Click here to listen to “I’m Amazed” (plays in a new window).

As the year draws to a close a few hours from now, allow me to reflect on the things that happened in the year that we will leave behind. Never has there been a time more challenging than these times. Never have we been faced by such pressing issues such as war, global warming, oil supply problems, social and political turmoil, incurable diseases, technology dilemmas and moral degradation — all at the same time.
I pray that we don’t lose hope. I pray that despite of all these seemingly insurmountable challenges, we resolve to forge ahead — march with courage — and press on. We survived years of evolution. We’ve been through worse and came out victorious. If we did it then, we can do it again.

Diamond may be the hardest material on earth, but even that shimmering, mighty piece of stone will shy away from the true champion — the toughest of all — the human heart.

In remembering the good and the bad of the year that was, indulge me on this dedication:

I make this post for all those who’ve been victims of injustice, in any form.

I make this post for all the politicians who seek nothing but more power and wealth and forget the higher purpose of their existence.

I make this post for the media, new and old, print, TV and radio that sensationalized news in the interest of business instead of the general public.

I make this post for our armed forces and police who, despite of the dire conditions they are in, remain steadfast in their commitment and thrust — serving our country and its people.

I make this post for the hungry, the forgotten, the weak, the abused, the exploited.

I make this post for the entire Filipino people, who, despite of ourselves and of the circumstances that subvert our otherwise sound judgement and well-meaning conscience, I hold dear to my heart and whose future I worry about and pray for.

I make this post for our brothers and sisters the world over of any race or color, on the brink of a feared global recession, may they be strong amidst all crises they’re about to face.

I make this post for you who come back to read my blog for any reason. It is for you that I pray earnestly to God that I do not lack words to put together, that somehow, I get to convey exactly how I feel, and that somehow you feel it and see the world from where I am, from my perspective — so I don’t watch alone.

With everyone talking Charter Change, term extensions, graft and corruption cover-ups and trials by media, one has to be deaf, mute and numb to not care at all.

Of all that’s happened in the past, I only have this to say: “I’m amazed.” And no song aptly puts this into words than one of the same title by My Morning Jacket.
Happy New Year Everyone! May you never cease to be amazed — and not stop there, but do something about it.

Click here to listen to “I’m Amazed” (plays in a new window).

I’m Amazed
Performed by: My Morning Jacket

I’m amazed in the quiet ocean
I’m amazed at your wrong devotion
I’m amazed at what the people saying
I’m amazed by a divided nation
Like the middle of the earth
I get disrupted
I’m amazed at all that has been
I’m amazed at all who be
I’m amazed at the tv stations
I’m amazed what they want me to believe
After all is said and done
Now lets seek justice

I’m amazed at the evoltion
I’m amazed at the lack of faith
I’m amazed at love we are rejected
I’m amazed that we accepted this place
Like the middle of the earth and the middle of the ages
Like a river I get disrupted

I’m amazed

I’m amaaaaaaaaaazed…

I’m amazed

The year 2009 is coming with its own bag of good and bad.

I say, “Bring it on!”.