Erap asks public to help victims of calamities

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada has asked the Filipino people to serve one another and pray for the victims of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” and the Maguindanao massacre.

In a Christmas message, Estrada said in the spirit of celebrating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ, Filipinos must help those who have survived the tragedies.

“Today we gather as a nation to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us that with faith we may receive the gift of eternal life,” he said.

“It is a time to remember Christ’s lessons: that it is by being humble that we are empowered, that it is by forgiving that we are forgiven, and that it is by giving that we receive.”

Estrada said the Filipino people must not forget the victims of tragedies that hurt the country the past year.

“Let us pray for the souls of those we lost to typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng,” he said.

“This Christmas will be a sad one for their families, who will be missing them dearly at the Noche Buena table.

“In the spirit of giving, we must resolve to continue extending our help to those who have survived but were left by their loved ones or otherwise greatly affected, just as we rebuild our nation from the aftermath of those typhoons.

“Let us pray for the souls of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, whose deaths will only be given justice if real democracy with peace and order is restored and political warlordism is put to an end.”

Estrada also urged the Filipino people to remember overseas Filipino workers who have made sacrifices to keep the Philippine economy afloat.

“Let us remember our overseas foreign workers, whose extraordinary sacrifice has kept our economy afloat through the most challenging times of the world economy,” he said.

“It is their heroism that has made the various crises that affected our country in the past year bearable. We must remember that while the food that we eat as we celebrate may be from one of them, nothing can replace their presence at the dinner table.”

Estrada said the Filipino people must also thank the farmers, who have continuously brought food to the people, although they themselves may not have anything to eat on Christmas.

“So let this be a season of real giving,” he said.

“As Christ was about service, so must we serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters. As Christ was about forgiveness, let us come together as a nation to rebuild what has been destroyed by those who could not think beyond themselves and their families.

“As Christ was about unity, let us renew our common sense of purpose to serve one another as we serve the Lord.” – Jose Rodel Clapano