EDITORIAL - New year, new hope

That nine out of 10 Filipinos will face this new year with hope despite challenges, according to the Pulse Asia survey released early this week, is a good way to start 2016.

No matter how clichéd, it is hope that will push us to achieve our aspirations, and, in line with The Freeman's #cebukeepsmegoing campaign, it is hope that will keep us all going.

We Filipinos need this new hope for the new year because 2016 is full of exciting yet challenging events that will greatly affect the country.

Later this month, the country, particularly Cebu, will host the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, where at least 15,000 delegates from all over the world are expected to attend. Even the IEC's theme, Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory, carries the word "hope."

This hosting of the 51st IEC, something that Cebu has been preparing for since 2014, will put the province on the world spotlight again and will pose a big challenge to its government, as well as Church officials. We hope that the 51st IEC will be peaceful, meaningful and successful in its mission to promote awareness on and improve the understanding of the Eucharist among Catholics.

It is also this month, on January 10 to be exact, that the election period for the May 2016 polls will start. The campaign period for national candidates will start onFebruary 9 yet, while the campaign period for local candidates will be on March 25.

As early as a few days after the filing of candidacies last October, there have already been reports of election-related violence. We have already witnessed mudslinging, black propaganda and other political maneuverings.

We hope that the 2016 elections will be clean, honest and peaceful.  We hope that voters will use their conscience when they choose the candidates they will vote for. We hope that those running for office will conduct themselves properly and act with dignity befitting public officials.

And lastly, we hope for a better Cebu, a better Philippines in 2016. It has been proven time and again that we are a resilient people who do not cower in the face of trials and adversities.

We cannot guarantee a smooth-sailing 2016, but armed with hope in our hearts, we know we can face whatever it is that this new year will bring our way.