What we should have learned from 2014
As we clean up all the mess, from the excesses of the Yuletide celebrations, we should have time to reflect on all the lessons that we hopefully learned by now. These lessons should make us better Christians and better Filipinos. More importantly, the useful insights we have gained in 2014 should make us better prepared for 2015. It was quite a year, when we were not yet fully recovered from the devastation of Yolanda in the last quarter of 2013, and were still hit by a series of tropical storms. There were also a lot of storms in our political, economic and social lives. What matters most is that we all come out as better Christians, better Filipinos, better human beings for 2015 and onward.
The first lesson we should learn is that power and glory are transient. The saga of Senators J P Enrile, J Estrada and B Revilla illustrate how fast and how easy could some powerful and famous high officials fall from grace and become ordinary detention prisoners, just like their friend GMA. Except for GMA, they could not even spend Noche Buena with their respective families in their mansions. Although, like Bilibid very important prisoners, they could have jacuzzi and sex dolls, but to be behind bars was unthinkable. There were times when JPE was very powerful and Jinggoy and Bong were the apples in tinseltown's eyes. GMA ruled with iron hands and controlled the whole nation when all politicians bowed their heads before her. Today, she could not even move her head without excruciating pains.
The second lesson is that most so-called friends could not really be relied upon in times of crises. GMA, JPE Jinggoy and Bong have no more friends. On another dimension,even the US could not really be relied upon all the time, despite the Mutual Defense Agreement, the EDCA and the long-standing alliance with us, since 1900. In fact, if China attacks the Philippines today, the US may think first of the trillions of debt it owes Beijing before lifting a finger to help us. Real politic indicates that the US, like any other nation, takes care of its own interests first before us. It cannot even allow us to take custody of Pemberton, who prima facie evidence indicated to have allegedly committed murder of a Filipino inside our territory.
The third lesson is that we are all vulnerable, as a nation and as individuals. Our country is vulnerable to external aggression and internal threat to its national security and peace. We are open to be infected with Ebola virus and all other afllictions like HIV/AIDs. The drug menace, the rising crime incidence, the terroristic attacks of ISIS and many rebel groups may sow terror and death to our citizens. Many bad things could happen to our 12 million Filipinos abroad and we shall be affected. We are vulnerable to natural calamities and disasters and man-made pains and sufferings. Bombs, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism may hit us. We should all be careful and never cease praying.
Fourth lesson is that God always gives us the choice, the chance and the competence to rise every time we fall. And the fifth and last lesson is that there is HOPE always if we consider God's Mercy and Compassion. These are all the messages of Pope Francis in his papal visit come January. This is also the Lord's message to us by the birth of His only begotten son. This is also the message of the ASEAN Economic Integration that starts on January the first. There is hope for the elections of 2016. Today, as we reflect deeply on 2014 and the past, we should be learning a lot. But what matters most is that, at the end, we should always move on with HOPE. And with FAITH and with MERCY and COMPASSION, of course.
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