Personal fun reflections

The most important was the reset in my perspective on how to cope with the continuing threat of Covid-19

Another year has just lapsed into the dustbins of my memory bank and as I ponder on what might be in store for me in the new year, instead of commenting on the dour events of 2022 bedeviling the world such as the merciless Russian invasion of Ukraine leaving thousands of Ukrainians cold, hungry and constantly being barraged by rockets; the inflation surge edging countries closer and closer to the brink of recession; the countless typhoons, floods, earthquakes that have brought untold miseries to millions; the geo-political poker game being played by

China and the US that could put countries such as ourselves in an untenable squeeze, I thought that, for a change, reflecting on the fun part of 2022 would be a good way to start 2023 with a smile.

What do I consider were the memorable fun experiences in 2022?

Unquestionably, for me, the most important was the reset in my perspective on how to cope with the continuing threat of Covid-19. Early in the year, there was a renewed concern for sub-variants as the cases started to rise again peaking at about 4,700 new cases in early January with a high of lingering confirmed cases of about 31,000 by the end of the month. I feared it would signal a new upsurge of cases, rendering us hopelessly housebound again. But fortunately, by February, new cases started to dramatically drop to less than a thousand with total cases of only about 8,000. The favorable trend continued until mid-year when by early June, total cases were down to low triple digits with new cases at low double digits.

So what caused the dramatic turn of events? There are several factors but let’s give credit where credit is due. Setting aside the initial roll-out stumbles and the unfortunate vaccine wastage faux pas, the government should rightly be credited for the vigorous vaccination campaign; a liberating granular quarantine protocol limited to high infection areas allowing the resumption of normal daily activities; and, the constant reminder to the populace that Covid is still very much around thus the need to strictly observe health protocols; undoubtedly made a big difference in giving most of us the confidence to live life again as we knew it to be pre-Covid.

By July, I finally decided to resume living when I traveled to the US to visit family and to be eagerly followed up with a fun trip with fraternity brothers to Thailand by November. Other than quenching my thirst for travel, I decided that it was also high time for me to put zoom in the backseat and start attending select social and business functions, face-to-face. Basking in the sunshine while playing golf with the zany Zeroers, my goofy golfing buddies in Alabang, albeit limiting myself to nine holes because of my bum knees, has probably added a good number of years to my life because of the pleasurable banter and round of drinks after every round of golf. Of course, it has not been just business meetings, socializing, and a lot of fun and games. A very important reset for me was also my decision to resume attending daily mass after almost three years instead of just live streaming Fr. Tito Caluag’s daily mass which for me was an important ballast at the height of Covid-19. Another fun highlight for me was watching live the UAAP 85 Finals which the Blue Eagles won in tightly fought matches upending my earlier forecast that it would be a Finals between the Maroons and the Green Archers with UP coming out on top. It was great witnessing the sights and sounds of the hordes of Ateneo and UP faithful cheering their hearts out. The fun part for me was that either way, I knew I would be smiling at the end of the game.

The climax of the fun year was of course about family. The year could not have ended any better as I was blessed with a wonderful visit from my daughters, granddaughters, and son-in-law.

It has been quite liberating to savor once more all that life has to offer after what has seemed to be almost an eternity of constantly living under the threat of being infected. I have much to be thankful for in 2022 and with God’s grace, I hope 2023 will be equally as much fun!

Until next week… OBF!