MANIFESTO NIGHT: Second Impressions

Note, of course, the title does not mean these candidates are any less important - if at all, we have arrived at the highlight of the programme, technically speaking. First, the Religious Exco, helmed by Isa and Ija. Remember "My name is Isa. You can call me Jesus?" (From a reliable senior source, who prefers anonymity.) This year, in his words, we have a "50% increase in candidates", accompanied by uproarious laughter, which would turn out to be an ominous prediction of the candidates. For they were all good in their own ways.

Judin, the only male candidate, began and ended with with poems about God. Majdina described herself as an "open minded person" who could work well under pressure. Interesting assertion: She said she was not morally superior to any of us, but felt it was her responsibility to be part of SC. She declared that we "still are not living as one" and "there are still gaps between us" and thus each of our voices had the power to change the college. But Adrianis really shone, and this is not a case of corrupt reporting. Well-versed in the Koran, and a natural charmer, giving us her take on religion. And she was the sole candidate to assert she represented all religions - thus her enthusiasm to work not just with Muscom but with the Indian and Chinese Cultural Clubs. Food for thought...and ballot.

Now, the showdown. Kenrick versus Nic-O, two Diamonders, two Integrasi-ians. Will speech or action prevail?

KENRICK: Began with Akmal's famous tearing of his speech, then yanked out another piece of paper and told us he had just torn Akmal's speech up. Nice one. His manifesto was a reworking of his prolific posters: what bridging the gap actually meant. He believes (simple present tense from now on, just struck me it sounded like he was deceased if I spoke of him in the past) we tend to do what we see, not what we hear. To illustrate, he asked students to stand up and put their right hand on their chin. All and well, until everyone broke down in fits when they realised they had blindly followed Kenrick's action of putting his hand on his cheek. Hmm, this only proves that once he's elected, he'll lie to us? Heh, of course not, don't take it too hard Kenrick, but our job is to play devil's advocate.

Ended with a wonderfully read Malay poem, in an accent that in no circumstances whatsoever will pass off as Malay.

NIC-O: Real name Mohd Syahirul Syafiq, as Akmal Roji inadvertantly pointed out. Began with a hilarious translation of a Malay poem that ended "Will win without giving bribes"...which inexplicably drew laughter across the board. With Kenrick's electoral gimmick, it was time for a ploy of his own...asked everyone to stand up and put their right hand on their chest. This was obligingly complied to...until everyone realised his right hand was HOLDING the microphone, so there was no way Nic-O could put it on his chest.

Probably trawls through his email for motivating stories every day with his campaign team. Story One: The eggs, the carrot and the coffee bean. The gist: Dunked in hot water, eggs soften, carrots harden, and coffee beans turn the water into pungent coffee. Moral: He declared himself a coffee bean. He likened the hot water to the adversity at hand, and his ability to be flexible and adapt himself to the problem so it actually became a boon. Smart. Last words: Don't base your vote on credibility alone. Trust is more important.

With that, we wait in bated breath for tonight's manifesto, in the fervent hope this college has truly become a fertile hotbed of democracy.