November 5, 2008- The Cebu Bloggers Society members were invited to join the US Election Watch 2008 sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines at SM City Cebu’s Northwing Atrium around 9 am to 2 pm. A number of bloggers were present to witness the historical and most hi-tech election ever in the United States of America. It’s definitely a date to note!

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The event was spearheaded by the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission based in Manila, Paul Jones who warmly welcomes every invited guest. Local politicians (Mayor Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City, Rep. Raul Del Mar, and Rep. Neressa Soon-Ruiz), businessmen, VIPS, local media men (Rico Lucena of ABS-CBN, Bobby Nalzaro of GMA 7 and other tv and print reporters ), Cebu Bloggers Society, American friends and et al. flocked in the Atrium while watching those live news telecasts straight from the US in those big screens prepared for the spectators. More photos.

Food and drinks were served in every corners of the venue and some picka-pickas of nuts, m&m chocolates and biscuits in stand alone tables located at front sides of these screens.

We also participated in the mock voting election where you have 3 options to choose from in casting your votes. You could either go for the manual-type of voting (ballot and pencil), Precinct Digital Scanner (thru Sequoia), and Touch Screen.

 Furthermore, some specialized machines are available for the disabled (hearing and visually-impaired) individuals as given to us. Amazingly, who would have thought that you can just declare a new State President in less than a day? Note, hassle-free and with integrity! That Automated voting system they had is the thing that I’m looking for in our own Presidential and the coming local elections. To our COMELEC, hope we could have that kind of smooth and fast tabulation of results! Is it obvious how convenient it is? Can we learn from it?

The Gist of the event:

At nearly 12 nn, CNN fearlessly projected Obama as the 44th President of America and you will hear the crowd’s applause and cheers with excitement and that after a short while, we saw John McCain with his wife conceded to Barack Obama giving his full cooperation and support under the newly-elect President, Obama. I personally admire this act of acceptance of not winning. It takes courage and strength to face your supporters who expects much on you. One thing that our local politicians should learn.And the most awaited victory speech of Obama is heard minutes after McCain’s concession. It happened in Chicago’s Grant Park where emotion-driven and excited Obama supporters cried, jumped for joy, kissed, hugged and celebrated his victory. It is the very first time America embraced an African-American to lead the states. That’s why it’s historical. Well, let’s wait and see how Obama will run the government for those yearned living the American Dream.