Sinulog 2021: The Celebration of a LifeTime - A Butterflying The Bat Spinoff

[gillan1220]

This next chapter is a throwback to election night.

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Chapter 5: Election Night

"Will Trump get reelected into another four years? Or will Mayor Pete make him a one-term president? All remains to be seen."
- A poster on Reddit the wishes to remain anonymous

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On November 3, 2020, the elections began in full swing. Some states such as New Hampshire and Vermont voted early. This election was expected have a bigger coverage on the news and on social media. Pundits on both sides of the political spectrum were pointing out who would win. Conservative outlets like The Daily Wire and Fox News were overconfident that Trump would have a second term due to a stronger economy and low unemployment work. Liberal outlets such as The Huffington Post have predicted Pete Buttigieg, the first openly-gay presidential candidate, would win due to his appeal on immigrants and the LBGT community.

The following is the Associated Press teletype reports of that night. It was occurring on real time.

Donald J. Trump (R-NY, Incumbent President)/Michael R. Pence (R-IN, Incumbent Vice President): 56%
Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg (D-IN, Former Mayor of South Bend, IN)/Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM, Incumbent Governor of New Mexico): 39%
Jo Jorgensen (L-SC, Lecturer at Clemson University)/Jeremy "Spike" Cohen (L-MD, Activist, Entrepreneur, and Podcaster): 2%
Howard Gresham Hawkins (G-NY, Trade Unionist and Environmentalist)/Ajamu Sibeko Baraka (G-IL, Activist): 1%
Others: 1%

Undecided: 1%

6:00 EST: Polls close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Neither is called as portions of each state still have polls open. Trump is up in both states.

7:00 EST: Polls close in the remainder of Indiana and Kentucky as well as Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and most of Florida. Indiana, South Carolina and Kentucky are called for Trump and Vermont is called for Buttigieg. Trump is up in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. Republicans also win Senate elections in Kentucky and South Carolina as well as Gubernatorial elections in Vermont and Indiana.

7:30 EST: Polls close in Ohio, North Carolina, and West Virginia. West Virginia's Presidential, Senate, and Gubernatorial races are all called for Republicans. Trump is up in Ohio and Buttigieg is up in North Carolina.

7:43 EST: Ohio reaches the point of Trump being up by 17 points with 53% of the vote in. Remaining votes are primarily in the area of Columbus and Cleveland.

7:51 EST: The A.P. calls Ohio for Trump, Decision Desk HQ does not yet make the call.

7:53 EST: Decision Desk HQ calls Ohio for Trump

8:00 EST: Polls close in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington D.C., the remainder of Florida, and parts of Kansas, Michigan, North and South Dakota, and Texas. Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are called for Trump while Buttigieg carries the states of Massachusetts and Washington D.C. Buttigieg leads in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine's first Congressional District, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Trump is up in Florida, Kansas, Maine statewide and the Second Congressional District, Michigan, North and South Dakota, and Texas. Senate elections are called for Republicans in Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee while Democrats win Senate elections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Republicans win the Gubernatorial Election in New Hampshire.

8:08 EST: Maine's Second Congressional District is called for Trump.

8:11 EST: Trump takes the lead in North Carolina.

8:17 EST: Florida is called for Trump.

8:20 EST: Trump takes the lead in New Jersey.

8:23 EST: Trump takes the lead in Pennsylvania

8:27 EST: Delaware is called for Democrats on the Senatorial, and Gubernatorial levels. New Jersey is called for Democrats on the Senatorial level but not the Presidential level. Incumbent Senator Cory Booker is outdoing Buttigieg in the state by 11 points.

8:30 EST: Polls close in Arkansas. The state is immediately called for Republicans on the Presidential and Senatorial levels.

8:37 EST: Georgia's Special Senate election is called to go to a runoff between Democrat Raphael Warnock and incumbent appointed Senator Kelly Loeffler. The runoff will occur on January 5th, 2021.

8:44 EST: Georgia's Senate election is called for incumbent David Purdue. Trump also carries the state.

8:51 EST: Rhode Island is called for Buttigieg on the Presidential level.

8:56 EST: Maryland is called for Buttigieg on the Presidential level.

8:58 EST: Trump takes the lead in New Hamsphire's Presidential race, but Republicans still trail the Democrats in the Senate race. The Gubernatorial race was previously called for Republicans.

9:00 EST: Polls close in Arizona, Colorado, the rest of Kansas, Louisiana, the rest of Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, the rest of the Dakotas and Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Trump carries Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, pushing him past 200 Electoral Votes. Buttigieg carries New York. Republicans win Senate races in South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, and Louisiana as well as a Gubernatorial race in North Dakota.

