Yeah, we gotta start lookin’ at the hands of time we’ve been given
If this is all we got, then we gotta start thinkin’
If every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live live like we’re dying.
The refrain of the song (in fact, the song itself) Live Like We’re Dying by American Idol 2009 Kris Allen simply reminds us that we have to live our lives to the fullest. Every second counts.
Whatever happened to us in the year 2009 may inspire us to take a higher goal for our lives. Cliche as it may seem, 2009 has given us valuable lessons that we need not ignore. Let’s make the glories of our triumphs rule over the inequities and tragedies that struck us…and in any case, let’s all move on for the better and be the change that this country needs.
10. The Death of Michael Jackson
Fame and fortune is something almost everybody wants. Michael Jackson (well, he was nearly bankrupt before he died) had it all and he paid a great price for them. It’s not appalling to be famous and have all the money you want. We just not let them preside over our lives and yes, we have to be ready for the consequences.
9. When Susan Boyle dreamed a dream
Who ever expected that this unassuming spinster could sing? What Susan Boyle has achieved since she sang I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables in the Britain’s Got Talent 2009 auditions is unprecedented and has continued to greater heights when her debut album became a worldwide hit and a bestseller. Things are not always what they seem! So yes, if we only believe in ourselves and to always endeavor to be the best that we can be, all the stars in the heavens will align for us and that our dreams and aspirations will always be achieved.
8. The US in recession
From 2008 to 2009, the recession in the United States reverberated to the rest of the world and the Philippines was not spared.
7. The King of the Ring: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao
Who can be the best ambassador of the Philippines to the world other than Manny Pacquiao? Pacquiao saw the best time of his boxing career during the first decade of the millennium and closed it with being the greatest boxer of our time. Firstly, being always proud to be a Filipino and for always hoisting our flag above the rest are the things that we should be rejoicing because of Pacman. Secondly, Pacman served as manifestation of the Filipino indomitable spirit to rally against all odds. Thirdly, he can be called a “hero” since whenever he has a fight, criminality in the country is in its lowest, if nothing at all; the life of the Filipinos seems in a halt when Pacman is on the ring.
6. AH1N1
Was this some sort of a plague?! But of course, there is nothing that God will inflict on his people that they can’t prevail over. For a time being, fear for life ruled the country and the rest of the world because of the pandemic. Classes were suspended as majority of the cases in the country were from schools. Filipinos were fidgety over the outbreak and the seemingly slack response of the government. Ultimately, everything were contained.
5. Twitter and Facebook at the top of Social Networking
To Follow or Unfollow? To Friend or Unfriend? That is a looming question among us nowadays.
4. Maguindanao Massacre
All I can say with what happened is that justice should be served the soonest for the victims. Let’s all condemn and not allow this heinous crime to happen again.
3. The legacy of Cory Aquino
Tita Cory, as she is fondly called by almost all Filipinos, was instrumental to the ouster of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of constitutional democracy in the Philippines through the People Power Revolution. The best lesson I learned about the life of Tita Cory is to forget about one’s self and always think of other people. I hope our current government leaders will be inspired to follow the same principle and for all of us to emulate her life of simplicity and fear of God. [Thank you, Tita Cory (1933-2009)]
2. The Ondoy and Pepeng tragedies
With hundreds of lives and billions worth of properties lost and damaged, nothing can be compared to this tragedy in my thirty-plus years. But it is always a marvel at how Filipinos would unite, forget about their differences and cooperate with each other to help out the victims of the flooding. That was the nicest story out of the said tragedy.
1. The Filipino as hero of the year
Efren Peñaflorida, a “pushcart teacher” was declared 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and what a better way to cap the year 2009 is but by the words of Efren himself upon accepting the honor:
“Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need. So to each and every person inside this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream, and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”
