Ka-Blog!

It’s five in the morning.  I’m at the Kodao office.  Soon as my officemates arrive, we rush over to the domestic airport to catch our respective flights to Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao.  Kodao and ten other progressive multi-media groups are the video teams for these elections’ International Observers’ Mission.
            It’s Mindanao for me.
            I only found out our final destination hours ago.   Initially it was either Cotabato or Lanao.  Then it got changed to Compostela Valley.  Now, it’s ARMM again.  (Been there only once before, Lake Sebu–beautiful place!–when I was invited as CEGP national convention’s resource person in 1997.)
            Am excited.  And afraid (a little bit).  The Philippine Marines rule the place.  "Garci" is there.  Am sure, that abominable Malacanang operator has minions working their dark magic there uli.  Anything can happen. 
           No matter if I hold a Comelec-issued media ID.  It can’t stop bullets nor prevent goons from doing us harm.
            I wish for a succesful trip.  I want to take good videos that would prove how dirty and dangerous this so-called democratic process really is in this hard-luck country.
            Most of all I wish for a safe trip.  I promised the wife I’d be home safe later this week.