9:04 EST: Michigan's Senate race is called for John James.

9:05 EST: Republicans take the lead in New Hampshire's Senate race.

9:11 EST: New Hampshire is called for Donald Trump

9:19 EST: Michigan is called for Donald Trump

9:31 EST: Trump leads in the popular vote by 11%. Many attribute this to three West Coast states that likely would go to Buttigieg still had polls open.

9:42 EST: New Hampshire's Senate race is called for Republicans.

9:51 EST: North Carolina's Senate race is called for Republicans. Incumbent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell makes a victory speech in Kentucky. Nothing out of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

9:56 EST: North Carolina is called for Donald Trump.

10:00 EST: Polls close in Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Idaho and Oregon. Montana and Utah are called for Trump and Utah's Gubernatorial race is called for Republicans. The head of the Republican Governor's Association and Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrate maintaining a majority of Governorships. The head of the Democratic Governor's Association and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy calls Abbott and concedes.

10:04 EST: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

10:11 EST: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly concedes.

10:13 EST: Trump takes the lead in Nevada's Presidential race.

10:15 EST: News networks project that Republicans will gain the U.S. House of Representatives.

10:19 EST: Montana's Gubernatorial race is called for Republicans.

10:23 EST: North Carolina's Gubernatorial race is called for Republicans.

10:27 EST: Arizona is called for Trump on the Presidential level, but the Senatorial race remains uncalled. Buttigieg calls Trump and concedes.

10:38 EST: Trump gives his victory speech from the White House.

10:45 EST: Buttigieg gives his concession speech from his campaign headquarters in Indiana.

10:51 EST: Iowa is called for Trump on the Presidential level and Joni Ernst wins on the Senatorial level. Trump officially surpassed 270 Electoral Votes. Republicans also official secure 50 Senate seats, giving them a majority.

11:00 EST: Polls close in California and Washington and the remainder of Oregon and Idaho. Idaho is called for Trump while California, Washington, and Oregon are called for Buttigieg. Washington's Gubernatorial Election is called for Democrats, finishing off the 2020 Gubernatorial elections. Oregon's Senate race is called for Democrats and Idaho's Senate race is called for Republicans.

11:07 EST: Montana's Senate election is called for Republicans.

11:11 EST: Arizona's Senate election is called for Republicans.

11:17 EST: Wisconsin is called for Trump.

11:24 EST: Trump takes the lead in Illinois.

11:28 EST: Trump takes the lead in Delaware and Connecticut.

11:36 EST: Maine is called for Trump, joining it's Second Congressional District. Buttigieg leads in Maine's First Congressional District.

11:39 EST: Colorado's Senate race is called for Republicans.

11:47 EST: Colorado is called for Trump. This is the first state called for Trump that Trump did not win in 2016.

11:52 EST: Minnesota's Senate and Presidential race are called for Republicans. Trump surpassed 300 Electoral Votes and his total electoral votes from 2016.

12:00 EST (Midnight): Polls close in Hawaii and parts of Alaska. Hawaii is called for Buttigieg while Republicans lead in Presidential and Senatorial races in Alaska.

12:06 EST: Pennsylvania is called for Trump.

12:17 EST: Nevada is called for Trump.

12:24 EST: Virginia is called for Trump, it remains uncalled on the Senate level.

12:28 EST: Maine's First Congressional District sees Trump take the lead. It remains uncalled.

12:31 EST: New Jersey is called for Trump. New Jersey is the first state to split-ticket vote on the Presidential and Senatorial level.

12:38 EST: Illinois is called for Trump on the Presidential level.

12:41 EST: Virginia's Senate election is called for Republicans.

12:52 EST: Two calls from New Mexico, Republicans win on the Presidential and Senatorial level. This was taken as a shock as Buttigieg's running mate was New Mexico's incumbent Governor.

1:00 EST: Alaska's final polls close. It is called for Republicans on the Presidential and Senatorial level by Decision Desk HQ, but not the A.P.

1:06 EST: Connecticut is called for Trump. Delaware and Maine's 1st Congressional District remain uncalled on the Presidential level, while Illinois's Senate election is the only uncalled Senate race (excluding the runoff in Georgia).

1:11 EST: Delaware is called for Trump. Many commentators say that Delaware, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut, would not of gone blue had Biden or Sanders been the nominee. Trump sits at 399 Electoral votes, meaning that should he win Maine's 1st Congressional District he would win in a landslide.

1:17 EST: The A.P. calls both Alaska races for Republicans.

