The New Year is just around the corner, and the imminent but symbolic act of changing the calendar for those of us who still use those things reminds us of that time of year when we are looking back and forward at the same time.
If you come to think of it, a lot has probably happened this year, from the personal level all the way to global. Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, along with Israel’s destruction of Palestine. Hundreds of thousands of people, both combatants and civilians, have already been killed or maimed, and cities have been bombed to rubble. In the United States, Donald Trump was convicted of a felony, and then elected president a few months after. In Syria, the seemingly invincible Assad regime ended just before this calendar year did.
Climate change and global warming reared its ugly head again and again throughout the globe, reminding us of how vulnerable we are and how much work needs to be done if we are going to mitigate its effects.
There were also some things to be positive about, among them the display of global unity at the Paris Olympics.
Here in the Philippines, we witnessed the breakup of the vaunted UniTeam, which was a shame because unity was the only campaign platform that the dynastic duo of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte had to offer when they ran for office. Other notable developments that sprung from that high-profile and bitter breakup were the revelations of how Duterte has been using her billions in confidential funds without any sense of accountability, and to add salt to their dynasty’s wound, the congressional inquiry into Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship drug war recently named him the head of a criminal enterprise. How much more dirt will be dug up as a result of this breakup, we can only guess, but hopefully the country somehow benefits from the tussle of political dynasties who are duking it out for dominance and power, and all the benefits and privileges that goes with it.
On the more local end, we have the two eruptions of Mount Kanlaon this year, along with the negative effects of the El Nino and La Nina on our mostly agricultural economy. There is also the surprisingly low prices of sugar which has the industry’s big and small planters wondering whether the government still has their back, or if the importer cartel has taken over.
There is also the upcoming 2025 elections, the effects of which we can already see everywhere, as politicos maximize the election rules loophole that allows them to unli-posterize our communities as long as the official campaign period has not yet begun. It would probably help to take note of who these people are so we can get them on our naughty lists.
With so many challenges and regressions in 2024, it is difficult not to be pessimistic for the coming year. Climate change and global warming continues to be a threat and humanity doesn’t seem to be capable of doing enough to stop the disaster that our grandchildren will have to deal with.
The wars in Ukraine and Palestine are looking like they will continue to kill and destroy indiscriminately, and based on the international community’s reaction to those acts of aggression and blatant crimes against humanity, anyone who wants to go to war basically knows by now that they can get away with almost anything and aside from some words on a piece of paper, there is nothing the United Nations will do about it.
When it comes to global, or even national issues, it is normal to feel powerless, especially where probinsyanos who don’t feel like they can make an impact but are among the most impacted, are concerned. This situation applies to climate change and the prices of sugar, where we are already doing what we can to help ourselves, but we are still getting battered, maybe because we have a government that is not so keen in protecting our interests.
However, life goes on and we still need to adapt, especially as we look forward to 2025 and beyond. There are still many positives to look at, and the fact of the matter is that we simply cannot afford to quit on our means of livelihood, or communities, country, and planet, even if it feels like we are on the losing end and the future looks bleak. Some of us could be considering leaving the country, but if you come to think of it, the challenging times that we are facing is a global problem that we can’t really run away from, although being in a country where the government is led by competent and visionary people could help.
In the end, celebrating the New Year simply means that life goes on, no matter who we are or where we are in the world. Things can get better sometimes, and other times it can get bad or worse, but it never stops. It just keeps going on, and we just have to deal with it.
Happy New Year everyone.*
