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President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged the Philippine people to draw hope from the birth of Jesus Christ in a year dominated by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and a series of destructive typhoons.
In his Christmas message, he said that Filipinos continued to “survive and resurface” through the pandemic and the chain of natural calamities “because of our unity, strength and indomitable spirit of [the] Filipino “.
“This year has been a difficult time for all of us. Many lives were lost and changed forever due to the Covid-19 pandemic and various natural calamities, ”Duterte said.
“This holiday season, let the story of the birth of Jesus Christ remind us that we must always have hope even in darkness, poverty and suffering,” he continued.
This is the first Christmas in the country that has been spent under a series of blockades to contain the spread of Covid-19 that has also triggered an economic collapse.
So far, the pandemic has claimed 9,048 lives in the Philippines.
In a separate statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. joined the president in wishing all Filipinos a Merry Christmas.
“Our country struggles to face the various challenges we face this year. The pandemic and natural disasters brought fear and sadness, but during these difficult times, we healed and recovered as one, ”the spokesperson said.
Amid these challenges, “there are positives for which we can be thankful. May this Christmas be filled with hope, peace and joy ”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Communications Secretary of the Presidency, Martin Andanar, called on Filipinos to always be ready to help those less fortunate to emulate the love and self-denial of Jesus.
“Let us also take some time of our joy to solemnly reflect and reflect on the lessons and morals that we can learn from the Bible about the birth of Christ, and to practice the humility, compassion and goodness that Christ has shown,” he said in a separate statement.
In her Christmas message, Vice President María Leonor Robredo reminded Filipinos that despite the non-traditional celebration of the holidays this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they could still trust unity and support their fellow men.
“There is nothing like this Christmas. Without Christmas parties and carols, without big parties, we will celebrate without being next to each other. But despite the many changes in our traditional traditions, we draw strength from certain things: we can trust the good of our fellow man; we are a family that faces and rises at the same time from any test; we are all, covered by the everlasting love of Christ (This is a Christmas like no other. There are no Christmas parties or Christmas carols; no big gatherings; we will celebrate without being together. But despite the many changes in our traditions, we gather strength in things that are defined: we can trust in the goodness of our fellow men, we are a family that face and endure challenges together, we are all included in the eternal love of Christ), ”he said.
Robredo emphasized that the Christmas spirit had lived on during the pandemic, with Filipinos joining with healthcare workers, donating and volunteering for relief and response operations, doing their part to comply with health protocols and spreading the word. correct about Covid-19.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco asked the public to greet Christmas with gratitude for the gift of life and renewed hopes and dreams for a better future, as he assured that Congress will continue to work for the recovery of the country.
“2020 is truly an unprecedented year. There was a time when everything seemed hopeless and we were left wondering if we can all get back to our daily routines. There are those who lost their jobs, while others lost their loved ones. I sincerely sympathize with you in these difficult times, ”Velasco said in a statement Thursday.
“But there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting brighter. In Congress we are doing everything we can to help all of us find that light. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I assure our compatriots that we will do everything possible so that we all recover and experience the joy that we all had before this pandemic, “he added.
For Majority Leader Martín Romualdez, the resilient spirit of the Filipinos would help turn this year’s celebration into a joyous occasion despite the crisis.
“This holiday season may not be the most joyous of our holiday celebrations, but it can still turn out to be the most memorable. Even with the restrictions and limitations that were imposed on us to contain the spread of the epidemic, we have managed to survive and carry out our missions in life with vigor, “he said.
“With this resilient spirit of ours, I have no doubt that we can still make this holiday season festive. We can still decorate our houses with decorations, attend masses and church services, listen to Christmas carols and, above all, enjoy dinner with our loved ones, ”he continued.
Vice President Rufus Rodríguez said that Christmas is the time to thank and ask for renewed strength in the midst of the pandemic.
In his tweet, he described 2020 as “a very challenging year for all of us. Life has been even tougher due to the pandemic. Let’s pause to be grateful that we made it, especially our front-line workers who made great sacrifices. Thank you! You are our heroes! “
“This Christmas, let’s pray for good health and strength for each one to overcome all the challenges that lie ahead. Let’s claim that 2021 is a year of redemption for all of us! “he added.
AND DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ
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