1:35 EST: Illinois's Senate election is called for Republicans in the biggest upset of the cycle. Republicans secure 60 Senate seats on the dot, allowing them to overcome the filibuster.

2:21 EST: Maine's First Congressional District is called for Trump. It puts the final score at Trump 400, Buttigieg 138. It is placed at a Republican landslide, with Republicans gaining a filibuster-proof Senate Majority and a sizable House Majority, plus Governorships in Montana and North Carolina.

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Concession Speech of Pete Buttigieg, given around 4 A.M. on November 4th, 2020*

It’s so good to be in South Bend. Sometimes the longest way around really is the shortest way home. Here we are. In the last few years, America has faced enormous challenges from an economy in transition, to a climate on the brink, to a President sewing chaos and discord across the very country he is responsible for uniting. And for many Americans, these challenges have amounted to a call to action. And so like so many others, I thought deeply about what I could do to make a difference, what I could do to make myself useful.

And it was in that spirit, with your help, that a year ago we launched our campaign for the American Presidency. We began this unlikely journey with a staff of four in a cramped office right here in South Bend, Indiana, right down Washington Street. No big email list. No personal fortune. Hardly anybody knew my name and even fewer could pronounce it, but South Bend showed everybody what to do. First name Mayor, last name Pete, so nobody got confused.

Audience begins chanting "Mayor Pete, Mayor Pete, Mayor Pete, We love you!" several times before Buttigieg clears his throat to continue speaking.

But by every conventional wisdom, by every historical measure, we were never supposed to get anywhere at all. And then, as I said, that roller coaster February night a few months ago, when Iowa shocked the nation, along that way, an improbable hope became an undeniable reality.

In a field in which more than two dozen Democratic candidates ran for President, senators and governors, billionaires, a former Vice President, we achieved a top four finish in each of the first four States to hold nominating contests, and we made history winning those Iowa caucuses.

We didn't stop there. New Hampshire followed Iowa, and South Carolina followed Iowa. Our grassroots movement took the Democratic Party and the nation by storm. We won all but 6 primaries and caucuses and we managed to tie in Nevada. 

And all of that, it came about thanks to your support. Thanks to the power of this campaign’s vision in your hands. It proved that Americans really are hungry for a new kind of politics, rooted in the values that we share. In cities and suburbs, in rural communities, in crowds that spilled out of venues from Salt Lake City, to Raleigh, to Arlington, we saw Americans ready to meet a new era of challenge with a new generation of leadership. We found countless Americans ready to support a middle-class millennial mayor from the industrial Midwest, not in spite of that experience, but because of it, eager to get Washington to start working like our best run communities and towns.

In a divided nation, we saw fellow Democrats join with Independents and, yes, some of those future former Republicans to choose a different politics, to choose a politics defined not by who we push away, but by how many we can call to our side.

And we sent a message to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than, to see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a Presidential nominee of a major party with his husband at his side, to see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a Vice Presidential nominee of a major party being a Latina, to see that so many African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, women, Persons of Color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community could run for office and win, win races for the Senate, win races for Governorships, win races for the House, win races for statewide and local offices, and just win. The inclusivity, the diversity of our party and of our campaign was our strength.

We got into this race for a reason. We got into this race in order to usher in a new kind of politics. And that meant guiding our campaign by the values we like to call the rules of the road. Respect, belonging, truth, teamwork, boldness, responsibility, substance, discipline, excellence, and joy. And every decision we made was guided by these values.

One of those values is truth. And today is a moment of truth. After a year of going everywhere, meeting everyone, defying every expectation, seeking every vote, the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy, if not for our cause.

And another of those values is responsibility. And we have a responsibility to usher in a new kind of politics, not a new type of government. And so we must recognize that at this point in the race, the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to concede this election and bring our party together.

So tonight I am making the decision to concede to President Trump. I called him about 10 minutes ago to concede the race. I will still do everything in my power to bring a new kind of politics to America.

Audience begins chanting "2024"

We have to because every time this President brings partisan politics into race and foreign policy, or purges officials who honored their oaths of office by telling the truth, or cloaks in religious language an administration whose actions harm the least among us, the sick and the poor, the outcast and the stranger, we are reminded just how urgent it is that we can counterbalance his political power and power in general for the good of the American people. We cannot afford to miss this moment.

With every passing day, I am more and more convinced that the only way we will defeat Trumpism is with a new politics that gathers people together. We need leadership to heal a divided nation, not drive us further apart. We need a broad based agenda that can truly deliver for the American people, not one that gets lost in ideology. We need an approach strong enough not only to win the White House, but to win back the House and Senate in 2022 and to win back the White House in 2024.

