Turning 18 can signify different things—the coveted driver’s license, the first cold bottle of beer, the uncertain step into a dimly-lit club. Turning 18 also lets you be heard louder and clearer than ever before. Legality allows you to vote.

Youth involvement seems more pronounced than ever—as evident in the 146 Ateneans who participated in the Satellite Voters’ Registration last May 4 to 7. With less than a year left before May 2010, The GUIDON asks where the youth will cast their votes, and how they can be a turning point in the national elections.

“Politicians should focus on themselves, rather than offer promises and rhetoric to the masses.”
– Diana Galindez (IV AB Comm), Chief of Staff of Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA), about what presidential candidates should focus on in their campaign

“Just spread the news. Blog about your views on elections, post in Plurk some very curious articles about candidates, these can inspire someone to learn about the elections.”
– Jayvee Chun (IV BS MEco), MEcO Executive Vice-President for Internal Affairs and Sanggunian Senior Course Representative, on how Ateneans can be involved with the upcoming elections

“If you have the passion to serve, no matter how much criticisms you [get], that will be the [presidential candidate] that we’re looking for.”
– Gino Limcumpao (III AB PoS), 3rd SOSS Central Board Representative of the Sanggunian, on the qualities that a presidential candidate should have

“There’s no massive public information campaign telling them that they are eligible to register and vote for the upcoming election.”
– Jess Paul Pasibe, Associate Director for Political Affairs, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, explaining the probable reasons for unregistered voters

“They are driven and determined so they will campaign for the candidate that they believe in. They are usually the people who have a voice and [have] the power to make themselves heard.”
– Loren Campeña (II BS CTM), on the impact of the youth in the upcoming elections

“There is still a possibility of a no-el [no election] scenario.”
– Arjan Aguirre, Political Science Instructor, commenting on news about the consequences that automated voting may bring

“[The youth] have to identify themselves [as] a collective. The main sentiment of one person or one youth is, ‘my vote is just one vote.’”
– Jauro Castro (IV AB PoS), Sanggunian Vice President, on the problems regarding youth involvement in the 2010 elections

“That one vote will not make a difference.”
– Lorenzo Vicencio (II AB ‘IS), about the significance of his vote in the electionst