Bring back Erap!

Erap eating Chicken Joy at Jollibee Gaisano Mall, Butuan City

Erap has been barnstorming Mindanao these days as part of his “Lakbay Pasasalamat.” One thing I observe in his tours, people are so enthusiastic to meet him. Children cheered, Girls giggled, and men were in high spirits upon seeing Erap. Unlike this other Philippine official who is very trying hard to woo the people but who doest not received the same warm treatment from the people as what happened to Erap.

Happiness was printed all over their faces when they see Erap.

In Butuan City, Erap caused a stir when he entered Jollibee at Gaisano Mall to eat Chickenjoy. In Surigao City, girls giggled as if they had seen Piolo Pascual or Sam Milby. Can you see that? Erap is STILL NUMBER ONE in the hearts of the Mindanaoans. You can’t beat that. Last Wednesday, Erap was in Tandag in time of the birthday of Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente “BB” Pimentel, a close Arroyo ally.

You see, while politicians in Mindanao have already pledge allegiance to the present administration, they simply cannot forget their very close relationship with Erap. Dongkoy Emano, the Plazas of Butuan, and the Pimentels of Surigao del Sur are Erap loyalist before they transferred to the administration. If they switched parties, it is because of convenience knowing how discriminatory and vindictive the present occupant in Malacanang is. If you are opposition you are starved of budget for projects. The constituents will pay the price and suffer by having no projects.

Now that its nearing 2010, and Erap is second in the running just three points behind Noli iand two behind Chiz Escudero the latest Pulse Asia survey, its now the right time for these politicians to re establish their ties with Erap.

Okay, we Mindanaoans admit that Erap is not that schooled as the others. People from other parts of the Philippines, always belittle Mindanaoans for our adulation of Erap. You see, its different here in Mindanao. Most of us here have humble origins and beginnings. That’s why we opted for individuals who can articulate our aspirations.

We don’t need high sounding degrees in some expensive universities. We don’t look at diplomas. By saying what I meant is that okay while you are that well educated, it will not guarantee that we will entrust you with our votes to give you the reigns of the government.

We have negative experiences that decades of being ruled by  schooled leaders, it is just a bad experience that most of them failed to use their so called education to help us but instead use it to enrich themselves.  At our expense, of course. That is why we prefer simple people who have the heart to listen and sincerity to serve us and not to steal us blind.

That’s explains why the likes of FPJ and Erap clicked here in Mindanao. We are simple people who don’t look at titles or achievements but who look at the sincerity of the heart.  Can you blame us?

Just remember the likes of Dongkoy Emano, the former Mayor of Tagoloan, former Governor, former Mayor of Cagayan de Oro and now CDO Vice Mayor, who is very popular despite all the issues thrown at him. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, who is very simple and very approachable. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a very approachable and sincere person. Constantino “Oguing” Navarro, Surigao’s charismatic leader who does not look at political color in dispensing public service during his time, Edelmiro Amante of Agusan del Norte, whose jokes and generosity endears him to the crowd during campaign sorties and during election time. Many may not like them but these are the very few kinds of people who will “click” here in Mindanao.

What is common trait of these personalities? They come as naturally charismatic and endearing to the people. Not some vain and trying hard personalities who wants to be popular with the people.

I don’t care that as we Mindanaoans we will be judge as shallow as far as our electoral preferences is concerned. We are consistent. We don’t want crooks. We don’t want hypocrites. We don’t want oppressors and abusive leaders. We simply want honest and sincere leaders.

So the collective call of the majority of Mindanaoans in the 2010 elections is. Of course, “Bring Back Erap!” Yes!

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Agusan marsh settlement

Its quite sad the story about a ten year old girl decapitated by a 30 foot crocodile in Lake Mihaba in the Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur. These part of Agusan del Sur is a complex area of marshes and lakes, ideal for crocodiles to breed.

Agusan Marsh is a protected area comprising of 59 lakes, which include the Lake Mihaba located at the south western portion of the marsh.

Agusan Marsh assistant park superintendent Rufino Miranda said the western portion of Lake Mihaba has been identified as a habitat and breeding area of crocodiles because of its rich vegetation and isolation.
Miranda also noted that two species of crocodiles thrive in the marsh; the freshwater and saltwater crocodile.

“The species in the Lake Mihaba is described to be robust, masculine type, and blackish in water,” Miranda said.

A 30 foot crocodile. What’s the chance of a ten year old girl against a creature as heavy as a bus. I watched in the National Geographic Channel and there I know that the bite force of the crocodile is about 1200 pounds. Can you imagine that weight applied on that ten year old girl who was grabbed by the head. Even a full grown man, masculine man have a little chance to fight off that kind of attack.

Anyway, its March and in my readings somewhere, female crocs are very hungry this month as most of them had just given birth. Plus add the fact that the waters in that area of Agusan Marsh have become murky and the fishes, which are the natural food for crocs are scattered leaving the behemoths hungry.

My small piece of advice is to relocate the residents and make them understand that they should find a place to settle where they cannot go in contact with the crocodile. In other words, we should learn to respect their territories.