And that broad and inclusive politics, that is the politics that we’ve attempted to model through this campaign that I believe is the way forward for our eventual nominee. So I urge everyone who supported me to continue in the cause of ensuring that we bring change to the White House and working to win the absolutely critical down ballot races playing out across the country the next few years.

There is simply too much at stake to retreat to the sidelines at a time like this. Politics is not about the horse race, not about the debate stage, or a precinct count in a spreadsheet. It is about real people’s lives. It is about our paychecks, our families, our futures. We can and must put the everyday lives of Americans who have been overlooked for so long back at the center of our politics and every story that became part of this campaign helped show us why and how we do just that.

Politics is about people and that is especially true of the people who touched this campaign. To those rising stars in this historically diverse party, thank you for demonstrating what public service can be.

To the people of South Bend, this river city we love so much. Thank you for keeping me honest and thank you for keeping me going. And to our Pete for America family, I cannot express how grateful I am to every staffer, every volunteer, every supporter who believed in what we were building.

Applause from audience

You walked in neighborhoods on hot summer days and drove on icy roads in the winter time, you filmed and tweeted and coded and crunched numbers. You built relationships and you built events. You lit up offices and you filled high school gyms with equipment and then with people and then with cheers, in the name of our values, freedom and security and democracy.

Our contributors, so many of you dug deep to fuel this campaign. Nearly a million grassroots supporters who sacrificed financially so that this message of hope and belonging could reach every corner of this country. Thank you for what you gave to make this possible.

Applause from audience

Online, in person, with family and with friends and with total strangers, you shared your personal stories and you made the life of this campaign part of your own. What you did and the way you did it was how we could show, not just tell, the kind of campaign we could be and the kind of country we will build. You made me proud every single day.

And last, I want to thank my own family. My mom, who not only helped raise me but put her love of language into work answering letters for the campaign. My father, who left us just as this was all getting underway, but he was very much here and part of this effort. And to the guy who took a chance on a first date with somebody all the way in South Bend, Indiana and never looked back. Chasten, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

I know that as this campaign ends, there comes disappointment that we won’t continue, but I hope that everyone who has been part of this in any way knows that the campaign that you have built and the community that you have created is only the beginning of the change that we are going to make together.

My faith teaches that the world is not divided into good people and bad people, that all of us are capable of good and bad things. Today, more than ever, politics matters because leaders can call out either what is best in us or what is worst in us, can draw us either to our better or to our worst selves. Politics at its worst as ugly, but at its best politics can lift us up. It is not just policy making, it is moral. It is soul craft. That is why we were in this.

I firmly believe that in these years, in our time, we can and will make American life and politics more like what it could be, not just more wise and more prosperous, but more equitable, and more just, and more decent.

Think of how proud of our time we could be if we really did act to make it so that no one has to take to the streets in America for a decent wage because one job is enough in the United States of America, whether you went to college or not.

Imagine how proud we would be to be the generation that saw the day when your race has no bearing on your health, or your wealth, or your relationship with law enforcement in the United States.

What if we could be the ones to deliver the day when our teachers are honored a little more like soldiers and paid a little more like doctors.

What if we were the ones who rallied this nation to see to it that climate would be no barrier to our children’s opportunities in life.

The chance to do that is in our hands. That is the hope in our hearts. That is the fire in our bellies. That is the future we believe in. A country that really does empower every American to thrive and a future where everyone belongs.

Thank you for sharing that vision. Thank you for helping us spread that hope. Thank you so much. Let’s move on together. Thank you.

---

The 45th President of the United States, reelected to another four years in the White House, steps up into the podium, addressing reporters.

"Sorry folks, once again we have had a complicated business."

The room in erupted in cheers.

"I've now received a call from Mayor Pete. He has conceded the elections and has expressed his desire to work for a smooth transition. Despite our disagreements, it is in his best interest for the nation to move on for the sake of national unity."

"FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MOUR YEARS!" The crowd shouted.

"Just like my promise four years ago, I will continue to Make America Great Again. Not only that, but we will continued Keep America Great. This has been a very historic election. For the first time history, we'd have a red tsunami. I would like to thank all those who voted for me. To all my supporters, I owe this to you. Now as we move forward, we're always going to win. I'm sure all of you are tired of winning, right?"

Laughs eminate from the room.

"Because that's exactly what I would do. It's been a long and great night. Good night you all. Let us continue to Keep American Great. May God bless the United States of America."

The President then exits the room while applause and cheers are heard.

