As we head toward the end of the year, this usually leads to moments of reflection on the year that was and contemplation of the year to come. It is only natural, I guess, for us to take a look backward to see not only where we are at the moment but also how far we’ve come, and then look ahead to figure out where we are heading.
Casting a glance at 2024 would provide us with a picture of conflict, insecurity, and upheaval. The war in Ukraine continues along with its corresponding toll on global supply chains and commerce. The war in Gaza is unresolved and the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is tenuous at best. Islamist groups that have been designated as terrorist groups have taken over Syria. The Houthis have effectively disrupted global maritime trade.
Closer to home, China continues to harass and conduct dangerous provocations in the West Philippine Sea in an effort to undermine our sovereignty and control of our maritime territory and entitlements. We continue to suffer the onslaught of natural calamities with an unprecedented four overlapping tropical storms for 10 days in November.
Reflecting on those few obvious examples, one can say that we have been living in interesting times in the past year. So what will 2025 bring us? The election of Donald Trump as the United States president, whose term starts on Jan. 20, is going to create new dynamics in global affairs. His threat to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could spark a trade war, the effects of which won’t be limited to those countries. For the Philippines, we can expect China to continue with its gray zone aggression in the West Philippine Sea. The rupture of the “UniTeam” political alliance of the Marcos and Duterte clans is likely to bring an element of uncertainty and unease in the country’s political climate. As it was in 2024, 2025 promises to bring us interesting times as well.
Speaking of interesting times, the saying “May you live in interesting times,” which is often quoted as an ancient Chinese proverb and a curse, comes to mind. If this is the case, then I guess we should consider ourselves cursed as we have been living in such times and the future only promises to do the same. However, I have looked up the provenance of the saying and apparently it appears that there is no such Chinese proverb or curse. Apparently, the saying is traceable to a British diplomatic service in China circa 1936. Personally, I don’t see how living in interesting times can be considered a curse. It all depends on how you look at things and what you would consider interesting.
Taking that approach, a look at 2024 for the Philippines would also show that the country’s GDP growth remained robust at 6.0 percent to 6.5 percent. S&P Global Ratings upgraded the Philippines’ economic outlook to positive, citing stronger fiscal health, institutional reforms, and increased foreign reserves. The World Bank highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to reducing poverty, boosting competitiveness, and enhancing social services through its eight-point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. These initiatives aim to transition the country toward upper-middle-income status.
On the political front, one could even say that the quad committee hearings have brought transparency and awareness on crucial issues regarding governance, corruption, and the rule of law. In terms of looking forward to 2025, this presents an opportunity to strengthen our democratic institutions by holding those responsible accountable for their actions. Add to that a proper follow-through on the economic gains of 2024 and the initiatives that would facilitate our transition toward upper-middle-income status, then there would be a good opportunity for the government to improve the lives of the Filipino people. This, I believe, would be just as interesting a development in our lives as the negative ones. Living in interesting times is not a curse, it’s a matter of perspective.
So as we approach the end of 2024 and prepare to welcome the coming year, let’s not dwell too much on the negative and instead embrace the positive opportunities and developments that 2025 presents to us.
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Moira G. Gallaga, author, has served three Philippine presidents as presidential protocol officer, diplomatically posted to the Philippine consulate general, LA and Philippine Embassy, Washington.