SYDNEY, Australia (MindaNews / 23 December) – I cannot remember the last time I wrote under this

column for Mindanews. Here I am today embracing a life changing event, a bittersweet and surreal
event to help reflect on the year that was. 

Friends lost their loved ones during the pandemic, businesses closed down, friends and acquaintances
became unemployed, we were isolated, quarantined, vaccinated and some got stranded for a year or
two or more. Another Marcos is now president of the Philippines, Joma died, 345 million from 135M
since 2019 face acute food insecurity across the globe, the Ukraine War threatens world peace, there’s
environmental degradation and disasters caused by extreme weather changes, and most recently
Argentina won the FIFA World Cup. The year is almost ending and life goes on wherever and under
whatever circumstances we all have.

I survived three years of pandemic and challenges from all fronts and ended the year as a lady of
leisure. 

I started with great hope after presenting two projects that I have managed during reaccreditation of my
previous workplace, and was recognized for that contribution and for bringing one project back to the
government funding pool. Midyear, I contemplated moving on and indeed I did. I thought it was the job
where I will retire in a few years’ time. I had the opportunity to visit my second home thinking the job
will work out, sadly, it was not meant to be. I literally “jumped from the frying pan into the fire.” Now
I understand the truth behind that saying. Still, I look at it as a blessing in disguise, a year-end bonus of
being able to reflect and set my direction for 2023. 

Now is the time to thank my Family and Friends, everyone who saw me through the most difficult
times. You all know who you are. I am profoundly grateful to the one person who, I never thought
would be my teacher, fulfilling a friend’s prediction, stood by me.