We are still here! The world did not end on December 21, 2012 as was the forecast of a group of people. The clock has kept on ticking, the heavy traffic is still there, the bus stops and subway platforms are still full of people waiting for their rides, police cars, ambulances and fire trucks have kept on blowing their sirens speeding towards calls of emergencies – accidents, crimes, and fires.
Yes, the world is at the end of another year having weathered all kinds of events – happy and memorable, sad and regrettable, horrific and painful.
The queen of Great Britain completed her sixty years of reign with all its ups and downs. Her Majesty has remained courageous and stoic through all the scandals in the lives of her offsprings. Her Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with all pomp and circumstance with a thousand boats in the Thames. The year 2013 was a good one for the queen capped by the recent announcement of a prospective addition to the line of succession.
This twelfth year of the twenty first century was not too good for the supreme head of the Catholic Church. The pope was saddled with scandals that he inherited from the past and some forms of misdeeds of people he trusted. Things appeared to have quieted down by the end of the year, Have they come to pass?
It was election year in the most powerful country in the world and a tumultuous one for its president. There had been times when the world doubted whether he would be re-elected. Mudslinging and personal assassinations became common place. Ad lib remarks were twisted, reinvented and redefined to mean so many things never dreamed of by the original speakers. Political divisions among ethnic groups, youth and older populations, sexes, social classes and even religious groups emerged. The nation was divided. President Obama survived all these to be re-elected for his second term.
Here in Canada, things appeared relatively uneventful except for the announcements of leadership hopefuls for the federal Liberal Party. Would Justin Trudeau follow on the footsteps of his once very popular father? The world is waiting to see. Then there was the resignation of a Conservative member of Parliament for reckless spending of government funds including sixteen dollars for a glass of orange juice.
There was more noise in the provincial level with the sudden resignation of the Ontario Premier and the relentless show of opposition from teachers due to their loss of freedom to negotiate. Students lost their co-curricular activities and teachers went on one day strikes.
In Toronto, the mayor received the shock of his life, when a judge threw him out of office for some conflicts of interest acts. He appealed the decision and was allowed to stay as mayor until the case is resolved. If he loses in his appeal, he plans to run again in a by-election. Will the people of Toronto re-elect him? Will he still be the mayor in 2013?
The relation between Iran and Israel has come to a very critical point. The danger that Iran might complete the effectiveness of its nuclear weapons might precipitate an attack from Israel. The world is watching closely. Who would be on either side? Is 2013 the year this terrible event may happen?
Would the civil war in Syria that has killed thousands of people including children be resolved in 2013? Syria appears to be the focus of attention of the world at present. Would the head of this nation follow the path of ruin chosen by Moamar Gadhafi or would he step down and seek asylum in one of the countries in the Middle East?
How about the problems of the United States? Would it plunge into the fiscal cliff due to political differences or would some amicable negotiations take place to prevent financial disaster?. We will know by the early part of 2013.
The people of the United States of America are fervently hoping that the terrible massacres of 2012 would not be repeated in 2013. Many of them hope that the government would succeed in passing laws to control access to assault rifles and a better way of assessing individuals who are potential perpetrators of such horrific acts and better security arrangements can be made to protect the public against the actions of such members in their community. This hope is easily said than done. A substantial number of citizens continue to believe that the second amendment in their constitution guarantee4ing their right to protect themselves, gives them the freedom to own such weapons. Would the lawmakers reach a reasonable resolution to this problem? The year 2013 will see this decision.
The Philippines appears to have had a good 2012. Has corruption among those in power really lessened? There appears to be more positive relationships with other nations of the world. Now that Asia has become the focus of attention as source of financial stability and world power, it is hoped the Philippines would be among countries like China and India in industrial and commercial growth.
As individuals what do we hope for ourselves in 2013? A promotion in our jobs? A new addition to the family? Better health? A reconciliation with a loved one or a friend? How about weight loss? Each of us has a secret wish or an open desire to accomplish in the upcoming year. All of us, I am positive, would want peace and prosperity.
Manigong Bagong Taon sa Lahat!!!
