One thing great about Filipinos is that no matter how dire life presents itself to be, they always manage to look at the glass half full. 2009 was quite a whirlwind year, what with the financial crisis, Ondoy, and now the eruption of Mount Mayon. And yet, Filipinos somehow managed to laugh and smile, praying that 2010 would be a better year. Living a happy life simply requires a balance of looking back and moving forward, and the most notable celebrities, personalities, and politicians know how to do just that. Here are the things they’ll miss about 2009, and the things they cannot wait for on 2010:

Hindy Weber-Tantoco (Fashion Designer)

What I’ll miss about 2009: I’ll miss my 2-year-old girl being a baby. She’s grown up so fast!

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: I’m looking forward to farming organic vegetables and campaigning for my presidential candidate, Nicanor “Nick” Perlas.

Maricel Laxa Pangilinan (Actress)

What I’ll miss about 2009: I’m already missing my house, where we’ve lived for 16 years. We shall leave it soon when our new house gets finished before 2010 ends.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: My daughter Ella said we have to let go of things to move on so I’m looking forward to building memories in our new home while reminiscing all our treasured past in our first home.

Senator Chiz Escudero (Politician)

What I’ll miss about 2009: I will miss the times I spent with my wife and twins.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family in 2010.

Issa Litton-Garrido (TV Host)

What I’ll miss about 2009: I will miss being pregnant. Carrying my second child was so enjoyable because I had master chefs feeding me.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: This 2010, I look forward to making our new house into our home, with my hubby and two beautiful girls.

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde (Prima Ballerina)

What I’ll miss about 2009: I will miss the anticipation, preparation, and celebration of my 25th anniversary as a ballerina the most.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: For 2010, I am hoping for fair and peaceful elections. And please, no more typhoons, floods, and calamities!

Lyn Ching (TV Host)

What I’ll miss about 2009: My 2009 was good so I will miss my “2009 luck” in general.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: I’m looking forward to more time with my family plus our planned trips abroad.

Boboy Garovillo (Singer)

What I’ll miss about 2009: Nothing much to miss in 2009 except maybe my teleserye which will be ending soon. I really had fun doing it!

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: I am looking forward to new elected leaders and the success of automated elections.

Patricia Hizon (Sportscaster, Philanthropist)

What I’ll miss about 2009: The year 2009 will remind me of Ondoy. Though the tragic calamity is one to remember, I’ll remember it more for how we responded as a people. We showed our true Filipino colors as we reached out and helped those in need.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: I am looking forward to our country being united again through the elections. I hope the outcome will bring this country and the people together.

Daphne Oseña-Paez (TV Host and Producer, Celebrity Blogger, Jewelry Designer)

What I’ll miss about 2009: I will miss my 30s because next year will be a new age for me.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: That I start a new decade and age bracket. And I’m able to continue doing what I love doing while raising my three daughters and start my mother-infant health advocacy with Unicef.

Senator Loren Legarda (Politician)

What I’ll miss about 2009: The year 2009 has been very trying for the Philippines as well as other countries all over the world—from the economic downturn to the natural calamities that greatly affected our lives. Certainly, the good side would be our realization of our crucial role in saving this world, especially from the ill-effects of climate change. I will miss the Climate Change hearings, which were very enlightening as they made me see the real situation on the ground. This inspired me to help more people.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: I am optimistic that the year 2010 would better for all of us. We should all make it so.

Tintin Bersola-Babao (Broadcaster, Children’s Book Author)

What I’ll miss about 2009: What will I miss? Hmm, nothing that I can’t do again really in 2010. Although you see – I spent most of my second pregnancy – seven months in 2009 being pregnant- so I guess I will miss that- the growing belly, the very active baby in my tummy. I’m due sometime last week of January or first week of February 2010.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: A productive year for my online show, the first online parenting show in the Philippines - www.parentin.tv (I’m the Creative Director, Host and Executive Producer) as well as TV and non-TV projects.

Senator Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III (Politician)

What I’ll miss about 2009: For a long time, we were worried that our people have become apathetic. However, last August, we saw a mass awakening that was triggered by the passing of my mother.

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: During my mother’s wake and funeral, the people showed that they were longing for the restoration of the kind of democracy that she fought for. For 2010, we hope that this will translate into positive action that will lead us to a correction of all the problems in our country.