Aquino: Numerous disasters in 2013 tested the strength of Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said the numerous calamities that befell the country last year tested the strength of the Filipino people.

“Tila ba ilang ulit na sinubok ipagkait sa amin ang abot-kamay na naming kapayapaan, kaunlaran, at magandang kinabukasan. Pero mapaluhod man ng trahedya, hindi natitinag ang Pilipino,” Aquino said during an interfaith prayer meeting at Malacañang Palace.

Aquino prayed for the safety of all Filipinos and the continued recovery of those devastated by armed conflict and natural disasters.

“Patuloy naman po naming ipinagdarasal ang kaligtasan ng aming kapwa, ang pagbangon ng mga pamilyang pansamantalang pinaluhod ng kalamidad, lalo na ang mga naulila ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” he said.

The President said while there is no certainty on what the future holds, Filipinos will face it with trust and hope.

Aquino was the last to speak during the interfaith event for the victims of the Zamboanga City siege in September, the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in October, and Super Typhoon Yolanda in November.

Before the President, representatives of various faiths and of victims from Zamboanga City, Bohol and Tacloban City gave their own prayers.

Singer-composer Ryan Cayabyab and his group of singers performed musical numbers before and after the round of prayers led by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of the Catholic Church, Police Superintendent Imam Ebra Moxsir of the Imam Council of the Philippines, Commissioner Zenaida Pawid of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Isaias Samson of Iglesia ni Cristo and Bishop Jonel Milan of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.

At least 600 people attended the event at the palace grounds.