NAME: Mayono, Cleere P.

DATE: 05/18/22
GRADE AND SECTION: Gr. 12 - Lucena ADVISER: Cagadas, W
SUBJECT: Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking SUBJECT TEACHER: Dorotan, J
In the 21st Century

REFLECTION: State your reasons on why you were not able to vote.

The election had ended and I was not able to vote. Although I turned eighteen last year, I was not
able to register myself as an eligible voter due to various reasons. First, there was an assigned
deadline. It was said last year that the voting registration would end by September; leaving me,
and other teens who were born on the remaining last three months of the year behind. Second, I
didn’t double check the deadline. There was one friend of mine who asked if I am a registered
voter already and I told her no. She told me that I can still catch up and register because as far as
she knows, the last deadline was by January. I didn’t believe her. I shrugged off what she told me
and went on with my day. Third, at that time, I didn’t have any interest in politics. I thought that
voting will be just a hassle and I didn’t see it as a necessity. There was a part of me that believed
when my friend that I could still catch up till January but the bigger part of me believed that It’s too
much hassle to register in the last minute. Lasty, I didn’t think about my privilege. I have the
privilege to use my vote and contribute to my future but I chose not to take action and let others
decide for my behalf. I used to think that as long as it's not affecting me directly, it will not concern
me. I know I sound selfish but at some point of our lives, weren’t we all even just a little bit selfish?

As months passed by, the day of the election was slowly getting near. During the times where I
stayed in social media, I saw different kinds of people fighting for their chosen candidates and I
thought, “Wow, they’re so dedicated.” I was always the kind of person who didn’t bother arguing
with people and I usually stayed by the sidelines. As I read their opinions about certain topics, I
was enlightened for a moment. I realized that I was an ignorant person throughout my whole life,
and that wasn’t because I didn’t receive enough education. It was because I refused to educate
myself. I slowly became immersed in politics and started talking to my parents and friends about it.
People around me had different presidential picks but I could see where they were all coming from
and their idea on why they chose that person. I was torn. I thought that even if I were able to vote I
wouldn’t know which presidential aspirant to vote because I saw Leni and BBM as good leaders.
So, I decided that whoever wins between the two of them, I would be okay regardless. Because
first of all, I chose not to be a voter so I don’t have the rights to be angry on whoever wins the
election. And, I know that both Leni and BBM are good presidential aspirants. This is evident in
Leni’s upcoming housing project for the poor, even though she lost, she still has the heart to help.
As for BBM, he was good at handling Ilocos Norte, so I think the Philippines is in good hands.