WHEN WE were kids, the most exciting time of the year which always got the better of us, other than the Christmas holiday season, was the approaching town fiesta celebration. We would watch in great anticipation the various rides and the stands being put up. And with good reason. That meant going out with my barkada with no curfew imposed by my mother. We would surreptitiously climb to the church tower for that vantage point to get a general view of the plaza where most activities were concentrated. We loved to listen to the martial and classical music of competing bands that played up to the wee hours of the morning.Oh what fun! It was the most memorable part of my childhood, and everytime I reminisce about it I feel rejuvenated.
But that is not the gist of my story; it is more on what the word "circus" connotes today and how, certainly, it (unlike the circus of our wonder years) is no longer fun to see coming to town. The rides now have come to mean more the outrageous promises made by town politicos to promote their agenda and to woo your votes for their party's chosen candidate for the presidency. We will be "taken for a ride" once more, as the cliché goes. "In fairness," though, it is entirely up to you if you want to take that ride.
After Noynoy's acceptance to run for president (facilitated by the graciousness of Mar Roxas), after much thought and deliberation, his spiritual retreat notwithstanding, he seems to be hyped up by all the hoopla from his supporters. He is ready for the challenge, and there is no turning back.
Arguably, his family name alone does more good for him than his outstanding record in the senate. That is enough to turn the other presidential wannabes' dreams into nightmares! Now they are afraid of falling asleep---they might wake up with Noynoy at the helm.
The only contender that is worth considering is none other than his cousin/friend (as they say), defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and having been chosen and confirmed by his party as its flag-bearer, is a formidable opponent who could give Noynoy a run for his money. All the others are merely images in a collage created by the turn of events.
I am more inclined to call the ambitious few as "mere contestants" in this exercise. We can call it an "amazing race," but only in the sense that each participant is determined to show his mettle no matter what, and perhaps, by a stroke of fate, win the Grand Prize. "Never Give Up the Ship" applies to them, individually or collectibly. But, predictably, in the hurricane of the election year up ahead, they will be better off wearing life jackets and lifeboats.
It is too early to tell. Political fortunes will either sink or rise and, as always, the other contenders will end up none the wiser for the experience! There will always be other election years. This early, I bet my bottom peso, they are already planning that far ahead.
Let us support our chosen candidate. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
