On Feast of Black Nazarene, Duterte hopes Filipinos to learn virtues of compassion, selflessness

January 9, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed hope Filipinos learn the virtues of compassion and selflessness as he greeted Thursday devotees on the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.

In his message, Duterte said the cross of Christ is not a symbol of defeat but of victory, "and by his wounds we have been healed."

"This is the strong and powerful meaning of the iconic image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno to our people and to our country's history," he said.

The President said the devotion to Nazareno, which reaches its highest expression in the annual Traslacion, "continues to strengthen our faith amidst trying times."

"As we move in procession with the image of Christ in our midst, may we all be inspired to lead our nation towards greater progress, where everyone gets na equal chance for an improved quality of life," he said.

"May we also learn the virtues of compassion and selflessness as we do our part in nation-building," Duterte added.

Millions of Filipinos have been participating in the Traslacion 2020. Celerina Monte/DMS