I watched “Rise of the Guardians” not really knowing what to expect. My fellow PCSO Director Pancho Joaquin and his lovely wife Marites told me they saw it with their six kids, and that I should watch it with the whole family, too.

I told Manny we should see it, thinking it was an action thriller because of the title but doubtful we should bring the kids (in case it was violent and gory).

It slipped my mind until a few days ago. JM and Noel begged us to take them to see “Rise of the Guardians”. And so we did on Sunday.

It is indeed an action thriller. If it were not animation – I would have expected it to be violent and gory with all the confrontation and fight scenes. If it did not star Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Sand Man, and Jack Frost, with the Boogieman as the villain and the Man on the Moon in a very special role – it would have been terrifying and horrific. If good didn’t triumph over evil – it would have given everyone who watched nightmares.

“Rise of the Guardians” is based on William Joyce’s “The Guardians of Childhood” book series. It is a movie for children, but I believe it is made for us who were once children.

As children, my brothers and I would hang socks on Christmas Eve expecting Santa Claus to fly all the way to our house in Marilao, Bulacan to deliver our gifts on board his sleigh. Whenever we lost a baby tooth, we would put it under a pillow expecting to find money the following day.

It was so easy to believe then.

Since PNoy assumed office on June 1, 2010, he has been relentless in his fight against corruption, instituting economic and political reforms, and in improving the lives of every Filipino. There are so many pieces of evidence to back these up and yet the doomsayers and naysayers can’t seem to run out of negativities and pessimistic proclivities.

The Philippine economy grew by 7.1 percent far exceeding expectations of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In November, the IMF raised to 5 percent from 4.8 percent in October its 2012 growth outlook for the Philippines and yet the country even overshot it by 2.1 percent.

Household spending also grew from 5.8 percent last year to 6.2 percent this year. Philippine stocks are at an all-time high. The Philippine peso has also appreciated 7 percent.

In urban areas around the country, condominiums, office buildings, private hospitals and shopping malls are being constructed simultaneously. Not to be left far behind, the government has earmarked around 400 billion pesos next year to build or upgrade roads, bridges, ports and airports.

These infrastructure projects boost economic activity as well as intensify employment opportunities. In addition, more investors are encouraged to come and establish businesses here.

In fact, even international artists have been coming over and performing in various concert venues, some for the second or third time, but many for the first time. With due deference to our local artists and Original Pilipino Music, the arrival of world-renowned singers and performers on our shores further prove the much-improved reputation of the Philippines especially with respect to peace and order.

We weren’t able to watch JLo and Sting but we heard it was fantastic. Manny and I saw America with Kalapana and Elton John and we enjoyed both immensely. Among the younger generation, Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 had a show and several K-Pop bands.

Why are there still those who don’t believe PNoy?

In “Rise of the Guardians,” the Boogieman tried and almost succeeded in instilling fear among children and taking away happiness, laughter and hope. He was so envious, negative and pessimistic, he wanted to destroy the reputation of Sandman, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. However, he was also so shortsighted and horrid he failed to correctly gauge the powers of Jack Frost. Boogieman was eventually defeated and the Guardians were victorious in the end.

As much as doomsayers and naysayers are unpleasant, I believe, however, they do serve a purpose. The reason democracies succeed is because the opposition provides a check and balance; the minority ensures a dictatorship does not ensue; the critics make the administration keep its feet (and its ears) constantly on the ground and responds appropriately and accordingly.

It is a matter of putting criticism in the right perspective. It is simply focusing on what needs to be done (and to do it properly, of course). It is appreciating the good things that happened, is happening and will happen. It is continuing to believe in Santa Claus, whether as a fat man in a bearded suit or as someone sharing whatever blessings we have received with others.