Feeling the loss of a dream

Posted by in 2010 Philippine Elections | 143 comments


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To the Noynoy supporters

Take time to read carefully from beginning to end including citations from columnists. This is about the grief and sense of loss (then road to acceptance) as the title suggest. This is not about you. Be happy your candidate won instead of making fun of people’s pain. Of course, you are entitled to get pissed (at the author of the Business World article I quoted) as we are entitled to our sadness. Remember that the quality of a victor shows in how he treats the defeated. thank you.

Juan VoteMay 10 called upon #juanvote to close the day with our anecdotes of the historic first national automated election. Right before we went live, the breaking news of the Comelec hit us hard. The speed of the results just stunned us. Thirty-five (35%) of the votes were just transmitted. Noynoy Aquino took a lead.

I was restless that night, unable to sleep. Did I waste 9 months of my life to voters’ education when I could have ventured into more profitable endeavors? You might all know by now that I didn’t vote for Noynoy Aquino because he didn’t fit my critieria of competency, character, coherent platform and clear vision. The night before May 10, I told myself that no matter who the president will be and as long as it is a fair and clean election (unlike the Hello Garci scandal in 2004), I will support the new president whoever he/she may be.

Just like sudden death, the impact of the news was shocking. How could 40% of the voters ignore “several candidates far more qualified by a record of public achievement than Noynoy” ? As Rene Azurin expressly wrote

“Mr. Aquino, because he is famous and a celebrity, can claim authority over us without any demand to show prior proof that he is at all qualified to exercise it. That’s intrinsically unfair. Of course, this is not Mr. Aquino’s fault. It is our fault for allowing ourselves to fall — stupidly, let us admit — under the spell of celebrity.”

The rest of the 60% who did not vote for Noynoy are probably in shock like me. If we remove the 25-30% that voted for Erap, roughly 40% are feeling dismayed. This country would rather vote “for some guy who, we know merely as the son of two politician parents and whom foreigners find agreeable.”

Because, right now, we are merely continually repeating the history of a country who would not vote for a man who pulled himself up from poverty, despite having no rich family connections, by sheer grit, determination, and ability to take insults from the ruling class. This is the history of a people who would not vote for a Bar topnotcher, Harvard grad, and the country’s youngest Defense secretary. This is a country that would not vote for a senator, former mayor, and lawyer; of an agricultural country who would not vote for an agriculturalist; or a commerce graduate and pastor; or a governance advocate and professor. This is a country that will not vote for a Lincoln, a Mandela, or an Obama even if they landed right in the middle of EDSA simply because they’re self-made successful men.

How can you blame the Villar supporters for feeling sad when Manny Villar conceded the next day? Can you blame some of the voters who felt like their qualified candidate was not given a chance because they did not have celebrity status?

My children are first time voters. I enjoined their participation in the elections by encouraging them to write for Blog Watch, a voters ed project. Lauren, my eldest girl wrote the How to vote in an automated election in November 2009 and is the most popular article in the Philippine Online Chronicles where Blog Watch is hosted. I prodded Marielle to research and draft the platform matrix in my article, Guide to presidential candidates (it was continued on by the Philippine Online Chronicles). I shared articles on the presidentiables, the party lists, the senatorial candidates. We discussed the pros and cons of the candidates. I’m proud to say that my children are part of those who voted based on solid criteria.

Can you now blame my children’s disappointment and low spirits when the results came in? A first time voter, a first time heartache. One of my girls said “Did my vote even matter?” I cried when Manny Villar conceded. One of my kids teared as well. I talked to the Gibo and Gordon supporters in Twitter. Some of them expressed their sadness to me. Other supporters felt so weak that they just slept or stayed at home.

One often suffers temporary emotional pain in response to loss of anything that is very important to us. In this case, the loss of a dream where we looked up to potential leaders of our country who hold the future of our children. The pain is a normal internal feeling one experiences in reaction to a loss—the defeat of a candidate in the elections. The pain is even made worse by the winning candidates in the senatorial slate which are mostly celebrity or familiar names.

