Ayan na, mga kapitbahay! Election season is over, but parang may hangover pa rin tayo.
The 2022 Philippine Presidential Election: Leni Robredo vs. Bongbong Marcos. It was THE talk of every tita’s sari-sari store, every jeepney ride, every KDrama commercial break.
Even Tita Rose from Chicago who still calls “collect call” was invested.
This wasn’t just about politics anymore. This was personal.
Anak ng… It’s Complicated!
Here’s the thing, mga inaanak: understanding this election means understanding the shadow of history.
- On one side, you have Bongbong Marcos, the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. We’re talking about a legacy of Martial Law, human rights violations, and billions of dollars allegedly stolen from the country.
- On the other, you have Leni Robredo, a human rights lawyer, a widow who entered politics after her husband’s tragic death, and a woman known for her simple lifestyle and hands-on approach to helping the poor.
Talk about a plot twist! It’s like choosing between the leading man in a teleserye and the underdog who actually deserves the win.
More Than Just Names on a Ballot
What made this election different? Passion, my dears. Filipinos weren’t just voting; they were fighting for their beliefs, their hopes, their version of the Philippines they wanted to see.
Team Leni, also known as “Kakampinks,” were a rainbow wave of volunteers. They organized rallies, went house-to-house, even campaigned in the middle of floods. They believed in Leni’s brand of leadership: honest, compassionate, and always putting the people first.
Bongbong Marcos had his supporters too – the “Solid North,” known for their unwavering loyalty to the Marcos name. They believed in his message of unity and a return to the “golden age” of his father’s rule.
The Social Media Circus
Let’s not forget the internet, mga bes! This election was FIERCE online.
- Misinformation spread like wildfire. Fake news, historical revisionism, and online trolls were working overtime. It was enough to make your Tita delete her Facebook account (but then how else will I stalk your crush? Char!)
- But, on the flip side, social media became a powerful tool for the Kakampinks. They used it to organize, mobilize, and fight back against disinformation.
It was a digital bayanihan, where everyone from tech-savvy millennials to your Tita Fely who still uses “po” and “opo” in Facebook comments came together.
The Results and the Aftermath
Spoiler alert (in case you’ve been living under a rock): Bongbong Marcos won by a landslide.
- The reasons? Complicated. Some say it was the Marcos machinery, the power of disinformation, the deep-rooted political dynasties.
- Others argue that Filipinos yearned for a simpler time, a nostalgia for a “golden age” that may or may not have existed.
Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: the Philippines was deeply divided.
So, What Now?
The election may be over, but the story of the Philippines is far from finished.
What can we learn from all of this?
- Critical thinking is crucial. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet (even if it’s shared by your favorite Tito Boy Abunda fan page).
- Your voice matters. Stay engaged, speak up for what you believe in, and hold your leaders accountable.
- Hope is a powerful thing. The fight for a better Philippines continues, and it’s up to all of us to keep the spirit of bayanihan alive.
Para sa bayan, mga kapitbahay!