Stunned
The country has seen history unfold in the past two days, and her people have demonstrated what democracy is: a nation run by the people.
Among the developing stories I've been following on tv, what stunned me most was the way candidates have taken their losing, something this land hasn't seen before—at least, in a way not as widely practiced as we see it today. They conceded. They congratulated the winner. They accepted defeat.
You see, in the Philippines, when a candidate loses, he'll claim that there was massive vote-rigging. It's a nation hurt and more divided after the election.
We saw this display of maturity—and perhaps humility—when four presidential candidates conceded the race and expressed their support to the obvious winner. My heart went out particularly to Sec. Gilbert Teodoro. When interviewed, he showed no hint of bitterness, only a sense of relief that the race is almost over. I liked what he said, that his winning or losing is secondary to the idea he has been rallying for.
It's the idea, friends, not the personalities, that is foremost in the election. And a mature democracy must realize that the fate of the nation is moved not by the person at the helm, but by realistic, well-thought of ideas put into action for the good of this nation. Platforms.
As a democracy, we may be on our way to maturity. It's still a long way to go, but we're getting there.
Among the developing stories I've been following on tv, what stunned me most was the way candidates have taken their losing, something this land hasn't seen before—at least, in a way not as widely practiced as we see it today. They conceded. They congratulated the winner. They accepted defeat.
You see, in the Philippines, when a candidate loses, he'll claim that there was massive vote-rigging. It's a nation hurt and more divided after the election.
We saw this display of maturity—and perhaps humility—when four presidential candidates conceded the race and expressed their support to the obvious winner. My heart went out particularly to Sec. Gilbert Teodoro. When interviewed, he showed no hint of bitterness, only a sense of relief that the race is almost over. I liked what he said, that his winning or losing is secondary to the idea he has been rallying for.
It's the idea, friends, not the personalities, that is foremost in the election. And a mature democracy must realize that the fate of the nation is moved not by the person at the helm, but by realistic, well-thought of ideas put into action for the good of this nation. Platforms.
As a democracy, we may be on our way to maturity. It's still a long way to go, but we're getting there.
posted on May 12, 2010
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