Christmas message ‘Serve selflessly, be hopeful’

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino reminded Filipinos yesterday that the season for merriment is also a time for reflection as he appealed to all to remember the victims of Typhoon Ruby.

“Serve others selflessly and with humility, and face the future with hope,” the President said in his Christmas message.

He said the meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus in the manger, which shows His great love for mankind.

But instead of acting as king, Jesus shunned a mansion so that He could be a perfect model to his disciples in being humble and showing genuine concern for the people, including those who strayed.

“This occasion is also a good opportunity to look back at the year that passed and give thanks to God for the continuous flow of blessings,” Aquino said.

He said everyone worried when Typhoon Ruby entered the country early this month. “May we not forget to include in our prayers our fellowmen who were forced to evacuate; and may we not forget to thank the Lord, as despite the destruction it caused, a lot more people were saved and celebrate Christmas with their loved ones,” Aquino said in Filipino.

With the upcoming visit of Pope Francis, the President said he is sure this would ignite much hope and deepen the Catholics’ faith.

In facing crossroads everyday, Aquino said Filipinos should only think of Jesus and His life, expressing hope that they would always choose what is right, honest and just.

“Let us be on the side of those who are true to their word and put the welfare of others ahead of themselves,” he said.

Aquino said the government is built not to let officials think of themselves first and lord it over others but to serve the people, their bosses.

He said in the last four years, they had been showing their resolve to make the corrupt accountable, solve the problems they inherited and address the needs of the Filipinos – from those affected by conflicts and disasters to providing better opportunities and improve the lives of people.

‘Be one another’s strength’

The President also urged the people to be one another’s strength and live the spirit of the season.

During the distribution of assistance to residents of Eastern Samar who were affected by Ruby yesterday, he shared his gratefulness that the efforts of the government to prepare better to mitigate the impact of disasters were paying off.

“This Christmas, we know that we have fellowmen who are beset with problems and worries because of the tragedy. Nevertheless, I hope we will still thank the Lord for the life that He had given us. That the joy and meaning of Christmas will not be manifested in a feast or how much blessings we receive but in the unity of the family and genuine love and concern for others,” Aquino said.

In his speech during the Early Recovery Program Launch for Typhoon Ruby-affected areas in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Aquino vowed the government would avoid committing the same mistakes when Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the country last year.

The President said he was thankful that the number of casualties was not as big as when Yolanda struck, noting better coordination among the people and the agencies involved in disaster preparedness.

“The truth is, I must confess, I am also human and I said: What kind of Christmas is this, we always have to face something like this? But when Ruby came and with the mercy of God and our cooperation… the destruction that it caused was not as huge,” Aquino said.

The President paid tribute to the strength and resiliency of the people when he visited Dolores and other areas hit by Ruby.

He said it was proof that no matter how strong the typhoon was and no matter how destructive it was, the most important was that the people were all together and drawing strength from each another.

The President said there was massive information campaign when Ruby was nearing the country, especially to warn the people about the possibility of a storm surge.

According to the President, relief equipment had been pre-positioned and that Cabinet officials led by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda took charge of various tasks.

As of last update, Aquino said 332 families or 1,529 persons are still staying in four evacuation centers in Eastern Samar.