“Losers assemble in small groups & complain, winners assemble as a team & find ways to win.” – Bill Parcells
The nationwide campaigns for local elections took off yesterday and as expected they did not come without colors and fun fare. Here in Bacolod City Team Asenso of Mayor Albee Benitez and Greg Gasataya opening salvo was dominated with white flooded the Paglaum Sports complex, while that of Team El Cid and representative Stephen “Caraps” Paduano stormed the Bacolod Public Plaza.
By the mere looks of these two rallies Team Asenso downright outnumbered Team El Cid on two major indicators – the venue and the traffic. The Paglaum Sports Complex is almost 4 times the size of the public plaza. Though the Team Asenso crowd occupied the main grandstand there were more supporters on the ground and in all corners. The other political rally may have filled the entire public plaza but its size is “dwarfed” by the former.
PROGRAM VERSUS PROMISES
What was worth noticing between the two rallies was the way they were conducted. If these were to be on a social media platform – the content must be the core. Major radio stations covered the rallies that interestingly were held almost simultaneously and observers and supporters alike who did not witness the rallies up close and personal were glued to these radio stations through social media.
In hindsight, political rallies are meant to be major platforms for candidates’ plans and programs and track records. Nothing else. This is an opportunity for the supporters to solidify and strengthen their support to candidates. Bacolod as a highly urbanized city, a site of rapid urbanization where development is inevitable necessitates a vision – a long term plan for the city must be in place where visionary minds and collaborative efforts are an imperative. Political rallies are not meant to be convenient avenues to tarnish, destroy or discredit political opponents much less attacked personally. The Bacolodnons, regardless of their demographics or socio-economic stratification, are clever enough to distinguish who displays proof of benefits and improvement and double-speak and lies. Lest they are sick and tired of mudslinging.
Equally important candidate must be ready to present himself as an able and capable leader to undertake continuous innovations and improvement propelled by the inevitability of change and time. The road must be prepared for the foundation of a bigger and better Bacolod such as quality and competitive education, required skills and competence, land use, major investments. While on the other hand leaders must create an atmosphere where Bacolodnons must feel excitement and eagerness to acquire more and leveled-up education for regular and stable jobs that will guarantee security and sustainability their socio-economic existence.
Bacolod must be a local government that is not entirely dependent from the national government for programs and services where people can run to in times difficulties but an able partner that self-liquidating highly urbanized and rapidly developing cities where its skills, talents and potentials come from its own constituents pooled, motivated and developed by their own very leaders under their trusted and proven leadership.
Well, March 28 marked another milestone of contrast in local politics of Bacolod that continues to make history. The tale of two rallies showed an inspiring tale of political grit and a harrowing grim. A passion of commitment and a sour taste of double-speak. Take your pick.*
