Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas In Balete*

*Speech of Mayor Noemi C. Cordero delivered during the Lighting Ceremony of the Christmas tree atop the Band Stand at the Town Plaza, Balete, Aklan on December 3, 2007.

Mayad-ayad nga gabi-i katon tanan riya nga nagatipon makaron sa pagwitness (saksi) ku rayang lighting it aton nga Christmas tree.
Why one, singular Christmas tree instead of our traditional Christmas trees around the plaza?
Bukon it lipod katon nga rayang actividad kaibahan ro observance ku 12 Nights of Christmas nga maga-umpisa sa December 13 hay collective naton nga endeavor. With us in these events are the people behind agencies and organizations ranging from government, civil society and private sectors. There are the teachers, tricycle drivers, businessmen, PNP and fire personnel, barangay officials, government employees and private individuals joining hands to make this singular endeavor a meaningful event for every Baleten-on, preferentially the marginalized ones.
This Christmas tree then symbolizes our collective endeavor of sharing the joys and graces of Christmas to our fellow Baleten-on, the indigent families in our midst who we take as Mary, Joseph and the Child Jesus. With this observance, we are presenting a different paradigm: that Christmas is not about asking or expecting for gifts for us; that the season is not about caroling in return for some monies but of imparting to the least the message of love for which our lord was made flesh some 2000 years ago in a manger in an obscure town called Bethlehem.
Its lights will remind us of the challenge made to us by Jesus Himself for us to be the light of the world. “Let your good works shine forth for others to see that they may give Glory to God our Father.”
So be it. And thank you for going out your way tonight. /MP

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