Yearend Report: 2009

Today is December 31, 2009. a few hours away before the year jumps to 2010. 2009 have been a rocky road adventure to all humanity. All aspects in life were shaken up to the limits. There were good times, but most of the times are bad. Fortunately, we're still standing strong and resilient to all tha obstacles we've faced from the past year. Well, let's just refresh our memories what have happened to us from the Year of the Ox, 2009.

JANUARY 2009: I think in my own opinion, this is the month where the world's fall from grace reached it's peak. We welcomed 2009 with a blast, a different blast. A lot of big companies filed for bankruptcy 'cause they were not able to save the company's looming fallout. On the bright side, it's also the month were history was made, when Barack Obama swore as the 44th President on January 20 2009, and the first African-American Head of the State, of the United States of America. A lot of people looked at Barack's induction as the fulfillment of Martin Luther King's dream. Well, the president has to start his presidency, carrying tons of obstacles ahead from the previous administration. In the field of sports, we say our last goodbyes to one of boxing's pioneers, Swedish-born boxer Ingemar Johansson (January 30, 2009).

FEBRUARY 2009: Let's go to the pacific part of the world. The deadliest Australian bushfire was recorded on February 7, 2009, where it killed 173, injured 500 more and leave 7,500 families homeless. The cause of this wildfire is of the highest temperature ever recorded in any capital city of Australia (46.4 degrees celsius or 115 degrees farenheit). In the northern part of the world, a Russian and an American satellite collide over Siberia, creating a large amount of space debris. They're polluting the space so much, aren't they??

MARCH 2009: Headlines this month are still the same: Collapsing businesses and ventures. This month is the Automotive industry crisis reaches its climax, as the "Big Three" of automakers; General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, began showing the slide of sales. Mainly because of the high prices of raw materials used in making cars.

APRIL 2009: The month of the Swine Influenza (AH1n1 virus) outbreak. It was first heard in the country of Mexico, were speculations that hundreds of people were contaminated by the said virus. It then spreads to the United States. Later this month, Mexico reported 159 deaths and 2,500 suspected cases. On April 29, The United States declared that day it suffered its first death from the virus. On the lighter side, this day is my birthday.. Hehehehe...

MAY 2009: North Korea conducted it's second nuclear test in the province of North Hamgyong. The United Nations Security Council condemns the test, starting the ongoing dispute between UN and North Korea. This is also the month when former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, under investigation for alleged bribery during his presidential term, commits suicide. In boxing, after dismantling Oscar Dela Hoya last December 2008, Manny Pacquiao devastatingly knocked out Ricky Hatton with a sharp left hook to the chin in the last 10 seconds of the second round, to capture International Boxing Organization (IBO) and RING Magazine Light Welterweight Title.

JUNE 2009: General Motors filed for bankruptcy. In the Middle East, Mahmoud Amadinejad was reelected as President of Iran. During the following weeks, supporters of defeated candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi initiated rallies to protest the results. This culminated to violence that is said to be worst seen in Iran since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. In the same circumstance, a student named Neda Agha-Soltan was shot during the protest, and captured on what soon to be will become a viral video and turn Neda into international symbol of civil unrest following the Iraninan Presidential Elections. On June 25, 2009, The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away. June is also a month of independence, where Greenland assumes control on law enforcement, judicial affairs, and natural resources from the Kingdom of Denmark. Air France Flight 447, en route from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France, crashes into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 228 aboard the plane. In sports, the Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th NBA Title, crushing the Orlando Magic in five games, 4-1.

JULY 2009: The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st Century, lasting up to 6 minutes and 38.8 seconds, occurs over parts of Asia and the Pacific Ocean. In politics, Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, announced her resignation as governor. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt assumes presidency of the European Union.

AUGUST 2009: Typhoon Morakot hits Taiwan, killing 500 and stranding 1,000 in the worst flood in the island. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il pardons two American journalists, who had been arrested and imprisomed early this year, after meeting with former US President Bill Clinton.

SEPTEMBER 2009: On September 26, another typhoon arrived, Typhoon Ketsana, drowning and devastating The Philippines in epic proportions. The Philippine Government declared "state of calamity" on 25 paralyzed provinces. Three days after the typhoon, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake triggers a tsunami in the Samoan Islands. Many communities in the harbor of Samoa and American Samoa were destroyed, and at least 189 are killed. The following day, a 7.6 magnitue earthquake hits just off the coast of Sumatra, leaving on its path, 1,000 casualties, in Indonesia.

OCTOBER 2009: The International Olympics Committee voted Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as the hosts of 2016 Olympics. This is the first time the Olympics will be held in South America.

NOVEMBER 2009: NASA announces that it has found a "significant" quantity of water in the Moon's Cabeus crater. In the Philippines, at least 57 are abducted in killed in an election-related massacre in the province of Maguindanao. This event appears to be the deadliest attack in journalists in recent history; Dubai requests a debt deferment following its massive renovation and development projects, as well as the late 2000's economic crisis. The announcement causes global stock markets to drop. In sports, 6 months after his decimation of Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquiao rewrote history books, as he pummeled Miguel Cotto into submission in the 12th and final round, to capture the World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Welterweight Title in dominating fashion. This is his seventh title in six different divisions.

DECEMBER 2009: The UNFCC's United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 held it's summit in Copenhagen, Denmark (COP15). Everyone expects this summit to have a fruitful meeting, unfortunately, things didn't go the way others looking to, as the summit produced a "weak" pact. They're now looking forward COP16 to be held in Mexico six months from now.

As we all witnessed, things happened for a reason. Maybe all of these events happened to make us stronger. At the same time, it also taught us lessons in life. 2009 may have been rough to mankind, but we have to face the future that's just right in front of us. We all bear witness the worldwide revolution. Well, kudos to all of you. Good Riddance, 2009. Hello and Welcome, 2010.. Happy New Year and may God bless us all. Good day!