A/N: This is such an important and critical time for us. I am, in no way, pushing my agenda onto anyone. I just want everyone to be informed, and I am using my story to help. This has been a stressful time for everyone because we are all divided based on our stand. I hope you are all taking care of yourself and your mental health during these trying times.
This is a late post. I was supposed to finish yesterday, but I wanted it longer. I decided to just end it shortly to convey the message I wanted. I might add a second part after.
This is in Ellise's POV.
It was almost May 9. Malapit na ang Halalan. Madami ang naging ganap sa pangangampanya. Madaming mga nag-a-away-away na magkaibigan dahil sa iba't ibang pananaw.
Si Alyanna, hati-hati ang boto ng pamilya niya. Wala naman siya pake nong una. She pretended that she was undecided. But in the end, after being educated, she finally chose a side. When she did, pinaglaban niya ang panig niya. She spammed Facebook posts to fight against false news.
Sila Felix at Camille naman, pareho ang panig. Kaso iba ang pananaw ng mga pamilya nila, lalo na ang mga matatanda. Hindi na sila nag-effort na baguhin ang desisyon ng mga eto. Pinili nalang nila na magpakita ng suporta ng kandidato nila. They didn't waste their energy to persuade people.
I understood. Sadly, there were people rigid with their beliefs. No amount of legit information could change their minds. Kahit pa ibandera mo ang criminal records ng kandidato nila, tingin padin nila na tama desisyon nila. Mas naniniwala padin sila sa mga conspiracy na nakikita nila sa Tiktok at Youtube kaysa sa mga nakasaad sa history books.
Kuya Elliot, Ate Ria, and my whole family were on the same side. They did some campaigning. Kuya Elliot had sent donations for the rally. He also painted some of his company's airplanes pink.
Si Ate Ria naman ay ipininta si VP Robredo. Isa siya sa mga nagsimula ng Artists for Leni movement.
Nick and Jamie had been the most vocal, and somewhat aggressive. Understandable naman dahil abogado si Nick. Kahit may pagka-pilyo yon, he had a high moral compass. May malagim din na history ang pamilya niya sa mother's side. Naging biktima ang mga ancestors nila sa Martial Law. He had shared that story, and it had gone viral. It had mixed reactions. Some were empathizing, but some were invalidating and justifying how his family deserved it. It was sickening, but he handled it well.
His law firm also took a stand and endorsed VP Leni.
They had gone to rallies together. Out of everyone I know, silang dalawa ang madaming nasalihan na rally. May isang rally nga kung saan naging viral si Nick. Sumayaw kase eto sa stage, at napansin ng mga tao na gwapo siya. Tuwang-tuwa naman siya sa atensyon.
Rick and his band had also attended rallies and performed for one of them. Kasama niya doon si Victoria.
Sage and I had also gone to one with our family and friends. It somehow became a reunion for everyone. Despite our busy schedules, we were able to gather for that event. All of us knew how important it was to vote for the right leaders.
Kahit sabihin man ng ibang tao na wala naman magagawa ang eto para mabago ang bansa natin, nasa kamay padin nila ang kinabukasan ng mamamayan. They have the power to change the system.
We must not give up on our country.
***
Pinagtipon-tipon namin ni Sage ang mga empleyado para sa mahalaga na anunsyo. Friday ngayon at mahaba ang weekend na magaganp.
Puno ng tao ang event hall. Things had been tensed in the office lately. May mga empleyado na nag-a-away-away tungkol sa politika. Mga magkakaibigan na nagkawatak-watak dahil sa iba iba nilang pannaw. Na-report sila ng HR. Hindi lang isang beses nangyari iyon.
Dahil don, nag-organize kami ng seminar para sa eleksyon at mental health. Pinadala namin ang mga empleyado doon. Isang araw naganap iyon. We also hired therapists and counselors to help anyone who had experienced stress in the elections.
Even though Sage and I had chosen a side, we did not discriminate against our employees. Ayaw namin manira ng buhay dahil lang sa eleksyon. Hindi din tama na mamersonal porket hindi kami sang-ayon sa paniniwala nila.
Una naming pinagsalita ang isa sa mga specialista na ni-hire namin tungkol sa eleksyon. He reminded everyone what to do during the elections this coming Monday.
"As much as possible, you can't wear your candidate's color. That might be counted as campaigning. Bawal napo mangampanya sa May 9. Magsuot nalang kayo ng puti na shirt kung pwede.
Make sure na malinis ang balota na matatanggap ninyo. Dapat walang punit, shade o ano paman ang nasa papel.
Okay lang na mag-undervote at mag-abstain, pero wag niyo sobrahan i-shade ang mga required dahil ma-i-invalidate ang boto niyo.
At kung may magbabanta sainyo na iboto ang isang kandidato, isipin niyo na walang makakaalam sa boto niyo kung hindi kayo lang. Kaya wag kayo padala sa vote buying.
Kung may tanong kayo, pwede niyo ibato mamaya."
Natapos ang briefing. Sage stepped into the stage for additional reminders.
"I want to remind everyone that we are still open for counseling and therapy in case any of you are experiencing stress this election. It will be on us. It's free," he reminded everyone.
Pagkatapos non, nagbahagi siya ng update tungkol sa performance ng company, at ini-entertain ang tanong ng mga employee. Nang matapos siya, he closed the discussion.
"Remember, May 9 is not the end of this election. It's just the beginning of our future for the upcoming 6 years. Vote wisely."
BINABASA MO ANG
False Chase
General Fiction(Cortez Series #1) Five years ago, Ellise had only loved and chased one man: Sage Dustin Ferrero. The chase became successful and she'd managed to win his heart. Unfortunately, circumstances separated them; Sage suddenly left without a word. P...
