This Christmas: Mayor, governor call for compassion

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City acting mayor Edgar Labella has called on Cebuanos to be sympathetic and to extend a forgiving hand to others in times of misunderstanding even beyond the Christmas season.

“My message to all people in Cebu City in celebrating Christmas for 2015 is very simple: For you to continue being peace-loving, joyous and most importantly to be prayerful. (We have to be aware that) the true meaning of Christmas is to feel sympathy and compassion to other people. If we have misunderstandings, let us learn to be forgiving,” Labella said.

“It is always my fervent hope that we inculcate the spirit of Christmas not just on Christmas Day but for every day of the year. If we have that principle in our hearts and minds, I believe we will have a harmonious city, peace among ourselves and good will to many. Merry Christmas,” he added.

Since he is acting mayor, Labella said he chose to spend Christmas Day in the city with his family and relatives.

“I will not be out in Cebu City since I am the acting mayor. It would be hard for me especially when there are emergency situations. It’s very difficult that I had to cross the ocean just to be able to meet the contingencies,” he said.

The exercise of duty, he said, is part of sacrificing one’s enjoyment even on holidays for public service and accountability.

“There is really a need for us to sacrifice if it is really a sacrifice. But since we are in public service, we call it a duty. Public service is not power. It is responsibility. It is accountability,” Labella said.

“I don’t see any glamour for you to float it. If you consider it as fame, you know how fame can turn to shame if you don’t do something for the good,” he added.

He asked that residents in the city who are caught in miserable situations to pray.

“I know many of our constituents in Cebu City that may celebrate Christmas with a heavy heart with the skirmishes that are happening around us but let us not be bothered by this. What is important is that the spirit of Christmas is within us that is why we have to pray always,” he said.

At the Capitol, Governor Hilario Davide III called on the Cebuanos to remember the poor, sick and victims of calamities as they celebrate Christmas.

“Christmas is a celebration of family and friendship. It is also a time of giving. Atong ihatag sa katawhan, labi na sa mga kabos, ang atong mga kasing-kasing,” he said.

“Let the spirit of Christmas revisit the humanity in us that we may always be able to touch the lives of other people. May you have a meaningful Christmas celebration with your loved ones,” he said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)