Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and the senators wished Filipino families a meaningful Christmas celebration, hoping that people can continue to unite for a common good and propel the country and communities to progress.
Zubiri in his Christmas message on Sunday, December 24, looked back at what the Senate and other government institutions have achieved, saying that they are one with the country in being thankful for the blessings received in 2023.
“Sama-sama po nating ipagpasalamat ang mga biyayang natanggap natin nitong taon, sama-sama rin nating ipagdiwang ang mga nakamit nating tagumpay. Marami tayong nagawa sa ating pagkakaisa,” he said.
(Together, let us give thanks for the blessings we received this year, and let us celebrate our wins. We were able to do a lot of things due to us being united.)
“At sa patuloy nating pagtutulungan, mas marami pa tayong magagawa para sa ating mga pamilya, para sa ating mga komunidad, at para sa buong bayan. Dasal ko po na magkaroon kayo ng isang masaya at makabuluhang Pasko kasama ng inyong mga pamilya,” he added.
(And with your continuous help, we can do more for our families, for our communities, and the entire nation. My prayer is that you have a happy and meaningful Christmas with your families.)
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Senator Risa Hontiveros meanwhile urged Filipinos to continue persevering because even in the darkest struggles this year a light would persist.
“Gaya ng mga nagdaan nating paggunita sa Kapaskuhan, lagi’t lagi nating tanggapin ang pagpapala, pag-asa, at pag-ibig na dala ng kapanganakan ng Poong Hesus. Patuloy nating punuin ng liwanag at pag-asa ang ating mga tahanan sa kabila ng matitinding hamon at dagok na ating hinaharap at napagtagumpayan ngayong taon,” he said.
(Like how we always commemorate Christmas, let us always accept the blessings, hope, and love brought by Jesus Christ’s birth. Let us continue to fill our homes with light and hope despite the several challenges and hardships that we went through, and that we emerged from this year.)
“Sa kabila ng lahat, tayong mga magkakapamilya at magkakapitbahay ay nananatiling nagkakaisa at nagdadamayan, bigyang sigla at lakas natin ang lipunan na patuloy na pa-igtingin ang pagpapabuti ng kagalingan ng bawat isang Pilipino,” he added.
(Despite everything, we as one family and neighbors remain united and console each other, so let us give strength to the society to continue pushing for the betterment of each Filipino.)
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Senator Nancy Binay meanwhile said that she hopes people can inspire each other this Christmas, keeping alive the essence of love and gift-giving during this season.
“Kapos man tayo sa mga bagay na materyal, marami po tayong maibibigay sa ating kapwa na magpapasaya sa kanilang Pasko. Nawa’y maging inspirasyon tayo sa ating kapwa upang panatilihing buhay ang diwa ng pagmamahalan at pagbibigayan ngayong kapaskuhan,” she said.
(We may be short on material things, we can give a lot to people that would make them happy this Christmas. I hope we become an inspiration to others, that we keep the value of love and gift-giving this Christmas alive.)
“Let’s make happy memories this Christmas, and let’s fill our homes with love, life and laughter. Gawin po nating makulay at puno ng ngiti ang buhay ng bawat isa. Muli, isang makabuluhan at maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat,” she added.
(Let us make each other’s lives full of smiles and happiness. Again, I hope everyone would have a meaningful and happy Christmas.)