Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — A day before Christmas, Vice President Leni Robredo called on Filipinos to do what is right for the benefit of those who are in the marginalized sector.
“Sa panahong patuloy na umiiral ang galit at awayan, sa panahong tila hinihila tayo palayo sa mga bagay na dapat nagbubuklod sa atin, piliin natin ang tama alang-alang sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan,” Robredo said in her Christmas message on Monday.
(At a time when anger and fighting prevail, at a time when we are being pulled farther away from that which unites us, let us choose the right for our needy fellowmen.)
“Higit kailanman, ngayon nila tayo kailangan. Huwag nating hayaang may maiwan. Bawat buhay ay mahalaga; bawat Pilipino ay may karapatan sa binibigay ng Diyos na kaligtasan. Tayo ang lakas ng bawat isa. Nagagawa nating posible ang imposible dahil sama-sama nating tinutupad ang ating mga hangarin,” she added.
(More than at any time, they need us now. Let us not allow them to be left behind. Each life is important; every Filipino has the right to the salvation that God gives. We are the strength of each other. We can make the impossible possible because we collectively follow our dreams.)
Aside from unity, Robredo also said that Filipinos could look at the lives of those who were present during Jesus Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, as an inspiration to succeed.
“Sa gitna ng lahat ng kasiyahang ito, isapuso natin ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko. Matatagpuan natin ito sa kuwento ng mga ordinaryong taong gumawa ng mga kahanga-hangang bagay noong pinakaunang Pasko,” she noted.
(Amid the merriment, let us take to heart the real spirit of Christmas. We can find this in the story of the ordinary person who did admirable deeds during the first Christmas)
“Isa na rito si Jose na piniling alagaan si Maria at ang kanyang sanggol. Si Maria na mapagkumbabang sumunod sa utos ng Diyos. Ang mga pastol na nakinig sa boses ng mga anghel upang salubungin ang pagdating ni Hesus,” she added.
(One of them was Jose who chose to take care of Maria and her child. Maria humbly followed God’s command. The shepherds listened to the Angels’ voices to welcome the coming of Jesus.)
The Vice President was referring to the problems that the Holy Family encountered before and after Mary gave birth to Jesus. According to the story from the Bible, Jesus was born in a horse’s stable, as all of the houses in Bethlehem were occupied after the government called for a census.
After astronomers told King Herod of the news that the Savior was born in Bethlehem, Herod called for a search of all newborn children in the said city. Unable to find Jesus, the king ordered to have all infants killed, out of fear that his reign might be overthrown.
The Holy Family managed to escape to Egypt, upon instructions from Joseph’s dream.
Robredo emphasized that Jesus too was born in a dark and chaotic time.
“Mahigit dalawang libong taon na ang nakalipas mula nang ipinanganak si Hesukristo sa panahon ng kadiliman at kaguluhan. Pero nagawa ng isang sanggol, kasama ang dala niyang ilaw at pagmamahal, na magbigay ng bagong pag-asa, lalo na sa mga api at nagdadalamhati,” Robredo stressed.
(Almost 2,000 years have passed since Jesus Christ was born in the time of darkness and chaos. But the child was able to, with the light and love, give hope, especially for the oppressed and the grieving.)
She added that Filipinos could follow the Holy Family’s lead by persevering and remaining faithful in times of hardships.
“Kumuha tayo ng lakas mula sa kanilang halimbawa, sa panahong pasan ng ating bayan ang bigat ng maraming pagsubok, katulad ng mataas na presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin.” she explained.
(Let us get strength from their examples, at the time when our country is pressed by man heavy challenges, like the high prices of basic commodities.)
“Ipamalas natin ang ating tunay na pagka-Pilipino: hindi lalabnaw ang ating mga ngiti at hindi lalamig ang ating pagmamahal. Hindi natin hahayaang matalo tayo ng hamon ng panahon. Lahat ng pagsubok ay lalampasan; lahat ng hidwaan ay wawakasan,” she said.
(Let us show our real Filipino virtues: our smiles will not wane, our love will not cool down. We will not allow ourselves to be beaten by the challenges of the time. We will overcome all tests; all conflicts will be ended.)
“Isang Maligayang Pasko po sa inyong lahat, mula sa akin, at sa aking mga anak,” she ended.
(A merry Christmas from me and my children.)/lb