With all the disasters that happened in the Philippines, Governor Daniel R. Fernando has urged Bulakenyos to embrace a simple Christmas celebration this year to show empathy for the nation’s disaster victims, especially those in the Visayas region hit by the recent earthquake and typhoon.

According to Fernando, areas such as Cebu and Davao Oriental were damaged by the recent typhoons, destroying hundreds of properties, along with lives that were lost.

“Sa Bulacan ito pa rin po tayo, nakatindig pa rin. Pero papaano po kaya ‘yung iba?” Fernando said during the ceremonial lighting of the PGB Christmas Tree on Friday, November 28, at the Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar Park in the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Compound in Malolos City.

He added that some of our countrymen are living on the streets, in evacuation centers, properties destroyed, without any extra clothes, with some loosing loved ones, and that breaks the Filipinos’ hearts.

“Kaya naman kailangan nating i-celebrate ‘yung Christmas nang payak, simple, okay na ‘yon. Makiramay po tayo sa mga nangyari. Ipagdasal po natin sila kasi mahalaga po dito ay ang pagdarasal,” he added.

Fernando also expressed his appreciation to the Sierra Madre mountain range for serving as an effective shield for Bulacan and nearby provinces during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan this month.

Likewise, Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro recalled the challenges the province have faced this year, emphasizing that despite the darkness, Bulakenyos from various fields and disciplines continue to shine and bring hope to Bulacan.

Meanwhile, a total of 50 Bulakenyo families received Christmas gifts from the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office through the Pamaskong Handog program coinciding the Christmas Tree lighting, with support from sponsors including Waltermart Malolos, Jollibee Malolos Crossing, and visual artist Reymund Dela Cruz, who donated a portion of the proceeds from his artworks.