in two days...

This internet cafe is located on a second floor. Before I walked in I watched a truck full of colorful drummers beating their hearts out for some political campaign, flying down the freeway. This sight has become typical.

I mentioned that campaign posters were pasted on every vacant wall pole tree and vehicle? Now they are also strung across the streets like party banners- some even strung from the power/phone lines. There are bullhorns attached to the roofs of vehicles, which chant a particular politicians jingle as they cruise through your neighborhood. There are rallies on the sides of the street when we drive through certain areas. Last night a rally nearby where I was staying was accompanied by fireworks or something explosive like that. Driving through the presumed area, the next morning, I saw the street littered with the remnants of what looked like a real party.
Tonight (Saturday) is the last night of campaigning- so i hear. I think I'll stay at home.

The election is on Monday.
I do not presume to be a journalist, so i will not try to give you facts. Nor am I a commentator, because I do not have the authority. But as a mere observer I can safely say that the hopes and dynamism that rides on this election is a trifle more than the last Canadian Federal event (for example.)

I am not going to try to provide stats or news events here. But I would love you to get a better idea of what is happening to your inter-pacific neighbor as she picks up pen to write history- in one way or another- again on May 10th. Largely, I just want you to get a feel for the political climate that I find myself in currently.

Search the Web. There are at least a couple Filipino papers that have decent web sites. Searching from the Google.com.ph might refine news articles. I noticed that BBC has some coverage. You might find some interesting news or commercials on Youtube too. I'll leave the searching up to you.

This really is not some back-country call for Mayor. The Philippines represents a dynamic and diverse 92 million. And those running for offices are enough to fill a hockey arena.