PPredictions for the Philippines in 2016

As usual, I have a list of ten predictions of things

that I think will happen in the Philippines in the
coming year. Will I be right? Well, if the past is an
indicator, I will be correct on some of my
predictions and incorrect on others. We shall see.
Lets take a look at what I have for 2016.

Prediction 1: President Duterte

With 2016 being an election year in the Philippines,

of course some of the predictions will be of a

political nature. Please understand, I am not

endorsing or hoping for any candidate to win or
lose, I am only saying what I think will happen. My
first prediction is that I believe that Rody Duterte
will become the President of the Philippines in
2016. I just dont see any person in the field who
can beat Mayor Duterte. Duterte can draw strong
support from the Visayas (his parents were both
from the Visayas) and of course from Mindanao.
Early surveys are indicating that Rody even has
strong support in Luzon. A lot of Filipinos are fed
up with business as usual in the Philippines, and
they want to shake things up, try something
different, if you will. Nobody can shake things up
much more than Rody Duterte. Having lived in
Davao for many years, I can honestly say that I
dont think anybody (except the criminals) have
anything to fear from a Duterte presidency, and if
things go like Davao has gone under a Duterte
administration, there could be some great things
coming! So, prediction number 1 is that we will be

seeing a President Duterte in the Philippines in

2016.
Prediction 2: Senator Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao is due for a win after the big flop
with Floyd in 2015, and he will get that win in
2016. Maybe he will get a win in the boxing ring,
but this time I am talking about a political win. As I
mentioned in Prediction 1, this is a political year,
and Manny is running for Senator this time. I think
we will be seeing Manny Pacquiao with his arm
raised when the election results are announced in
May. Lets get ready to rumble!
Prediction 3: Action with China

The past few years have seen a spat between the

Philippines and China. In fact, pretty much that
has been the case sine President Aquino has taken
office. Sometimes Aquino has provoked China, and
I am not saying if that is right or wrong, but only
that it has been the case. In 2016 we will be
seeing some fairly profound action between the
Philippines and China. It will focus on the Spratly
Islands, or the Scarborough Shoal as it is also
called., but may also include other matters. What
will happen? Watch and see!

Prediction 4: Parallels between US and Philippines

There will be a big parallel between Philippine
election results and US election results in
November. A surprise that happens in the
Philippines will have a parallel in US elections too.
Most people dont think it could happen in either
country, but it will happen in both! Some will be
shocked. It could actually turn out to be a good
thing, though. Keep watching!

Prediction 5: ISIS in the Philippines

IS Philippines

IS

I hate to say this, but we are already starting to see

signs that ISIS has a presence in the Philippines.
This will be confirmed in 2016, and lead to a lot of
soul searching and concerns about how to handle
it. Truth is, we will be learning that ISIS is in every
part of the world, and the Philippines is included in
that. Not good news!
Prediction 6: The fight against Dengue Fever

In 2016 we will be getting some news regarding

the fight against Dengue Fever. Dengue is a
mosquito born sickness. I had dengue in 2009, and
can attest that it is certainly no fun. It is usually
not deadly, although it can be. We will be getting
some news in regards to the fight against dengue,
and I think it will be good news!
Prediction 7: Fifty
Americans and other foreigners will love this one.
The US Dollar will hit 50 in the year of 2016. Yep!
It has been many years sine we have seen a US
Dollar that will buy 50 Philippine Pesos, but we will
see it again in 2016. It was only a few years ago
when the dollar was worth only 40 Pesos, but we
are currently sitting at P47:$1, and I think this is
the year when it will hit 50. A lot of the upsurge in
the value of the dollar will come due to the political
activity in 2016 activity on both sides of the
Pacific Ocean. Will it stay at 50? I dont know, but
I think that we will have an opportunity to make
some exchanges at 50 to $1. Happy days!

Prediction 8: OFW Crisis

There will be some kind of crisis this year in terms
of the OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) population. I
am unsure exactly what this will be, but you will be
hearing about it. Overseas workers area huge
portion of the Philippine economy, so this could
really impact the country.
Prediction 9: A Filipino Food will Make a Splash

Lumpia

Here is something that rarely happens a Filipino

Food will be making a splash on the International
scene in 2016. Will it be good or bad? Maybe both!
One way or another, it will get the Philippines
noticed! Keep watching, and tasting!
And finally
Prediction 10: Filipinos in for a major
disappointment after the 2016 Elections
Yep, something that happens in the 2016 elections
will lead to major, major (remember that?)
disappointment among the Filipino people. This
could be a case of unintended consequences that
people realize after it has already happened!
I am sure that 2016 will be an exciting year for the
Philippines and the rest of the world. Good and
bad things will certainly be happening.