November 2026 hopeful, worrisome developments

Pope Leo XIV’s trip from November 6-17 to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru (his 7th apostolic journey outside of Italy and his first visit to the Americas since his May 2025 election) has drawn millions of pilgrims/devotees, demonstrating continuing global support for the Catholic Church.

His Argentine message addressed people with disabilities (that their lives are a blessing, not a burden on society) and highlighted “the importance of dignity and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their needs.”

The whole Catholic world is prayerfully grateful that Pope Leo XIV is now okay and well enough to travel after his successful October surgery to remove part of his right lung diagnosed with cancer.

We join the whole world continue to pray for his safe, protected and productive journey.

America’s Blue Vote in the early November midterm elections has raised hopes for a more peaceful world, the return of democracy and respect for human rights of the vulnerable in the US and many parts of the global community.

While it is not yet clear how the Democrats’ control of the US Senate and the House will proceed, anything is considered better than a continuation of the abusive, erratic Donald Trump presidency that affected not only the US but the whole world.

Initial reports of the important contribution of the younger voters (under 30) for this November Blue Tsunami in the US have raised hopes for similar political change in other parts of the world, including the Philippines which is now hosting the 49th ASEAN Summit in Metro Manila.

With “Navigating Our Future, Together” as the official theme, will this November 2026 ASEAN Summit result in the continuation or major transformations and directions in ASEAN’s “commitment to unity, resilience, and collective action amid regional and global challenges?’

How will ASEAN respond to the ongoing territorial disputes involving China and ASEAN member nations? Will there be any creative, unified action to respond to the oil and other multiple crises affecting ASEAN member nations and other parts of the world?

Critics have questioned the timing and hosting of the Philippines of this present November ASEAN Summit.

Recent reports show that the Philippine economy is at its slowest growth in five years, to 2.3 percent in the second quarter.

This latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was slower than the first quarter growth of 2.8 percent and the 5.4 percent growth of last year’s second quarter,

“This also marked the lowest growth since the 3.8-percent contraction in the first quarter of 2021 during the pandemic. Excluding the pandemic, the figure was the slowest expansion since the fourth quarter of 2009.”

Already reeling from unstable jobs, wages, higher transport fares, food price hikes and a weakening peso, BBM and his government team need to urgently, immediately address the adverse/worrisome impacts of these developments for the widening number of the poor and vulnerable.

How much more hardship can Filipinos take amidst all these simultaneous multiple crises affecting their families and communities?

How much longer will they tolerate the stark, widening gap in wealth and power between the privileged and the deprived?

How far will the Filipino keep quiet or remain restive amidst all the present challenges for their daily survival?

While millions wallow in daily poverty and hunger, the House of Representatives shamelessly passed a proposed trillion-plus budget with so much alleged “pork” insertions and allocations for themselves and significant cuts for projects intended to serve the Filipino people’s genuine and urgent needs.

How much longer will our people allow abusive and corrupt officials to govern our country?

Various public protests have already been scheduled for November.

Will public outrage remind the abusive and corrupt in government and their supporters that public funds are and should never be considered personal entitlements, that People Power is very much alive?