The time was past 1:00 A.M. in the Philippines when Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. began to administer the oath of office to inaugurate the 44th president of the United States, His Excellency Barack Hussein Obama, but tens of millions of Filipinos were still keen to watch the event – live – as it dramatically took place at Capitol Hill National Mall. Aside from CNN and BBC, several other local television and radio networks also broadcasted a full coverage of the 56th US presidential inaugural and parade.

Emotions were extremely high as people around the country pay attention to the historic transition onscreen which, to them, was like a fairy tale turned reality – a dream-come-true – a peculiarly successful story of a beautiful family and a steadfast people. At the inaugural, viewers saw a spectacular re-enactment of a cherished political tradition, witnessed the first African-American president perform his first act as Head of State of the world’s most powerful Union, and listened to his strongly moving inaugural address. More, deeply, the ceremony reminded Filipinos of their painful quest for progress and full development which, up to these times, are yet to be achieved.

Filipinos and African-Americans share a common history. Both nations suffered for so many hundreds of years as slaves to powerful conquistadores. Our forefathers were, in the past, similarly situated: subjected to various forms of cruelty and forced labor policies – the encomienda – which eventually led to the establishment of haciendas, construction of roads and bridges, water and irrigation systems, halls and churches, palaces and other government structures such as the magnificent White House and Capitol Hill National Mall. It’s for this bitter part of history that the 56th US Presidential Inauguration became so closely watched by Filipinos. We see the man who was to take the most sacred oath before millions of spectators at Capitol Hill as the president who will “change” the face of America to the rest of the Third world.

But unlike African-Americans, whose fathers less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant, yet found their dreams fulfilled, Filipinos are still ardently searching for a leader who would, someday, forcefully yet humbly do and achieve for our nation like a president Barack Hussein Obama – someone credible enough to “bring about needed change to the unchanging.” Around the countryside, graft and corruption and poverty are becoming more and more looming as countless local government units continue to be governed by a few elite families whose political dynasties have become so very well entrenched overtime, hence, now capable of perpetuating for as long as their generations live.

In my city alone, political administration has remained unchanged for 21 years already and is now seen to even subsist much longer. The opposition party had since wanted and, at several times, attempted to replace the prevailing body politic, but no one else from among them has stood out to win the local intelligentsia’s trust. Due to this, the local intelligentsia’s voting, over the last three succeeding elections, went down to an average low of 53.76% despite commandingly making up 47% the city’s total voting force.

Thus, for as long as the local intelligentsia remains numb and apathetic to the ideals of the opposition party, change will not be coming to my city. Many will be deprived and a lot more will become much poorer. Opportunities will be served only to those who submit to the tyranny of the few. Democracy will fade, freedom will be lost, and justice denied as voices are silenced.

But this is no reason for the townsfolk to lose sight of “hope.” For the night no matter how dark will always end at dawn. Someone from the poor is rising! He is young. He comes with a clean conscience. He is eager to know more and is learning fast and well. He has the heart to win and the will to serve. He treasures tradition and is God-fearing. He prays. He fights! He earns! He builds! And soon he will destroy the indestructible – the now deemed to be “invincible!” In due time, the local intelligentsia will come to fully support his causes and he will become the “Obama of the Filipino nation.”

God bless the Filipino people!