Vice President Leni Robredo’s Message at the Concelebrated Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Santuario de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Concepcion, Tarlac

VP LENI: Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Bishop Enrique Macaraeg, Reverend Father O’Neal Sanchez, and the Diocese of Tarlac clergy. Governor Susan, Vice Governor Casada, and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who are here with us this morning. Of course, Senator Kiko, Senator Bam, Mayor Andy, Vice Mayor Joey, the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Concepcion. The other Mayors who are here, Mayor Lita, Mayor Nora, Mayor Rey Cat, ‘yung iba pa pong local officials na kasama natin this morning. Asociación de las Hermanas, all the parishioners of Santuario de la Inmaculada Concepción, all the devotees, magse-special mention po ako sa mga PREX, mga aking mga ate at kuya. PREX din po ako, Batch 2 sa Immaculate Conception Parish. Batch 2 po ako ng PREX sa Immaculate Conception Parish sa Naga City. I was telling, I was telling Father that we also celebrate every December 8 and I am very honored na naimbita niyo po ako ngayong umaga kasi hindi ako makakauwi today. So at least, wala akong na-miss na celebration of the Immaculate Conception.

Napakahalaga ng mga ganitong selebrasyon kasi pinapaalala sa ‘tin ‘yung mga mahahalagang aral ng Immaculate Conception. Ang pinakauna doon ‘yung total surrender to the Will of God na based on, on faith. Pangalawa, at tingin ko ‘yun ‘yung mas importante, ‘yung to strive every single day to be in the state of grace, to strive every single day to- to strive every single day to be holy. Sabi nga ng homily ni Bishop, ito pong ginagawa ninyo dito, continuing with the traditions, ito ‘yung nagpapalakas ng samahan, nagsisiguro na ‘yung mga aral hindi nakakalimutan especially for the next generations.

Gusto ko pong paabutan ng pagbati din si Congressman, hindi ko siya makita–ay ayan nasa likod ni Senator Bam, Congressman Noel. Magkasama po kami ni Congressman Noel sa 16th Congress. Gusto ko din pong paabutan ng congratulations for a job well done ‘yung ating 2021 Hermana Mayor, Ma’am Crising Turla, and best of luck. Best of luck sa ating incoming Hermana Mayor, Doktora Lyn, Doktora Lyn Perez. Alam ko po na you are very much prepared for the enormity of the job ahead but please know that we have you in our prayers as you tackle the big job of being the mother of, of the parishioners.

Masaya po ako nakabalik ako dito sa Concepcion sa isang napakahalagang selebrasyon at please know na nakikiisa po kami sa inyo sa kasiyahan ngayong araw. Maraming salamat pong muli. [applause]