---

United States Election Day 2020

Perspective From the Philippines

Gillan's Diary

November 3, 2020
Morning here in the Philippines

You are probably asking why I would document this when America is 6000 miles away across the Pacific. Well, the truth is, this election that determines whether Trump gets reelected or not will change world events. Just like what happened with Rome.

I do fondly recall what happened in the election four years ago. I was an outgoing 4th year B.S. Biology; about to graduate in five months' time. Essentially, I was a lame duck at that period. Now I'm on the same phase, applying for graduation for my master's degree. I could never forget how eventful the university was that day. It was awash with activity. Students were lining up left and right to be enrolled. This is a common sight every time enrollment period has began. People were commenting on the situation every time a development of what state turned red or blue. The school publication, Today's Carolinian, also provided updates.

Four years later, the same thing was happening again. This time it was the 2000s kid's turn now.

Before I left for school, I made a greeting to my friend Christine Nicole Rivera, as it was her 24th birthday today. Christine is a food blogger known as the @ brokecpa on Instagram and owns The Dumpling Reserve.

"Hey Christine, I just want to greet you a happy birthday. I wish to try your dumplings soon. Peace out."

It was still early dawn in the United States so voting has only began in other early states. I will be going on around USC to ask students of their opinion regarding the elections.
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University of San Carlos - Talamban Campus

I asked a few students. Majority of them preferred Mayor Pete over Trump. A few edgy ones - the ones that post a lot of memes - preferred Trump. Then there were those select few that preferred to vote for third-party.

"Whether it's Republican or Democrat, it's the same shit. The same scumbags in Washington. Nothing will really change.

There were also those who didn't care at all, because we are in the Philippines and we have our own problems to deal with.

I was pleased with my initial results. Of course, the big deal will happen the next day when it already night-time in America.
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November 4, 2020
Late Afternoon

I returned back to the university. The elections have now been in full-swing since last night. There were battle ground states almost everywhere. Today's Carolinian and all major news outlets abroad and the Philippines were reporting detail-by-detail of the elections.

The surprise came later that day in the afternoon, around 4:00 PM, when it was announced that Mayor Pete had conceded. Trump was now reelected. The students here were either laughing or expressing their shocked. To our surprise, the entire heartland of the United States turned red including traditionally blue states like Minnesota and Illinois.

I checked Today's Carolinian on Facebook.

JUST-IN: Donald J. Trump wins 2020 elections. Reelected to another four years.

There were a mix of sad, haha, and angry reactions on the posts. Edgy Filipino trolls were trying to incite anger over the anti-Trump faction especially the leftists and the UP students. Some were even commenting about another four years of memes.

I further scrolled down my Twitter to see all news networks were reporting about it. Unexpectedly, protests have now broken out in major American cities coast-to-coast. I could see footage of riot police trying to hold a crowd of anti-Trump protests in front of the Trump Tower in New York. A similar scene was shown in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Outside the north lawn of White House facing Lafayette Square, several policemen, DHS, and some National Guard placed barricades as they protested against the reelected President.

"Not my president! Not my president!" The people on the feed shouted.

"Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go."

They chanted, evoking memories of 2016 that felt only like yesterday. Looting was already reported in Democrat-run cities. The further these people rioted, the further it proved that Trump was correct.

Then there we have it. The elections of 2020 were over. Trump will remain until 2025.
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Later that night, I went to BBQ Boss with some of my mountaineering friends. We were laughing about the elections and drinking beer. We were ready to accept the new era of another four years of Trump even though we're not Americans. 

This is 2020. This is another election now. See you all in 2024.

---

Another four years and America still has not learned from the nightmare of that narcissist in the office. The fact many Americans voted for this man and could sleep peacefully tonight, much less rub salt on the wounds of those who wanted change, disgusts me.
- Don Lemon, CNN

You're awake once more. This is the real hell. Donald Trump will be the president for another four years. This is our election once more.
- Rachel Maddow, MSNBC

Liberal crybabies and snowflakes riots in the streets once more, thus proving why Trump won again.
- Tucker Carlson, Fox News

On behalf of the President, the Malacanang Palace would like to congratulate Donald Trump on his reelection. We hope to see the continued developments of the U.S.-Philippines relations under his second term as President.
- Harry Roque, Presidential Press Secretary, November 4, 2020

I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory of the 2020 elections.
- President Rodrigo Duterte, November 5, 2020

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Protests hit major cities across the United States

- USA Today, November 4, 2020

12 arrested for assault on Trump supporters in San Francisco

- CBS News, November 4, 2020

100 injured, 25 arrested in front of Trump Tower in New York City

- MSNBC News, November 4, 2020

Pro-, Anti-Trump supporters clash in Miami, Florida
- WPLG Local 10, November 4, 2020

Japanese right wing nationalists congratulate Donald Trump, wave American flags in-front of the embassy

- NHK World, November 5, 2020

Anti-Trump protests erupt in London. Protest Leader: We stand with our American brother and sisters against hate, racism, and sexism.

