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Posted by Lani Estepa on Thursday, March 15th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
I found this in my inbox today. It’s a clever story that drives home the point. A story to think about and share before the elections …
While walking down the street one day a Philippine senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.
“No problem, just let me in,” says the senator.
“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”
“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the senator.
“I’m sorry, but we have our rules.”
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are all having such a good time that, before the senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises… The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, “Now it’s time to visit heaven.”
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.
“I don’t understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”
The devil smiles at him and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today, you voted.”
Let us all remember this on May 14.
I read this kind of story before and it was tweaked for election purposes. It was indeed timely and I just hope most people will be able to read this message in order to ponder well on who to vote for.
1 | Alfonso S. Quilala March 15th, 2007 at 6:10 pmThis is specially true for the politicians of today. “Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed quite often for the very same reason.” – Anonymous
2 | Ben March 19th, 2007 at 11:48 amPerhaps the people of Lapog should be informed about such a candidacy by reading information such as these well written informations from this website and not through a word of mouth from a neighbor, friends and families. I’m sure most people of Lapog are well educated enough to make their own decisions and not be intimidated by others, only if they get well informed. It is sad to say that the poeple of Lapog does not have the oppurtunity to read (local newspaper, limited access thru internet, media coverage – “i know it’s funny, media coverage? for such a small town” and maybe even a tabloid magazine) to know all candidates well enough as far as their plans and intensions for the goodness of people and the town itself. Maybe i’m wrong. But i guess thats just the way it is until someone who really knows how to get the words out to people of Lapog with a strong character, to stand up for what’s right and what’s wrong. Maybe someday there will be this person. But for now, it’s all a cliche “Money talks, bull**** walks”.
3 | Louie Q. Azcueta March 23rd, 2007 at 5:02 pmThank you, Manong Louie, for sharing your thoughts on this. I think that even if people wanted to have more information about local candidates, they wouldn’t get any. This is because local candidates do not bother to come up with a comprehensive platform of government or agenda that they could disseminate to inform the voters. Or even if they do, they do not bother to put it in writing or disseminate it in whatever means available to reach local voters. Just like what happened in 2004 during the Candidates’ Forum sponsored by the PPCRV in the parish of St. John the Baptist. All candidates were invited but administration candidates were a no show, which, I think is a blatant disregard for the right of voters to be informed. Another problem is, the sincerity of most current leaders to be catalysts of change in Lapog is doubtful. From what I hear, most of the opposition in the town council has joined the administration party, no doubt in furtherance of their own political career. They don’t really care about Lapog’s development, only their own interests. And the third problem is the majority of voters who are easily bought, one way or another. One factor is fear; you would be discriminated against if you did not vote for the winning candidate. Barangay leaders are themselves beholden to incumbent officials and to go against these officials would mean jeopardizing their position in their barangay. The other is self-interest; ordinary folks have learned to go for candidates from whom they can easily ask favors. It’s a sad situation that makes a bleak future for Lapog and Lapoguenios.
4 | Lani March 24th, 2007 at 1:33 pmGreat story in a time like this… All of us are hoping for people to straighten up, hoping they choose or vote for the right candidate. As far as I’m concern, I don’t even know who is the right candidate to vote for if I was to vote anymore. Reality is that politics is politics, it will never going to change. All we can do is to believe in what we believe and just hope basically…
5 | Bryan Rocili Lagasca April 3rd, 2007 at 10:21 pmYou mean they are full of pee?
6 | Joy April 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 pmLet’s eliminate the bad and pick the good one, not all politicians are the same, let’s not judge.
7 | Rene S. April 24th, 2007 at 6:23 pm