Once I was Falling Slowly

From the movie "Once" and sang by Crystal and Lee, two of the top 4 American Idol Contestants this year. I just loved their duet rendition of the song. Besides, the two had outstanding chemistry.. brings some kilig factor, so to speak.. And in fact I want to learn how to play this on the guitar. Jigs..
 
I don’t know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can’t react
And games that never amount
To more than they’re meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You’ll make it now

From the movie Once
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can’t go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I’m painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It’s time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You’ve made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing along


Thanks to this site for the lyrics.

2010 Philippine Elections, Historical? I say Automated Vote Counting not really Automated Polling

Finally, I have voted. I consider myself lucky and so with the rest of voters from Marikina City. So organized. And bravo to Markina City BEI's.

 

Startingup early on PCOS related problems of 2010 elections

Three hours into election 2010, problems aired over the airwaves consists of:

1. PCOS machine batteries running out only after 2 hours. Were we not assured that the batteries will last up to 16 hours? And were we not assured by Meralco that there will be no brown out today?

2. PCOS machine shutting down as in the case of Noynoy Aquino, Presidential candidate. As it was his turn to cast his vote, the PCOS  machine suddenly stops.. only when it came to his turn..

Let's see how these progresses. I am on my way to vote.

How technology seems to be failing the 2010 Philippine elections

Being a neophyte in automated elections, the Philippines is  now witnessing the erosion of  public confidence in COMELEC's promise of honest, orderly, and clean elections. Glitch after glitch, the PCOS machine is proving many skeptics of SMARTMATIC's reliability as a an election hardware/software vendor. After all, they have been given ample time, or were they?

Thanks or no thanks,  COMELEC seems to be bungling,  as many people predicted.. What is wrong?

Was this election designed to fail? What kind of planning strategies did COMELEC prepare? Or is there any plan at all?

We have to brace ourselves..  this  country is at the apex of  this very important political exercise. How we behave as a people will spell our doom or our exaltation.

Good luck and may God bless all of us!

Thanks to this site for the PCOS photo.

More comprehensive info on the PCOS machine here.

Eight Days Away from Philippines 2010 Elections: Voting Do's and Dont's

Yes its just a week away from the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. Surrounding this critical  political exercise, worries  remain in the hearts and minds of the voting public. There's a lot of talk  about worst case election scenarios. Take the case of NoEl or "no elections".  Some feel that the elections seems to have been designed to fail. And what about the reliability issue of the PCOS machines; the highly sensitive nature of the ballots and other possible mishaps that could happen during election day at the precint level not to mention  digital or manual transport of the precint level results. It appears that some quarters, to this day,  do not trust COMELEC given its track record of booboos like Garci and Co.

We have to remind ourselves that another issue that may have been overlooked even by the candidates themselves is the assurance that votes cast by  their captured voters will be counted. Voters need to be reminded that their  ballots must be dispensed with care;   free from dirt or smudge,  when it is first handed to them.  Things borne out of old  habits can lead to incorrect handling and  filling-up of the ballots.  It has been observed, that during mock election exercises conducted by COMELEC accredited training and education organizations, mostly composed  of professionals,  had tendencies to be confused - there were cases of voters putting checks instead of the required black oval marking. In others, ballots  were folded which is now a no no. Ballots are required to be free of  folds,  tamperings,  creases, etc.

These are just a few experienced from the field. To imagine these happening on election day, leaving many voters "disenfranchised" is mind boggling.

Some reminders that may prove helpful:

1. Make sure you bring a codigo listing the candidates you will cast your vote for.
2. No over voting. Under voting is allowed. This means instead of 12 senators,  you can only choose to vote for 4 or 8. But you definitely can not mark 13 names. Make sure that you are aware of the right number of names for a specific position. Again over voting will  automatically invalidate your ballot.
3. Make sure that you bring a clean, unmarked paper which can be used to protect the process of marking your  ballot. Remember, no smudge, no marks, no creases, no folds.
4. Bring your hankies to prevent perspiration from affecting  the  ballot. The Picos machine might  reject a "moisturized"  ballot.
5. Make sure that your ballot has been handed to election officials in charge before the indelible ink marking. Also return the ballot marker or instrument. That can not be brought home.
6. Make sure to check the COMELEC online listing of your cluster areas before election day if it is at all possible,  to avoid unnecessary hassles.

I may have left out other useful reminders, so feel free to share yours.