C-Day

I write this while the cold December air breezes past an open door and into my small study. I ponder what the year has been and how much has changed in the last twelve months.

There certainly has been a lot of tragedies. Death dances around us. Celebrities larger than life have fallen, many tragically, others after a lifetime of trial. Many feel the passing of those titans, as if they were family. It is understandable, when one grows up with them, listening to their speeches, supporting the battles they fight or simply to enjoy the genius of their artistry.

We saw Iran struggle for freedom. Some of you reading this may have helped and participated in Cyber War. We saw Iranians shed blood. We were moved. We saw how the world’s powers, unable to intervene. It ended in stalemate.

In the world of finance, the Market rose, rallying to recover loses and a year later, is still below the highs of the Past. Well, some at least, more than others. Apple for instance is on the same level as it did at the close of December 2007. Even as the street fight to regain lost wealth, on Main Street, the real tragedies are. Lives uprooted by financial storm, homes lost, families’ future ripped from right under their feet.

At the beginning of the year, if you stood in the Philippines and looked out at the horizon, you could see only a dark wall. Hope seem like a candle flickering amidst a breeze hell bent in snuffing it out. There was a book blockade, and charter change that we fought against.

An Aquino died, and in that death, the Yellow Army was resurrected. The Juggernaut Noynoy Aquino is seemingly an unstoppable force and for all its imperfections, the Yellow Army is still the best hope for the future.

For now.

I don’t know if that says something about our state of affairs. I do not know if they know who their friends are, or if tragically, they see threats everywhere. Forty-Four percent says, they can afford to be arrogant. The future says, they need to extend their arm in friendship. For far too long, we’ve had a nation that saw only evil at every turn. The mistrust, the fear, is palpable in the air. What does it say about the future this Yellow Army promises to build, when it isn’t good will and inspiration they shine? When you see enemies at every turn, you will only create new ones. When will you defeat the Old Ways, with a smile, an outstretched hand of friendship and a gentle voice?

The greater tragedy is this: the cost of hubris and arrogance is paid in full by the people they promise to build a nation with.

How unlucky our people are.

We saw Ondoy. We saw Pepeng. We saw Mayon. And the rivers of blood flow in Mindanao with a torrent unimaginable. People lost property. People lost lives. People lost hope for the future.

The future does not inspire.

I sit here, pondering the past. I’ve never been big on Christmas. It always felt empty for me. On a personal note, 2009 ends much better than the Decembers of 06, 07, and 08.

To my brothers-in-arms (and the women too!) here at Filipino Voices, to my political blogger friends who pound the keyboard across the planet, to my twitter followers, to you dear reader and to those who take time to comment, there are no words to convey my deepest “thank you”. You have helped me grow as a Filipino and as a writer.

Of course, I must save the best for last. What is a year without those who I share a passion for Aliens, Batarangs and Power Rings? I look forward to more fun, as the Return of Bruce Wayne begins and Blackest Night ends.

(pirate Batman! How cool is that?)

For all the tragedies and heartbreak and the darkness of 2009, I can not pass judgement that it was a bad year.

As a comet, I passed by an orbit of a very dear friend, and my life is so much better. I met an amazing Little Rock, and so begins a friendship that makes my life so much fuller because of her.

So I end this with a wish, and those of you who believe that a Savior was born, then think of this as a prayer too: “May you and yours, enjoy a Happy Christmas.”

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