CARMONA CITY, Cavite - Voters came in droves to cast their votes for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday, Oct. 30.

Voters arrive early at Carmona National High School for the BSKE on Monday, Oct. 30 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

Many young voters arrived at Carmona National High School early to avoid higher temperatures at midday, some of them seeking assistance from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) booth.

“'Yung mga hindi nila makita 'yung kanilang pangalan, kasi ngayon pa lang sila boboto nang SK (Some who could not find their name, because it is their first time to vote for SK),” poll watcher Dominga Gabayan told the Manila Bulletin.

Voters arrive early at Carmona National High School for the BSKE on Monday, Oct. 30 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

In the midst of the bustling polling site, personal stories emerged that showcased the community's commitment to the electoral process.

Luningning Mendoza came to the polling precinct to vote along with her extended family of 13, including first-time BSKE voters – her daughter, KC Mendoza, and her niece, Danica Cledera.

“Bumoto ng tama, kung sino ang gusto nila, kung sino ang napupusuan nila (Vote right, vote for who they want, for who resonates with them),” Mendoza shared her advice to the two young voters

The challenge of choosing SK officials

Cousins KC Mendoza and Danica Cledera said they carefully weighed who to vote for, specifically for SK posts, as it would affect the programs for the youth in their community.

“Challenging po. ‘Yung iba po kilala ko, 'yung iba po hindi. Tinandaan ko lang po yung mga sinabi nila, (It is challenging. Some of them, I know and some of them, I do not. I just remembered what they said during the campaign)” Mendoza said.

“Kinilala ko po talaga, pinili ko po 'yung karapat-dapat po talaga sa SK kagawad (I really tried to get to know them, I chose those who are deserving to be SK councilors),” Cledera chimed in.

“Kasi pangit po bumoto kung hindi mo naman alam kung deserve ba niyang maging kagawad, kailangan kinilala mo talagang maigi (It's not good to vote if you do not know if they truly deserve to be a councilor, you really need to get to know them well).”

Luningning Mendoza, Danica Cledera, and KC Mendoza cast their votes in the BSKE (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

Sisters Jhoanne and Jean Anne Carranza, also first-time BSKE voters, said selecting suitable SK candidates presents a stark contrast to how they approached voting in the 2022 national elections.

“Mas mahirap po ngayon kasi hindi po namin alam talaga kung totoo po ba ‘yung sinasabi ng mga kabataan. Sa presidential, meron na po silang napatunayan, naipakita (It is more difficult now because we do not really know if what the youth are saying is true. For the presidential candidates, they have already proven and shown something)," Jean Anne commented.

Despite some SK candidates' lack of tangible achievements in community projects, however, Jhoanne says they can rely on something just as important – their personal experience and deeper understanding of the candidates' character and intentions.

“Ngayon po mas may background kami kasi 'yung iba po kaklase namin, 'yung iba kasabayan, kaibigan (Now, we have more background because some of them are our classmates, peers, and friends),” Jhoanne observed.

Data from the Commission on Elections says a total of 732,381 registered voters are expected to participate in the SK elections in Cavite.