2012 wishes

We can start the year on a positive note with our wishes and personal resolutions for the New Year. Who does not want a better life for the ensuing year or a better country, for that matter? A national newspaper and a journalist opened the year with a salvo that is reverberating around the academic world as serious allegations have been made that affect the school and the recipient of a doctorate with honors. Then serious allegations were made on the administration of relief assistance in typhoon damaged Cagayan de Oro city. While others were celebrating and praying, a few entered the premises of the church to steal money given by the parishioners in our city.

As the sun rises each day, we continue our journey through life with the choices we make. With the impending impeachment trial of the Chief Justice scheduled by the Senate on the 16th of January, anything said or published on this case, in my opinion is needless or unnecessary. We, including the mass media and, most especially, the prosecution and defense teams, need to be disciplined enough to be patient for the trial and not use the time of preparation to mislead or perhaps gain advantage. The point is, everybody needs to be objective in understanding and learning for this event. 

The finger-pointing on who is to blame for the loss of life and damage to property in Cagayan de Oro will find truth in having more fingers pointed at oneself. The unnecessary death and destruction is a collective responsibility for each one of us.  We still have to become more mature in acknowledging our responsibilities instead of blaming others. In addition, our politicians must realize that the defense that the allegations made are political is no defense at all in the political arena.

Let us not only wish but accept the responsibility of making choices that will make the year a much better year than last year.  A media program and many others will point out that betterment as a nation starts with the citizen.  As more warm bodies become better citizens than the collective result is a better Philippines. 

The other day we bade our earthy farewells to Evelyn Romano Aldecoa as she moved on to the next stage of life.  Here was a lady, vocalist, artist, director, sister and teacher to many; who lived a life with humor, grace, beauty and service to family and to the community that set an example for others to follow in life and in death.  

We start with the wish that there are more Evelyns in our community.  We wish that the impeachment trial strengthens our country’s efforts in becoming a better country attaining peace, prosperity and justice in the very near future.   We wish that the recent wrath of typhoons make us respect and love nature more.  We wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!*