reinforced citizenship

it's so hot today.

but, it didn't stop me from being a good citizen of the country. today, my friends, i filed my registration form to be an official voter of this country.

i woke up by 7:45am. i am 45 minutes late basing on my target of waking up at 7am. anyway, i thought that i should not worry. i prepared myself to go the local ComElec Office. and, in no time i was in line.

the process isn't really long and tiring. all it takes is a little presence of mind and motivation to finish early. what seemed to be a long process is primarily because of the following reasons:

• aanga-anga people who do not know what do
  
• people who stand in line without their requirements
• people who just stay there and make chikka
• people who make singit

apparently, Filipino's still don't know how to line up in an orderly fashion. the moment they see a vacant seat, uupo sila kagad. the moment they see the counter free, sisingitan nila kagad. it was a good thing i was next to a senior citizen who believes in the first-in-first-out system. or was he just in that mood?

it was also a good thing that i've had enough forms to fill for a lifetime. grabe yung ibang tao. it's not that i'm belittling them, but, they have got to think sometimes. the sole counter is usually plagued by people who always ask for instructions to fill the form even if it has been posted already. and, in an enlarged photocopy, too!

anyway, i am happy i am done with the whole process. and, all i have to wait is for my voter's id and chance to vote come the 2010 elections.


The Advantages of Registering to Vote

not only will you have another valid id, you will also have the chance to vote for the person who you think is most worthy to serve the nation.

we cannot complain for lack of progress or malfunction in the government if we didn't register ourselves to vote. it's like, complaining for a product you didn't buy. or destroying another person's possessions. because if you are not registered to vote, for me, it's like saying that this government is not yours.

also, it is your chance to do something good for the country. by voting for the best candidate and his/her future colleagues, you can assure the Philippines of a brighter future.

now, isn't that worth it?

it's not going to cost you a whole day to register. if you're going to strategize, you can sacrifice an early morning to go to the municipality ComElec office. and, within minutes, you are done.

i ask you now, wouldn't you take the chance of undergoing a 30 minute process while taking the possibility of finally being able put your country into good hands?


The Process
can also be viewed from the Comission on Elections Website.

for those who will be registering in the future all you need is/are:

• birth certificate for those whose IDs do not have their age in them. this really isn't required but to be very sure, bring this and a photocopy of it
• valid id with address. it is important to note the "with address" part. an ID without address will not suffice.
• ballpen. how will you fill up the form without it? huh? :D
  

that is all you need. after you take hold of your requirements, come down to the local ComElec office.

1. Submit your requirements. this is called the interview phase. they ask you of your age and other things related to your residency in the said municipality.
2. Fill up the form. it is easy enough to understand. and there are no questions that are hard to answer.
3. Checking of the Form. they will check the form if there are inconsistencies or blank spaces. they will also assign you your application number and later, your precinct number.
4. Biometrics. this is where they'll be taking your picture and digital fingerprints. you will have your thumbs dirty as you'll be putting your real-life thumbmark in the forms you've just finished fillig up.

now isn't the process so easy. i wonder why many Filipino youth don't bother registering to vote. are maybe they're just as apathetic as i was, back then.