Robredo: Remember Marawi, victims of war this Christmas

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Sunday urged Filipinos to remember the victims of the Marawi siege and those suffering due to the conflict in Mindanao.

“Sa kabila ng kasaganahan at kasiyahan, alalahanin natin ang mga kapatid nating nasa Marawi. Nagsisimula pa lamang silang bumangon mula sa gulo ng hidwaang naganap ngayong taon. Para sa mga nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay o ‘di kaya ay nagpapagaling pa lamang sa mga karamdamang dala ng bala at pulbura, mahirap harapin ang Pasko,” Robredo said in his Christmas message.

(In the midst of prosperity and happiness, let’s remember our brothers and sisters in Marawi. They are just starting to rise up from the mess of the strife that happened this year. It’s hard for those who lost their loved ones or those who are still healing from illness brought about by bullets and gunpowder to face Christmas.)

Despite the war and violence many Filipinos had been through, she said the spirit of unity would bring hope this holiday season.

“Ngunit sa pagkakaisa, maiibsan ang lungkot na dala nito (But in unity, we will ease our sadness),” she said.

Robredo said Christmas is a time of loving and forgiving, as she remembered Filipinos who are away from the country.

“Lumamig man ang simoy ng hangin, walang papantay sa init ng pagmamahal ng pusong Pilipino para sa Kapaskuhan. Kaliwa’t kanan ang mga salu-salo, at kahit saan, ramdam ng bawat isa ang ligayang hatid ng simpleng pagbibigayan,” she said.

(Even though it’s colder now, there’s nothing that compares to the warmth of the love of the Filipinos’ hearts for Christmas. There will be celebrations left and right and we can feel the happiness brought about by simple compromises.)

“Ang Paskong Pilipino ay panahon ng pagkakaisa at pasasalamat, pagmamahalan at pagpapatawad—sa loob ng pamilya, sa mga kaibigan, at sa ating bayan. Saan man tayo naroroon—sa lupaing may snow, sa gitna ng karagatan, sa disyerto, sa mga bulubundukin o ‘di kaya sa iba’t ibang siyudad ng mundo—patuloy nating isabuhay ang halaga ng Paskong Pilipino,” she added.

(The Filipino Christmas is a time for unity and thanksgiving, love and forgiveness—in families, friends, and in the country. Wherever we may be—in lands where there’s snow, in the middle of the ocean, in the desert, in the mountains or in different cities of the world—let us continue the values of the Filipino Christmas.)

She called on the public to remember Christ this holiday season who offered His life to mankind.

“Ang Kapaskuhan ay alay natin sa Batang Sanggol sa sabsaban, na siyang pumiling ipanganak kasama ang mga mahihirap. Katulad Niya, sa pagsisilbi rin natin mararamdaman ang tunay na saya ng pagdiriwang ng Pasko,” she said. “Muli, isang mapagpalang Pasko sa ating lahat!”

(Christmas is our offering to the Holy Child who was born in a manger, who chose to be born among the poor. Like Him, in our service, we will feel real happiness in celebrating Christmas. Again, a blessed Christmas to everyone!) /je