ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines ? Amid a year of tragedies, including the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, Filipinos should not lose hope and should instead be inspired by acts of courage and heroism of ordinary citizens, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in his New Year's message on Sunday.
Lagdameo, immediate past president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said 2009 will leave behind a "legacy of problems, tragedies and disasters."
The year, he said, will also leave behind "the haunting memory of unsolved corruption, memory of the victims of typhoons" and the massacre.
"It is no wonder that concerned people continue to cry and demand for solution. This sadly will be carried over to 2010," Lagdameo said.
But the prelate said the coming of the new year would be an opportunity for looking forward.
"Our country has had its heroes coming from the ordinary citizenry, who held no political power to influence, but brought honor to our country through their personal charisma and talents.," he said.
Lagdameo cited the heroism of 18-year-old construction worker Muelmar Magallanes, who died saving more than 30 people from rampaging flood waters at the height of storm "Ondoy." Magallanes was named one of Time magazine's top 10 heroes of 2009.
The prelate also cited the spirit of volunteerism of Efren Peñaflorida, who was named CNN hero of the year for his advocacy bringing education to street children and youth through his "cariton (pushcart)" classroom.
An acknowledged fan of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Lagdameo also named Pacquiao as among the heroes that people should draw inspiration from.
Pacquiao made history after knocking out Puerto Rican champ Miguel Cotto and becoming the first boxer in history to win seven boxing titles in as many weight divisions.
"There are hundreds of ordinary citizens, unknown heroes who make up for 'infamous' leaders who bring dishonor and poverty to our country," said Lagdameo, a vocal critic of the administration.
He said the country's heroes "challenge us to face the New Year, a new year that is better, because the previous year with 'broken or unfulfilled promises' was not as good as we (had) dreamt it to be."
The people should also strive for a new year that is peaceful and prosperous to make up for many losses, Lagdameo said.
"With faith in God, who can do what is impossible for man, we envision a nation that hopes beyond what our eyes can see, believes beyond what our reason can reach, and loves beyond what our hearts can feel," he said.
Quoting slain El Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero, Lagdameo said: "We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs; we are prophets of a future not our own."
He called on the faithful to consecrate themselves and the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
"They invite us to move to the level of the heart and to see all things from a new perspective, with proactive attitude, with new eyes, with our minds in our hearts. Many things will be new if we open the eyes of our hearts, the eyes of our eyes. When the fire in the heart is lit, the inner eyes see. And one moves from physical consciousness to moral, social, spiritual consciousness," Lagdameo said.
