A letter from the editor

The previous year was not as optimistic as we thought it would be. We entered 2022 with a strong faith but slowly, as months passed by, our hope for a brighter future was shaken. Dealing with another year of existential crisis coupled with the fear of uncertainty, most of us felt like we were just going in circles. A never ending cycle of mishaps and a very few fortunes.

The last 12 months were a critical juncture in the country's history. With more than two years into the pandemic, the 2022 national elections became a pivotal factor in defining if a virus-free Philippine society was still attainable. As the usual names and some new faces competed for the highest seat of the land, Filipinos saw last May's polls as their ticket to the promised land.

But when the late dictator's son claimed victory, the hope to grasp good governance seemed to have been blurred. More than three decades after their family was ousted by the people, the country saw itself in full circle. Over 31 million — if the number was correct — Filipinos last elections had widely opened their arms and embraced the return of those who did our country wrong.

We thought that having another Marcos in office was already too much of a burden. But unfortunately, it was just the start of something worse.

With the continuous increase in the prices of goods, shortage of basic commodities, and plummeting peso-dollar exchange rate, Filipino families struggled this year. Once again, everyone was forced to endure and be resilient to make ends meet while those in the government were just mishandling the education sector's funds.

2022 was a crucial time for the Philippine press as well. As our battle against targeted disinformation, historical revisionism, and propaganda strengthened, journalists became more vulnerable to dangers and threats. The killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid showed everyone that no journalist is safe, not even those from the Metro.

These are just some of the things that transpired this year. Surely, some of us might think that we will never see the light at the end of this dark tunnel. Our faith in humanity was constantly tested in this chapter. Even me, there were times that my intrusive thoughts tried to get the best of me — the idea that this would be our constant state became too plausible to disregard.

But then again, just like what Heraclitus said, the only constant thing in this world is change. This year may not have been favorable for us, but who knows? Maybe the approaching 2023 will be our year. Our year where genuine freedom will flourish, human rights will be championed, and our voice will prevail.

Congratulations for making it this far, dear reader. May we not lose our drive to serve the Filipino people.

For now, let's take a moment and look back to this year's biggest moments that made it to #TWenty: TomasinoWeb's year-end special.

May we all find our path to achieving real unity.

Tungo sa malayang lipunan,

Justine Xyrah Garcia
Executive Editor