I am closely following the Obama-Clinton race for the Democratic nomination. In a sense, the ensuing US presidential elections in November is anticlimactic—the running consensus is that it is a Democratic year, the year that the Democrats win back the White House from Bush II and the Republicans’ big America policy.

The J. Lo episode (Jun Lozada for those not in the know) seems to be running a predictable course. Hence my lack of interest with the outcomes.

Despite our plethora of declared and undeclared candidates for our watershed 2010 presidential contest, we have yet to see our Obama. For all the faults of America like capitalistic greed, hegemonic power and decaying culture, the inherent nobility of its civic society continues to aspire. Who in the free countries of today can truly claim to be meritorious—a black American closing in on the highest office of the land, a first-term senator, neither filthy rich with wealthy concessions or political pedigree that is the order in our very own Pilipinas?

An ordinary Filipino by dint of hard work and perseverance and blessed with intelligence can look forward to a fulfilling life. To take the leap and vault of the corridors of power, we have yet to see in our time. We continue to reminisce of the old corridors of power of the old political heavyweights and great leaders. Have we seen better days?

Travel around the United States and you feel the telltale underlying signs of racism and discrimination against the colored minorities. Demogra­phi­cally however, the blacks and the Latinos are taking over the inner cities, Asians the west coast and major cities, old world people on the east coast and eastern Europeans all around. One study says that by 2050, whites will be a minority.

We thankfully have no racial tensions of this sort and it is refreshing except for that blurb against the probinsiyanong Intsik which has hurt probinsiyanos more. Another interesting anecdote is that if all the Bisaya moved out of the capital, it will quickly become a ghost town. Next time you are at any establishment, speak in Cebuano or Ilongo and you have a 50-percent chance of getting a discount. But I digress again.

We search for our Obama—someone to inspire, to lead and to make us believe once more. Why is it so hard for good and competent people to rise to the top of the heap?

Our environment is stifling. Instead of an enabling culture, we disable, destroy and denigrate. Sometimes I think we have a collective hole in our heads the way we treat ourselves and each other.

Our attempts at movements start, falter and fail. It is the false notion of an enlightened middle class to take a stand, to form the critical mass for a vanguard breach at traditional politics and to make the case for real change. Where lies the audacity of our hope, culling the title from Obama’s book?

Maybe next time, we look to America and learn. Do away with present notion of presidential timber and machinery and get out there and pick that one person because he is the genuine article. Cut through the media packaging and the deafening slogans and go for the unheard. Blind the posters and the advertisements and follow our hearts. That is what the Americans are doing. Neither race, inexperienced youth, boldness, or policy weakness is stopping them from rooting and organizing for Obama. Most importantly, he taps into American veins because he is an ordinary American. Can we do any less or can we do better? Let our Obama rise. Let the ordinary Filipino forward. Therein lies our hope and our future.