- BBC News, November 5, 2020

Vladimir Putin congratulates Trump
- MFA Russia official statement, November 4, 2020

Jair Bolsonaro congratulates Trump, looks forward to more advances in the U.S-Brazil major non-NATO alliance
- Reuters, November 4, 2020

Canadian immigration website crashes again
- CNBC, November 4, 2020

Anti-Trump protest occurs outside U.S. Embassy in Manila

- Rappler, November 5, 2020

Watch: Police deployed along Ayala Business Park to protect the U.S. Consulate from possible protests from student unions
- Cebu Daily News (@ CDN Digital), Twitter, November 5, 2020

UP Cebu invites anyone to participate on our protest against racism, sexism, homophobia, and imperialism of the United States as Trump gets elected second term. See you there in front of UP Cebu at 3:00 PM, Friday, November 6, 2020
- Tug-ani (@ upcebutugani), Twitter, November 4, 2020

---

Initial D - Trump Part 2: The Rematch
- YouTube, uploaded by DeusVult on November 6, 2020

Trump DEJA VU 2020 Election
- YouTube, uploaded by Nobody Important on November 10, 2020

---

Author's Notes:
- A special thanks to american2006 for making Pete's concession speech and the election map.

[bigvic]

How does IL flip

[gillan1220]

Dec 6, 2021 12:51:05 GMT bigvic said:

How does IL flip

Ask american2006, I just followed his scenario.

[american2006]

Dec 6, 2021 12:51:05 GMT bigvic said:

How does IL flip

There are some admitted implausibilities but Buttigieg and his running mate just don't get traction or turn out the vote enough. This is in part due to the fact that Buttigieg is gay and there is a significant homophobic population in the United States, but the primary reason he failed to preform was his weak name ID, lack of expierence, and lackluster policy ideas simply couldn't motivate enough of Cook County to vote for him, while Trumo ran up the rural area vote.

[gillan1220]

So I've recently had a writer's block for this story. I will continue this as soon as I can. As you see, I needed OTL as an inspiration to create some events in this alternate diary of mine since the world has mostly entered the post-COVID era. Some of the things that happened later in OTL may happen here similarly but earlier.

The butterflies have definitely flapped. Some of the people I met in recent times, I may not even meet IITL. Or the butterfly would make meet them earlier or later. That's the majesty of the butterfly effect.

Recently, there is already news that Sinulog 2023 will be made as the epic comeback after being on hiatus for two years.

Sinulog will definitely make a comeback this 2023 – Rama (CDN, August 30, 2022)

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Organizers of the Sinulog expressed confidence that the festival will be able to stage a comeback this 2023.



Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on Tuesday, August 30, said the city is ready to again host one of the country’s grandest festivals this January.



Rama, in a teleconference with reporters, said the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) has already formed its Executive Committee (execom), which signals the start of Sinulog preparations and plans.



“We already formed the executive committee. We (are working) it out… Mag meeting mi balik for the purpose nga to move faster on how the Sinulog should be,” said Rama.



The mayor made these statements following last Sunday’s celebration of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which was organized by the Cebu Provincial Government. He was among the guests invited to witness the Pasigarbo’s return.



Rama said they are still eyeing to host the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown at the South Road Properties (SRP) instead of its usual venue at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).



“Yes, that’s only been the focus – Sinulog at SRP. Di na magsgeg yawyaw ang mainland nga traffic. Because the influx will be at SRP,” he explained.



Aside from addressing traffic concerns, organizers wanted to redirect the crowd to the SRP because of ‘investment opportunities’ there, Rama added.



“We have to remember (SRP) is where the investment of [the] city government is… SRP is a huge tract of land which can easily accommodate millions of people,” said Rama.



Discussions are now ongoing between organizers and stakeholders, particularly from the tourism and hospitality industries, to help prepare the SRP for next year’s Sinulog, the mayor added.



“It’s all about putting the right traffic route and amenities so that everybody would feel comfortable,” Rama said.



The Sinulog, which draws millions of tourists both locally and internationally, has been on a hiatus since 2021 due to the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cebu's Sinulog resumes physical festivities in 2023: mayor, (ABS-CBN, August 30, 2022)

Cebu's grandest festival Sinulog is set to resume its physical celebrations in January 2023, city mayor Mike Rama has confirmed.