To the supporters/volunteers of Gibo Teodoro, Dick Gordon, Manny Villar, Ed Villanueva, JC de los Reyes, Nick Perlas and even Jamby…

The defeat of your candidate hurts. This is a loss of a dream you nurtured in your mind for the love of country and your children’s future. It is okay to cry. It is a normal reaction to loss. It is not a sign of weakness. I needed to tell myself that: feel, acknowledge, and express my emotions with an attitude of acceptance and compassion. As painful as those feelings may be, I know I can handle it if I bear them with a sense of loving acceptance. Once I did all that, I was able to mobilize my energy and direct it toward what is important in my life, instead of expending so much effort to keep the pain bottled up where I won’t feel it.

Since May 11, I have been staying at home, resting from the disappointment. I feel a little better now as I go through the roller-coaster process of loss to acceptance. The loss of a dream will not stop me from continuing on with another ambitious project- nationwide voters education where concerned citizens, academe and #juanvote will initiate next week.

war-room2-1With a new president being proclaimed soon, I cannot help but be optimistic that it will still turn out well because it’s the only country we have and the only one we can leave to our children. I comforted my two girls “I know it is disappointing but be proud and happy that your vote was based on an informed process and bolstered with your conscience.”

Like I said in an interview in ANC Halalan 2010 on May 11, “We need to support our new president”. Yes, I did not vote for Noynoy but I want to be instrumental in his success through participative citizenry.

My work is not over. Tomorrow is another day. The dream is still there to hold and make it a reality.

“Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgement of the facts of the situation. Then decide what you’re going to do about it.” — Kathleen Casey Theisen



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  • Jaime

    Three times na akong nakaboto pero sa totoo lang this is the first time na nastress ako dahil sa pagkatalo ng bet ko na si manny villar. Until now medyo masakit katawan ko. hindi ko man iniisip pero naaapektuhan talaga ako. Talagang deserving sya dapat manalo. Alam mo yung pagnakikita ko si manny parang pasan ko din pagkatalo nya. Mahal ka namin Manny villar.

  • monz

    Hi Mom Blogger,

    I have been reading your articles discreetly. I also created my own thread on a forum regarding Villar. This is the first time I am so actively supporting a candidate. This is also my first comment on any of your blogs. I honestly feel what you feel, but when Villar conceded I know we have to move on. I am pretty sure that Villar would run again next senatorial election based on what he have been saying lately.

    Now the current issue here is that the counting is inaccurate. It is now being voiced out by 4 presidentiables: Erap, Jamby, JC, and Perlas. The first time I read the news about JC withdrawing his concession, I become curious about. Think of it, those 3 laggards’ complaint is the same as Erap. Moreover, the party of Bro Eddie has voicing out the same complaint.

    If it’s possible for Villar, Gordon and Gibo look at the issues being raised by JC, Perlas, Jamby and Erap I think the credible candidates has still a chance.

    Those 4 are complaining about the accuracy of election count. The current result is like a an exact copy of the last SWS survey. It’s really unbelievable. Imagine Villar don’t even win in Las Pinas.

  • monz

    Hi Mom Blogger,

    I am not sure why first comment failed to submit. It was a long comment but I would summarize it now. I have been discreetly reading your blogs and I share your emotions as I am one of the many active Villar supporters.

    I have doubts about the accuracy of the election count. The Las Pinas vote result is really doubtful as Villar did not even win in his own turf. I think the complaints raised by JC, Perlas, Jamby and Erap were credible. They are after the accuracy of the current election count. It seems the cards used are not credible which has the main program for transmitting the vote count. Even the party of Bro Eddie is complaining the same issue.

    I hope Villar, Gibo and Gordon could look at this issue as well.

  • nelson

    my heart is bleeding when i learned that manny villar conceded to noy2, it really hurt me coz i know that my hope is gone. i felt sorry not because for mr villar but for my countrymen who will continue to suffer the life style -poverty and injustice under this administration. i am not saying that noy2 doesnt care about the poor, im not saying that this administration is injustice, my point is noy2 has lack of competency, intellect and vision to manage the 94 millions of filipinos ( 80% are poor).

  • http://www.cophil.org Rachelle

    Tama yung sinulat ng isang foriegner – I cannot recall his name, but I remember he mentioned that he wore a Villar writstband. Many Filipinos root it out – even to the point of belittling the losing party and its supporters – because they think that voting is a game just like sabong [hey my manok won ... behhh your manok is weak, and hence since the manok is weak, the owner and everyone who trained it is weak also ...]. That instead of looking for long term plans and platforms, they look for celebrity status and some other short term fix. Where did I read that the Filipino of today is only interested in instant gratification, hence the reason why they have this “beeeeeeehhhhhh … you’re such a loser” attitude when others who do not share their viewpoints fail; is that a form of crab mentality? Is that some kind of immaturity born out of a lack of long term vision? Or is that just the base attitude of a modern Filipino? I shudder to think of the latter….

