The year 2005 has been a year of unusually severe natural disasters for the whole world, such as the tsunami, earthquake and the New Orleans flooding. Fortunately, the Philippines was spared such extraordinary natural catastrophes, although we have had our own usual share of calamities, both human and natural. Through the Philippine National Red Cross and other volunteer organizations we have provided help to all those afflicted by the disasters, both here and abroad.
In the political arena, our country has also experienced what is equivalent to shocks and tremors, which luckily our people and their fundamental political institutions have survived. It is not expected that such political and social tremors shall subside or cease in the New Year. We face other problems such as rising poverty, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, and criminality. How shall we cope with such challenges?
We should conjure the spirit of volunteerism that in the past had rescued us from the worse effects of natural catastrophes like the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption and the social upheavals like those of the Philippine Revolution and World War II. These periods of our history showed the initiative, the virtue of self-sacrifice, the courage and resiliency of the Filipino. Through the bayanihan spirit the Filipino can overcome and triumph.
I wish our people a happy and prosperous New Year.
|
