Belmonte: Christmas is about family

MANILA, Philippines — Family and loved ones should be at the center of every Christmas celebration, according to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.

In her Christmas message yesterday, Belmonte said the Yuletide season would always be “for the family, no matter how one defines family.”

“There are traditional families composed of parents and their children. There are families anchored by a grandparent or two, caring for their grandchildren whose parents are working abroad,” she said.

Belmonte, however, acknowledged that modern families now come in many forms, including those headed by a single man or woman as well as blended or stepfamilies with several members.

“Then there are families led by two men or two women. There are families made up of friends,” she said.

Belmonte assured Quezon City residents that the local government is always ready to extend a helping hand to those who need it most.

“This year, we were able to fix the documents of couples who have been together for decades. We provided LGBTQIA+ couples the right to decide for their partner when one is in need of medical attention,” she said.

The city government also provided support for parents abroad who needed help in providing guidance to their children living in Quezon City.

“This Christmas season, no matter where we are coming from, may we all find our way back to our family and rekindle the love we have for each other,” Belmonte said.

“Despite all the commercialism, family will always be at the center of Christmas in the Philippines,” she added.