OVER the last few months, a series of unexpected events have created difficult financial circumstances. Geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran wrecked the world’s supply of fossil fuels, placing undue strain on Filipinos in particular. Inflation spiked to above 7.2 percent, with transportation and food costs surging painfully for consumers. A red alert for the National Grid Corp. forced power interruptions over Luzon and Visayas.