NO more cussing. This was promised by President Rodrigo Duterte as he narrated how God has put a stop to his verbal rants upon his arrival from a state visit to Japan.
“I was looking at the skies as I was coming over here. Everybody was asleep snoring. A voice said that you know ‘If you don’t stop, I will bring this plane down now,’” explained the president on Thursday, Oct. 27.
The president — who notorious for throwing expletives during his speeches and interviews — described the experience as a moment of epiphany, saying that his promise to God is also a promise to the Filipino people.
“And I said, who is this? Of course, it’s God. Oh, OK. So, I promised God not to express slang, cuss words,” he said.
Following his divine encounter with God, Duterte reminded his colleagues in the government and kababayans on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to shun greed and corruption, telling them that all things come to pass and that “deeds will outlast our mortal lives.”
“I, therefore, ask my fellow workers in government and the entire Filipino people to heed not the temptations of the temporal world,” he said. “Let us, rather, answer the call to be true servant leaders.”
For Catholics and most Filipinos, November 1 and November 2, (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day respectively) are two of the days where some of the oldest Christian traditions are displayed.
All Saints’ Day, commonly known as “Undas or “todos los Santos” in the Philippines is the day the life and times of all the saints are remembered and celebrated. Observed as a holy day of obligation, faithful believers are led in prayers in honor of the holy men and women, including those not listed in the Church calendar.
According to Church officials, this holiday “enriches the faith of all who observe it. When we honor the saints, we actually give glory to God.”
All Souls’ Day is a time for solemn reunions and trips to visit and honor the resting sites of deceased loved ones, relatives and friends. Traditionally, this day is marked by offering of prayers, flowers, and lighting of candles.
In his All Saints’ Day reflection, Duterte emphasized the teaching of Jesus Christ on the importance of spirituality over material possessions.
“I hope that we cherish with fondness, love and gratitude the spiritual inheritance left by our ancestors and loved ones on their special day,” Duterte said. “May the nation receive the blessings of God as we exalt and emulate the holy men and women whose lives have inspired generations.”
