Two significant events that took place last week could impact life choices. While entirely unrelated, they allowed us to choose how we wanted to live.

First was the holding of the 30 October Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, in which we exercised our right to retain or remove local leaders who serve us, depending on how we perceive their role in our lives and the community.

Another is what the Catholic doctrine refers to as the celebration of the communion of saints, All Saints' and All Souls' Days, on 1 and 2 November, respectively, in which we take a break from everyday life to honor the saints in heaven and our loved ones in the afterlife.

The first topic, the barangay, the basic political unit, is the primary implementing arm of government policies and programs at the grassroots. It is a forum for people to air their collective views on issues that affect their lives and community and a system where disputes are heard and may be amicably settled.

The process of electing barangay leaders dates back to the 16th century, long before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil. Early Filipinos lived in villages called barangay (from the word balangay, a type of traditional boat) ruled by a datu (chieftain) and elected by elders.

Some Filipinos have shown less interest in barangay elections. Be it apathy or the absence of well-known and exciting personalities vying for barangay positions, unlike in the star-studded and highly charged national elections, people must realize that it is at the barangay level where one hones leadership and managerial skills before aspiring for higher elective positions or starting a career in government service.

Local officials gunning for local and national elective positions greatly value the role of barangays, especially in delivering an electoral victory for political aggrandizement. Such unforeseen power of the barangay is why we should take the task of electing good and honest leaders seriously because whatever decisions they make, all of us in the community will be affected.

I hope this year's voter turnout exceeded the last barangay and SK elections. Dr. Francisco Magno, founding director of the La Salle Institute of Governance, stressed the importance of this year's barangay elections in providing a local command structure for mobilizing votes in the 2025 midterm elections.