    And I’m not taking that Gordon stick off my gate either …. I believe I voted according to my conscience and not according to the whims of the public.

  • kat

    I don’t want to argue with you but I’ve had enough of vague reasoning. What proof do you have that Senator Villar is corrupt? And i mean proof not just black propaganda. I’m sorry if you could just explain further what you mean by honorable? I work hard, pay my taxes, the same used to pay your Noynoy for the past 12 years for doing nothing. He voted against playing “Hello Garci”, the reason why GMA was not impeached. That’s a fact! How do you explain the deaths in Hacienda Luisita? He defended the dispersal in the massacre, thats a fact! That makes him involved! If being lazy, defending the dispersal at Hacienda Luisita Massacre, supporting GMA in “Hello Garci” is your meaning of honorable, then now I know why you support Noynoy! Btw, don’t claim to be the “good” in this election. Don’t play righteous and defend your so called “walang bahid” candidate. Read up on Philippine History to know all the empty promises the Aquinos have made! Only God knows who truly is the good and evil. Noynoy Honorable? Sure keep saying that to yourself. Sorry Noemi, just needed to respond. I too cried, for my son & for our country.

  • papa lits

    kasama ka sa 42%

  • jhecandi22

    can i share this link of ur blog on my fb account.

    i really want others to read this.

    u write very well.

  • petite

    i thought i was weird for being affected by the election results. i’m glad there are several of us who still take this seriously. for the very first time, i can now empathize with those who have chosen to leave this country for lack of hope. to me, GMA’s offense is that she took away from the people their belief in competent leaders and sound platforms. we have degenerated to voting based on popularity. this isn’t a democracy that we can be proud of. it’s a struggle to remain hopeful.

  • ralph

    tnx 4 dis post… It is okay, I know time will come.. We will always support Villar!!

  • Pinoy KIRA

    “this is a country that will not vote for a lincoln, a mandela, or an obama”
    it make sense..

  • Juan Francis Achuela

    how matter you phrase, rephrase it– make it sounds good etc etc etc your blog still shows that you were all bunch of losers who couldn’t accept the word defeat. 13million of filipinos (and counting) already made a voice over Noynoy Aquino. what are you all saying? 13millions are bunch of idiots who voted Noynoy for a reason that he is a celebrity? if that’s the case, then my parish priest is idiot because he is a known Noynoy supporter…

  • Connie31

    I am one with u. I’m saddened by the results of this election. NO wonder why our country has become the way it is now not mainly because of its leaders but more so because of the mentality of most of us Filipinos. I have been highly hoping that the Filipino has been educated, awakened by what is happening to our country and vote wisely. The Filipino therefore, has no right to complain, no right to hope for a brighter future, no right to ask what the next government can do for him, because he has not done what he can do, with just his vote, for his country. Poor Philippines!

  • Effy

    The results of the elections were really disheartening at first. The members of our Online Team were asking, “Where did we go wrong?” They were somewhere between being depressed and being angry. It was heartbreaking, most especially for our young colleagues who voted for the first time. They were the ones who felt very passionate about our campaign.

    Thank you for sharing Kathleen Casey Theisen’s quote, ma’am. It’s something I’ll be sharing to my colleagues in a bit. Heartbroken as most of them are, I want them to realize (even more) that our struggles do not end in the elections. We still have a lot of important things to do, and one of them is giving our fellows more opportunities to develop critical thinking when it comes to electing public officials. It’s going to be a painstaking process, but it’s definitely worth the shot.

  • Aubrey

    This is exactly what i felt. So disappointed with 40% who voted for the other guy. I hate to say this but i think they’re stupid. They probably thought that politics is like showbiz who will go for the most popular. I felt bitter over tv networks as well that showed partiality. It’s like they’re the ones who are in command in choosing our next leader. That’s so annoying. But later on i realized that we can’t blame majority of the voters who are so passive and doesnt care about our country. I should pity them cause they, once again, together with us, lost the opportunity of a better future.. The idea of voters education is great. Honestly, that’s the same idea that was running in my mind i was accepting the fact that the next six years is going to be “just like to old times”, without change.

