Chapter 22: Building Bridges – Democracy as a Shared Experience

One of the most profound realizations I had during the Indonesian election observation mission was that democracy, while deeply rooted in national context, is also a shared human experience. It transcends borders. It unites people from different cultures in their aspiration for fairness, representation, and dignity. And more than the technicalities of the vote, it’s this shared yearning that creates bridges across nations.

As a Filipino, I came to Indonesia carrying the weight of our own democratic struggles. I had witnessed the martial law years, the rise of the People Power Revolution, the challenges of post-authoritarian governance. I had seen both the promise and the pitfalls of democratic transition. And so, when I walked into polling centers in East Java or spoke with Forum Rektor volunteers in Jember, I wasn’t just an observer—I was a fellow traveler in the long and winding journey toward self-governance.

What amazed me was how naturally these bonds formed. There was no need for lengthy introductions or elaborate cultural exchanges. The language of democracy was already understood by all of us. When I spoke to an Indonesian election officer about how they prepared their precinct, he nodded with the same quiet pride I had seen in Filipino teachers serving as Board of Election Inspectors. When a young voter explained how she punched her ballot with a six-inch nail—a symbolic act of expression—she reminded me of the idealistic first-time voters in our own barangays.

Even the challenges they faced were familiar: confusion over voters’ lists, logistical lapses, concerns about political intimidation. And yet, there was a commitment to overcome these hurdles through collective effort. We were, in that sense, not just learning from each other—we were reinforcing one another’s belief that democracy, however flawed, is still worth defending.

It struck me how this kind of international solidarity is often missing in our national discourse. Too often, we treat elections as isolated events—one country’s internal affair. But in truth, the fight for democracy in one place strengthens it everywhere. When Filipinos stood up at EDSA in 1986, the world watched—and many were inspired. Likewise, when Indonesians cast their first free votes in 1999, the ripples reached us and reminded us of the work still to be done at home.

There’s something immensely powerful about this shared experience. It tells us that we are not alone in our struggles. It reminds us that democratic values are not abstract principles imposed from above—they are lived realities built and safeguarded by ordinary people across continents.

The experience also gave me hope for ASEAN cooperation beyond economic ties. Imagine a Southeast Asia where nations not only trade goods but also exchange democratic best practices—where election observers, civic educators, and governance reformers move across borders, strengthening institutions and empowering citizens. That is a future worth working toward.

Indonesia opened its doors to us—not just to observe, but to participate in the spirit of its democratic rebirth. And in doing so, they helped build a bridge: one not made of steel or concrete, but of shared values, mutual respect, and the collective desire to shape a better future.

As I look back now, I realize that this bridge is still growing. And it’s our responsibility—as citizens, as nations—to continue walking across it, hand in hand.