“In 2024, let’s uphold the highest norms of international law. I will help attain this through my new appointment as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration”
2023 was tough for me. I had to face serious health problems – physical and mental.
I had two thyroid biopsies in 2023; thankfully both yielded good results, negative for cancer.
I had to start injecting insulin to control my diabetes, starting with a glucose toxicity episode in April.
After 10 years of not having to take psychiatric medications, I had to resume taking them last July to address a worsening bipolar condition.
All year long, I had to go to hospitals or doctors’ clinics two to three times a week for medical procedures or for monitoring regimens.
2023 was a difficult year for work.
I started the year hopeful that I would be able to lead the implementation of a dream project in Mindanao for climate justice and Lumad (indigenous) schools.
But my sickness and personal failures in leadership and mentoring forced me and my partner to abandon the project.
That meant losing not only a friendship but also a great team that we have assembled for the project.
As hurtful as they were, I consider these challenges of health and work as gifts more than burdens.
There is a saying that what does not kill you make you stronger. That is what happened to me but not in the way one might think.
I did not become tougher or stoic because of what happened to me. In fact, paradoxically I became weaker. Indeed, I was crushed.
But in my helplessness, I cried for help. And the Lord, whose mercy is abundant, heard me.
My wife Titay, as she has always done, came to the rescue. She accepted my failings and made sure I got help.
My sons, seeing their mother’s example, accompanied me in that crisis. I will never forget their tenderness.
My communities of practice and of faith rallied to support me.
I would like to thank especially my colleagues in Manila Observatory and my brothers and sisters in the Neocatechumenal Way.
I am grateful that many individuals I have mentored reached out and restored my confidence in continuing to guide people, including new ones.
The uncertainty that came with my health issues made me pray more and intensely.
I pray for me and my family and also a lot for the world and for the Philippines.
2023, we know, has not been a good year for peace in the world.
The wars in Ukraine, Mynmar, and Gaza continue with no end in sight. Innocents are being slaughtered, especially children and elderly.
In the Philippines, there is some good and some bad news.
It is good that the government and the National Democratic Front are resuming peace negotiations.
It is bad that, on Christmas day, the military proudly announced they killed nine rebels in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
It is good that Senator Leila De Lima was released on bail from prison. It is bad that many political prisoners are still detained.
It is good that human rights special rapporteurs and International Criminal Court investigators are allowed into the Philippines. But it is bad that the Anti-Terror Law is used to silence activists in the Cordillera and Cebu.
It is good that the government rhetoric on climate change is progressive. But it is bad we are not following just transition norm in the jeepney modernization program.
In 2024, I hope that we will win against disinformation, including use of artificial intelligence for that purpose.
I will contribute to that work through my teaching and in my leadership roles in the Movement Against Disinformation, Rappler Inc., and the Pinoy Media Center.
In 2024, let us advance peace and human rights and defeat the war mongers and red-taggers.
I will help through the Council of Leaders for Peace Initiatives and by defending human rights and environmental defenders.
In 2024, l hope we will make progress in climate justice.
I will contribute through the Klima Center of Manila Observatory and by co-chairing an international research forum on loss and damage.
In 2024, let’s uphold the highest norms of international law. I will help attain this through my new appointment as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
To all my readers, have a hopeful New Year!
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