  • lee lee

    were my hopes dashed when Noynoy won? No.

    My hopes were murdered when the likes of the Marcoses, Estradas, Revillas, Enriles, Ampatuans, Dys, Pinedas, Lapids, etc were elected.

    Our country is nothing now with all these goons back in power or continue to be in power. It doesn’t matter who the president elect will be, the fact that we remain feudal will kill all our hopes for the already bleak future.

  • Christian

    I cannot help but blame the surveys. I think surveys should be banned in the next elections. They are just condiditioning the minds of the voters. Yes, surveys are okay. But not with us Filipinos. FIlipinos have this attitude of voting for whoever is famous. Most of the filipinos do not think (based on the latest election results.

  • http://karixie.wordpress.com Marix

    Thank you very much for this write-up. I know that even if my candidate did not win this elections, my vote was not wasted – I fought for who and what I believe in (even if during the beginning of the campaign I was being questioned on my choice).

    It is still painful, but hey! It’s more painful for those people who stood in the the front lines for us. What is important now is we continue to support whatever they have been fighting for even if they did not get the prize we hoped they could have.

    Lastly, I like that quote from Kathleen Casey Theisen. :) I’m still in pain but I am inspired. I shall support this administration as a responsible citizen of this country. Let’s all work together to achieve the Philippine we would all want to see!
    .-= Marix´s last blog ..Practiced my Right to VOTE =-.

  • karen

    Thanks for the great post. I’m Karen from LasPinas City.. I’ve been crying a lot the past two days. It’s hard for me to accept that after all the work that you’ve done trying to educate others in forums, on Facebook etc., this is what you get. It’s really so sad. And it’s so unfair that the man I voted for, Manny Villar, has been the victim of so much mudslinging and media bias… And as u can see in our City of LasPinas he did everything to his city tapos eto pa ginanti sa kanya.. This time all the people will suffer for voting Noy2 autee..So disappointed with 40% who voted for that guy “autee”. I hate to say this but i think they’re stupid. They probably thought that politics is like showbiz who will go for the most popular. I felt bitter over tv networks as well that showed partiality. It’s like they’re the ones who are in command in choosing our next leader. That’s so annoying. But later on i realized that we can’t blame majority of the voters who are so passive and doesnt care about our country. I should pity them cause they, once again, together with us, lost the opportunity of a better future.. The idea of voters education is great. Honestly, that’s the same idea that was running in my mind i was accepting the fact that the next six years is going to be “just like to old times”, without change..I have doubts about the accuracy of the election count. The Las Pinas vote result is really doubtful as Villar did not even win in his own turf. I think the complaints raised by JC, Perlas, Jamby and Erap were credible. They are after the accuracy of the current election count. It seems the cards used are not credible which has the main program for transmitting the vote count. Even the party of Bro Eddie is complaining the same issue.

  • Perlita Galvez

    I feel so bad because Senator Manny Villar loss in this election . Sayang hindi nakita ng mga kababayan natin ang napakabuting hangarin ni Mr. Villar para ss ating bansa lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Mas naniwala sila sa mga mapanirang pulitiko. Ganun pa man umaasa pa rin ako na sana pagdating ng panahon ay magkatroon ang bansa natin ng isang mamumuno na karapat dapat at yan ay si Senador Manny Villar.

  • Lorina

    Mam Naomi, tulad po ninyo at ng karamihan dito, i felt the same at first when hearing this news.Me and many of my friends were disappointed of the election results. galit na galit kami sa mga Filipino na bumoto sa kanila one of my friends posted on his wall saying, “GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US” 6 years of suffering …..suffer like hell all the people who voted that man………….T___T”;and another one said “good news… yellow team… good luck philippines…..eeheheh;and another comment, “I’m still for GIBO! Congratulations to our New Pres anyway. God bless the Phils.!” “I still think Gibo is the best among the presidential candidates. I just don’t get why other people didn’t see that”. nagkulong din kami sa mga bahay namin becuase it seems that Philippines is gonna sink, we lost our hope..nakakaiyak but as what you said Mam Naomi, ‘support the new president’ yes we will. :-) there’s nothing we can do, we are just an ordinary citizen we will just follow the wrong voice of this majority. kakalungkot talaga at nakakainis na ganito pala talaga mag-isip ang mga tao sa Pilipinas.I am not proud of their choice but what else can i do T___T. Anyway, salamat Mam Naomi for this blog feeling ko hindi na ako nag iisa…kasi inaaway din kami ng mga Noynoy supporters, why daw hindi namin ma accept ang pagkatalo…hay nako :-(

  • raincloud

    Let’s dream again together, Ms. Noemi. I’ve been lurking and reading your space on the net. It’s just really really sad that you can only reach out to those with internet access. So many voters who went for the 2nd placer in the presidential race need to be educated too. Some people I encountered in an island in Quezon don’t even know who the candidates for the Presidency were… Let’s keep on dreaming and support the destined President of our beloved Philippines.

