#PiliPinasDebates2016 (An Experience of a Lifetime)

I am not exactly a fan of politics and to some extent, I get irritated when all the news talk about are politicians throwing mud at each other. But even before becoming a member of a news organization, I have always been concerned about the country including its political issues. Come May 9, the voting members of the population will choose another leader. What’s exciting about this presidential election is the staging of debates. For me, this is a very vital part of choosing a leader as a debate presents the views that the presidentiables have regarding issues in the country.

I am even more excited when I learned that the Visayas leg of the debate will be held in my alma mater, University of the Philippines Cebu.

Even when initially we didn’t have a choice but to just watch how the debate will go by watching on TV, I was still excited. I never thought that I would get lucky to be given the chance to be on the ground that day.

As the number of people allowed inside is very limited, I thought that it would be impossible for me to get in. I joined one of the organizer’s trivia questions though but I never won as they will only pick the first 10 to get the right answers. By some twist of fate though, God found a way for me to still get inside the ground. Some schools did not respond to the invitation of the organizers so they just gave away the tickets to those who joined the contest by giving 5 more tickets to the next 5 people who answered correctly. I did got lucky to be one of the top 15 to answer correctly the question: Give at least 3 vice-presidents who became presidents of the Philippines. My answer was: Sergio Osmena, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

March 20, 2016 – Debate Date

I got up early and prepared early for the debate coverage. I was there not only to witness but also to work. As I am part of the social media team of SunStar Cebu, it was my obligation to observe and tweet these observations so the followers of SunStar can also pick these up.

What could be more kilig than being part of this list? 

As early as 8:00AM, students from different schools already lined up at the entrance of UP Cebu. The gates opened at 10:00AM.

 A mass was held at 11:00AM as it was a Palm Sunday. The organizers were thoughtful enough to give us palms that were blessed by Father Thomas who celebrated the mass.

There were also different interactive booths that the audience gamely participated on. My favorite is the booth where you can take pictures with the standees of the candidates and you also use the thumb marks to cast your vote.

This was the closest I could get to having a photo with the presidential candidates.

I also was asked by the organizer to go on cam and ask a question to the candidates. I dunno what got into me because I obliged. My question: If you win, how will you support the Freedom of Information Bill?

They gave me a shirt for asking that question. LOL

Another thing I noticed is how passionate Duterte supporters were. They make up the largest number of the audience and they were chanting from the time they came up until the last second of the debate.

As everyone knows, the debate was delayed for almost two hours because of VP Binay wanting to bring his notes/documents much to the disdain and objection of Mar Roxas.

When the debate started, it was all heated. It was fun and obviously the audience was very happy of the debate that they are seeing even if they are just watching on screen.

I found the mudslinging somewhat tacky but still it was fun to watch them.

This once in a lifetime experience awoken the journalist in me and I am glad that somehow, I still have it. I am also happy that I have at least made up my mind who to vote for the presidency.

I am glad that SunStar gave me the chance to practice my journalistic skills again. I am even happier to at least be there to witness history. 

Here are some stills of the debate sidelines:

That day, I wasn't just Crish the "Journalist" but more importantly, I was also a concerned Filipino.