The year that was...

Another January, another brand-new start. I always love this time of year because it is all about possibilities. I think that December/January is probably my most happy period (other than Halloween). I like the fact that you get to spend time with family and loved ones during the December holidays and that January presents you with an opportunity to do some reevaluation, recharging, and rebooting (so to speak).

The other day I made an album on Facebook called “The year that was… 2009” and I compiled all of my favorite photos from the past year, working my way from January all the way to our New Year’s Eve celebration and it made me realize just how much I have to be thankful for and what a truly amazing year it was.

Now I know that 2009 was not without its pitfalls. There were a lot of hardships the world faced and God knows that in the Philippines there were many moments I wish I could forget about last year (like Ondoy and Maguindanao) but I feel that all of those bad moments gave us the opportunity to be better and help our fellow men. Thanks to the advent of the Internet, especially Facebook and Twitter, people really had the opportunity to let their voices be heard and to make an impact, however small, on the country.

When the typhoons hit, for example, it was devastating but what was equally amazing about it was the outpouring of support from every kind of person regardless of economic status. An American living in the Philippines put it the best when he said, “Never have I seen such an outpouring of support. Not even during Katrina. These people have so much less to give but are giving so generously of themselves.” I know exactly what he meant. I saw it in the supermarket when my mom and I went to buy relief good from the typhoon survivors and I saw this small family in front of us in line who barely had money for their own small amount of groceries (some formula, a few vegetables and a couple of canned goods) but had set aside a little to buy water and sardines to donate. It may not have been a lot, but it was given with love and pure intentions. No politicking, no putting on a good face, just the real desire to help your fellowman.

Ondoy and Pepeng have us the opportunity to reach out to one another and for a few months acted as a great equalizer. For the first time in years, we were all victims. No one was spared. Poor neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods alike were lambasted with the floodwaters and I think it reminded us, even if just for a short while, that in God’s eyes we really are all on equal footing. And it warmed my heart to see everyone doing whatever he or she could do to make a difference.

Unfortunately, my delight at the human race in the face of adversity did not get to last for very long. Not long after Ondoy and Pepeng when people did everything they could to help one another the tragedy of Maguindanao happened. I could not believe the news when it first broke. Innocent people gunned down in cold blood like cattle in a slaughterhouse. It was unreal — like something you would read about in a novel, not something that happened to real people. I could not believe that over 50 people were murdered in cold blood, in public, just like that. I think I cried about that for days, just lamenting the tragic loss of life. In addition I wept for the journalists who were killed just for doing their job. What a waste. But if it served any purpose it would be to awaken a sleeping giant — the anger in the people, the intolerance of corruption and greed, and the demand for justice. Within days not only people from other countries were clamoring for justice but also people in the Philippines, people who quite often seem apathetic, were shouting for the perpetrators to pay. If anything, I am hoping this fire that was ignited can last until the elections and people will really think first, then choose wisely, before they cast their vote.

So yes, 2009 was a seesaw, but personally I think it was an amazing year. I got to meet new people, learn new skills, travel, and spend time with those closest to my heart so I have nothing but good memories. Hopefully the blessings, the joys, and the lessons of 2009 stay with all of us as we move into a new year… let’s make it amazing!