‘Hope is most effective weapon against challenges’

(The following is the Christmas message of Vice President Noli de Castro).

The Christmas season is indeed the time of year very dear to us Filipinos where we unfailingly demonstrate our ability to rise above whatever difficulties we find ourselves in. This resiliency and gift to make the most of a given situation are traits that we Filipinos can be very proud of. For deep in our hearts, we feel that the birth of our Lord Jesus is a very significant event not just because of our Christian belief but, more importantly, because Christmas is a season of hope.

It has been said that in desperate times, a measure of hope is just what is needed. For truly, hope is the most effective weapon we have in successfully facing all the challenges before us.

Hindi po maitatanggi na patuloy pa rin at tumitindi pa ang mga hamong kinakaharap ng ating bansa dala ng mga kadahilanang mula sa labas ng bansa at maging ng mga pangyayari dito mismo sa ating bansa.

Nguni’t sa kabila ng mga ito, hindi natin maaaring ipagwalang bahala ang mga magagandang palatandaan gaya ng napakatatag nating panalalapi na may pinakamagandang pagpapakita sa buong Asya, ang ating masiglang stock market at patuloy na pagbaba ng halaga ng langis sa pandaigdigang pamilihan. Ang mga ito ang makapag-uudyok sa atin na umasang malalagpasan din natin ang lahat ng mga hamong ito sa ating tunay na pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagsisikap.

Challenges are meant to be hurdled. Even the richest and most powerful nations confront similar challenges and there is no other way but to find ways to overcome them. Hurdling these ordeals will only make us stronger and more resilient.

And let not these challenges cause us to lose focus of the true significance the Christmas season brings. The Christmas holiday is a truly Filipino feast. May it continue to inspire us to bring out the best in the Filipino.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! Ipagdiwang natin ang Kapaskuhan sa diwa ng Pagkakaisa!