Vice President Leni Robredo hopes for a “better normal” as the Philippines marks its second Easter in a lockdown, saying that faith, hope, and love strengthen Filipinos’ resolve to surpass the challenges of the past year.
“But if there is anything that Easter and the Lenten Season reminds us, it is that during these extraordinary times of darkness, we are renewed by our faith, hope, and love for one another,” she said.
In celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, Robredo affirmed her faith in the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit.
“Walang Pilipinong nag-iisa. Magkakaiba man ang mga kontekstong pinanggagalingan natin, iisang ‘better normal” ang pangarap nating pandayin (There is no Filipino alone. We may come from different contexts, but we are hoping for the same better normal),” Robredo added.
This better normal does not speak only of the life once the pandemic is over.
For the vice president, this means a more equal, more humane, and fairer world especially for those who are marginalized and are the poorest in society.
“At dahil bitbit natin ang isa’t isa, walang duda — gaya ng pangakong dala ng muling pagkabuhay, isang pangako ng buhay na walang-hanggan na nagbubukal sa walang-hanggang pag-ibig at pag-asa— tiyak na mararating natin ang mithiin na ito (And because we are each other’s keeper, there is no doubt—like the promise of Easter, a promise of eternal life that springs from endless love and hope—we can surely reach this goal),” she said in her Easter message.
Robredo recalled that this is the second time the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation, is celebrating Easter while facing the problems of COVID-19.
She added that the past weeks, with their surging cases that peaked to 15,310 cases on Friday, have changed Filipinos lives all the more.
The opposition leader noted the surging COVID-19 cases in communities, “our healthcare systems are close to being overwhelmed, the economy is still shrinking, and many of us— from medical professionals to the daily wage earner— are struggling everyday with these disruptions.”
“Dala nito ang halo-halong emosyon: Takot, pangamba, lungkot. Na para bang napakalayo pa natin sa dulo ng pagsubok na ito (This brings mixed emotions: fear, apprehension, and sadness. That it feels like we are still too far from the end of this trial),” she added.
Robredo quoted Pope Francis who said, “Love is a leap of the heart. It brings us out of ourselves and creates bonds of sharing and communion.”
In these challenging times, Robredo said all the more this is true.
“Dumadaloy ang kabutihan at pag-ibig ng Diyos sa bawat isa sa atin. Sa piling ng isa’t isa, mas lalo tayong tumitibay— bilang isang simbahan, bilang isang sambayanan (The love of the Lord flows through each of us. In the arms of each other, we are strengthened—as one Church, as one community),” she added.