Marcos reminds Filipinos to reach out to those suffering on Christmas

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday called on Filipinos to remember that the Christmas season is an opportunity to help those who are suffering from solitude, sickness, and poverty.

In his Christmas message, Marcos said that Filipino faithful usually honor the birth of Christ by thanking God through traditions like Simbang Gabi, gift-giving, and feasts with friends and families.

“But more than just a day of celebration, let us be reminded that the true meaning of Christmas lies in the recognition of the season as an opportunity to reach out to those who are suffering from solitude, sickness, and poverty,” he said.

“Indeed, there is no better way for us to share the gift of Christmas than by spreading hope to those who need it the most this holiday season,” he added.

The President also urged Filipinos to kindle their hearts with goodwill, kindness, and compassion as they celebrate Christmas in their homes and communities.

“By doing so, we do not only bring peace, love, and unity, but become living instruments of the timeless adage that God's work here on earth is truly our own,” Marcos said.

He also extended his greetings to Filipinos on Christmas Day.

In a separate video message, Marcos said that during this time of the year, people would feel the blessings and fruits of labor from the past year.

“Buksan po natin ang ating mga puso at tahanan upang ipadama natin ang pagmamahal at saya sa ating mga kababayan, lalong lalo na sa lubos na nangangailangan,” he said.

(Let's open our hearts and homes so that we can share the love and joy to our countrymen, especially to those in need.)

In a separate message during Christmas Day, Marcos greeted Filipinos and expressed hope that this season would bring light to everyone's heart as it will also bring love and unity to the public.

''Nawa'y magdala ang Kapaskuhan ng liwanag sa ating mga puso at muling magbukas ng pintuan para sa pagmamahal at pagkakabuklod,'' Marcos said. ''Mula sa aking pamilya, isang maligaya at mapagpalang Pasko sa inyong lahat!''

(I hope that Christmas will bring light to our hearts and open doors for love and unity. From my family, a merry and blessed Christmas to all of you!)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, urged Filipinos to cherish the gift of family, and to be kind and compassionate this Christmas.

“This festive season, let us cherish the precious gift of family. In every shared laugh, every shared meal, we weave stronger bonds that hold our families together. Let these moments remind us of the love and warmth that family brings into our lives, a love that is our truest treasure,” he said in a statement.

“Christmas is also a time of giving, not just of material gifts, but of kindness and compassion. In every gift shared, a thread of hope is woven into the fabric of our community,” he continued.

Romualdez also encouraged the public to embrace the spirit of Bayanihan, reach out to their neighbors, and spread joy to those in need.

Seventy-three percent of Filipinos expect to have a "happy" Christmas this year, a new poll released by the Social Weather Stations on Saturday showed.

Of the 1,200 adult respondents interviewed between December 8 and 11, 2023, 6% expect Christmas to be sad, and 21% expect it to be neither happy nor sad.

According to the SWS, the percentage of respondents expecting a happy Christmas this year is six points lower than the pre-pandemic score of 79% in 2019 and 23 points higher than the record low of 50% in 2020, when the COVID-19 crisis struck. —Giselle Ombay and Anna Felicia Bajo/KG/RF, GMA Integrated News