Two years ago, many people have gathered to get rid of an "abusive" President during the EDSA 2. The youth, particularly, what we call the Generation X (also referred to as Generation Text) played a powerful role to the event that to some extent (or perhaps), has changed the situation of our country.

Now that the clamor of the 2004 Presidential Elections has become the talk, much more an argument of the town, there is one question that lingers in my mind: After discharging a President two years ago, now is our turn to place another to rule over us. Therefore Generation X, what should we do?

Different issues in the 2004 Presidential Elections concerns not only by politicians, but almost every person in the island. Some issues being tackled are the efficiency of the computerization of the voting system, the problem of the opposition of who to choose as their standard bearer, the usual "siraan" between politicians, specially, the Presidentiables. From these issues, we should be more concerned of knowing who these Presidentiables are and what are their "Ks" (karapatan) or their strengths when it comes to leading a country.

These should not be the concern of the voters alone, but much more of the youth. We should make some effort to know who are the aspiring rulers of our country because it has a big effect on our lives.

Know the Presidentiables

There are four Presidentiables worth knowing in the 2004 elections.

Panfilo "Ping" Lacson. It's Christmas time! Every body, specially, Lacson's supporters sing "Ping, ping, ping" to the tune of Jingle Bells. But who is this man? The TV advertisements imply that he was the best Philippine National Police Chief that the country has ever had. He was also allegedly involved in the Kuratong Baleleng case and is the contender of the Fernando Poe, Jr., another Presidentiable for the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) party.

Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ). A political neophyte. He had never hold any office in the government. He was a good friend of the ousted president, Joseph Ejercito Estrada. A good actor, filmmaker and producer. The show biz industry looks up to him for his "kindness" and "good-heartedness". His supporters believe that he would be the one to unite the Filipino people again. He, just like his friend Estrada, is known for his charisma.

Raul Roco. The former Department of Education has been well preparing for his candidacy for President. He is very vocal from the start that he was running for the highest position in the Philippine government. He was the one who proposed a new curriculum in the Department of Education.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA). The daughter of the late president Diosdado Macapagal and the current President of the Philippines. She earlier said that she is not running for President but eventually has changed her mind and will compete on 2004.

Who are They, Anyway?

I wonder what the Generation X, or should I say the Generation Text thinks about them… Through the use of text messaging, I asked some people why they like and do not like these presidentiables. They replied to me and have gathered some of their feelings about them.

Stephanie, 20 years old UP student says that she doesn't like Ping Lacson. " It'll be difficult for people 2 believe him. Who wud have faith in som1 hu has bin repeatedly accusd 4 corruptn?"

Gian, also a 20 year-old Communication Research student, said that she prefers FPJ over the other candidates. She added, "bsta ayoko nung 3 lalo na c gloria at roco. Wat I don't like abt (FPJ's) candidacy is d tendency 4 other ppl 2 mnipul8 hm ska bka masira sya ng intriga."

Carla, 20 years political science graduate, gave some reasons why she likes Roco. She likes Roco because she believes that the presidentiable is competence wise, has commitment and has the passion of making the country better. She claimed that Roco has good character. "He is untainted, though there are allegation against him there wer no prufs." She also believes that Roco has commendable plans for the country. On the other hand, there are some who are not pleased with Roco. I remember the time when my friend and I were eating luch when suddenly I asked him if he likes Roco. He said that he doesn't like Roco because he thinks that the aspiring president have done "nothing" to the betterment of the educational system in the country when he was still the head of the Department of Education.

As for GMA, many admire her for leading the country after ousting the former President Estrada. But also more people were dismayed when she announced that she is running for presidency again, when she already has said that she would not.

Not all that I interviewed have their bets for the 2004 elections. One of them is Mayee, Gian's classmate. She said that she doesn't have any favored candidate but she surely would not abstain in the position for President when voting day comes. "Basta, I'll choose the lesser evil and practice my right to vote".

Election Equals Future

It's a good thing to know that this generation is not as passive as others think. This just proves that Generation X (or Text) is more than just a mushy texter of romantic messages. The youth is now becoming more aware and engaged of political issues like the 2004 Elections. No matter who you think is the best among the four, it doesn't matter. What matter is that, we did the effort of knowing and choosing the person to whom we entrust the country. It is not that you just practice your right by voting, but much more, you practice your right for a cause. If you are not thinking about this before, why start thinking about this now and make a difference for the country?

Bottom line is, it is our future for the next 6 years at stake here. Probably, the reason why we ended up then, rallying for EDSA 2 is that we did not know So we, as Generation X, should take part and should comply with our responsibility of making our country take its rebound. Let's show them how powerful we are just like we did in EDSA 2 and get involved. Or else, a revolution might happen again. We don't want to go to EDSA again and make a peaceful revolution a ritual, right?