President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Screengrab from Bongbong Marcos’s official Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — For All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to remember the courage of saints and the deceased, saying that he joined the Catholic community to commemorate the season.
Marcos said that this Undas season allowed Filipinos to spend more time with their departed loved ones, as well as remembering the saints.
“As we celebrate the saints’ staunch devotion and the legacies of those who have gone before us, let us reflect on our purpose and our unceasing need for God’s guidance. At the same time, let us remember the courage that our saints and dearly departed have shown amidst their plight so that we may be empowered to be bold in living with and for Christ no matter the difficulties that we face in this world,” said Marcos in a message released on Facebook.
The President said that while Filipino Catholics celebrate the saints’ devotion, it is also important to remember their dependence on Jesus Christ.
“Let the examples of faith demonstrated by our forebears bind us all in appreciating the joy of leading a virtuous life here on earth as well as in recognizing the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ,” he said.
Marcos also said that Filipinos’ observation of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day throughout the centuries has created local customs unique to the Philippines.
“Our people’s earnest obedience to this holy obligation throughout the centuries has given birth to the traditions that we carry to this very day, day-traditions that display the essence of the Filipino culture [is to] give utmost importance to our faith and family,” said Marcos.
Marcos is set to visit the grave of his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., on Wednesday morning at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.