Today, our country's future is in our hands.

And I'm not just being poetic, patriotic or pathetic. Today, being national elections day when more than half of the country's population should have cast their votes and took a stand, the power really, is in our hands.

Unfortunately, for reasons well beyond my control, I was not able to cast my vote. And I am still kicking myself for it. At least, I am remorseful. Others who, like me, didn't endure the long lines at the polling precincts are, I can take a guess, feeling pretty smug and proud of themselves right this minute.

It used to be that I didn't believe that one tiny vote from little old me could change the world. And, I'm right. It didn't. But only because there were more who were like me then, and even more now.

In the last presidential elections, six years ago when I was but 18 and experiencing for the first time the election fever, I voted for a man who, from the start, didn't look like he was a winner. He did not win, and this year, he ran again. And it looks like he wouldn't win either.

Haay.If only my kababayans valued integrity more than popularity. If only my kababayans knew that one's vote is never wasted on a candidate who stayed at the bottom part of all the surveys and ratings. If only my kababayans understood that one should never pick the lesser evil. If only my kababayans believed that the surest way to success for our nation is to elect honest, incorruptible, and dedicated leaders.

How can a movie actor, who played numerous hero-type roles in his epic films solve the problem of poverty when for the majority of his years on earth, he was living in reel time? True, he suffered from a brief period of poverty but for many years after that, wasn't he practically rolling in dough and fame for the many movies my kababayans loyally patronized? I shudder to think how he will resolve the Mindanao conflict -- perhaps by forcing the Christians and Muslims to shake hands and hug and greet each other "Brother!" just like in the movies.

Now for the lady. While browsing through my alma mater's yearbooks, I saw her picture when she was a teacher of economics at the Ateneo. She may or may not bring the Filipino people out of grinding poverty. I know that three years is too short a time to judge whether she has done well for our country. But, clearly, she is trying, regardless of intrigues. I only hope she lives up to her promises. Gusto ko lang naman makita na because of what she did, siguro 10 or 20 years from now, we will begin to be better as a nation.

I know that a drastic and complete change will never happen in my lifetime. But I'd like to see a President who will take us one step at a time to a better future.

But wait, I have to go. I will continue pondering tomorrow.