President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday urged Filipinos to embody compassion, humility, patience, and charity as the country marked Eid al-Fitr.
In his message, Marcos joined Muslim Filipinos in celebrating the occasion, describing it as both solemn and joyous, and recognizing Ramadan as a period of prayer, fasting, reflection, and generosity.
“It reminds us that deepest joys are often those earned through sacrifice, and that discipline in faith strengthens not only the individual, but the entire community,” he said.
The President expressed hope that the values observed during Ramadan would continue to guide individuals and communities beyond the celebration.
He called on Filipinos to practice compassion, humility, patience, and charity in their daily lives, saying these values help strengthen families and communities.
“They must travel beyond the self. They must strengthen families, restore hope in communities, and remind us that a nation is built not only through laws and institutions, but through people who choose kindness, responsibility, and solidarity with one another,” Marcos said.
“That is why, in honoring this day, we also uphold a tradition of moral steadiness that helps keep our nation humane, united, and worthy of the aspirations of the people.”
Marcos also highlighted the contributions of Muslim Filipinos, noting that their generosity restores dignity, their resilience sustains hope in times of hardship, and their sense of duty promotes peace and trust in communities.
He expressed hope that the celebration would bring comfort to those facing difficulties, renewed strength to those in service, and joy to Filipino households.
“We see it in homes that make space of others, in acts of charity that restore dignity, and in communities that endure hardship with patience and grace. We see it in the quiet fidelity to duty even when no one is watching,” he said.
The President added that Eid al-Fitr serves as a reminder to deepen understanding across faiths and cultures and to unite Filipinos in building a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“May it deepen understanding across faiths and cultures and continue to unite us in our shared aspiration to build a Bagong Pilipinas where dignity is upheld, opportunity reaches every Filipino, and peace flourishes through justice and mutual respect,” he said.
Marcos earlier declared March 20 a regular holiday nationwide through Proclamation No. 1189 in observance of Eid al-Fitr.
However, the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta announced that the crescent moon was not sighted, prompting the observance of Eid al-Fitr in the country to be moved to March 21.