Rama announced this a day after the winners of the "Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, Festivals of festivals" was awarded Monday. The Pasigarbo event, organized by the Cebu provincial government, returned after a two-year hiatus and was also held in person.

Cebu has been holding virtual events in relation to the Sinulog since 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sinulog Foundation Incorporated has formed an executive committee to oversee the return of in-person festivities. "We are already setting meetings," Rama said in a press interview.



However, there may be changes in the venue as Rama wants to hold the Grand Parade and the Ritual Showdown at the South Road Properties to address possible traffic congestion. These ceremonies were traditionally held at the Cebu City Sports Center.



Apart from the traditional street dancing and ritual showdown, the Sinulog Foundation is set to announce other events that will take place for the festival.



The Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino Friars have also yet to announce whether they will bring back in-person novena masses.



The Sinulog, which is held every third Sunday of the year in January, is held in honor of Señor Santo Niño.



It is believed to be the protector of Cebu and its constituents. It used to draw millions of visitors prior to the pandemic.

[gillan1220]

I need to take hints from OTL before continuing this personal alternate history. The actual festival is next week.

Here's a glimpse of OTL Sinulog 2023:
Sinulog 2023: Fiesta Señor Walk with Jesus

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〈insert pop-up content here〉

[gillan1220]

Looks like 2 million is the official estimate by officials for this year. The last time this festival was held in 2020, 2.3 million visitors were recorded.

Gwen carries on with Sinulog tradition

Cebu governor makes comeback on the Sinulog stage

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will be making a comeback on the Sinulog stage as she will be carrying on her tradition of offering a dance to the Señor Sto. Niño this year.

Garcia confirmed to reporters in a message on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 that she will be performing the Sinulog dance this January 15.

Governor Gwen will be performing the Sinulog dance alongside with Consolacion’s Sarok Festival contingent.

This will be the 14th time the governor will be offering a Sinulog dance as tribute and thanksgiving to the Holy Child.

The last time Garcia did a Sinulog dance was last January 2022 but the entire performance had to be pre-recorded as COVID-related restrictions remained in effect at that time.

The Sinulog Festival this year will be held at the South Road Properties (SRP).

SFI aims to draw 2 million spectators during Sinulog at SRP

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) expects to draw at least two million spectators during the Sinulog Grand Parade in January 2023 along its new route at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Ricky Dakay, SFI Board of Trustees president, in an interview on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, shared that the route for the parade has already been approved.

The Sinulog grand parade, he said, will run all the way from SM Seaside City Cebu to Nustar to Il Corso and then make a right to San Remo, to that area where President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. held a grand rally, and then back to SM Seaside.

“We always expect a crowd of around 2 million every time there is a Sinulog festivity. There are pros and cons. We know that we have just crawled out of our way from COVID-19 and other disasters, so people are actually egging to go around. That’s the pros,” he said.

“The cons are people will also have some kind of resistance to be very careful and to be prudent about the situation knowing fully well that SRP does not have all the facilities similar to what our old route has,” he added.

He, however, assured Cebuanos and tourists that the the foundation has already been “earnestly” making all the preparations as this is the first time that the Sinulog Grand Parade will be transferred to the SRP.

He said they are now in the process of designing the facilities, such as the audience area and the stage, as they consider “as many parameters,” like weather and wind conditions, as they can practically consider for the festivity.

“Bleachers will be there. We hope that we will be able to pleasantly surprise all of you. Of course, let us all manage expectations. Transitions are not easy. Change is always difficult, but we hope that we can manage all of them properly,” Dakay said.

He also reiterated the provision and establishment of tent city for the spectators. He said the SFI will do their best to make sure that basic necessities like water, comfort rooms, garbage facilities, and emergency responders will be available on that day.

Moreover, Dakay said road closures are most likely be implemented only at the SRP and not in downtown Cebu City.

Though he said there will still be Sinulog-related activities at Plaza Independencia and Fuente Osmeña Circle.

“The nightly concerts will still be there. The sellers of t-shirts and tattoos will still be there. But of course, we will transfer some of the festivities to the SRP,” he said.

Since ITTL there would be no COVID, I'd expect the number of visitors to have risen to 2.5 to 3 million.

[TheRomanSlayer]

Almost forgot about this segment, as I was too busy writing my current TL rewrite, and I have my own Simbang Gabi coming up, as I started to celebrate Christmas on January 7 (tomorrow, to be exact).

Wonder how the absence of COVID might have an effect on international relations overall, and for the Philippines as well.

