A boy from an impoverished area in Manila ties a yellow ribbon to a tree. Extreme heat from the sun and rain have poured on this yellow ribbon. Overtime, the yellow ribbon faded into white. The wind blew it out from where it was tied then it got stuck on a pole, making it look like a white flag – a symbol of lost hope, surrender, hardships and sadness.
The upcoming May 2010 elections is very important for us Filipinos and the Philippines. It will be the mark of what the Philippines will become in another six years. This election may be where the millions of poor Filipinos cling their hopes to get out of impoverished conditions and somehow experience the good side of life before dying. This election is crucial and every vote should be well thought out.
NoyNoy Aquino promises to eradicate corruption. He also claims to be an honest man and with a good morale. To be honest I do not know any of his other programs aside from just "eradicating" corruption. His fiercest rivals and the skeptics always say that NoyNoy received this overwhelming clamor to run for President just because of the mournful emotions that came out from the death of his mom and the large influence that his sister Kris has on the masses, which accounts for the greatest slice of the voting pie. It is true, and he admitted to it.
NoyNoy may be just offering the same good old promises told by the other presidents most of which up to now cannot be felt by us Filipinos, or at least the poorest of us. However, isn't NoyNoy all the more pressured to fulfill his promises because he carries the ever-so influential "Aquino" surname? Is NoyNoy not putting his father's name, heroic deeds and the promise of a better Philippines in jeopardy if he is not sure about running for the highest seat, like what most of his detractors are saying? I think NoyNoy is smart enough to know all the risk entailed by his candidature to be stupid, corrupt and heartless if he wins. I know he is feeling the pressure as well. He has his name to maintain clean.
Having track records are worthless compared to not having any allegations of corruption in the past. Saying "Nanggaling ako sa hirap!" (I came from the poor!) is even more worthless a proof of being capable of running the country. Someone who has been convicted of plunder and who said he'll not run again for presidency but doing otherwise already shows a clear sign of dishonesty.
You may have heard or read many information that may have caused you to think twice on voting NoyNoy or his ability to run the country. Nevertheless, let's give him a chance. He can't do all he promises overnight, but he may be able to fulfill them faster with our support and letting go of all the biases we have towards our fellow Filipinos and become one, united citizens under one goal – to rebuild our country abused by politicos lured by the promise of holding the presidency and the destructive power of money.
Let us not a raise a white flag on our country. There is and will always be hope for the better. If for some reason you feel tired because of all the political ruckus that have been going on for years, try to side with the "man" who holds the yellow flag and let its bright tint fill you with the heat of hope, as how the yellow sun does when it rises in the morning.
BOOYAH