The year 2021 has been one rollercoaster ride for all of us Lagunenses.
Just when we thought that life will go back to normal for many of us whose lives and livelihood were upset by the Covid-19 pandemic, another surge in the middle of the year – and the entry of the Delta variant of the coronavirus – has put our lives in jeopardy.
Once again, we were forced to endure lockdowns and restrictions in travel and business. Hospitals reached full capacity, and once again many of us were caught in grief as we lost relatives and friends to the coronavirus.
However, the events of recent months have given us once again a reason to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Covid-19 cases are now going down – and half the province is now reporting zero active cases.
The much-anticipated Covid-19 vaccines are now here, and Lagunenses have fully embraced the vaccines as the quickest way to put our lives back on track after nearly two years of uncertainty.
True, uncertainties still loom ahead. The Philippines has reported its first two cases of Omicron, and we still do not know what effect this new strain will be.
The 2022 elections is also around the corner, and given the current volatility of Philippine politics, there is also uncertainty over who will lead the country out of the pandemic and beyond.
But one thing is for certain: as we have proven last year, not even the pandemic can prevent us from celebrating Christmas and welcoming the New Year with joy and hope.