President Ferdinand “Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to brush aside their individualistic tendencies and work for the common good as the country celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday.
“Like Mary, may we also strive to resign from our individualistic tendencies and aspire to generously give ourselves without expecting anything in return,” he said in his message.
“In the end, what we can bring into our everlasting home are those we cherish deep in our hearts, not the possessions we can only hold in our hands,” he added.
The president also urged Filipinos to contemplate their reason for being and search for their vocation in the spirit of “unconditional obedience and abiding love.”
“As we allow our shared experiences to shape our history and lead us in achieving our nation’s inspirations, let us place our confidence in the Almighty and put our trust in one another,” he said.
“In the intersection of these things, we will certainly learn where to hold on and gain greater courage,” he added.
Dec. 8 is a special non-working holiday in the Philippines in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. John Ezekiel J. Hirro