[gillan1220]

Jan 7, 2023 3:22:52 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

Almost forgot about this segment, as I was too busy writing my current TL rewrite, and I have my own Simbang Gabi coming up, as I started to celebrate Christmas on January 7 (tomorrow, to be exact).

Wonder how the absence of COVID might have an effect on international relations overall, and for the Philippines as well.

I left this project on hold because I had suffered a writer's block and I needed inspiration from OTL to write the events that would happen in this ATL 2021.

First of all, I wonder how no COVID-19 will affect the upcoming 2022 presidential elections. It's hard to predict whether it will be BBM or Leni Robredo who win due to the amount of factors and butterflies. The international relations would probably just mirror OTL as Duterte is outgoing here. Manila is still an ally of Washington but its "friendly" towards Beijing.

[TheRomanSlayer]

Butterflies would have ensured that the Leni supporters would have shown much better class than they did IOTL, along with other factors that allowed BBM to rise to power. Moreover, I'm not sure if the absence of COVID-19 would still result in Russia launching a full scale invasion of Ukraine as well.

[gillan1220]

Jan 7, 2023 6:53:29 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

Butterflies would have ensured that the Leni supporters would have shown much better class than they did IOTL, along with other factors that allowed BBM to rise to power. Moreover, I'm not sure if the absence of COVID-19 would still result in Russia launching a full scale invasion of Ukraine as well.

We probably wouldn't have those toxic kakampinks. Another butterflies would that Leni could have ran earlier than OTL October 2021.

One thing to consider too is that BBM has been playing the long game of disinformation ever since. Even if there was no COVID-19, the BBM propaganda would have been in full swing just like IOTL. I'm a certain that social definitely had an impact, considering this was pandemic times and people were glued to their phones or computers. Add the rise of Tiktok to the younger voter base of BBM.

It's hard to determine if Russia will still invade Ukraine in 2022, earlier, or later. What matters next is will a second Trump administration without COVID-19 still supply weapons to Ukraine. Because in the scenario The America We Deserve, Trump successfully pulls the U.S. out of NATO. The invasion of Ukraine is delayed to November 2022 but the Russians are more successful since there is no Javelins, HIMARS, or Western Lend Lease. Kiev falls after 16 days of fighting and Zelensky is captured as he refused to leave the capital. Zelensky mysteriously "dies" while in Russian captivity.

[TheRomanSlayer]

I suspect that there would have been more political will within Russia to actually call it a war instead of the quasi-sweet sounding "Special Military Operation", as conscripts cannot be deployed outside Russian territory under Russian law. From what I heard, the Ukrainian Army would have also tried to launch another offensive into the Donbass separatist entities a lot sooner, though in this case they would broadcast the final push towards the Donbass as a type of Operation: Thunderstorm deception that would lure the Russians into invading Ukraine.

There is also a chance that Isko Moreno would pull off a stronger campaign that would see him become President ITTL.

[gillan1220]

Jan 10, 2023 6:22:25 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

I suspect that there would have been more political will within Russia to actually call it a war instead of the quasi-sweet sounding "Special Military Operation", as conscripts cannot be deployed outside Russian territory under Russian law. From what I heard, the Ukrainian Army would have also tried to launch another offensive into the Donbass separatist entities a lot sooner, though in this case they would broadcast the final push towards the Donbass as a type of Operation: Thunderstorm deception that would lure the Russians into invading Ukraine.

There is also a chance that Isko Moreno would pull off a stronger campaign that would see him become President ITTL.

I got to ask the other forum if Ukraine will still be invaded by Russia in a world without COVID-19 and Trump wins a second term unmolested. There's just too many butterflies from 2020 to 2023 that it becomes harder to predict.

Most no COVID TL usually focuses on Trump winning 2020 and pop-culture, just like mine. I have no intention of turning this personal AH into a wank. I want to balance both the utopia and the dystopia of this TL. Sinulog 2021 would just provide a form of distraction for the Filipinos. OTL Cebu shows it.

How do you think Isko Moreno would pull that off? He isn't that popular and his margin was still beaten by Leni Robredo votes.

[gillan1220]

Here is OTL's security preparation for Sinulog 2023:

〈insert pop-up content here〉

I'd imagine security would be much more tighter if the King of Spain and the Pope were to visit Cebu for the 500 years anniversary of Christianity. The AFP might even overreact, to the point of stationing AH-1 Cobras and Blackhawks in Mactan Air Base, or even the BRP Tarlac and the BRP Jose Rizal to be docked at port to provide security.

[spiegel]

and more fun in 2021 ATL can you make the 2022 A Butterflying the Bat Spinoff.