  • Manny B. Aquino

    I agreeeeeee! sa lahat ng mga pinagsasabi nyo! teka ano nga ulit pinaguusapan natin? hehehehe dota ba to?? cge istunin mo na!

  • Maria

    There are also intelligent people who voted for Erap – people who believe in his pro-poor platforms or those who wanted a president who is not pro-elitist. (The people who were behind his ouster are the same ones supporting Noynoy.) We also feel disheartened by the results.

  • http://www.justanotherpixel.net blankpixels

    Even before the elections, I found myself teary-eyed because of how much I wanted Dick Gordon to win.

    After seeing the results, only about 400,000+ votes at that time were for Gordon. I was angered by that, especially when I learned that Noynoy was leading. But, like in the past years, I can’t do anything, but feel disappointed with my fellow Filipinos who opted to vote for someone who wasn’t as competent as the other candidates.

    Basing it on the votes, for me, only 440,000+ Filipinos are ready for change. I was really looking forward to the day when Richard Gordon is our President. I strongly believe changes will start the first day he sets foot in Malacanang as our President. I really hope I can experience that before I die.

  • mitchiko

    Thanks for the article. It’s good to know that there’s still a few people who believe in Sen. Villar. I really felt sad with the results of the election. People choosing Noy just because of the accomplishments made by his parents. “Ndi porke bayani magulang mo ganun ka din”. San ka nkakita ng mamumuno na upto now kelangan ksama ang kanyang si Mar even on all his campaign ads before puro kelangan nya si Mar? why because Mar will be the one to teach him on how to lead a nation. Goodluck na lang sa atin. Di man lang naisip ng mga tao ang nangyari sa Hacienda Luisita. They have a lot of accusations against Manny Villar pero pinili nila may bahid na ng dugo sa kamay. I really do hope na may magawa siya para sa bansa dahil kung wala anim na taon na naman ang nasayang sa atin. 6 na taon na walang pagbabago at 6 na taong panibagong utang. Wag sana magsisi ang 13 million na taong bumoto sa kanya. Dahil kung magkamali siya sila din nagluklok sa kanya sa posisyon. God bless us all.

  • Julie623

    @MC Morco: Excuse me. The allegations that your pointing against Sen. Manny Villar were not yet proven. Fact is Sen. Noynoy is more incompetent to become our President because of his past performance and the way how he protects Hacienda Luisita. Learn the whole story of Hacienda Luisita Massacre by reading the thorough research the GMA News did and you will see the whole picture what’s the whole ordeal about this famous Hacienda. According to your figures only 40% believes in him. A Majority of 60% do not believe in him.

  • joseradin

    Idol po kita, ma’am Noemi… tulad mo, pangarap ko rin po noon na ma-meet lahat ng presidentiables, gumawa ng article about their campaign at magpa-picture kasama cla…

    Pero hangga’t merong isang Manny Villar… hindi rin po ako titigil sa pangangarap… Let’s just all pray that it would not all end up in here…

    Let’s all hope that this is just the beginning… God Bless!!!

  • ang_mungo

    I believe in history and in its power to right all wrongs. I also believe that all choices, no matter how insignificant they may seem, have an impact on shaping the future.

  • http://theparadoxicleyline.blogspot.com/ Ishmael Ahab

    Hi Ms. Noemi,

    Like you, I felt sad when the results are being flashed on the television screen and my candidate, Gibo, is being left behind. When I cast my ballot, I have this thought that Gibo will lose the elections because he do not have the numbers according to the surveys. But still, I voted for him because I believe that he is the best of all the presidential candidates.

    Even my good friend who is just 17, and not yet a voter, felt sad because she believed that she was robbed of her future. She is so passionate with this elections that she even went to the precincts so as to witness history unfolding. She couldn’t even sleep but followed the election results as updated from the radio.

