As we bid adieu to 2011, I will give space to our readers who have taken time to write or text some notes we believe will serve us in good stead as we welcome the New Year. We need not emphasize the fact that the earth shaking developments in the year about to pass just presages the expected upheavals in the days ahead. We salute them for sharing their concerns and their hopes for the New Year. Here goes:

“There is an eerily familiar scenario being cooked by certain forces within the United States and Europe which may explain the P. Noy administration’s seemingly erratic governance ways.  The visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Myanmar, the first such visit by a senior American official after almost four decades, is an eye opener. P. Noy’s bellicose assertions over the Spratlys is another. Efforts to isolate certain members and parties within the ruling Indonesian coalition at a time when that country is about to take off economically is another. All these developments may presage an ASEAN Spring similar to the upheavals which rocked US allies in what is now known as the Arab Spring.. Let’s open our eyes and be more discerning..”

..... Salma H., Zamboanga City

“...I pray the scenario painted for me is not true – there is more than meets the eye in the rushed impeachment of Chief Justice Corona and then the other ‘Arroyo justices’ except Senior Associate Justice Carpio and two other justices.. Official US government circles are abuzz with talks that America is behind the renewed efforts to have a signed ‘peace agreement’  with the MILF using as its centrepiece the reworded version of the discredited MOA-AD. They have to make sure that the Supreme Court will declare this ‘new’ version constitutional. The creation of a ‘Bangsa-Moro’ which will lay claim, together with the P. Noy administration, over the Spratlys will pre-empt China’s efforts to move into the territory. The Chinese can ill afford to confront a claimant with the backing of the US and Islamic countries..”

....Nur B., Davao City

“..Volunteers among concerned citizens must courageously and publicly put up a UNITED FRONT to speak up and combatively, if necessary, assert the inviolable SOVEREIGNTY of the Republic. As things now appear to be our: 1) GOVERNMENT and 2) NATIONAL TERRITORY – are no longer under the COMPLETE CONTROL of the Filipino people. We must exert our grimmest efforts to wrest back and truly secure to ourselves and our posteriot, that COMPLETE CONTROL..”

...Alan Paguia, Quezon City

“..If people will always attribute by speculation political motives for every action by the Supreme Court, the Rule of Law would be replaced by the Rule of Speculation, Mob Rule and ultimately by the Rule of Force where: a) Might is Right; b) The End Justifies the Means; c) Due Process is a Farce; d) Equal Protection does not Apply to those who oppose the ruling political party; e) The Trinity of Government is replaced by a Monolithic Power Structure and f) The Principle of Check and Balance is Reduced to a Situation Where the Sovereign People Are Forced to Choose Between: 1) REVOLUTION or 2) OPPRESSION. Hence, we must insist on the Rule of Law, even if it Brings Certain Isolated or Short Term Negative Political Consequences..”

...Alan Paguia, Quezon City

“..If things are happening according to our prayers then you are blessed..But if they are not, you are blessed even more because they are happening according to God’s Will..Happy New Year..”

...Jorge, Binangonan, Rizal

“..Life isn’s about learning to be perfect..It’s about making mistakes and knowing not to repeat them..We go through pain and we move on from pain..We build up our pride, then we swallow it. Don’t hold it in, cry until you learn to smile. Hate until you learn to love..Mourn until you learn to forget ..And forget until you’re ready to remember.. Happy New Year..”

...Larry, Cagayan de Oro City   

“..The Best Thing About the New Days in the Future is that it comes one at a Time..hence the road to it Seems wide Open and can be Programmed to Build Opportunities for Everyone..”

...Jun F., Romblon

To our readers keep on writing and pour out your thoughts and feelings about the things you truly care about. We need to get these out of our systems and use these to make our lives and that of our families and communities better...

A PEACEFUL AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL..!