The country’s top two leaders said they were praying that the Philippines would be stronger and more stable, and that Filipinos would unite and have better lives this 2023.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte said this in a vlog on Marcos’ YouTube channel late Sunday, January 1.

In the video, Marcos said his dream was for Filipinos to work together so they could have a better life.

“Sana paganda nang paganda ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Magkakaisa ang Pilipinas para sa ikabubuti ng lahat (I hope that the lives of every Filipino would improve and that the Philippines will be one for everyone’s sake),” he said.

“‘Yan ang aking pangarap para sa taon na ito. Sa aking palagay, eh, kung ipagpatuloy natin ang pagkakaisa ay makakamtan natin ito (That’s my wish for this year. I think if we continue to unite, we’ll realize this dream),” he added.

For her part, Vice President Duterte said she prays daily for a “strong, successful, and stable Philippines.”

Meanwhile, the two leaders looked back at the year that was, and said that despite the challenges, there were still many things to be thankful for. For Duterte, she said she was grateful for the chance to serve the country.

“Naging busy man ang 2022 ay marami tayong dapat ipagpasalamat sa nakaraang taon– ang biyaya ng pamilya, kalusugan, at siyempre ang pagkakataong makapagsilbi uli sa bayan (We may have been busy in 2022 but there’s a lot we should be thankful for– the blessing of family, health, and the the opportunity to serve the country),” the Vice President said.

“Ngayong 2023 ay sigurado akong mas maraming naghihintay sa atin na pagkakataon at opportunity kaya bukod sa luck at swerte ay dapat laging may kasamang hard work at pakikipagtulungan (This 2023, I’m sure that there’s more opportunities for us so aside from luck, we should work hard and work with one another),” she added.

For his part, President Marcos commended Filipinos for overcoming the previous year’s challenges.

“Hinarap at napagtagumpayan ang bawat pagsubok na dumating sa atin. at ngayon, bilang nagkakaisang bayan, ay nasa landas na tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabago (We faced and overcame all challenges that befell us and now, as a unified country, we are now on the path of continued change),” he said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

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