Jose Rizal, Tandang Sora, and Andres Bonifacio did not die for the country just so you could throw away your right to vote.

Or so their animated ghosts tell us.

In a new interactive website – magparehistroka.com – the Philippines’ national heroes come to life to instruct qualified voters on how to register for the 2022 elections.

The site was developed by the Commission on Election (Comelec) in partnership with Google and advertising agency MullenLowe Treyna. Content creator Chinny Basinang drew the artworks featured in the site.

“This is Rizal, he died so you can vote,” the narrative caption reads when you open the website. Rizal, considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines, was a progressive writer who fought for Philippine independence and democracy against Spanish colonizers. 

The campaign drives home the point by appeals to Filipinos’ sense of patriotism – and humor.

Art by Chinny Basinang

Heroes Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Aurora Quezon, and Tandang Sora walk users through the simple steps of voter registration, with candid dialogues and cultural references using the younger audiences’ language.

“’Pinaglaban naming makaboto kayong lahat so dapat lang achievin n’yo ’to,” says the ghost of Aurora Quezon, the First Lady who fought for Filipinas’ right to vote.

The lola heroes also remind registrants to observe health protocols when lining up at Comelec offices to submit their applications – face mask, face shielf, sanitizer, your own ballpen, distance of six feet from the next person, and, more importantly, “’Wag ka nang makipaglandian dun.”

At the end of the walk-through, the site presents a link to iRehistro, Comelec’s registration site, and a link to download necessary forms. 

Still haven’t registered for the upcoming elections? Don’t let these heroes down. You may visit magparehistroka.com or use Rappler’s registration guide. 

Voter registration period ends on September 30, 2021. – Rappler.com