IF Alice Bulos were with us today, she would be glued to the TV monitoring political developments.

This is her favorite season bar none.  This unique presidential campaign period – which should have been a rematch between a current and past prez with a predictable outcome after the first debate but abbreviated and suddenly tight due to the unexpected withdrawal of President Joe Biden and the assumption to the top ticket candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris – would stoke anyone with the slightest political nerve in their system.

Especially Democrats, like the ex-Republican who became co-chair of the Filipino Democratic Caucus of Northern California.  The one whose support was coveted by every candidate up and down the political hierarchy, Filipino American or not.  Remember that pic of Ray Buenaventura in deferential “mano po” stance with his Tita mentor.  Not to be outdone, State Controller Steve Wesly fell on one knee and almost did the same in his 2006 quest for California guv.

No one has more zeal than a convert, that is known.

Alice would have led the FilAm delegation to the DNC in Chicago, fired up by the joy and hopefulness of the speeches and songs and laughter and tears.

Who knows, Alice could have been in bed instead of her wheelchair, tapping a tablet, perhaps a gift from her activist grandson Charles or teacher granddaughter Charity, maybe a treat from organizations she inspired. She might have willed herself to embrace technology and started to use a cellphone for her daily habit – personal calls to her intimates.

I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of such morning check-ins:

“Hi, how are you.  Alice Bulos – 873-23 zero 1.”

Just like that, code for:  Where are you?  How come I haven’t heard from you?  I have news.  Call me ASAP.

My son would hear the message so often he learned to mimic his Tita Alice’s voice and cadence.

I’d drop everything, naturally.  We would exchange the latest juicy bits: The story that should be the headline in that week’s issue of Philippine News.  The event she was planning to stop bullying in schools.  The ambitious bloke challenging the current FilAm City Council member.  Her double endorsement for one open seat.  Her promise to endorse a non-Filipino candidate over the FilAm bet who reached out later, because she always kept her word.  How she liked my organic tomato pasta.  And when would I come to pick up the apples her daughter Beth had bagged from husband Sonny’s trees in the backyard.

Times like this I long for that call.

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Phililppine News Today Executive Editor Cherie Querol Moreno who Alice Bulos inspired toward community service.