After hard-fought contests filled with wide-reaching anticipations, Barack Obama becomes the 44th American President, the first African-American elected to the position regarded as the most powerful in the world. In the wake of his victory, Bicolanos have mixed reactions.

        Governor Joey Salceda of Albay, an economist, said Obama was the right man for America. “His economic policies are suited for the financial crisis America is experiencing.”

        Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City said he did not see the significance of the Obama win.

         “An interes kan mga Amerikano, arog ni Obama asin McCain, para man lang sa Amerika. Kaipuhan maglaom an Pilipinas sa sadiri niyang kusog bakong sa pagiging makusog kan iba.” (American interests, whether in Obama or McCain presidency, are self-serving. [Our country] has to stand on its own.”

        Former Camarines Sur provincial board member Ernie Verdadero said more Bicolanos were rooting for Obama’s opponent especially those who had worked either as military or civilian personnel for the US government.

        “Sarong sektor kan mga ‘McCain Pinoys’ iyo idtong minacompuesto kan mga soldados asin civilian employees kan US Armed Forces huli ‘ta buhay n’yamo an guerra.” (Filipinos wanting McCain to be the next US president [mostly] are those who had worked as military and civilian employees of the US Armed Forces because they believe they are benefitting from wars waged by America.)

For a change

        Al Ubaña, manager of radio station RMN-DWNX, said Obama was a welcome change in the time when the US was suffering from a negative global image and near-recession. He said Obama’s platform was focused on rebuilding America’s image, and creation of jobs.

        Dr. Jose Rañola, a practicing physician, said he was expecting Obama to be more focused on economic progress forged in unity and cooperation, not an economy based on possession of “weapons of destruction.”

        Joanna Teresa Los Baños, editorial assistant of Southern Luzon Bureau of Philippine Daily Inquirer based in Legazpi City, said the Obama win proved that racism in America was on the wane.

        Radio personality Elmer Abad said whoever was elected US president should be respected. “America has high respect for the principles of democracy.

        “Alagad kaipuhan matawan man nin mahiwas na pagmangno asin pag-asikaso bako lang an sadiri nindang nasyon, alagad, an iba man siring kan Pilipinas asin iba pang Third World Countries. Dapat baguhon na an daan na impresyon na ginagamit sana kan Amerika an saradit na nasyon, exploited ninda para sa pansadiring karahayan. (America should reach out to Third World Countries, and should go beyond its age-old image of being a self-serving and exploitative nation.)

Voice of the marginalized

        Police Officer I Robinson T. Ami, 25, of Naga City Police Office said he had trust that Obama would initiate new foreign policies which would be beneficial to Filipinos. “I believe he would do this because like every Filipino [in the US], he also belonged to a minority group.”

        Manager Pete Real of China Bank branch in Naga City said he preferred McCain because he was far more experienced in governance than Obama, especially when it comes to international trade and national security. But he lauded Obama’s ability to connect with grassroots issues and concerns.

        “Aram ni Obama kun saen niya dapat i-focus an saiyang atensyon sa kasaraditan mientras na si McCain mahiwas an kaaraman bilang lider na halangkaw ang pananaw. (Obama knows how to deal with the issues of the marginalized, while McCain is more knowledgeable.)

        Police Officer I Gilbert Reonal, 28, of Naga City Police Office said the Obama win was tantamount to giving voice to those who have been marginalized

        “Para sa mga Pilipino, dakulang pagkakataon an saiyang kapangganahan huli ta, sa sakuyang pagtubod, mas matatawan nin mas dakulang pagkakataon an mga Pinoy na mag-angat pa. Naglalaom ako na an kapangganahan ni Barack sarong malinaw na pagpoon kan kinaban na mapoho an diskriminasyon.”

         (The Obama win should give greater opportunities to Filipinos and inspire them to rise above their situations. I hope that Barack’s winning [the US presidency] will be a clear sign that discrimination is finally losing its grip.)