I'll try to make this as short as possible because I'm not up to writing a very detailed travel blog today. I just feel that I need to get this out of my system so I can move to writing other things. Haha. So...

Unlike my Hongkong trip last January, this was the first time I stepped on Thailand. It was also the first time that I went with just one other person - KC. Usually, when I go on out-of-the-country trips with friends, the headcount at the minimum is 5. Anyhoo, since our flight was scheduled at 9:30 pm on Inauguration Day, KC and I decided to meet at the north MRT station at 3:30pm so we'll have ample time to get to the airport on the other side of the city just in case it's traffic. If no cabbie will take us, we have the option to ride the MRT. Wais!

We got to the NAIA Terminal 3 in about 45 minutes. So we had like more than 4 hours to kill, which was fine with both of us because we needed to change our money to Baht at the airport and we had no idea where it is. So, while waiting for our gate to open, KC and I ate at Yellow cab. At almost 100 pesos a slice, it looked pathetically small next to the humongous slice of yummy pizza from S&R.

We killed more time by walking around the shops and then had some money exchanged to Baht at the currency exchange counter near the international terminal fee booth (rate was at Php1.70 = THB1). After than, we decided to check-in our bags and then wait for boarding time at the gate, and maybe catch a bit of sleep. But since we still have a bit of time to kill, we decided to get some coffee at Bo's Coffee near our gate. Perfect!

At boarding, as expected, everyone stood to line up even if the ground stewardess announced the seat numbers that needed to board first. Guess, everyone can't wait to get their butts on the plane. Inside the plane, I was surprised to find the space between the rows was so small it was impossible to recline the seats without making the person at the back of your seat feel even more uncomfortable. You can't even pass by to go to the toilet! WTF??!!! I don't remember my flight to HK being this sucky.

But even at that situation, KC and I found something to laugh at. The whole cabin was filling up with fog, like a fog machine feeding a stage with smoke. We found it so hilarious and a bit weird that we took pics just to be able to laugh about it again afterward. We concocted all sorts of stories to go with the fog and I'm guessing, since we were the only ones who found it funny, the other passengers thought we were smacked in the head or something.

I started the day with a positive outlook that today's election is going to be okay. There never was any history of violence in my precinct, and today was no different. Precincts open at 7am, and just like a kid waiting to open his/ her presents on Christmas morning, I was up before the clock read 6am.

Yes, I was excited for a couple of reasons. First, I get to be part of a historic moment - the first ever automated polls in the Philippines. More than a hundred years after the very first general elections in the country, and after a much publicized debate, we've finally pushed through with the automation of the elections. It's not everyday that I get to be part of something this big, and I will not miss it for the world!

Second, I'm excited because for the first time since I started voting, I am passionate about my candidate. Don't get me wrong, I was also into Roco when he ran for the Presidency in 2004 against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But not as strong as I am with Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, Jr.

The past 2 weeks before this day, I've done nothing but read about his policies and plans for when he becomes president. His ideals on positive campaigning has inspired a lot of people, including me. A previously apathetic citizen has finally seen the light (enter spotlight, please). And bringing that kind of change in even just one person is enough to make me believe that with him at the helm, this country can get out of the quagmire (naks, big words!) the previous administrations (read: plural) has gotten us into. Here's hoping!

Third, I'm excited to see how the nation will fare during this exercise. I want to believe that voter turnout will be much higher than previous elections. It is my hope that there will be less Filipinos who will choose to waive the power to put their future in their own hands.

Ok, enough reasons why I'm excited about this year's elections. On to my story...

So, being automated and all, I expected it to be relatively fast and hassle-free even if clustering the precincts mean more voters crammed into a tiny classroom. My mom wanted us to vote as early as possible. I wanted to vote at around 5pm because I know there will be less people. Guess who won? Yep. We were at the precinct at 7:45am.

It was easy to find our precinct because the school had a big tarp out front which tells you what room and building your precinct is. Luckily, ours was the building next to the gate and on the first floor. As soon as we got to the door a BEI (Board of Election Inspector) gave us a slip of paper with a number on it (mine said 107) and told us to fill-up it up with details - name, precinct number, and voter's list number - so it will be easy to find our names later on. Then, we were ushered into the waiting area to wait for our turn.

When we got there the queue was at number 50+. Looking at my watch, I surmised that 45 minutes at 50 people is not bad. So, I thought that it'll take another 45 minutes before I get to vote. But nooooooo. I got to vote 2 hours later. I was as patient as I could be despite the sweltering morning heat and the lack of nothing to do (because like an obedient voter, I did not bring my cellphone). I was going to endure however long it takes because I don't want to waste my vote. My vote for change. My vote for a better Philippines. My vote for the man who I believe can take on the toughest job in the land.

Finally, at around 10 am I was inside the polling precinct shading my ballot, and being careful not to go outside the borders of the hugis itlog (egg-shaped) I was to mark. Took me less than 5 minutes because I had my kodigo with me. Then, it's time for me to face the PCOS machine. I was a bit nervous that my ballot may get rejected because of something I did wrong, like shading it too much or folding the edges. And I've heard that our precinct has yet to reject a ballot. I certainly didn't want to be first.

As I fed my ballot into the machine, I waited with baited breath (wow, tongue twister) ...scanning...scanning...damn, what's taking it so long...scanning...Congratulations! Ah, relief was instantaneous and it was all I could do to keep myself from jumping and shouting, "Yes!".

It was already 10:15am when me and my dad finally got out of the school (my mom, being a senior citizen had gone on ahead of us, waiting just 15 minutes for her turn to vote). Sweating and thirsty, I asked my dad to find an ice scramble vendor. I just know there had to be one there. And there was! Yey! I bought 2 10-peso ice scrambles for me and my dad and ate it right there under the shade of a house. Hands down, it was the best thing to have on a hot day.

So, how do I rate this automated election day? 4 out of 5 stars! Yes, even with news of violence in some parts of the country and PCOS machines breaking down, I can consider this day as a success not only for the Philippines but for democracy. Hey, Smartmatic and the Commelec has 3 long years to improve on this new process and make the next elections smoother. Kudos to everyone involved.

Sulong Pilipinas!

As election day draws near, I find myself inundated by election campaign materials from different candidates. However, I've already chosen my main candidate for this year's polls. And thanks to an active volunteer officemate, I got my hands on these cool stuff:



Even our car screams Gibo.



Now, I just hope and pray that the elections will be a relatively (I say this with much skepticism) clean one, and that whoever wins will bring unity, peace, and a positive change in the Philippines. Sulong Gibo!

One day, when I look back at this time, I'll be proud to say that I exercised my right to vote, and I that voted wisely.

Hear ye! Hear ye! All you coffee lovers!

Starbucks is offering to take Php40 off your hot or cold drink if you bring your own tumbler or mug to the store on April 22 and 23.

I'm off to the nearest Starbucks for my White Chocoloate Mocha Frap. Perfect for the sizzling hot weather.