In less than three weeks on May 2, we are again summoned to exercise our right to vote. As new citizens of this country, we should not throw away that right. The Philippines have a higher voter turnout compared to Canada, so it should spur us to do the same here considering the ease and convenience of the process. Our research shows only one Filipino candidate running in this election. Irene Yatco is running for the Conservatives in the Vancouver East riding now currently held by Libby Davies of the NDP. Elizabeth Pagtakhan run for the Conservatives and lost in the 2006 elections. We are still a long way from the Chinese who are participating in these elections in record numbers. Just drive around Vancouver and the suburbs and notice the election signs in Chinese.

In some ridings, it seems all the candidates are Chinese. Even Winnipeg, home to the first Filipino ever elected to Parliament (Dr. Rey Pagtakhan) has no candidate this time.Admittedly, federal elections do not attract candidates as much as provincial or municipal ones.We hope Dr. Pagtakhan would not be the first and last Filipino to get to Parliament!

Election 101 I was watching the leaders’ TV debates with my six-year old grandson who was home sick. He surprised me with his awareness of the process and pointed to Stephen Harper saying “– he’s lying, he’s lying...” At one point e asked me if they were fighting nd why were they mad at each ther. Then he noticed Michael Ignatieff debating Harper, he then asked – what if he just come over and hit him (or words to that effect). I then explained to him that it is a debate and they have to use words and not be physical about it despite the heated atmosphere. Incredulously, he queried me on how to get rid of Harper to which I answered you have to vote him out. “But you’re still too young to do that and only adults can vote.” His retort: “ You and Lola, Mama and Tita will vote then?” There was my first election lesson to my grandson!