I, ExConvict, was invited to come and witness a commencement exercise just a few blocks from our residence. It was my cousin's recognition day and he will be receiving 7 awards. As I was reading the program, I was in awe when almost all the invited speakers were government officials. I thought to myself, "This event sure is something."
The program started 30 minutes passed the hour of one in the afternoon, it was smoking hot and the area was filled with proud parents and graduates I should say. Like all the other commencement exercises, it started with an invocation and of course, the singing of the national anthem.
Here comes the inspirational messages to be given by different guest speakers. I was expecting of something like, "Dear graduates, dear parents, this is just the beginning of another chapter in your lives, blah blah blah." But, my ears rang when I heard the speaker say, "Nakita man ninyo kung unsa ang gikabag-ohan sa atong dakbayan sukad naglingkod kami ug ang mayor. Dili na nako isa-isahon kay nakita man ninyo ang gikausaban. (You have seen the many changes and improvements of our town since we and the mayor were placed in position. I do not have to say them to you individually because the changes are obvious.)"
I was like, what? And I started looking around, observing people's reactions. Many just smiled and shook their heads as if this is to be expected when a government official is to be invited to speak in front of prospected voters, knowing the fact that just a year from now, it would be election season again. Surely, they would need to be in a lot of voter's minds as early as now.
I was ready to let the incident pass me for I know that I could not do anything, but there's more. The government official added something like this, "12 years na ko naa sa pwesto ug padayon ko ug kami na nagacoordinate para sa mga programa. Hinaot unta na padayon pud inyong suporta ug pagtabang. (I've been in place for 12 years and I, together with the others, have been coordinating for projects and programs. We are hoping for your continued support and help.)" What the hell is this event? A recognition or a meeting de avance?
Before the speakers, I was excited to see my cousin come up the stage, and receive his awards and recognitions, now, I was even more excited for I do not want to hear any more crap from this sick individual.
Moments later, I had a great smile when someone from the outside shouted, "Pulitiko! (Politics!)" And he was right, it was all about politics. It was never about this commencement, it was never about the graduates, more-so, it was never about the parents, it was about politics.
Finally, his supposed to be "inspirational message" was over, and it was time to give the much awaited awards and recognitions. Then suddenly, I was starting to think that this really isn't a commencement. This is a political freak show. How many individuals would be needed to assist in giving the awards? I saw the teacher in-charge at the stage, and she would be number 1. Next in line from her at the stage, facing the audience, are 2, 3, 4, 5, I think, and hear this, all government officials. Is this really happening?
Does this really have to happen? What politicians would do just to leave marks to individuals and voters. That is a sad fact. They would even put there faces anywhere, in the posts, in boards of the basketball ring, comfort rooms, paper fans, calendars, tarpaulins, almost basically anywhere! I have nothing against politics, I am against the way politics is played. I am against the manner these individuals earn votes. Again, I have nothing against politics. I understand that you really want to earn votes, but do it in the right time and in the right place with the right people.
Well, that was the commencement exercise of my cousin, or I should say, a political exercise.
By the way, did I mention that my cousin is just FOUR YEARS OLD? Yes, the commencement exercise was for DAYCARE STUDENTS. Could you imagine that "inspirational speech" being delivered in front of these toddlers? And, the political exercise lasted for 3 long hours, imagine how long and tiring that is for these toddlers. They have disrespected these toddlers, they have disrespected who they call the hope of our country, they have disrespected their very own selves. (Election is certainly just around the corner, choose your candidate wisely people! =D)
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