Proud and grateful

May 10, 2010 will be remembered in so many ways.

Not only was it the first ever election to be computerized, it will be most remembered for the unexpected huge voter turnout ever!

Imagine 50 million Filipinos took time to make their votes count. Not only did the Filipinos demonstrate their desire for change, they also showed that they can be patient enough to wait through glitches, the sun and other challenges, that they are dedicated enough to be active participants of the change that they hope will come soon to our land.

Our Filipino people did us proud that shining, glorious day of May 10, 2010. We are very proud of our people, prouder still to be a Filipino, and most grateful to God and our people for the beautiful exercise of our right to vote as a nation. What an inspiring day that was. We hope those they elected will remember and be humble enough to remember to serve the millions of Filipinos who sacrificed their time and comfort and lined up for hours last May 10.

The official results are not yet final and complete but the more than 13 million votes for Noynoy Aquino will be difficult to overtake from hereon. Whether his Vice-President will be Binay or Roxas will be known when the final votes are tallied. It is interesting that the voters associated Binay with Noynoy even if they belonged to different parties. Binay's visibility with the yellow team of the late President Cory must have lingered among millions of Filipinos. Mar may have been with Noynoy throughout the campaign period but Binay had been with Noynoy and his family decades before, fighting a dictatorship under Marcos and an immoral leadership under GMA. Is that what the million votes for Binay signified, that our people treasure, ang pinagsamahan nila Binay at Cory?

Erap must be experiencing mixed feelings now. The more than 8 million votes for him serves as sweet vindication for him - that his loyal supporters never abandoned him and never believed what he was charged for. Or another interpretation for the votes of Erap can point to the forgiving nature of the Filipino people. Sinners deserve another chance to live anew - is that also the same message for the political return of the Marcoses?

Despite the millions, however, can Erap also accept that more of our people prefer a new leader to be President, that more of our people have clearly declared their preference for change, for a new beginning, for an end as well to corruption?

May 10, 2010 ushered in new winds of change and hope for our country, for our people. May God continue to bless the good forces and may He enlighten the millions of Filipinos to continue their quest for change by remaining vigilant by not allowing the greedy and corrupt who got elected as well to retain/regain their power via Cha-cha or some other evil means.

Inspired, proud, and grateful, let us now celebrate and more importantly, move together, as a prayerful nation and with God, to do our share to bring about much-needed positive change for our country and our people.

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