November 8

November 8 was a significant date in Philippine history. This was the day when the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, voted 9-5 with one abstaining to allow former President Marcos to be finally buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, an issue that has hounded almost every administration after the dictator's. Reaction was both fast and, as expected, furious-unless you are an ally of the current administration-especially from those victimized by the horrors of Martial Law, a legacy that belongs to Ferdinand Marcos.

November 8 is likewise becoming a very significant date for many Americans. In what is being called as the most astounding elections in American history, Donald Trump becomes the next president of the United States of America. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, was expected by many to take this election. So confident was the Clinton camp of a victory that they picked a significant venue, a place with a glass ceiling, to symbolize the breaking of it. They prepared confetti cannons. In fact, the mood at the venue was festive until the night slowly revealed that Donald Trump was winning in states where they thought they had it in the bag. From being "blue states," they suddenly turned "red," much to the shock of Clinton supporters. As the night dragged on, what one American analyst described as "preparing for a wedding but instead got a funeral," was spot on. People were crying, many with hands to their mouths, and many even started to leave the venue, defeated. A staff member had to tell everyone who decided to stay behind to just go home. No concession speech was to be given that time. Such was the magnitude of shock and disbelief.

Clinton did get more votes than Trump. That is called the "popular vote." By the latest count, Clinton has more than two hundred thousand votes over Trump. But that does not win elections. With the Electoral College system which was instituted in the 1800s, the first candidate to reach 270 electoral votes wins the election. Each state is assigned a number of electoral votes. Some have more; some have less. California has 55 electoral votes, while Alaska has 3, to cite some examples. When a candidate wins in terms of the number votes garnered, that candidate wins the number of electoral votes of that state. Candidates battle for the states with a lot of electoral votes. But when an election is as close as this one, even the states with a few electoral votes become important.

As of this writing, protests have erupted in many states, unhappy with the president-elect. It has been said that this is unprecedented, where protests have materialized almost immediately after an election. America is known for its democratic process. Both Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama have done what was expected of them, rallying the country to support its new duly-elected President. But the country is indeed divided down the middle. As to how this will play out is yet to be known.

Whether it is a knee-jerk reaction or something that can be sustained by those who did not vote for "The Donald," the whole world is watching. Many have expressed concern over the statements of Trump during the campaign, ranging from the hilarious to the ludicrous to the serious. Everyone is waiting which among these he plans to implement. It will be an interesting four years indeed for America and the world.