RESIVOTE.ph

01/06/2022

26/05/2022

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
by 𝑅𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑒 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒

I sighed and closed my eyes as I read my close friend’s post about me on his Facebook wall. I knew it was me despite the clear absence of my name because of the screenshot of my Facebook profile, covering my name and pictures but with the evident bio, and my educational background.

I battled with anger and sadness as I saw his slandering words directed towards me, accusing me of choosing politics over our friendship and how I let a “mere election” affect our relationship built over the years as I cut him off.

He was right. I did let the elections influence our friendship because the elections shined a bright light on his refusal to believe the truth about what happened during martial law.

Misinformation is a battle against the past, the present, and the future. With the upcoming 2022 elections, the fight against “fake news” and misinformation is stronger than ever as political propaganda sought to rewrite the truth during martial law.
Our decisions made today that will determine our future can be influenced by our knowledge of the past. False information in political propaganda that rewrites the past can heavily and negatively impact our views and decisions of today. The very reason why we must raise arms and unite to battle the rewriting of our past.

I remember the younger days when he called me with that smile in his voice. His endearment to me was “little sister” and I called him “older brother”. I remember how he laughed as he offered me a piece of his siomai and how his laughing eyes always held gentleness. But now, all I can see is his homophobic slanders towards my LGBTQIA++ friends who support Leni, while he calls them inhuman names in his quest to defend his candidate, Marcos.
Before I used to get excited seeing notifications from him, now he refuses to view my messages and ignored my plea to have a logical conversation. The “mere elections” he referred to showed me colors of him that I did not know existed.

I am proud to see him defend his candidate and his belief, but I ache that he is a victim of misinformation and refuses to see the truth. He blinded his eyes and deafened his ears so the truth he chose would not be clouded in his mind. To add salt to the injury, his way of defending is inhumane, instead of establishing a healthy exchange of ideas and beliefs.

Misinformation and history revisionism has made an enemy of us all, and those unsuspecting fall victims to the deceiving voice of “fake news”.

But no matter the pain of losing a friend, I would imagine losing a loved one is so much worst. Worrying why your son isn’t home yet and seeing his dead body the next day. Seeing your dad dragged out of the house in the middle of the night by officers in uniform to be returned a few days after, dead. The countless sleepless night from parents whose children never returned home.

Let us remember the things we learned from the past so we do not repeat them. So, we continue to fight and educate. Fight and inform the future generations would never experience the pain of the past. Loving our country may be hard and tiring, with the constant backstabbing coming from the people we should be relying on, the very people we placed in their current seat of power, but there is hope.

Amidst the pain, blood and corruption, there is a flower that blossomed and bloomed. It happened when we were enslaved and abused by Spain, it happened during the Marcos reign, and it will happen again. We will rise from the ashes and fight for what we deserve.

Losing that friend who became the older brother that I’ve always wished to have left a gaping hole in my heart until now. I can only reminisce of the past we had, wish I could turn back time, but I can never look past his actions and his political view. I know we will never share the same moral views and if it was not that time, somewhere along the line, we would still have a fallout, it would have only been a matter of when.

Losing a friend is painful, yes. But this fight is not just for me. This is for everyone, those I share the same values with, and even those I don’t. We may no longer be friends, but this fight is for him too, and I will continue to love him by fighting for the governance that we deserve.

23/05/2022

𝐓𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭
𝐾𝑟𝑦𝑧𝑧𝑙𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑎 𝐿. 𝐶𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔

Metamorphosis. The transformation of an egg into a beautiful butterfly. That’s how I want to describe my growth as a responsible citizen of the country. A citizen that is aware, caring, and moving for the betterment of the nation. Like a butterfly completing its metamorphosis, I am now ready to flap my wings and spread the word.

