Tomorrow is New Year's Day.

At the strike of twelve tonight, we will be ushered into the threshold of another milestone of our national existence. In the traditional way, we mumble a silent prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings we received during the past year in spite of the natural calamities which came one after the other.

Typhoon "Reming" claimed hundreds of lives of our brothers and sisters in Albay province. Distraught survivors scavenged piles of bodies for the faces of their loved ones. Other bodies trapped in mudslides were never recovered when rescue operations finally stopped. And Christmas in the region was tagged to be grim.

One of God's blessings bestowed upon us was the sudden diversion of the route of Typhoon "Reming," a super howler, which was pinpointed to hit Bohol. By twist of fate, a slight change in its course saved Bohol from the wrath of the typhoon, and previous typhoons that often hit the Luzon area.

The coming year is crucial. The May election is very important. If the polls are successful and reflective of the people's sovereign will, then we shall have restored the democratic processes in the country.

Whatever dire prediction has been forecast would largely depend upon us. Our determination and resolve to make the coming year a better one will entirely rely on our resourcefulness and industry. With our capacity to bounce during every challenge we hope to rise after every fall and eventually emerge victorious soon after every economic crisis is overcome.

The problems which beset the country are tremendous. The national leadership determined to prove its legitimacy despite several impeachment attempts.

The citizenry, on the other hand, must assist in the task of nation building as partners of government.

We fervently hope and pray that the coming year will be a better one and will finally usher us into an era of progress and development. May we persevere a little more in our continuing quest for a better life for all.