    I know that there are many young people out there who is as passionate as her when it comes to our country. I do hope that they were not too dismayed and lose hope in our country because the candidates that they believe in failed to win the elections.

    We, the registered voters, must continue in moving forward so that the youth will regain their hope.
    .-= Ishmael Ahab´s last blog ..Chic2Chic =-.

  • http://cire roderick cordova

    eto ung tinatawag na failure of election…kc nanalo si noynoy…lahat ng pinoy talo…

  • joey

    I agree that we as a nation are the losers here in this election. It is very irritating to know that still after so many years of suffering and poverty,the Filipinos never learned a lesson. Come to think of it, most of my Office mates even insisted that this man ( Senator Aquino ) is our only hope of rising again as a nation. For heavens sake, how could this man be? He didn’t even bother to sponsor a single bill when he was Tarlac congressman and as a Senator wasn’t heard much in debates at the halls of congress.In laymans term, he is a bench warmer in the senate. The only thing he has to his name is being the brother of the most controversial bitch in the planet and queen of ABS-CBN no other than you know who? and Son of the most loved icon of democracy, President Cory. My God his father is better off than him being a staunch critic of President Marcos and a freedom fighter. My goodness those qualities of his parents im sure are not hereditary.Im sure he will just be a puppet leader with Hyatt 10, drillon and the Lopez family behind him.

  • http://paradoxicleyline.blogspot.com/ Ishmael Ahab

    Sorry Ms. Noemi if I am repeating my comment, I can’t seem to comment on your blog.

    Like you, I felt sad when the results are being flashed on the television screen and my candidate, Gibo, is being left behind. When I cast my ballot, I have this thought that Gibo will lose the elections because he do not have the numbers according to the surveys. But still, I voted for him because I believe that he is the best of all the presidential candidates.

    I voted based on my conscience and not based on a fad. It is too bad that that message did not come across to our kababayans. They

    Even my good friend who is just 17, and not yet a voter, felt sad because she believed that she was robbed of her future. She is so passionate with this elections that she even went to the precincts so as to witness history unfolding. She couldn’t even sleep but followed the election results as updated from the radio.

    I know that there are many young people out there who is as passionate as her when it comes to our country. I do hope that they were not too dismayed and lose hope in our country because the candidates that they believe in failed to win the elections.

    We, the registered voters, must continue in moving forward so that the youth will regain their hope.

  • federico domingo jr

    I agree that we as a nation are the losers here in this election. It is very irritating to know that still after so many years of suffering and poverty,the Filipinos never learned a lesson. Come to think of it, most of my Office mates even insisted that this man ( Senator Aquino ) is our only hope of rising again as a nation. For heavens sake, how could this man be? He didn’t even bother to sponsor a single bill when he was Tarlac congressman and as a Senator wasn’t heard much in debates at the halls of congress.In laymans term, he is a bench warmer in the senate. The only thing he has to his name is being the brother of Kris Aquino and Son of the most loved icon of democracy, President Cory. My God his father is better off than him being a staunch critic of President Marcos and a freedom fighter. My goodness those qualities of his parents im sure are not hereditary. Let us see what kind of leader he is and with the backing Hyatt 10, Drillon and the Lopez family behind him.I am sure just like Erap there will be another midnight cabinet and Cronies again will rise in this administration.Just like the good old days.WE DO NOT NEED CELEBRITIES TO RUN THIS NATION! we need someone with a clear vision to make this nation great again.Only Manny Villar can do that.

  • daph

    There has never been and there will never be a perfect candidate (presidential/senatorial/gubernatorial/etc.)… Each will have it’s own pro’s and con’s.

    Camp A of loyal followers will always argue that Camp B is blind and ignorant — Why are they ignoring candidate A’s achievements? Why can’t they see that Candidate B is really no good?!

    I would like to believe that no one is ***intentionally*** blind or ignorant. We choose based on what we value and we do not always value the same things. One might value:
    a. past accomplishments
    b. intelligence
    c. character
    d. low risk of cheating
    e. all of the above
    f. something else altogether

    And based on past experience or information available to them, people who have the same values might not choose the same candidate! A person who values past accomplishments might vote for Villar. Another person who values past accomplishments might vote for Gordon.

