We have often heard the expression, “May you live in interesting times.” On its face, it looks like a blessing or a good wish. However, it is the exact opposite. “Interesting times” is equated with trouble and hardship. Thus, if we look at the situation of the Philippines and the world today, we are unfortunately living in interesting times.

We have a major problem in the West Philippine Sea. Our claim to the area is not recognized by the Chinese. Our people cannot move freely and utilize the resources within our own territory. Recently, there have even been claims in Chinese social media that Palawan was historically part of China and that it should be returned to them.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on self-rated poverty for the fourth quarter of 2024 showed that 63 percent of Filipino families consider themselves poor. Though Philippine Statistics Authority figures showed that inflation declined to 2.1 percent in February from the 2.9 percent in January, this should not really make a lot of difference in the lives of the majority of the population. It will be extremely hard to find a good number of people who will say that the prices of basic goods and commodities have gone down.

Philippine government debt hit a record high P16.31 trillion in January, with such projected to further increase within the year. The cost of debt servicing will have a considerable negative impact on the delivery of public services.

We will be holding elections in May but from the looks of it, we cannot realistically see any major change in governance that will improve the lives of the majority. It will simply be business as usual, more of the same.

To add to all of these challenges, we have to recognize that the policies of the new US administration on foreign aid, tariffs, immigration, security alliances and other matters may adversely affect us.

This is, sadly, an “interesting time” that we have to face collectively as a nation and as individual Filipinos. But what exactly should be done?

I have always lived by the Benedictine motto of “ora et labora,” pray and work. So, before anything, we have to pray for guidance and assistance from our Lord. The problems we face today are numerous and complex and can only be solved with divine intervention.

As to the work we have to undertake, it starts with our doing what is right and opposing what is wrong in all things, no matter how difficult it will be. We have to role model so that others may follow.

We have to strengthen values education in our schools and various fora. Let us stress the values of knowledge, integrity, hard work, discipline and service to God and country. We have to inform the population of how corruption, inefficiency and other dysfunctional acts hurt society so that we can have an electorate that will choose the right political leaders.

We have to strengthen our educational system to produce a competitive and innovative work force that will enable us to build a strong economy.

The work to be undertaken is considerable and hard. But we have to do it. It is our duty to God and country.