AS NEW Year approaches, I tend to reminiscence the years past. As a small kid, I would remember the midnight masses, the firecrackers and the sound brigade. I remember couple of times, we tied tins of cans in dad’s green Ford and it creates a lot of noise as we go to and from church service at the breaking off the old and the New Year. I also remember AYIP times when my good friend Rose and I would spend time together talking about the accomplishments of the past year and the expectations of the New Year, then raise glass of red wine to toast for better life.
Dad founded the vocational school first named Baguio Business Training Center (BBTC) now BSBT College last January 1, 1972. Henceforth, every January 1 is celebrated as the anniversary of the school. He is so adamant about it that we have never missed a New Year celebration while our mother was alive.
We usually start the celebration around 10 in the morning with a service, then lunch of a newly butchered pig or two and more gag-ay (fellowship.) Those who came for the celebration are members of the Weygan and Cuanguey family, the staff and students of BSBT. I remember we even had tripod affairs, the anniversary, New Year’s Day and a graduation program. My dad did not mind even if people are in need of sleep because of the all night celebration, he was determined to have a new year’s celebration even if others who were invited will not come.
Year after year we always had a large party because of the variety of invitees. After my mom died, the regularity of BSBT Anniversary became sporadic as it was scheduled on different dates not necessarily January 1.
Now, the past year 2018 highlights include; the winning of wushu and mixed martial arts Landslide Eduard Folayang; the Creative culture focus of Baguio, the crowning of Catriona Gray as the Miss Universe 2018, the two killer Typhoon Ompong and Yutu that hit the Cordillera Region. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in UK.
As 2019 approaches, new hopes and new dreams emerges, similarly old dreams that never saw reality are resurrected with the hope that they would be lived.
It is an election year and it is with hope that the corrupt and the evil will become a good government and responsible leaders.
It is with hope that the voters will become responsible and exercise their right of suffrage with diligence and prudence, to vote with purpose and integrity.
People must continue to exercise faith, hoping for things that are not yet there to come to pass. Hope that change can be for the better, hoping that change of attitude and character building can be a priority. As we improve our physical structures, so I must improve our spiritual and attitudinal wellbeing, in that way, our communities will become better.
In that way, this generation can assist the coming generation to be better. Our leaders must model a caring person with sincere dedication to the task on hand.
As the New Year starts, I will sit down with a glass of red wine and reminisce the days with my mom and dad, and pray that this New Year will bring me nearer to what God wants me to be this coming season. New Year is to look beyond limitations and inadequacies and dream new dreams and aspire for the best.
Shared by my Professor Nini “Our mandate as God’s people is to bring heaven’s culture here on earth. A culture of honesty, integrity and righteousness, goodness and generosity of loving God and loving others as yourself. It does not bring about a sense of satisfaction but the joy of becoming the best of who we really are. This is life in the Kingdom of God!”
To one and all a hopeful and victorious 2019!