2011: The year in vivid color

MANILA, Philippines - Parang pelikula. Life imitating art.

That aptly sums up the year just past.

It was book-ended by extreme sadness and extreme happiness.

Like a typical Filipino movie, Year 2011 was marked by drama, comedy, action, suspense, sex and violence, mind-boggling surprises, break-ups and breakdowns, tears and fears, a baby boom, and, like a teleserye, twists and turns that left everybody catching for breath but craving for more.

The Year of the Rabbit was like no other. It stunk with dirty linen washed in public and hung for the whole world to monitor drying up with bloods, sweat and tears.

As we ring out the old and ring in the new, let’s take a misty-eyed look at the past 12 months and learn lessons from mistakes and misdeeds which we should never repeat in the Year of the Dragon.

Wipe those tears and welcome the New Year with a smile.