MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday thanked the international community for the massive assistance that the Philippines received following the recent calamities that struck the country, saying Filipinos do not forget acts of kindness.
He said the assistance given to disaster victims has deepened the ties and cooperation between the Philippines and other countries.
“To everyone gathered here, it is with a sincere sense of gratitude that I tell you: the Filipino people remember who their friends are,†Aquino said in a toast delivered during the vin d’honneur in celebration of the New Year at Malacañang.
“Filipinos never forget an instance of kindness, and will constantly look for ways to repay those who stood by them in the most difficult times. In our language, we call this utang ng loob (debt of gratitude),†he added.
The President thanked the diplomats for the generosity of the countries they represent, saying they have become partners in addressing the challenges of several calamities, particularly Typhoon Yolanda.
“In this first gathering of friends and partners for the New Year, it is also just and fitting that your role in our collective achievement be recognized,†he said.
Aquino attributed the Filipinos’ resilience to their faith in God, which deepened despite the trials they encountered last year.
“Our unbreakable spirit and ability to recover find root in our firm belief in a benevolent God who has the perfect plan for all of us. These tragedies tell us that, despite all our efforts, we are indeed powerless without God,†he said.
The diplomatic community vowed to continue helping the country rebuild the areas ravaged by Yolanda.
“The diplomatic corps vows to help in rebuilding something that is even better than what was destroyed,†said Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, the dean of the diplomatic corps.
“At times, the strong are called to be even stronger. When faced with this tragedy, the Filipino people reacted with the strength of their character and their faith. Victims and rescuers became members of the same family,†he added.
Pinto said it is not easy to consign to the annals of history recent calamities like the 7.2 magnitude Bohol earthquake and Yolanda that left more than 6,000 people dead.