Filipiniana News - Rhyme or Reason 14 January 2009 While thinking of a topic to write about for this month’s column, I cannot help but consider that this is the first month of the year. Thus, I find it quite appropriate to reflect on the exciting possibilities that the new year can bring. Please pardon the rather trite theme, but what follows are just some of my personal thoughts for the new year. This month, the United States will inaugurate its first ever black president, Barack Obama. One cannot help but be electrified by the overwhelming international interest in American politics arising from this and the tremendous hope that this historic event brings to the entire world. Since the most powerful nation in the world has elected as President someone who embodies “change” in every sense of the word, then there is indeed reason to hope that the rest of the world will follow suit. This month, the Canadian Parliament will reopen with the Conservative government’s pr