Fighting cynicism with hope in 2026

According to the latest Social Weather Stations survey, Filipinos have started 2026 with a decline in hope and rise in fear, compared to last year. This is a bad way to start the year. Some economists think that 2026 is a make-or-break year. One of the major reasons for the uncertainty is the low public confidence due to the corruption scandal that has rocked the country in the last two quarters of 2025.

Worse than the decline in hope and rise in fear is when people say, “same old-same old.” Or “what’s new?” These cynical comments came after a period of furious response of the people to trillions of pesos allegedly pocketed by corrupt politicians, technocrats and contractors. The cries of “i-kulong na iyan” were initially loud and fierce. But after two honorable members of the ICI resigned and only a handful of low-ranking DPWH staff and one big-time contractor have been jailed, it was easy to get disappointed. Because of this, many of us have cowered in our quiet corners. Retreats can be good but we should watch our heart when we simply surrender and entertain thoughts like, “Anyway, nothing will happen. It is as it is. Que sera, sera.”

Apathy and cynicism are the enemies of the incoming year.

But we cannot afford to slack off in 2026. There are major political turning points in 2026: refiling of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte; start of the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court and charges by the ombudsman against former speaker Martin Romualdez, former congressman Zaldy Co and other high-ranking officials. Add to these the pursuit of a law that will stop political dynasties. And what about possible posturing of candidates for the 2028 elections?

As a Christian nation, let us live our faith amid the disappointments and despair we may face in 2026. We need to boldly step forward with renewed hope, not because we see a clear path but because we are certain that Christ has gone ahead of us.

Let us be generous with our hope. We can still be true to our feelings, like we can feel sorry, sad or angry. But we can never give up hope. Not only should we keep our hope but we should intentionally spread hope. Infect others with our hope for the future.

Fight cynicism and apathy. How do we do this?

First, let us wrestle in prayer and stand firm. Hold our ground and be like Jacob when he wrestled with the angel, and refused to let go until he was blessed (Genesis 32:26). When the angel said, “Let me go because it is daybreak,” he did not mean he was so tired from the overnight wrestling with Jacob. He meant, Jacob needed to move on because the sun will soon rise and Jacob had to attend to a lot of things.

So the second calling to us, after struggling in prayer, is to act. Get out from the comfort of our homes and demonstrate our faith through collective efforts with our countrymen in calling for righteousness and creating an environment that does not tolerate bad governance. Model how it is like to live a life of integrity.

I recall a favorite passage from the Bible (The Message, Isaiah 40:31). It speaks of hope as we wait upon the Lord. In other Bible versions, wait upon God is translated as trust in the Lord.

“God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”

Happy, hopeful New Year!

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Leonora Aquino-Gonzales is a member of the Christian Writers Fellowship and the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture. She teaches at the UP College of Media and Communication.