The U.S. primary elections signal the start of “campaign season” for the American electorate, just as politics in the Philippines seems to have quieted down, for the time being. And with the large and growing number of Filipino-American voters, the question topmost on many minds this midterm election is will the large swath of traditionally Republican Filipino-American voters follow the national trend that is favoring Democrats or will they display that uniquely Filipino trait of fierce loyalty?

From the looks of it, the average American voter is angry: angry at where the Republicans and especially this administration have taken the country; angry at high fuel prices at the pump; angry at the huge deficit that grows larger each day; angry at the daily loss of young American lives in Iraq, with no end in sight; and angry at the depth to which American prestige has sunk around the globe.

Filipino Americans from coastal states such as California and New York appear to be more progressive and have traditionally favored the Democrats. Those in the inland states, however, are overwhelmingly conservative and vote Republican. So, will this large group break with tradition and vote against their party as many mainstream Republicans intend to do this November, or will they stick it out and vote GOP the same way Philippine voters stick to their candidates?

Filipinos, it seems, are creatures of habit and can be loyal to a fault. This is why the Marcoses, for example, still get elected in their home province despite the atrocities committed by the late dictator. The question now is: have Filipino-American voters matured to the point where reason and informed choice will outweigh blind party loyalty? This November, we’ll find out.