EDITORIAL — A big ‘thank you’

After the debacles that were the years 2021 and 2022, we all wanted 2023 to be better. However, this was not the case.

We continued to get more of “the same”. By that we meant nothing in the way of climate change improving, political bickering still putting world security at risk, and even more conflicts erupting in different parts of the world.

Those who wanted Russia’s war again Ukraine to end, preferably with Russia pulling back, instead got another conflict with the Israel-Hamas war stemming from the October 7 terror attack against Israel. Like the Russia-Ukraine war it is also one that has the potential of spreading across the region.

In the local scene it wasn’t any different. Killings continued, including that of a governor and several journalists. Graft and corruption is still a problem. China is still bullying us in the West Philippine Sea but has the gall to claim to be the victim.

The current economy isn’t doing as well either with the poorest of the poor not really feeling the touted economic growth.

Pushing all that negativity aside, of course the year wasn’t without is bright spots. COVID-19 was finally declared no longer a global emergency. There is now a cheaper vaccine for malaria. The world’s largest solar farm which will power nearly 200,000 homes and eliminate over 2.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually has been activated, among other good news.

There was also some good news in the local scene, a former senator who was persecuted for several years was finally freed. Some government offices that didn’t deserve certain funds had them taken away. We are catching up in terms of tourist arrivals. We almost made it home with another Miss Universe crown.

In the lives of different individuals there were also happy moments and occasions sprinkled in between what can be largely considered a tumultuous year. Some people got married, established families, solidified their careers, passed professional licensure exams, survived diseases, or learned valuable life lessons or skills, among others.

That’s how life goes; we take the bad with the good. That is how you make it day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.

As an institution, The FREEMAN is also thankful we have lived to see another year go by. And this would not have been possible without you, our dear readers. THANK YOU.

Like 2023, with its bad and good, we aren’t perfect. However, we are always striving to be the best community newspaper in Cebu. We hope you will continue to rely on us again in 2024.