By Alec Go
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his wish for a Christmas that is “full of love, compassion, and hopeful beginnings” for all Filipinos as he joins the nation in celebrating the birth of Christ.
In his Christmas message released Dec. 25, Marcos called on the nation to celebrate the holidays with love amid the usual observance through gatherings, thanksgiving, and merrymaking.
“No matter the evolution of its observance, it is imperative that we emphasize the true essence of this holiday—love. It is this pure and simple love that Christmas represents—the same one that we constantly desire and need—that allows it to be more than just a Christian tradition.,” he said,
“Across beliefs, all the generosity and goodwill stirred in this season are welcomed. Surely, embracing these will help us overcome the difficulties brought by the pandemic and other challenges,” he added.
He also told Filipinos to “partake in this holiday with the same simplicity, sense, and meaning that we get from it.”
“Let us freely offer our smiles, share conversation, or impart wisdom to our peers, our loved ones, and even strangers. Let our affection be known and felt in the simplest of ways so that the eternal message of the Nativity of Christ may again spark hope for a brighter future in the hearts of all,” he said.
The President recently signed Proclamation No. 115. declaring December 26, 2022 as an additional special non-working day throughout the country to allow Filipinos fully celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.
He also signed Proclamation 90 in November, amending Proclamation 42 to also include January 2, 2022 as a special non-working day. – gb