Many people lament 2016, believing that too many deaths and other bad things have dominated the year. Certainly, if one viewed life just through political lens, there were many things that have been upsetting. Internationally, there was Brexit and the American elections, not to mention the escalation of the war in Syria and the many terrorist attacks. In the Philippines, change has come with the election of Presdent Duterte, but not all of it is good. The massacre of the poor is escalating to become genocide, although some legal gymnastics would be needed for what is happening here to fit in the traditional meaning of this crime against humanity. To complicate things, in the post-truth world, truth has been the main casualty and we are still figuring out what to do with that.
2016 was definitely challenging. But it has also been good. Let me count the ways.
First, to start with the obvious and the proximate, 2016 has been good for Philippine movies. The radical change in the rules of the Metro Manila Film Festival, while controversial, is welcome. There is still time to watch the best of the eight movies. I recommend first of all Sunday Beauty Queen, the documentary about Hong Kong OFWs which won Best Picture in the MMFF awards. I also definitely recommend Oro, Saving Sally and Die Beautiful. But if you still have time, do watch the other movies as well: Seklusyon, Babae sa Septic Tank 2, Kabisera, and Vince & Kath & James.
Second, also proximate, the passing into eternal life of some famous people. Of course the news of the death of any person is sad, and especially of those who die violently as is happening to many of our poor countrymen or those who are being killed by war and terrorism, whether in Syria, Afghanistan, France or Germany. But when people like Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds exit from human existence, one must pause and give them ovations for their contribution to society, not the least of which is their overcoming bad relationships, illnesses, and many other challenges.
Lesser known, but perhaps deserving of louder cheers for lives well led and leaving us a better world, are the passing of Piers Sellers (the NASA scientist who worked to defeat climate change up to the end of his fight against cancer), Dr. Donald Henderson (who led the global effort to eradicate smallpox), and Vera Rubin (astronomer who helped us understood dark matter).
Among Filipinos, the passing of Jovito Salonga, Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Lorenzo Tañada Jr. (who like many of his family fought the Marcos dictatorship) deserve more than a passing mention. They passionately loved and served this country.
But let’s celebrate the living also, those among us who are walking reminders rthat human beings can be noble and live morally excellent lives.
There is Rene Saguisag, who fought Marcos and is now fighting Duterte. Manong Rene, if my memory serves me right, supported Presidents Estrada and Arroyo, and Chief Justice Corona in their most challenging moments. Only a courageous man can be that consistent on human rights and one must have uncompromising integrity to fight for such unpopular causes. Rene Saguisag is truly a national treasure.
Also a national treasure is Tony Oposa, the pioneering environmental lawyer. He is the most imaginative and strong willed lawyer I have worked with. His body of work is incredible and has helped people and planet immensely.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Grace Poe, Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros, and Leila de Lima, Secretaries Leonor Briones, Judy Taguiwalo, and Gina Lopez, CHED Chair Patty Licuanan, Undersecretaries Gloria Jumamil-Mercado and Ipat G. Luna,and of course Ombudswoman Carpio Morales have been awesome in the examples they give to women and men in law and governance. I tell my students all the time, especially the young aspiring lawyers and scientists; you want to be one of these women; they are not perfect, and some have committed serious mistakes of judgment, but they are strong and resilient; they too love and serve this country with passion.
Among media people, I celebrate Maria Ressa and the whole Rappler crew for their equanimity in the face of constant attacks by trolls. I am sure they will survive and will be there serving the public by giving us the truth long after the trolls go back to their sad, pathetic lives. I also thank media colleagues like Inquirer’s John Nery and GMA 7’s Howie Severino for constantly provoking us with insightful writing and images. Finally, still on media personalities, I am very grateful to the work of of Patricia Evangelista and Kristine Sabillo on the victims of extrajudicial killings. Because of journalists like them, my conscience will never rest until the killings stop.
Writing about the massacre of the poor, Archbishop Soc Villegas, Fathers Joseph Echano (Rector of the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help), Hernando Coronel (Parish priest of Quiapo Church), and Aris Sison (Immaculate Concepcion Church), among others, have given courageous witness in protesting the killings. At least when the reckoning comes, it can be said that not all were silent during this terrible time in our history.
On a more personal note, 2016 has been a year of transitions for me and my family. My youngest child graduated college and is now a teacher like me while my other sons are also into academic careers. My wife of 30 years is also having interesting professional options. After 10 years and four terms, my tenure as Dean of the Ateneo School of Government ended. I now lead the Manila Observatory but this is only temporary as my priority now is teaching law and policy to future lawyers and scientists. Given the situation of the country, I am also being called back to my roots as a human rights lawyer.
Still on a personal note, 2016 has been good for the births and weddings I witnessed, the births vicariously through Facebook as I see older friends become grandparents and the younger ones, becoming parents. Being able to embrace infants and toddlers are the surest way to have a good day. And of course the weddings I was Ninong (godfather) too; how could I not be filled with hope witnessing up close and personal the coming together of Angelique and Sid, Sherwin and Erika, and Roland and Charisse? Two people promising to love each other forever—that is so affirming.
I wrote this column yesterday, December 30 after attending the thanksgiving mass, for the beatification last November of a Carmelite priest, Fr. Marie Eugene of the Child Jesus, whose intercessions I have sought in the last 35 years. Blessed Marie Eugene, founder of the Notre Dame De Vie Institute whose spiritual master was Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and who was the one who laid the foundation stones of the National Shrine of the Carmel in Quezon City, led me to God. During the mass, I was able to thank Blessed Marie-Eugene for all the favors granted to me and my family. I was also able to venerate his relics. How could I not rejoice with 2016 ending with such a big bang of grace?
So don’t tell me 2016 was bad. It was good, actually; not perfect, but graced. So for 2017, everyone, a year like 2016 but happier is my wish. Happy new year!
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