MANILA, Philippines — On the last day of 2020, Vice President Leni Robredo rallied Filipinos to be hopeful and to help together despite the hardships faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a video message on Thursday, the Vice President recognized that the year 2020 brought many challenges not only because of the pandemic but of other tragedies and events as well.
As of Dec. 30, the Department of Health recorded 472,532 COVID-19 infections, with 439,509 recoveries and 9,230 deaths.
“Napakatindi ng mga pagsubok na dala ng nagdaang taon. Tumama ang pandemya at humabol pa ang sunod-sunod na sakuna. Marami sa atin ang unang beses na sasalubong sa bagong taon na hindi kapiling ang mga pumanaw na mahal sa buhay,” Robredo said.
(The challenges that we have faced this year were realy intense. The pandemic struck and other disasters later followed. Many of us will spend the New Year for the first time without their loved ones.)
Robredo later rallied on Filipinos to be hopeful.
“Pero paalala sa atin ng petsang ito—ang unang araw ng unang buwan ng isang bagong taon—na laging may bagong simula; laging may pagkakataong bumangon; lagi tayong tinatawag ng bukas sa pag-asang kaya natin itong gawing mas maginhawa, mas masagana, mas makatao kaysa sa kahapon,” she said.
(But the first day of the first month of a new year is a reminder that there is renewed hope; there is always an opportunity to rise; there is hope that we can make the new year more comfortable, prosperous and humane for the future.)
However, Robredo also told Filipinos to still be cautious because of the threats brought by COVID-19.
“Tandaan din natin: Karugtong ng anumang pag-asa ang sikap at gawa. Hindi biglang mawawala ang virus dahil magpapalit tayo ng kalendaryo. Kaya patuloy tayong mag-ingat at sumunod sa mga health protocols,” she reminded.
(Let us remind ourselves that hope is always connected to perseverance and hard work. But the virus will not go away suddenly even if we change our calendars. That is why we need to be careful and follow health protocols.)
“Gaya ng paulit-ulit na nating pinatunayan sa mga nagdaang taon: Walang Pilipinong nag-iisa. At dahil nasa isa’t isa ang ating lakas, nandito pa rin tayo; hindi tayo kinayang pasukuin ng 2020,” Robredo said.
(Like what we always say every year that passes: No Filipino stands alone. And because our strength comes from one another, we are still here. We did not let 2020 defeat us.)
“Lalo pa sana tayong magbigkis upang salubungin ang 2021 nang sama-sama, tulong-tulong, at nang may ibayong pagkasabik para sa kinabukasang papandayin natin bilang nagkakaisang bansang Pilipinas,” she added.
(Let us further welcome 2021 together, in unity and the eagerness to strive for a better tomorrow for a unified Philippines.)
“Isang masaya at hitik sa pag-asang bagong taon sa inyong lahat [I wish you all a happy and hope-filled New Year],” Robredo concluded.