Stage 1. The egg—where I began. During the 2016 national elections, I wasn’t a registered voter then, but I still had opinions. Opinions that I didn’t know were dangerous, yet it influenced some. I apologize for believing Duterte was the one for the Filipinos. I’m still an egg waiting to be developed more. So, when I was given the chance to move to the next level, I told myself I should be more aware. I should think critically. I shouldn’t be passive like an egg just waiting to hatch. I need to do something.

Stage 2. Caterpillar—how I survived on my own. Three years after, another election came. I believed I was more aware this time. I fed myself countless reliable information on who to vote for like a caterpillar. I thought those were enough to fuel me up until the election day. But I was wrong. My principles were shaken, and my votes were threatened when they tried to buy my vote right in the municipal hall. But like I said, I need to do something. I gave them answers they weren’t looking for. I gave them facts they couldn’t rebut. I tried to survive on my own at that moment and I did. I was able to protect my votes. And right then, I chose change like a Chrysalis.

From the moment I was able to cast my votes in 2019 up until today, I let go of my old, silent, less aware self. I slowly expressed my desire for change—clean, better, and accountable government. I silently worked my way up to the current me like a pupa. I encouraged my sisters and friends to undergo remarkable transformations like I did. It’s a struggle at first but I’m here—almost a butterfly.

After I’m done forming and changing myself, I’m now ready to take my first flight as a butterfly. To spread my wings as wide and far as I could. The upcoming 2022 elections is a crucial one. It will define the next six years of my life. I am aware and I care but now I’m also ready to move—like a butterfly completing its metamorphosis, I’m ready to flap my wings across households and knock on their hearts. This coming Friday, I’m taking my first lift to uplift others in the causes shared by my chosen president. I also volunteered to be a poll watcher—ready to protect the change I aimed and still aiming for.

They say that a butterfly’s metamorphosis is one of the most amazing transformations in nature. With my experience likened to that, it is indeed an astonishing transformation I never regret doing. With my wings, I’m now equipped to endorse, “Sa Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat.”

05/05/2022

𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 ‘𝟐𝟐
by 𝐽𝑜ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑠

I just finished binge watching a couple of episodes of K-drama on Netflix completely unaware that a real life Filipino political drama is yet to unfold.

I thought that such stories could only happen on Netflix, Viu, iWant or any other streaming platforms. A father and daughter rivalry, a son of a dictator running for the highest seat, a retired professional boxer turned into a politician, from rags to riches trope and crocodile tears in between. Yet unlike watching on Netflix, the drama that is unfolding right in front of my eyes was everything but entertaining.

The premier started last October when the Commission on Elections opened the filing of candidacy. Of course, we saw familiar faces. Some have healed from their neck braces and wheelchairs; some act as if they have no pending corruption cases. There are also faces we also saw last election who failed to secure a spot on the Senate and some faces who are trying to secure a seat once again. But just like any other drama, the main characters are still yet to be determined.

I clearly remember how Senator B**g Go started an uproar after filing his candidacy for vice president under the PDP-Laban faction. The plot thickens as Sen. Bato dela Rosa also filed his candidacy for president claiming that the party, PDP-Laban, was not able to look for somebody else to continue the legacy of President Duterte other than him. The show didn’t end there as there were still a lot of filing and exchanging of candidacies as the deadline grew nearer leaving the spectators anticipate the brewing suspense under President Duterte ruling party.

The conflict also started in the opposition after Vice President Leni Robredo formally announced her candidacy alongside Senator Francis Pangilinan. She could have been with Mayor Isko Moreno if the unification talks succeeded. But it didn’t. Moreno responded calling her fake leader with fake color since Robredo filed as an independent candidate using pink as her political color.

Another episode of drama started when groups of people filed a case of disqualification against B**gbong Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and is the forerunner on surveys. But then it was later dismissed by COMELEC. Looks like the electoral body have their favorites. But the show didn’t start there, it was when Marcos’ supporters took it as an opportunity to use it as mockery to the other candidates saying they are just afraid that BBM will win.

I mean, who wouldn’t?

