MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino called on the people yesterday to make the victims of tropical storm “Sendong” part of their extended family by giving them assistance.
In his message to the nation in celebration of Christmas, the President said the true meaning of the season must not be lost on the people: the birth of Jesus Christ the Savior.
“I thank the Filipino nation with all my heart for the confidence and trust in our efforts to give the people better lives,” Aquino said.
“Let us remember that Christmas is for everyone but many of our fellowmen do not completely feel the joy of these times,” he said.
He said since Sendong caused massive destruction in the Visayas and Mindanao, hundreds of families would be cramped in evacuation centers and will celebrate Christmas with dark memories of the tragedy instead of enjoying noche Buena, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
“Let us make them feel that they are not alone; let us provide the torch of concern and love and show that they belong to a bigger family,” Aquino said.
“My only appeal to all of you: do not hesitate to share your blessings, let us not think twice in doing good things,” he said.
The President noted the Christmas season was most awaited among Filipinos and is celebrated with joyous music and sumptuous food.
“At the back of the abundance, happiness, joy and togetherness, may we not forget the Lord God’s call: humility and service to people. This is where we will see the meaning of Christmas: the King of Kings was born in the most simple state and condition – in a manger,” Aquino said.
“What this says is: the basis of our salvation is not richness or the vastness of your wealth – it is anchored on the offering of sacrifices and generous regard for others,” he said.
The President said the people must always remember that like the star of Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born, “the light of goodness is with us and will never fade.”
“May we continue to hold on and use this as guide in treading the straight and bright path,” Aquino said.
Priceless
Meanwhile, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said while Christmas could mean different things to different individuals, its centerpiece and core message is the same: Human life is priceless.
“Human dignity is inviolate. Human rights are inestimable,” he said.
He said in his web blog that there are those who say that Christmas is a time of spending and merrymaking, of eating and drinking.
However, they do not really mean to joke with, much less ridicule, the reality of Christmas, he said. They just do not know any better, nor exert the effort to know what that truly means, he added.
He said there is a more profound, proper, and correct understanding of Christmas: The intrinsic value of human life. The inviolability of human dignity. The respect for human rights.
Cruz noted that the times are bad and the future is dark. He said the country is stagnant and millions of Filipinos are suffering from hunger and uncertainty.
He said the local and national problems are not only multiplying but also worsening. The quest for justice and peace remains elusive and the imperative of socio-economic development is far from being seriously attended, much less realistically pursued, he added.
The Philippines nevertheless continues to have one singular blessing: The Filipinos who keep the faith, live with hope, believe in love – especially so during Christmas.
“Thank God there is Christmas! It is a time for people to renew their belief in the transcendent and supra natural. It is also an opportunity for people to laugh and sing – all distressing and exasperating local and national circumstances to the contrary,” Cruz said.
Peace
Bishop Efraim Tendero, national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, said Christmas means peace.
“The host of angels declared this when Christ was born. We need this divine intervention as we face so much unpeace in our nation, such as continuing unrest in Mindanao, protracted conflict between government forces and the New People’s Army, the division of our people brought by the call for accountability in the coequal branches of government, and the continuing hardships of the people punctuated by uncalled for devastation by tropical storm Sendong.”
Tendero called on the people to bring peace to our land this Christmas.
“Today let us be agents of peace by being God-centered rather than self-centered. Let us continue to lessen the pain of those who suffered from natural and man-made calamities by sharing with them our resources. Above all, let our focus be on Christ and let Him bring peace in our nation, in our communities, and in our families because He is the Prince of Peace,” Tendero added.