Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored the importance of family, saying our loved ones should be at the center of our Christmas celebration.
”Sa kabila ng komersyalismo, ang pamilya pa rin ang sentro ng Paskong Pilipino. Christmas is for the family, no matter how one defines family,” Belmonte said in her Christmas message.
“Nandiyan ang traditional family composed of parents and their children. There are families anchored by a grandparent or two, caring for their grandchildren whose parents are working abroad,” she added.
She also acknowledged that modern families now come in many forms, with some being headed by a single man or a single woman. Others are called blended or step families, which are two families joined by love.
“Then there are families led by two men or two women. There are families made up of friends,” she also pointed out.
Amid these changes, Belmonte assured that the local government is always ready to extend a helping hand to those who need it most.
”This year, naayos natin ang dokumento ng mga mag-asawang deka-dekada na ang pagsasama. We provided LGBTQIA+ couples the right to decide for their partner when one is in need of medical attention,” the Mayor said.
The local government also responded to calls from parents abroad who needed help in providing guidance to their children living in Quezon City.
“This Christmas season, no matter where we are coming from, may we all find our way back to our family and rekindle the love we have for each other,” she said, adding that family provides strength and inspiration to help overcome everyday challenges.
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