We are only less than 2 weeks away through 2020, and as cliché as it sounds — it’s the worst year ever — beloved celebrities have died, natural disasters occurred, our daily routines have drastically changed — we literally experienced events we thought we would never have.

Although we acknowledge the harsh reality of an incredibly difficult year — many have lost their loved ones, many are struggling, many feel sad, scared, frustrated and broken — there’s also nothing wrong with looking at the brighter side of this year, because despite all the bad news we witnessed, there are still some positive things that happened.

1. Super rare ‘Christmas Star’ became visible in December

On December 21, the world was able to catch a very rare sight as planets Jupiter and Saturn were set to move closer to each other more than ever since roughly 800 years ago in an event known as the “Great Conjunction.” According to Rice University astronomer Patrick Hartigan, the alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets appeared to one another.

2. Global efforts on ozone helped reverse Southern Jet Stream damage

Due to international participation in phasing out ozone depleting chemicals, the southern jet stream is returning to its normal state. This is great news because it is evident that some climate systems are capable of healing when governments around the world agree to make positive environmental changes.

3. Senate panel approved SOGIESC-based anti-discrimination bill

On December 9, the Senate panel has approved a bill that aims to prohibit the discrimination, marginalization, and violence committed due to the sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characters (SOGIESC). The Senate Bill No. 1934 or the proposed SOGIESC-based Anti-Discrimination Act was passed early in December by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chairperson Senator Risa Hontiveros. Violators of the proposed law would be sanctioned with a fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P1 million at the discretion of the court.

4. Virus can boost renewable energy sources

Wind and solar doubled their share of the global power mix over the past five years. The renewable energy sources made up almost 10% of electricity generation in most parts of the world in the first half of 2020, according to an analysis released in August by U.K. environmental group Ember. Grid operators relied more on less expensive renewable energy sources as shutdowns to contain the novel coronavirus reduced demand for power.

5. Carbon Emissions are Down Due to COVID19

According to nature.com, Daily global CO2 emissions decreased by –17% (–11 to –25% for ±1σ) by early April 2020 compared with the mean 2019 levels, where emissions of carbon dioxide were rising by about 1% per year over the previous decade, with no growth in 2019. At their peak this year, emissions in individual countries decreased by –26% on average.

6. Kenya's elephant population doubled

Efforts to restrain poaching have helped Kenya’s elephant population more than double over the past three decades, the Kenya Wildlife Service said in August. There were just 16,000 elephants in Kenya in 1989, but by 2018 that number had grown to more than 34,000. The Kenyan government has stiffened fines and jail terms over the past several years for anyone convicted of poaching or trafficking in wildlife trophies such as lion heads or stools made from elephants’ feet.

7. Our favorite musicians dropped good music

Artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus and local artists like Ben&Ben released a really therapeutic, cathartic, and blessedly escapist quality of music this year. Whether the songs they released were reflecting our current condition or providing much-needed break from it, they helped us get to the end of 2020.

8.Netflix released more Filipino movies

Filipino movies like Kalel, 15, Patay Na Si Hesus, Bwakaw, Sakaling Maging Tayo, Hello, Love Goodbye, are now up on Netflix for online streaming! This is indeed a great news mostly for Filipino filmmakers as some of these movies did not get much recognitions when they first aired on the big screen. So thanks to the streaming giant, these underrated local films made a comeback they deserved. Also, this opened a new option to all of us who are experiencing burn-outs while inside our homes.

9. Most people were able to save up

While people were strictly prohibited to get out of their homes to avoid the further spread of COVID-19 infection, the quarantine made most of us better money managers. Aside from we did not have to spend for transportations, dine-ins, and random hangouts — we had enough time this year to track and become more conscious with our own expenses.

10. We witnessed more Bayanihan in the country

From volcano eruption, typhoons, and other unexpected natural disasters we experienced in the Philippines, we were able to witness the bayanihan spirit from our countrymen. We probably went through a lot of tough times this year, but with the help of every Filipino — we were able to surpass all the struggles that 2020 had thrown upon us.

As we are fast-approaching 2021 and leaving this year behind, together with its awful stories, let’s hope and pray that next year will become a better one. The fact that we are still here to welcome another year, we can say that it’s still a good life after all.