President Rodrigo Roa Duterte applauds while listening to the performers during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony of the Office of the President (OP) at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang on December 3, 2018. Also in the photo is Presidential Daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Duterte on Christmas eve urged Filipinos to remain hopeful as they celebrate Christmas under lockdown and amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his Christmas message, Duterte admonished Filipinos to remind themselves of the story of Christ’s birth.
“This Christmas season, let the story of Jesus Christ’s birth remind us that we should always have hope even in darkness, poverty and suffering,” he said.
“Let us also allow Christ into our lives so that we could bring love and cheer not only to our families and friends but also to those who are most in need. May we all have a meaningful celebration and let us be hopeful for the better days ahead,” he added.
Duterte also paid tribute to the Filipinos’ “indomitable spirit,” which has powered Filipinos to brave through trying times.
“This year has been a trying time for all of us. Many lives were lost and forever changed due to COVID-19 pandemic and several natural calamities. But through it all, we continue to survive and rise because of [Filipinos’] unity, strength and indomitable spirit,” he said.
Robredo: Christmas this year is one of a kind
Despite movement and gathering restrictions, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said Filipinos can still make good this year’s Christmas.
“Binago man ng pandemya ang paraan natin ng pagdiriwang, hindi maaaring mabawasan ang kabuluhan ng araw na ito, dahil walang pandemya o sakunang kayang umampat sa pagdaloy ng pag-ibig ng Maykapal. Walang dilim na kayang magligaw sa atin, dahil tayo mismo ang liwanag ng bawat isa,” she said.
“Sa kabila ng napakaraming pagbabago sa mga tradisyong nakaugalian natin, humuhugot tayo ng lakas sa mga bagay na tiyak: Makakaasa tayo sa kabutihan ng ating kapwa; iisa tayong pamilya na sabay-sabay humaharap at bumabangon mula sa anumang pagsubok; lahat tayo, saklaw ng walang-hanggang pagmamahal ni Kristo,” she added.
The vice president also urged Filipinos to develop stronger family ties amid the lockdowns.
“Dalangin ko ngayong Pasko na patuloy tayong magbukas-palad, at ilapit ang diwa ng panahong ito sa puso at tahanan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Palakasin ang ugnayan sa mga magkakamag-anak, magkakaibigan, mga kasapi ng ating komunidad, hanggang masaklaw ang buong Pilipinas at sangkatauhan… Humugot ng lakas mula sa isa’t isa,” she said.
Robredo ended her message with a Christmas greeting to Filipinos worldwide.
“Tuloy ang bayanihan. Tuloy ang pag-asa. Tuloy ang pag-ibig. Muli, maligayang Pasko sa lahat ng Pilipino, saanmang sulok ng mundo.” John Ezekiel J. Hirro