    At the end of the day, we need to start respecting each other. When we feel that others are stupid or selfish, they probably feel the same way about us. Respect is the first step to really start understanding each other — and only then can we start working together for the good of the country :)

    Let’s continue to be active citizens even now that the elections are over (especially now that the elections are over).

  • Adrian

    Villar didn’t win. Wake up.

  • Morris

    I’m not disappointed that my candidate lose
    I’m disappointed that my country did..

    I’m proud to be a part of 440,000+ Filipinos..

  • Effy

    I myself am no fan of “the other guy” (or any presidential candidate, for that matter), but it’s downright offensive that you are tagging those who voted for him as “stupid.” The voters are not necessarily passive or apathetic – they’re simply misinformed or uninformed. Then again, is it their fault that they don’t know any better? Instead of “pitying” them, why not partake of meaningful endeavors that are geared to raise their [political and/or social] consciousness?

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi Lardizabal-Dado

    Looks like you have reading comprehension challenges. If you read till the end I recognized that.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi Lardizabal-Dado

    Uh because we never had the political will.

  • http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi Lardizabal-Dado

    Where did I say stupid?

  • http://www.facebook.com/iiisra Ezra

    Hello ma’am. I am a first time voter too, just last year, I turned 18 and I excitedly registered for 2010 elections when they came to our school.

    I voted for Mr. Manny Villar. I voted for him because I admire people who work their asses off to be able to succeed. His campaign for the Senatorial race years ago (I was too young to vote then) – ST, Sipag at Tiyaga – left such a great impression that I vowed to vote for him if ever he runs again for any position when it’s my turn to vote.

    While I was so ecstatic about Mr. Villar running for the Presidential elections, I was a bit alarmed that Mr. Aquino would run, too. Honestly, I felt like most Filipinos would join the popular bandwagon and vote for him, leaving the more qualified ones to the curb. But I admired Mr. Villar all the more, he didn’t give up in living his dream. Even with the tantamount accusations and ‘evidenced’ faults – he stood strong through them and remained humble all throughout. He is truly an admirable man.

    I felt even more hopeless when most my classmates turned up to be Aquino supporters (3/4 of the class, the remaining fourth for Villar and Gibo), and how they would always question why I supported Mr. Villar. Honestly, I was peeved. I was peeved at the fact that when I answered them why my vote goes to Manny Villar, and when it’s my turn to ask them why they supported Mr. Aquino, they just say, ‘just because.’

    But we can’t live off of ‘just because’, right? I had an inkling that they supported NoyNoy because they didn’t want to answer questions. It bothered me so much, I thought that my classmates were better. I thought that they were prepared to see our country change for the better.

    On May 10, I went to my precinct alone (because my mother and father wasn’t able to register and I’m the only other person legal of age at home) and was so full of hope that my first time to vote was so special – first automated elections and Manny Villar for Presidency! I waited three long hours in line, just to let my single vote be counted – my mom even called me up asking me to go home – it had rained twice and I didn’t bring an umbrella with me – but I didn’t all because I wanted change. I wanted Mr. Villar to win. I wanted him to win so badly I even wore an orange shirt that day to show my support.

    But alas, the majority have spoken. Mr. Villar isn’t exactly winning. I guess the mudslinging of the other candidates have worked too well on the masses. It’s sad, but it’s true. We never learn, do we?

    However, if I have learned one thing about all of this, it would be – think positive. If Mr. Villar took this quite well, his supporters, should too, right? I guess I’m done feeling under the weather about this, I’ve cried, along with my mother and younger sister when he conceded. However, I hope for the best for our country. Mr. Villar may not be our President, but I know he will continue working in the sidelines, changing lives for the better. I’ll surely vote for him if ever he decides to run again.

    Thank you for a very interesting write-up, ma’am. I’m so sorry I haven’t heard of this blog before election came. And I’m sorry again for the very long comment. God bless! :)

  • http://blog.edarevalo.net Ed

    This elections was the first national elections I joined in. I realized, when I was about to register in Comelec, I want to contribute to our country by choosing the leader whom I think will help our country surpass whatever challenge we face.

    But seeing the results, I was dismayed. I felt loss of dreams, for myself, my family and the country.

    I hope those candidates who deserved to win should continue serving the public, if not take a seat somewhere in our government.
    .-= Ed´s last blog ..Train band Live in Manila 2010 =-.

  • Michael V.

