Aquino: Let’s look at the bright side

President Benigno Aquino III . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

For his fifth Christmas in Malacañang, President Benigno Aquino III reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, saying this policy was guided by the example of Jesus Christ.

Citing Christ’s lessons on humility and hope, the President said these same teachings inspired his administration “to not think of itself first nor act like kings, but instead serve its bosses, the people.”

“We continue to correct the system,” he said in his Christmas message, noting the government’s effort to run after the corrupt, take care of calamity victims and provide more “opportunities to improve the lives of our people.”

The President urged Filipinos to look at the bright side despite the onslaught of Typhoon “Ruby.”

Thankful

“Let’s not forget to thank the Lord because despite the damage brought by Ruby, there were definitely more survivors who will now get to spend Christmas with their loved ones,” he said.

During preparations for Ruby’s landfall, the President said the government was more prepared now because of its experience with Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Ruby tore through roughly the same path of Yolanda in November 2013. But the damage brought by Ruby was minimal compared to that of Yolanda, which killed more than 6,000 people.

Mr. Aquino also welcomed the papal visit to the Philippines next month, saying the arrival of Pope Francis would further “invigorate hope and deepen the faith, not only those of our people in need, but all our Christian brothers and sisters.”

Shun illusions of grandeur

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in his message on Wednesday, urged the Catholic faithful to celebrate Christmas in solidarity with the poor, the weak and the neglected and to shed off illusions of grandeur and self-interest.

“Christmas is a season to see our own poverty, to see a companion in every person who suffers and to see Jesus in a needy brother or sister,” he said in his Christmas message.

Tagle said November 2014 to November 2015 has been designated the Year of the Poor for the Philippine Church.

The prelate said Christmas frees the poor from inhumanity and degradation, and proclaims the good news that the poor are loved by God.

“May Christmas 2014 give us greater zeal to combat trafficking in human persons, new forms of slavery, neglect and abuse of children, and violence against the helpless,” he said.

Reason for excitement

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas also said Christmas in the Philippines this year carries an added reason for excitement, with the apostolic visit of Pope Francis in January.

“Although we believe by faith that God is always with us, we also know in our hearts that the coming of the Pope to the Philippines is a renewed affirmation of the love of God for us. When Pope Francis comes, he brings to us Jesus himself, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, God-with-us,” Villegas said in his Christmas message.

Villegas, who is part of the central committee for papal visit 2015, said the Pope’s visit “is Jesus in the Pope visiting Jesus in the Filipino.”

“Christ is in all of us… Christ is in our poverty. Christ is in our prosperity. Christ is in our hunger. Christ is in our plenty. Christ is in our storms and calamities. Christ is in our progress and tranquility. Christ is in our dark nights. Christ is in our sunny days. Christ is always with us,” he said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay also called on Filipinos to share concern and compassion with those who have less in life, the elderly prisoners and the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“For those of us in government, giving comfort and genuine service should guide us not only during the Christmas season but every day,” Binay said.

“My hope is for [the elderly prisoners] to spend their twilight years with their family and loved ones, especially during Christmas,” he said. With a report from Christine O. Avendaño

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