The social media machinery that proliferated are corrupting the minds of ordinary citizens. It made me realize that beneath the petty drama and gimmicks of the candidates to gain attention, there lies a much more gruesome reality.

As election day grows near, it slowly reveals the true intention of the candidates vying for the highest position in the country. Their intentions are slowly showing as they interact with people during campaigns and rallies. On how they address the different accusations that were thrown against them. The approaches they used to convince the Filipino people to vote for them and especially their plans for the betterment of the country.

Recently, I witnessed another episode of the drama about three men probably with their bruised ego having a press conference at a five-star hotel to call out the only woman on the presidential run. Ironic that it happened during Easter but seems like these men revealed that they themselves have no balls.

The drama they are airing is a form of a political stunt either trying to get our attention or divert us while they bury other pressing matters. Like any other cliché romance drama, a suitor will always show his best side when courting. Let us not be that damsel who can be easily swayed by sweet words and promises.

We can never press the exit button when the drama is going too much like how we usually do while watching. This drama is real life, as we Filipinos are the main characters. And we have the power to choose what kind of genre and ending we want for the next six years.

05/05/2022

𝐖𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇
by 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑒 𝑀𝑢𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠

Screaming headlines, propaganda, controversies, and of course, promises. The Philippines is now at a crucial turning point in its history. This is no ordinary election season. The next set of elected leaders will determine the country’s fate amidst the pandemic and persisting social and economic problems that have plagued our nation for so long. Democratic values and principles that we hold dear will once again be tested. The future is in our midst, and the youth now has a lot at stake.

According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), around 65.7 million Filipinos are eligible to vote on the May 2022 Election. More than half of which belong to the 18-41 years old age bracket. That’s roughly 37 million people who belong to the youth. Majority are composed of students and young professionals. A lion’s share indeed. The “youth vote” will be a key factor in determining the results of the election. A huge weight of responsibility rests on our shoulders as we now decide what’s next for our country. Are we up to it?

We might be wondering about what lies ahead for us, the next generation of Filipinos who would soon take the helm of leadership. But through the years, we have witnessed the strength and courage of the people. Past and present, the youth continue to manifest the vitality it brings in nation-building. From overthrowing a dictatorship, to being the constant voice of genuine reform, the youth play its part as the catalysts of change in the society. Now more than ever, with increased globalization and the prevalence of fake news, we must take the lead in defending the truth. That includes our choices in the upcoming elections. Many people are still susceptible to lies and deceit. We are confronted everyday by a plethora of information, many of which conceal its true nature which is to foster hate. Our core democratic values are threatened by greed of power and wealth. We now live in a fragmented society, and it weakens the core of our identity as a people.

The pandemic even worsened the situation. Many have succumbed to the disease and suffered the consequences of mismanagement. The economy has weakened, many lost their jobs, and industries are struggling to bounce back. Schools have been closed for more than two years now, compromising the quality of education being given to children and the youth. Coping up is a daily struggle and I can attest to that. There is massive corruption in the government even now during the health crisis. Injustices brought about by efforts to stifle dissent and disregard human rights continue to put lives at risk. The Philippines is also suffering the brunt of climate change with catastrophic natural disasters that have ravaged our people. The poor are the ones most affected and sadly, often neglected. Pain is real, but so is hope and we the youth have the biggest strength to make things right.

The election offers us a glimpse of our aspirations for a better tomorrow. But it also shows the cracks in our country’s democratic systems. This is not just about the game of politics. Our future is at stake. The country is at stake. With all the promises being made by politicians, let us use our God-given gift of intelligence and the right to suffrage to choose the best people who can deliver genuine change and progress. We must not be fooled by flowery statements and propaganda. Our vitality brings forth a new sense of hope. Let us exhaust all our efforts to educate our fellow countrymen and participate in public discourse to promote the free flow of ideas. We must unite in changing the course of history for the better. We must have a sense of shared destiny.