    “How could 40% of the voters ignore several candidates far more qualified by a record of public achievement than Noynoy?”

    Get off your high horse, girl. Who are you to judge other people? You think “public achievement” alone is enough to lead this country?

    “This country would rather vote ‘for some guy who, we know merely as the son of two politician parents and whom foreigners find agreeable.’”

    “This country” would rather vote for someone other than your favorite. They must be stupid, uneducated idiots!

    In an election, there are winners, and there are losers. Your selection just happened to end up on the losing side. Cry me a river, boo-****ing-hoo.

  • Huey

    Very well written post.

    To all the haters of this well written article, it was never mentioned that people who voted for Noynoy are idiots. Where do you get your ideas?

    You people are saying that it’s implied? Did you even look at the subject matter which is grief and sense of loss? Same goes to the people who consistently accuses Villar of being corrupt? Evidence please, unless it’s proven in court this is straight up libel. Like the author of this article said, we challenge you to file a case of corruption, walk the walk ika nga.

    Celebrate your candidate’s victory, everyone’s learning to move on to unite and change the country for the better. Instead of bashing people in this thread, I would suggest just shutting your trap and focus on the platforms your candidate has promised the country. It’s one thing to disagree however just be sure you’re ready with the facts. Mahirap ang naniniwala sa sabi-sabi, it only shows how you think as a person.

    This has been mentioned over and over again, why do you waste your time bashing people here with screwed logic and analogies? Don’t you have anything better to do? Does it make you a better person that your candidate won? Does it make your ego bigger? I honestly don’t get the point.

    Sa mga gumagamit nung argument na “Are you saying that 13 million + voters who voted for Noynoy are idiots” binabalik ko sayo yung tanong. Are you saying that the 15% who voted for Villar are idiots? See what I did there? Becareful of the are-you-implying-argument.

    I have yet to see a Noynoy supporter who will congratulate supporters of other parties for a somewhat “clean” and “peaceful” election.

  • Lyn Ruth

    @2HD — what did you say? “I know many people who voted for Noynoy, and I know that they thought about their choice and reflected upon the impact of their vote. And they are infinitely smarter than you can ever hope to be.” In the first place, 2HD, you wouldn’t even be reading this blog of Ms. Noemi if it weren’t a smart blog written by a very smart writer. Otherwise,you wouldn’t react the way you do. Ms. Noemi has the right to voice her feelings. Remember: this is her blog and she can write whatever she wants.
    I agree with Ms. Noemi: Karma will take care of you.

  • Lyn Ruth

    Hahaha… Mr. Juan Francis Achuela… you said it right – indeed, they’re all a bunch of idiots :-)

  • http://pinoycountry.com Jojo Agot

    Now I feel like crying over the election results. The only consolation I could think of since the counting of votes came pouring in on all media outlets was that if Noynoy didn’t run for the presidency, we would have gotten Erap as president. Somehow I’m still glad to a certain degree.
    .-= Jojo Agot´s last blog ..Campaign Posters =-.

  • Khritzy

    Nice blog. At the end of everything, I still choose to be deeply grateful that this election turned out to be more peaceful than everybody’s nightmare. Glad enough to know that the elections still pushed through, that we have citizens who valued their vote, inspired to make a difference. More importantly, I know that there is a God who is in control. Our hope in never on a personality; our future never dependent on who wins or who losses but where we place our faith.

    Its time to settle all differences and frustrations. It’s time to not just move on and continue with our lives, but keep the fervor for our nation and continue to make a difference wherever we are.

    Naomi, you are a great mother – educating your kids and teaching them to value their participation to make a difference. I hope you continue on, set an example so that we will see more people like you – making a difference, taking the lead in your own place of responsibility.

  • think

    It’s not all about money for Villar. I don’t think he cried because of the money he spent, after all that money was already dog-eared for charity. He felt bad for the millions of people in the marginalized sector who are hoping for a better life. All he wanted to do is help. People failed to see that because the other party clouded the campaign with too much black propaganda just to cover up the incompetence of their candidate. I’m proud that Villar took the mudslinging without retaliation, and he kept his campaign at a high level. We did not win the approval of majority of the Filipinos, but I believe, we were victorious in God’s eyes. In the end, he showed humility by asking forgiveness from the people he might have offended, and he was the first one who accepted defeat. That’s my president! I hope one of these days Villar will be vindicated.

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