A remarkable year

Tempus fugit, in aeternum. Time flees, forever.
As we bid farewell to 2010, let us remember to relish the good and learn from the bad – and the lessons we gleaned from both.
Admittedly, regardless whether it was a good or bad year, 2010 proved to be  interesting, both for Pinoys here in the US and in the Philippines.
The events which ensued — the Philippine presidential elections, Benigno S. Aquino III’s victory, a promise of clean and transparent governance to his “bosses” during his inauguration, a hostage drama turned awry, a fugitive Senator still on the run, another set of flawless victories for Manny Pacquiao, provisional amnesty for one of the Oakwood mutineers who also happens to be a duly-elected senator, acquittal for the accused of the Vizconde massacre case — these are moments which made 2010 one of the most exciting years in Philippine history.
For Filipinos here in the US, 2010 became “a year of emergence” — Tani Cantil Sakauye became the first Filipino Chief Justice for California, a considerable number of Fil-Ams were also able to win public office positions in California and Hawaii and some other states, exploited Pinoys found their voice and the need for justice, especially since most of them fell prey to their own unscrupulous kababayans.
Even when another impasse faced the DREAM Act this year, Filipino-Americans displayed their unity in tackling immigration issues head on and their efforts still came with an encouraging reward  — the temporary release of Mark Farrales, an undocumented Pinoy with exceptional intelligence and abilities.
Now as we welcome another year, let us strengthen our ties as Pinoys even further and fortify our collective voices even more. Let 2011 be our year  — the year for the Filipino’s resilient spirit.
Manigong Bagong Taon po sa inyong lahat!
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend Jan 1-4, 2010 Sec A p.12)