The loudest voice

An election is supposed to be the voice of the people. One person, one voice, one vote. At the end of the day, the loudest voice meaning the most number of votes, wins.

Election 2022 was nothing short of a cacophony – deafening, disparate, discordant. Especially on the internet, social media, chat groups and the like, you could sometimes almost feel the decibels bursting your eardrums. It’s almost a full-time job monitoring all the sites and groups and the people you follow; those who are matiyaga (or walang magawa, nothing better to do) spend hours reading and responding to posts and comments. It can get quite toxic, and truly exhausting.

We heard the loud voices at rallies and mitings de avance, speeches that often said very little but with much bombast. This time, perhaps because of the personalities involved, things seemed to be more passionate, much more heated.

In the midst of all this I came across a post of a young man I don’t know personally but who I know about – 18-year-old archer Jonathan Reaport, who left last night for Vietnam as part of the national archery team. This multi-medalled athlete, who has competed with much honor for the country (taking a gold at the Asian Youth Indoor Archery Open) although this is his first SEA Games stint, is part of the men’s recurve archery team and their goal is to add to the country’s medal haul in Hanoi. This is his message.

“With the current elections in full swing, the country could not be more divided. However, as a member of the Philippine National Team, I call on everyone online to set aside differences and support the Philippines in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

“To those who feel cheated, disappointed and anxious for our country, my sentiments are with you. This is why I call on everyone to lower the pink, red or blue flags and all unite under the flag of blue, red, yellow and white.

“Again, I ask everyone to set aside differences and send their prayers and support to the Philippine Team as we compete to show the world that the Philippines and the Filipino people will forever be worth fighting for.

“#LabanPilipinas”

This is a voice that rings loud and clear…and it is a winner.