MANILA, Philippines – The year 2010 will go down in our history as a year of renewed hope. The year started with the country escaping being scarred by a global financial crisis. While growth projections remained tempered, the economy did not slow down. The economy is expected to pick up further in the coming year with renewed investor confidence.

The country was also virtually unscathed by major disasters this year. While such natural calamities did not spare some regions, the preparedness of communities through the assistance of local and national government agencies saved precious lives and prevented substantial losses of lives and properties.

2010 also proved to the nation and the rest of the world that Philippine democracy is alive and well, with the holding of the first automated synchronized national elections on May 10, 210, that saw the election with a significant plurality of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The Aquino administration has initiated reforms that aim to create a much more accountable and responsive government. As a result of its initiatives, the Filipino public has continued to bestow the administration a high approval rating and voiced its considerable trust in its top officials.

As we say goodbye to 2010, we enjoin all Filipinos to humbly thank the Almighty God for the blessings received in the outgoing year. For a people known for our unwavering faith in the goodness of the Lord, our achievements as well as the trials we faced and surmounted all glorify His name.