viridian fever

What in the world is Viridian Fever? Is it a colloquial term for some other disease or is it a new illness? Before this launches another pandemic frenzy, let me clear this up.

Viridian Fever is closely associated with another kind of fever: Election Fever. You get my drift? If you know Latin, or if you have Google on your toolbar or in another window, you'll know by now what I am talking about. Viridian...is Latin for green.

So it's obvious what I am talking about. Viridian fever = Green fever. No need to panic, unless you suffer from yellow fever (literally and figuratively), orange fever, scarlet fever (again, literally and figuratively) or whatever-color-your-candidate-has-adapted fever. For fellow Greenies, my salutations, I am one of you.

To everyone, I come in peace, I will not smear my blog with any mud nor lace it with negativity. Instead, this post, the first I've written in a looooong time, will be all about the candidate I am supporting and my sentiments about it. He campaigned without mudslinging, and I will follow his example (see how his leadership is already bringing change?).

On May 2010, I am voting for G1BO TEODORO. This is no secret to all the people who know me. I wear his baller bracelet, my bag has his bag tag, the car has his sticker and the house gates are painted viridian with his stickers on the gate post. You don't have to be as smart as Gibo to figure out who I am supporting.

I am a Greenie from the start, way before the war of the colors had begun. I see in Gibo the qualities I want my president to have. I am voting for Gibo because of the man he is. He has integrity. He campaigned without besmirching anyone. When bashed, he did not stoop to the level of his detractors by flinging back skeletons from their closets. He presented to the Filipino people what he had, not what his relatives did nor what he did not have. His promises are rooted in pragmatism, and this is how I believe it should be. I believe that if we start working now, the Philippines will eventually that fabled paradise.

Besides that, as former Secretary of National Defense and a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, Gibo has the military know-how. I want my commander-in-chief to be knowledgeable in the ways of the military, because in the unfortunate event that we are plunged into war, this person will be calling the shots. With the threat of war always being ever so present in our archipelago, knowing my commander-in-chief can boodle with the military big boys makes me feel safer.

That Gibo is smart is not a secret, nor is it something still to be proven. Same with his being eloquent, and not just in the lingua franca or the vernacular, but also in other dialects. He is not one to utter a tactless comment, regardless of how emotional he is. He possesses the charm of a diplomat, and couple that with his commanding presence, I will be proud to have him represent the Philippines in the international setting.

Gibo is ready to serve, to the best of his capabilities. His actions say so. Recall the time when disaster struck Leyte and there was a scramble to mobilize the troops and bring the relief goods and supplies to the area. The call for help reached Gibo Teodoro's ears and it was a call not left unheeded. Although still mourning for his father, Gibo left the wake and went on to pilot a plane bringing supplies to the disaster area.

Gibo Teodoro is the best man to lead us. The best man in a long time. For as long as I can remember, we haven't had a person of his caliber run for public office. By voting for him, I am actually voting for me, for the entire Philippines. If someone else gets elected president, we can say Gibo is the loser in the elections. Technically. But in the bigger scheme of things, it will be the Philippines, us, who will be the biggest losers. So forgive me if I try to infect you with Viridian Fever.

This entry is a contribution to the Blog Rounds v.2 May 8, 2010 Edition: Election Fever, hosted by Joey M.D.