‘Circus’
23 March 2007
I had to disembark from the jeepney that
carried me on my way to Avenue Square a while ago because of the heavy
traffic that had prevented our vehicle from moving for a good deal of
time already. I thought I could reach my destination quicker while
afoot than staying inside waiting for the traffic to roll sensing that
it was not an ordinary traffic jam that I usually run into along
Magsaysay Avenue; one that usually does not take much time. Peering
through the windshield, I could see more vehicles than I earlier
suspected already trapped in an unsightly bumper-to-bumper situation
down the road. There was also some noise ahead that’s not common in the
area. I knew there was ’something‘ out there.
As
I approached Avenue Square, my hunch was confirmed. I moved past more jeepneys
and trucks loaded with people wearing colorful shirts that bear the
faces of people we also often see in the television these days (via
their own advertisements which contents - and promises - are either
too-good-to-be-true, too-’cute’-to-be-taken-seriously, or
too-corny-to-be-even-watchable), on political posters and streamers
that are all over us again, and in every possible medium assaulting our
senses and well, I dare say, our sanities. The flags were up again,
being waved relentlessly. There were a number of brass bands too atop trucks
playing varied tunes aside from the already loud and annoying speakers
playing some ubiquitous jingle and extolling candidates. Joining the
spectacle were vehicles that were covered (or should I say vandalized?)
with campaign posters and other materials. The huge number of people
marching, cheering, and waving placards whom I encountered earlier at
the city center leaped into mind. And then, I overheard a lady whom I
passed by on the side of the road inquiring: "Haen si Cesar Montano?"
(Where is Cesar Montano?).
And so, it is already here, I thought with a sigh.
The ‘circus’ has arrived in Naga City.
Kapit mga kapatid.