Our lives after the elections will be the consequence of our moral choices. Let’s not waste this opportunity and become true catalysts of progress in the society. We are after all the future of our motherland as stated by Dr. Jose Rizal. What lies ahead of us is uncertain but what we have is now. Let’s strive for genuine representation and choose leaders who will embody our ideals and aspirations. We will decide our fate. We will conquer fear. We will prevail. It is my fervent hope.

𝐖𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇.

04/05/2022

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?

Voting Receipt for take-out? A BIG NO!

Ka-resivote, did you know that you can be imprisoned for taking home your voting receipt?

According to COMELEC Resolution 10088 sec 20, it is against the law to bring the voter's receipt outside the polling place. The prohibition also extends to all capturing devices that might be used to take a picture of the official ballot and receipt. Your voting receipt is considered election paraphernalia, and anyone who takes away this official document is punishable under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code. The punishment for this election offense is ''imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years.'

Before leaving the polling precinct, COMELEC advises the public to place their voting receipts on the designated drop box after verifying their votes.

03/05/2022

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭
by 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑎 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑎

Growing up, people around me always say that I should cherish all my firsts. First trip. First visit to the dentist. First love. First heartbreak. Bad or good, I made it a habit to keep them somewhere, deep inside me, locking them in so I can share them when someone asks me about what clothes I wore or what I felt when it happened. Now, I wondered, holding on to the small piece of paper in my hand, walking out of that registration booth. How will my first election turn out?

When COMELEC announced the opening of voter registration amidst the pandemic, I knew I had to do it right away. It is, after all, for the national elections. It was genuinely exhilarating. This time, I won't be all talk, I have the power to vote. "How will my ballot look like? Is shading the circle hard? How long will the ink stain in my nail stay?" irrelevant thoughts like this swamped my head. It never once occurred that those thoughts would be the last of my concern---not until election campaigns started.

When the first political campaign ad flashed on our television, I realized that elections were fast approaching. Every day, news about elections dominates the television, newspapers, radio, and social media. I try to take them all in, all the information about the candidates, their platforms, and their political backgrounds. Before, I would do this for an essay in class. Now, I'm doing it with my vote and the country in mind. Somehow, the idea that I now possess the power to make a change burdens me.

I'm not ignorant when it comes to politics. Ignorance isn't an option when we're talking about the future of our country. There's nothing blissful about watching your country fall in the hands of a tyrant or a fraud. However, when my friend asked me who I would vote for, I realized that it wasn't as easy as how I thought it would be. They say voting is easy as long as you stick to your principles and know who your candidate is. Is it, though?

Choosing a candidate isn't the same as choosing what movies to watch on Netflix. They're both hard, and require consideration, but not the same. And for me, it doesn't end with how they do during the campaign. People change. The same goes for the politicians who mask their image before elections. Perhaps, it's just me overthinking, but I tend to contradict my list of candidates with the question, "what if they are not IT? What if they reveal their true motives after they win? But, what if they're really the one?" Like me, I'd like to believe that the other first-time voters have as many questions in their minds.

A few days ago, COMELEC held a fair at one of the malls I frequent. They encourage you to experience how voting works. I took the chance since it was my first time, and I didn't want to look funny when I cast my ballot into the machine. The moment I held my fake ballot, it hit me. I'm a voter now. A few weeks from now, I'll be casting my first vote. Suddenly, the light black marker became heavy, and shading the circles became a challenging task. The black ink overflowing from the lines reminds me of the blood of my comrades spilled fighting for what they believed was right for the country. The roughness of the paper rubbing against my skin brought me to when I shook the hands of an older woman who, in her state of frailness, was forced to work to feed her unemployed children.

I realized I was shaking. Another first is about to happen for me. But why am I nervous? Because, unlike my other firsts, this one involves not just me but millions of people who are screaming for change. Oil price hikes are showing no signs of stopping. Indigenous tribes are terrorized into leaving their lands. The virus is still casting a shadow of death, waiting for a time to return if not contained. The country's debt is continuously breaking its record, ensuring that your great great granddaughter is now a hostage to creditors. We are all casting our votes in the hopes a savior will once again build this country from the shambles it is now.

