In the Philippines, news like the rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions has left a series of intrigue and criticism, ranging from misuse of people's funds to exposing various political scandals. This problem may continue to persist as politician-bureaucrats from both wings, as well as its supporters trying their "best" to defend their leaders with their own narratives. Whereas Sara Duterte was criticised for her "confidential funds", so is Marcos Jr. for proliferiation of "assistance programs" meaning wastage of public funds and worse, corruption. The threat of climate change continued to escalate, leaving a trail of devastation such as from Typhoon Agaton that had ravaged the central regions. A report from The Philippine Daily Inquirer on January 3, 2024, emphasized that “despite recovery efforts, disaster preparedness remains in its infancy,” casting doubt on whether the nation’s systems could truly withstand the growing wrath of nature.
Across the Pacific, the United States still grappled with the aftermath of the 2024 elections, where partisan divisions seemed insurmountable. News outlets like The New York Times on January 2, 2024, noted how “the deeply polarized political landscape is not only a symptom of internal strife but also a reflection of a world increasingly dominated by self-interest and fragmented narratives.” Yet, even in the face of these struggles, the report ended on an unexpectedly positive note: “New alliances are beginning to form, and though the path ahead is uncertain, the desire for unity is not completely gone.”
In Europe, geopolitical tensions simmered under the surface. Russia, under the shadow of its actions in Ukraine, remained a critical point of contention in global politics. A recent broadcast from BBC News emphasized how the war “continued to redefine borders and the future of Europe’s security,” yet it acknowledged that “more nations were stepping up to mediate and offer diplomatic solutions.” Though peace seemed elusive, the voices of reason were slowly finding ground in unexpected places.
Yet, even as these heavy issues remained at the forefront, there was a subtle yet undeniable shift — a growing awareness that change, though hard-earned, was possible. The New Year had arrived not with grand promises, but with small, deliberate steps towards realisation of hopes.
In Manila, and other parts of the country and around the world, as people gathered with families and friends to greet the year, the air was thick with conversations about what 2025 could bring. Many spoke of the lessons learned from the past, lessons that had not yet led to a perfect world but had allowed for new possibilities. Those familiar, age-old problems remained, as persistent as the tropical storms, as divisive as the political rhetoric. However, the “hopefully” was what mattered now, the unspoken belief that through collective effort, through empathy and understanding, a better tomorrow could be realized.
The echo of 2024’s struggles reverberated, yes, but within it, a thread of optimism wove its way through the hearts of those determined not to surrender to cynicism. They faced a world that had changed, but they refused to let it dictate the narrative. In this new year, there was still time to rewrite the ending.