Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Challenge For The Mantanganons

It's becoming the talk of the town - The May 10 Elections. It's just a matter of days now and we will be choosing a new set of leaders who will serve us in the next three years.

Mantanganons, are we prepared? I guess, only a few are. If not of the automated elections, I am sure most of  us are. But because of this advancement in the electoral process, a large percentage of the voting population of Mantang are not ready yet. And based on conversations I had with many of our fellow Mantanganons, only a handful had the idea of this automation stuff. This means there's still much work to be done - a massive training for the Mantanganon voters - from the new voters to the elderly.

Our readiness for this big event does not only revolve around our idea and knowledge on how will this automated election be, on how it will make the election fast and easy. This would also mean our readiness to choose the right persons who would lead us in the next years to come. Who will be your President? Vice-President? Senators? Congressman? Governor? Vice-Governor? Boardmember? Mayor? Vice-Mayor? Municipal Councilor? The greatest challenge for us is here - choosing the right persons to hold such posts in the government.

It saddens me when I hear someone say he / she will vote for a candidate who can give him / her  a bigger amount of money. Does this mean our principles, our dignity, our convictions and our future - our childrens' future - are for sale? I do not believe that Mantanganons are for sale. I do not believe that the Mantanganons lost their honor. We have to prove to these candidates the "kinaiya" of a real Mantanganon - we are service-oriented, we have our principles, we have firm conviction and that we only choose the deserving persons. We have to prove them that in the biggest barangay of Taft, the people has not lost dignity yet.

Let's us all choose the right leaders! :Let's not think about the monetary gain we'll have in exchange of our votes. Let's vote for leaders who can bring progress to our beloved Butangyad, leaders who can help improve the lives of the Mantanganons, leaders who can bring progress and development to Mantang, to Taft, to Eastern Samar, to the Philippines!

Change is necessary but it must start from ourselves.

Don't ever let somebody tell you "You can't do something". Not even me. All right? You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it.... If you want something, go get it! Period!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Goodbye, Lola Isa

I was waiting for the bus bound for Tacloban this morning when the church bell rang the "agoniyas". I haven't paid attention to it as I was busy chatting with my cousin about some plans for the summer. When Lola Bali Delija passed by, she told us about the news.

"Maupay pa hi Lola Isa, adto na pinahuway na... tapos na an iya kasakitan dinhi ha tuna.", she said. After that, we had a short conversation about the said incident.

With this regard, Tribu Butangyad would like to express our deepest and sincerest sympathy to the bereaved family of Lola Isa. We are one with you in praying  for her eternal and peaceful rest. She is now safe and happy in the presence of the Father Almighty.

Rest in peace, Lola Isa!