A very hard assignment for me was being assigned as I arrived here in the Philippines. I was called up by our chairman that CNN Philippines needed an extra journalist to cover Election 2022, so they immediately sent me here even though I didn't want to go here anymore.
The coverage of news when there was an election here in the Philippines was truly a hassle and a stress kind of coverage. The campaigns of the politicians that you have been assigned to cover were a long journey to take. The campaign period was too long, and you might need to be with them as you will follow them where they go.
That's too tiring for me. I just want to stay in New York, where my work is located. The covering of news there was just a piece of cake for me; it's just simple and easy.
I have no choice but to take this part that is given to me. I have no option but to be here in the Philippines again. I just took it as a challenge, and I only need to cover the election for a short time before returning to New York.
"Wala pa bang balita sa pag-alis ko? Tapos na yung eleksyon eh. It's time for me to go back to New York." reklamo ko sa manager namin habang nagmemeryenda kami ngayon dito sa headquarter.
"Wala pa. Maybe your work is not done yet." sagot naman sa akin ng aming manager. Napayuko na lamang ako sa table at napasinghal.
"I want to go home na!" parang batang naiusal ko na lamang. Narinig ko naman na natawa ang mga kasama ko ngayon kaya kunot-noo akong tumingin sa kanila.
"You're already home, Raleigh Kate." natatawang baling saakin ni Bella, one of my workmates here. Napahilamos naman ako ng mukha bago sumagot.
"W-What? Home? My home is in New York." Mas natawa naman sila dahil sa reaksyon ko.
"Hay nako teh! Kahit saan ka man makarating, Philippines was still your home. You're still a Filipino."
Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. "Anong gagawin ko dito sa bansang Pilipinas na bulok ang sistema." Naiinis na talaga ako.
Napakamot naman sila ng ulo "Still, this is your home country. And yun na nga eh, we have bulok sistema so we should take a part sa change." pagsingit ni Carla. Hell? Para bang pinagtutulungan nila ako ah. Sabagay, supporter sila ni pula eh.
"I took my part. I voted for the one who I believe can offer true change, but some people voted for the one that doesn't even deserve to win." sabi ko at uminom ng juice.
Yes, nanghihinayang ako na hindi nanalo ang ibinoto ko for President. Nanalo pa yung isang taong kilala lang naman dahil sa ama niya na diktador.
Bagong pilipinas
Bagong mukha
May Prinsipyo
May isang salita
Kaibigan nyo
Kaibigan ko
Siya si Bongbong!
Lalo naman akong nakaramdam ng inis ng kantahin ng mga kasama ko ang chant na iyon ng hindi ko binoto na kandidato.
"Marcos!" sabay-sabay na pagpapatuloy nila at tumawa nang malakas dahil nakikita na nila akong naiinis. Yan yung gusto nila eh, yung inaasar ako.
"Whatever!" pagtataray ko sakanila at akmang tatayo na nang magsalita ang manager namin.
"Guys! Remember that we are the media. As a reporter, journalist, or broadcaster, we are required to respect people and have a fair understanding." paalala niya. Isa pa si manager, Marcos loyalist kasi eh.
Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako.
"You heard it, Kate! Sana tumagal ka pa dito sa Pilipinas para maasar ka pa namin!" natatawang baling ulit sa akin ng mga katrabaho ko.
I just smiled bitterly at them and said, "We are not just the media. We are also citizens that have our own opinions and beliefs."
"Oh, baka kung saan pa mapunta itong usapan. Mamaya pala may meeting tayo. An announcement from the chairman will be release." our manager said. I just walked away from them and go into my office. Napasandal na lamang ako sa swivel chair ko at napahawak sa may sintido.
"This country is no longer home to me. This country gave me so much pain and sorrow."
Naibulong ko na lamang sa aking sarili at tinignan ang isang frame na nasa table ko. I just saw myself crying because I remembered what happened to the two people I truly love.
"I miss you, mom and dad. I wish you were still here with me and proud of what I became."
I said, then I just hugged their picture.
It hurts...
Well, I am still hurting and dying inside for both of them.
YOU ARE READING
The Parallel Us
FanfictionThe lines that stay the same distance apart and never cross are called parallels. The things that we see, especially for us - the people. We never think of it, but we can be like a parallel. Raleigh Kate Benson is a critic, and Ferdinand "Bongbong"...
