds for my education and my parents' employment. It is but my duty to help protect the people's interests through my simple ways of voting for the right person for the highest position in our government, and encouraging as many other people as I can to do the same. As I hope that our government officials would set aside their personal interests for the people, so I am putting my family's personal stake at the backseat.

I fear for the immediate effects on us. Kuya might lose his job and I might have to work again. When our Mayor gets reelected, Nanay might suffer another term of injustice and harassment. But I chose to just leave it all up to God. The general welfare of our countrymen is of paramount importance.

I believe that in the long run, all these negative effects on us will fade away. Kuya might still work for his boss in some other capacity. He has many legitimate businesses, anyway. As he is also a news writer, then with the continuous protection of our freedom of speech and of the press, his job will be more secure. I pray that our incumbent Mayor be defeated in the coming elections, but if Heaven will put Nanay into more tests by having him reelected, then with the installation of a good president, I am sure we can always fight for our rights.

OK, I thank Manny Villar for providing a job for my brother. But as a responsible Filipino, I have more reasons to vote for Noynoy Aquino.

If corruption is contagious, so is good character. I have been infected by the spirit of sacrifice, selflessness and concern for our country. Thanks to Sen. Ninoy for the sacrifice, to Pres. Cory for the inspiration, and to soon-to-be Pres. Noynoy for accepting the challenge to be our hope. I am willing to do everything I can to campaign for Noynoy even in my simplest ways. I'll vote for him in the name of hope for good governance leading to peace, unity and prosperity.

Yes, we can dream again.