Whoever said voting is easy belongs to the statistics of people who said they voted for their candidate "just because." Being a first-time voter, I want my vote to be memorable. A single vote carries so much pressure, and the outcome of your choices could bite you back---hard. We might be tired of hearing this cliché slogan, but I have to admit that it is the best summary of how one should vote for the upcoming elections--- it's to vote wisely.
Now that I think about it, maybe this first will be different. It will not be about my clothes or the food I eat. It will be about how other thousands of new voters and I will mark a change in the elections that will determine this country's next six years (or more).

03/05/2022

𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝
by 𝐻𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝐸𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎

First times are always special…so much more when I was devirginized.

I was excited, but a huge current of anxiety shot through me. I was inexperienced! As I stepped foot into the place, I just knew I had to be calm and let myself enjoy the pleasure.

It felt like the whole country was looking at me as I walked all the way to the center. Chills. I could feel shivers running down my spine and butterflies getting lost in my ribcage. Surprisingly, a random person handed me a flag, and the moment I let my hand kiss it, I knew for sure I wasn’t only holding on for my future. I was also taking part in creating a ripple - that whatever the result is, I’m inescapably going to track.

For that instance, I could feel my steps becoming heavier and heavier - probably the reality of the ominous future weighing in on me.

Even if I am socially aware, I have never been to a political rally. As an introvert, going into crowded places suffocates me and I just don’t feel the need to attend. What's more, aside from that, I have to bear the scorching heat of the sun while hearing the winding promises of the candidates…when most of them are just blabbering.

I was a political rally virgin, not until I mustered my courage and stood by my solid choice. It was high time to go out. It was myself holding my ground, fighting for what is right, and yearning for hope. I felt that all these political expressions in social media need to be given face...and I was able to do that.

As the 31st day of March approached, the atmosphere seemed to become lighter. It blew a sense of warmth that hugged me, assuring me that there is always a ray of sunshine amidst the confusing times. I had to witness it myself.

Even though I was a political rally virgin, it didn’t feel like it. The moment I raised my flag high enough with my K-Pop light stick on the other hand, I could already feel the Filipino warmth...not because it was blazingly hot of course, but I felt welcomed. I felt safe.

So much is at stake, it needs my presence - my formidable voice. I want myself to experience an authentic people movement driven by pure passion and true spirit of volunteerism. It was different. I want to be able to share to my children someday how I stood for the right choice, head-on.

My life flashed before my eyes as I looked at the camera when I took a group photo with my friends. It felt like the whole country was looking at me as I smiled, raising my banner. Chills. I could feel shivers running down my spine and butterflies getting lost in my ribcage. The moment the camera clicked, I knew for sure I wasn’t only fighting for my future. I was also taking part in creating a ripple - not just for me, but for every Filipino.

I was devirginized and it felt good. It felt right.

03/05/2022

❗ATTENTION ❗

CMS 135 Formally Presents:
Resivote PH

Watch and be informed with what resivote is all about.

Finally, andito na tayo sa exciting part!

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Tag your friends and family if gusto nyong maging informed with the stories of the people!

02/05/2022

LUZON, VISAYAS, MINDANAO. RESIVOTERS, ASSEMBLE‼️

Hmmm. Curious about us? Resivote.ph is a student-led online page by CMS 135 (Online and Contemporary Publishing) students from the University of the Philippines Visayas. We write stories from MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Zamboanga Peninsula to the Philippines! ✨

Here are the people behind the team!

01/05/2022

AMALAYER? AMALAYER?

Nope. Always with the truth, and we're almost here ;)

30/04/2022

❗WARNING. CONTROVERSIAL ENTRANCE COMING❗

Handa na ba kayo sa exciting part?