Practice my right as a Filipino by casting my vote after a decade since I was registered.

Why it seemed I developed the habit of being late? Days before our national election yet it's only now I will be sharing the date.

For non- Filipinos that might read this blog of mine, I am just curious. Is vote buying also practice? Yes, if we based on the Philippine law clearly formed of corruption but no one is reporting why? Even I love my peaceful life!

Talking to a few of our online friends, we've been sharing how much they received (cash and even rice.) So far, the biggest was almost $90; that's huge!

You might ask me, how about me? Did I receive cash from politicians?

Yes, I did work and paid the taxes; I believed that's my money. Thus, it doesn't mean I voted what they had been recommending.

Fast-forward to last May 12, after a decade finally, I was able to exercise my right as a Filipino.

Together with one of my sisters-in-law, we arrived past seven in the morning, yet there was already a long queue of lines. We are in different precincts but the same cluster. For this reason, I do not know there were five in each cluster.

As the venue was a public school, adding a volume of voters made the area humid. On my part, since I am carrying my son just minutes and I am already sweating.

I stayed in the line for an hour until I tried my luck and approached the teacher assigned to ask if she could let me skip lines. That time, my son had already fallen asleep in my arms. Glad, she let me after seeing my situation.

When it was my turn to cast a vote, from the window, I saw my sister-in-law's husband. After asking for permission, I went out and let him hold Caleb for a while.

Now, I know why it takes time; it was the machine. It takes minutes before it reads the ballot. Though they say in another precinct, it was faster.

_{I was worried he would cry as he seldom sees his Tito, but I was wrong. He was not enjoying it at all and even refused when I took him. He could be kidnap easily 🤣.}

Due to the hot weather and to ensure peace and order there are several men in uniformed station on duty.

After I was done, my sister-in-law told me to go home as she was still in line. The weather was so hot, and I was thinking of my son's safety. Good thing that their husband's cousin was there, and she brought her car. They told me to go home with them. Though there was a free ride, the tricycle was paid for by the Brgy. Captain here. There was also free lunch (Jollibee meal) if you dropped by his house. I didn't, as the cousin and he were supporting different parties, lol. It would be awkward to tell her, right? Besides, there are a lot of people there, and I am no longer in the mood to socialize.

Tired, plus Caleb was fussy, I didn't even have the energy to prepare my meal. When my son was asleep, that was only the time I realized there was no food.

At least I had pears! Told the husband. It was election day, and no one was selling food. In fairness to my husband, even though he is not here as much as possible, he tried his best to take care of us.

Got my food delivery from mother-in-law as the husband chatted with him. She even asked why I didn't tell her I had nothing to eat.

Well, not that I had pride, but I just didn't like being a burden or disturbing others for my welfare.

So far, the election here in my area ended peacefully with fireworks. It was a landslide win, 10-1 in local candidates.

What about in your area?

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Photos are mine